What does our school look like?
Our school building
Take a bird's eye tour of our school construction process: Stepaside ETNS building construction
When does school start and finish?
Junior & Senior Infants: 8:30 - 13:10
From First Class: 8:30 - 14:10
The school is open in time for everyone to get to the class for 8:30 sharp.
Punctuality is expected as latecomers disrupt the class.
Office hours for visitors: 8:30 - 10:00 and 13:00 - 14:30 Monday to Friday
Children are supervised during playtime by the teachers and are not allowed to leave the school premises during school hours.
What breaks do the children get during the day?
Junior Infants - 2nd class
1st break: 09.50-10.10
2nd break 12:00-12.40
3rd class - 6th class
1st break: 10.00-10.20
2nd break 12.10-12.50
The children spend half of each break eating a snack/lunch and the other half playing on yard.
What do I do if my child needs to leave school early?
The early leavers' book is kept in the school office. If you have to collect your child early from school for any reason, please give the class teacher advance notice of this but also remember to sign your child out of school in the book in the school office. You will be asked to write the reason for the early finish also. A parent/guardian will need to sign the ‘early leavers book’ at the office.
Does my child need to wear a uniform?
Children in Stepaside Educate Together are not required to wear a school uniform as we encourage children’s individuality, however we do have SETNS t-shirts available to purchase.
However, please ensure that children wear suitable footwear and age-appropriate clothing that allows for safe and free movement especially during sports activities. Minimal jewellery such as a watch or stud earrings are acceptable. Other items such as bracelets and drop earrings can cause the child an injury or distress when lost or broken.
Please label all jackets/coats/jumpers. Give your child practice in putting on and taking off their coat. Velcro-fastened runners are ideal for young children and they promote their independence.
What should my child bring for lunch?
Diet plays a big part in your child’s behaviour. ‘Treats’ are best kept outside of school time. We promote a healthy eating policy in our school. Please avoid crisps, chocolate bars, biscuits, sweets, fizzy drinks, chewing gum, nuts (due to allergies) and popcorn. While yoghurt is healthy, please ensure that your child can open and eat it independently.
Stepaside ETNS has a NO NUTS POLICY. Where children are suffering from life threatening conditions or allergies, parents should outline clearly in writing what should and what should not be done in a particular emergency situation, with particular reference to what may be a risk to the child.
Where is Lost Property?
All belongings should have the owner's name clearly marked on them.
Please label school bags, coats, jumpers, books etc.
We have a lost property area at the back door entrance to the school. Parents are welcome to check this at drop off/pick up times.
How are Learning Support and Resource Teaching hours allocated?
Resource hours are allocated to children who have been assessed and require specific support. Children with resource hours may include: children who have been assessed as having hearing difficulties, speech and language difficulties, dyspraxia etc. A Resource teacher, should we be allocated one by the Department of Education (based on assessments) will work in and out of class with the child. Learning Support is given to all pupils in the form of in-class support and team-teaching. Pupils who would benefit from extra support may be withdrawn from the class in small groups.
All children have different needs. Our aim is to make carefully-planned, strategic provision for all of our students. Assessments take place to determine the needs of each child. The standardised ‘Belfield Infant Assessment Test’ as well as regular in-class assessments will be used at Stepaside Educate Together NS. These assessments are analysed by the teachers and Principal, and they help in identifying the areas in which each child may need extra help and support.
What is Aistear?
In Stepaside Educate Together we have implemented the Aistear Programme in our Infant Classes. This is a play based methodology that aims to develop children’s well-being, identity and belonging, communication skills and ability to think and explore. To date Aistear has been a great success in Stepaside. We will be providing more information on Aistear at our parent meetings in September. Please also see the NCCA website for more details (www.NCCA.ie).
As a parent, how do I become more involved?
We believe that parents, the school and the community working together enhance the education of our students. Parental involvement in Stepaside Educate Together is encouraged, welcomed and appreciated. A Parents' Association Committee (PAC) has been set up, and will welcome parental involvement in policy formation, fundraising and general events in the school (such as outings, school celebrations, parents’ meetings, speciality weeks). Parents can contact the PAC via email: pac@stepasideetns.ie.
How do I communicate with my child’s teacher?
Good communication between parents and teachers is essential to the environment we work to create. Therefore class meetings are held at the beginning of the school year, so that parents can be informed of the requirements of the new class. Individual parent/teacher meetings are held in November. However, if parents have any problem or wish to speak to the teachers at other times of the year, they are very welcome to make an appointment. This may be done by contacting the office info@stepasideetns.ie.
Complaints are infrequent but the school would wish that these would be dealt with informally, fairly and quickly. A parent/guardian who wishes to make a complaint should, firstly approach the class teacher with a view to resolving the complaint. Please refer to our Communications Policy for further information.