School Policy

School Uniform

A school uniform helps the child to feel that s/he belongs to a school. It helps to prevent undesirable competition in clothes. Our uniform consists of:

Girls: Check skirt/Pinafore. Blue jumper/cardigan. Blue shirt/or white polo shirt (summer). Navy tie with blue stripes. White or navy socks/tights.

Boys: Navy trousers. Blue jumper/blue shirt. White/blue polo shirt may be worn during warm weather. Navy tie with blue stripes.

Uniform may be purchased from Noel Heeney at McFadden's, Balbriggan. Tel: 8412478.

Girls may also wear tailored navy trousers- especially during cold weather (not tracksuit bottoms) - with blue cardigan/jumper etc.

P.E.: Girls and Boys: Plain navy tracksuit (no stripes etc), with blue/white polo shirt one day a week.

Children tend to remove jumpers/cardigans-especially during early Autumn. To avoid confusion and loss of jumper, please put your child's name on his/her jumper/cardigan.

School Rules

• It is a fundamental tenet of Balscadden National School that pupils show respect and courtesy towards others at all times.
• Pupils are asked to respect school property, books, furniture and equipment.
• All forms of bullying will be taken seriously and the staff will endeavour to investigate and deal with such incidents in a just and caring way.
• In the interests of everyone's safety, pupils are asked to walk while in the school building.
• Pupils are expected to be in school on time and stay until school ends.
• To help us with our records parents are asked to provide a signed note for a pupil who arrives late or leaves early.
• Children who are absent must have a note on their return to school.
• At break times, pupils are asked to leave the classroom (having eaten lunch), and to play in the yard-weather permitting. Parents wishing pupils to remain inside due to illness etc., are asked to inform the teacher in writing.
• We endeavour to promote healthy eating at all times.
• Not recommended: Crisps, nuts, sweets, lollipops, crackers, fizzy drinks.
• Consider a sandwich/piece of fruit/small scone etc., in manageable portions.
• Drinks: Unsweetened fruit juices/water/milk.
• Junior pupils especially, often become anxious if parents are late, therefore it is important to collect them on time.
• If there is a contagious illness e.g., measles/mumps etc in the house, please inform the teacher. If a pupil is unwell in the morning please do not send him/her to school.
• It is better that the pupil attempts the homework given without undue help from parents. In this way the teacher is better able to appreciate the pupils progress or difficulty. Reading homework should be supervised by parents. If there is a problem, parents are welcome to make an appointment to discuss it.

The above code of conduct is explained to the pupils and displayed in each classroom.

The above code of conduct is subject to ongoing review. Please contact the school if you have any queries. The rules as keep in the office will always constitute the definitive version.

Attendance

It is in the interest of the pupils to attends school each day. The National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) was set up under the Education Welfare Act (2000). According to this act parents are obliged to inform the school in writing of any reason for a child's absence. The principal is obliged under the terms of this act to inform the NEWB if a child misses 20 days or more from school.

Supervision

The school opens to receive pupils at 9.00am. No responsibility is accepted for pupils arriving before that time. Classes end each day at 1.40pm (Junior and Senior Infants) and 2.40pm (1st-6th). The school does not accept responsibility for looking after children after that time. Board of Management