Dear Parents,
It is hard to believe we are almost back in school a month. Our teachers are full of praise for how our children are working at the moment and we are looking forward to a busy term. Our assemblies have returned each Friday and it’s a wonderful opportunity for the children to showcase some of the work that they are doing in their classes each week.
Féilire na scoile ; School Calendar
A comprehensive programme of professional development has been made available by the Department of Education to support teachers in their implementation of the new Primary Language Curriculum. The school will close @ 12.30p.m. on the 11th October to facilitate staff in-service in respect of the new curriculum.
Curriculum: Curaclam na scoile
Supplementary reading and new spelling programme
The consistent, explicit implementation of graded reading materials throughout this school is a very important element in children’s language development. In this school a child will receive a supplementary reader or two each week to read at home. The support of parents has been invaluable in encouraging, monitoring and signing children’s’ cards when they have completed their reading. Please continue to keep up that good work this year.
Spellings for Me
As you are aware by now our senior teachers are piloting a new spelling programme called ‘Spellings for me’. It is a completely differentiated programme where a child works according to their ability, not their class or age. We look forward to your feedback at a later stage of the year when it has been well established. It would not be possible to implement this programme without the generous support of our Parents Association in purchasing iPads for the school last year.
Attendance: Tinreamh
The roll call is taken every morning in school. Once a child has been marked absent for a day, parents can instantly submit a reason for this absence to the school on Aladdin Connect.
Health Notice; Fógra Sláinte
Please ensure that the school has necessary medical information in respect of your child. Our school secretary, Bernadette is updating this at the moment. You can e-mail her at secretary@emons.ie.
Code of Behaviour ; Cód Iompair
We are now implementing our new code of behaviour which we worked on last year for all pupils from first class to sixth class. As part of our on-going efforts to promote positive behaviour, each class has a system of promoting and reinforcing positive behaviour. Children will be familiar with these systems and you will hear them talking about them. These are some of the strategies used:
Fun Time Friday
Class dojo points
Make a Flower
Golden time
Beat the teacher
Pupil of the week
Buddy systems
Stamp and sticker
Whole school acknowledgement through assembly.
Behaviour contracts
Visit to the Principal for commendation.
Behaviour Management System
The school will follow new card system for managing behaviour from 1st to 6th class. The approach taken to junior and senior infants will be one of behaviour modification as we are currently doing. I will forward the latest version of the yellow card in a separate post.
Anti- Bullying
In this school we are welcoming and friendly to one another. We say gentle hands, gentle feet and kind words. We will keep emphasising these messages to our children on the playground and in the classroom
Teachers are completing awareness raising lessons regarding anti-bullying at the moment. However, the message remains the same. If a child is giving another child a NO feeling teacher needs to hear about. It is not the norm and children need to tell an adult. We also need to know the context etc. Giving another child a NO feeling is regarded as serious misbehaviour and warrants a yellow card for same.We encourage parents to read through our anti-bullying policy with your child. Many thanks for your co-operation in advance . https://emons.ie/school-policies/emo-national-school-anti-bullying-policy/
Parents Association Notice: Fógra do thuismitheoirí
Laois and Offaly Libraries are delighted to present a series of online talks for parents. The event begins this Wednesday, September 22nd by Zoom at 7:30pm. It is free to all. The full progamme includes a variety of interesting and well-known speakers including Dr. David Coleman, Dr. Mary O’Kane and Sarah Sproule. Subjects covered will include mental health, internet safety, anxiety, nutrition, behaviour problems, sleep patterns and toilet training.
It aims to give parents simple and practical strategies to help them build healthy relationships with their children and confidently manage issues as they arise.
The programme is open to everyone including parents, caregivers, healthcare professionals, teachers, special needs assistants and those working with children and young people.
Bookings can be made on Offaly Libraries Eventbrite page and full details are available on the Laois and Offaly library websites and their social media channels.
Cúrsaí Spóirt
Gaelic football coaching is taking place for all children from senior infants to sixth class in the school at the moment . Leagues will follow and míle buiochas to our staff for ensuring that every child gets an opportunity to play our national games. Our thanks to senior infant parents who are supporting the coaching in that class .
Kind regards,
Cyril Duggan
principal@emons.ie