INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
ROUTINES AND GENERAL INFORMATION
Time
Morning Time:
School begins at 9.00a.m.
At 8.50am the first bell will sound at which point the school yard will be supervised.
Children, who are in the yard prior to this time, are not the responsibility of the Board of Management.
Parents are asked to drop their children to the school gates at 8.50am.
At 9am the second bell sounds and children will line up in their designated lines.
It is important that the children develop the habit of being punctual for school.
Morning Break Time:
There is a 15 minute break at 10.45 a.m.
Lunch Break:
Lunch break is from 12.30 p.m. to 1.00 p.m.
Infants Home Time:
Junior and Senior Infant Classes are dismissed at 1.45 p.m.
(It is important that parents are on time. Pupils must return to their class teacher if their parent is not present. Parents must not take another child unless the school has been informed).
Home Time:
The pupils from first to sixth classes are dismissed at 2.45 p.m.
(At 2.45 p.m., pupils are expected to leave the school grounds in an orderly fashion and to report home promptly).
General Notes
Meetings:
Parent / Teacher meetings: Parent/Teacher meetings will be held during February for all classes except 6th class, which take place in October.
Individual consultation: This occurs where a parent has asked for an interview with a teacher or has been invited to visit the school to exchange information or to discuss matters of concern. A note to the class teacher or a phone call to the secretary requesting such an appointment is always essential. It is also necessary that the purpose of the visit be stated so that teachers may undertake whatever preparation is necessary with regard to information and records.
Appointment with Principal: Parents should contact the secretary at 041-9822873 if they wish to make an appointment to meet with the Principal.
New Parents meeting: A meeting is held in the first week of September of each year with parents of the new infants.
Religious Formation
Parents have a key role to play in the religious formation of their children. They are asked to acquaint themselves with the school’s religion programme (Grow in Love).
The pupils receive the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion in Second Class, and the sacrament of Confirmation when in Sixth Class. The preparation of the children for sacraments is a shared responsibility between pupils, teachers, parents and parish clergy. On certain occasions throughout the school year, the children may participate in prayer services or a school Masses.
Opt Out: If parents wish to have their child opt out of religious education, parents are required to meet with the school’s principal to discuss the issue.
School Environment:
Callystown N.S. is a Green Flag School. To date we have received the Green Flag for Waste, Energy, Water, Travel and Biodiversity. The school is currently in the process of applying for our ‘Global Citizenship’ flag.
A lot of effort has been put into creating a pleasant environment over the last number of years. Murals have been painted and a large part of the school has been landscaped.
School Tours
It has been the tradition of the school that each class will get an opportunity to go on at least one school trip. This usually happens in the last term of school. On occasions, when a suitable event occurs, then a tour can be arranged to take advantage of this opportunity. A notification of school tours will be sent to all parents detailing the trip and costs. A permission slip will be attached and will need to be signed in order for children to take part.
After School Activities:
After school activities are run on a termly basis and may vary from time to time. The activities are run with the co-operation of teachers. Activities may include boys and girls football, music, Irish dancing, arts and crafts, Lego club and IT club. Arrangements for each of these activities will be forwarded to parents at the beginning of each term.
Credit Union:
The school promotes the habit of saving. To this end, the school has a savings club with the local Credit Union. Each Monday, from October to the end of the year, those wishing to save can bring money in and it will be lodged through the school to their Credit Union accounts. No withdrawals can be made through the school. In order to open an account, parents will have to make contact with Clogherhead Credit Union to open an account.
Parking and Traffic:
Parents are asked not to park in the teachers’ car park.
Parents are asked to drive around the roundabout and to stop at the pedestrian gate when dropping off their children. Under no circumstances should a car stop on the roundabout to drop children off.
School Policies:
The school has a number of policies that inform the management of Callystown National School. These policies are to be found in the school policy section of this website. It is important that parents read these policies and keep up to date with the administration of the school.
Ways to help the School:
We are very appreciative of the support which parents and pupils give to the school’s fund raising activities.
We encourage as many parents as possible to take an active part in the Parents’ Council.
Remember – When you give time to the school, you help your child! When you give time to your child, you help the school!
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the school at 0419822873