Our school building
Take a bird's eye tour of our school construction process: Stepaside ETNS building construction
School Hours
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: 8:30 - 10:00 and 13:00 - 14:30 Monday to Friday
Supervision
Children are supervised during playtime by the teachers and are not allowed to leave the school premises during school hours.
Early Leavers
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.
Clothing
Children in Stepaside Educate Together do not wear a school uniform as we encourage children’s individuality. 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.
Lunches
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.
From September 2014 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.
Personal Property
- All belongings should have the owner's name clearly marked on them.
- Please label schoolbag, coats, jumpers, books etc.
Learning Support and Resource Teaching
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.
Homework
Homework is given to Junior Infants and Senior Infants should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. For first class, homework should take between 20 and 25 minutes.
Try and encourage your child to complete their homework when they come home from school when it is fresh in their minds and they are still in school mode. Constant, enjoyable and on-going reading of age-appropriate books should be encouraged by parents/guardians, whether listed in the homework or not.
Accidents in school
If an accident happens in school, your child will receive first aid for minor cuts and bruises. If there is anything more serious you will be contacted by the school.
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 out parent meetings in September. Please also see the NCCA website for more details (www.NCCA.ie).
Parental Involvement
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.
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