General information for  Parents/Guardians.
 ​

Dear Parents/Guardians,
Below is a link for a hand washing song that the children  will like. It goes through all the steps and may be helpful for the rest of the family.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxlQn7KaCNU
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Dear Parents/Guardians,


It was with a great feeling of excitement and trepidation that we opened the gates of our school on Thursday morning to the very excited children and equally excited parents/guardians. It truly was an emotional experience and a very stark reminder of the strange times we are living through. It was somewhat chaotic at times guiding the children to their various classrooms. By Friday morning the First and Second class children, a credit to their parents/guardians, seemed to know exactly where they were going under the direction of our support teachers. It was a much more seamless operation.


Of course we cannot forget our very brave Junior Infants who came in over the 2 days and who settled in so well despite all the worry and fears from all the grownups. They were amazing and again a great credit to their parents/guardians. Let's hope it will continue like that! Some new pupils enrolled in our school also and we extend a very warm welcome to them and their parents/guardians!


A few points to remember
Junior and Senior Infants:
  • Pupils should arrive at school at their appointed time and proceed directly to their classroom.
  • The barriers will no longer be in place, we request that everyone follows the arrows to their appointed area.
  • One parent/guardian/minder only is permitted entrance onto the school grounds at arrival and collection time.
  • We request that where possible only children attending Dunboyne Junior School enter the school grounds. Any children brought onto the yard should remain beside their parents/guardians at all times.
  • Parents/Guardians/Minders are asked not to engage the teacher in conversation at this time. It is simply a pick up and go system to ensure there is no congregation of people.
  • Please note where siblings have different starting times and parents/guardian/minders are unable to facilitate a double drop off, parents/guardians/minders should arrange to drop both siblings for the later start time to avoid pupils congregating in the yard.
  • Parents/Guardians/Minders must wear masks at all times when on school grounds.
  • Please ensure that your child has a coat with a hood or hat (all labelled) every day as they are required to go out to the yard for breaks according to DES guidelines.
First and Second classes
  • Pupils should arrive at school at their appointed time and proceed directly to their classroom.
  • The barriers will no longer be in place, we request that everyone follows the arrows to their appointed area.
  • Pupils should not arrive more than 10 minutes before their allocated time.
  • Parents/Guardians/Minders are not permitted onto school grounds at arrival time. The gates must be cleared as quickly as possible to keep the area free from congestion.
  • Parents/Guardians/Minders are permitted entry at collection time and please be on time and adhere to social distancing. It is simply a pick up and go system to ensure there is no congregation of people.
  • Please note where siblings have different starting times and parents/guardians/minders are unable to facilitate a double drop off, parents/guardians/minders should arrange to drop both siblings for the later start time to avoid pupils congregating in the yard.
  • We request that where possible only children attending Dunboyne Junior School enter the school grounds. Any children brought onto the yard should remain beside their parents/guardians at all times.
  • Parents must wear masks at all times when on school grounds
  • Please ensure that your child has a coat with a hood or hat (all labelled) every day as they are required to go out to the yard for breaks according to DES guidelines.


We are all looking forward to the year ahead.
Best wishes,
Anne Gleeson

Free books for children available on the following internet sites.
www.allyoucanbooks.com

www.oxfordowl.co.uk

Dear Parents/Guardians,
This document has been designed to share ideas that might be useful over the coming weeks for online learning.   
The following is a link to a collaborative Google Doc. 
Click here: http://bit.ly/covid19ireland 
The following is a resource that we use in our classroom and twinkl have made this available for free to all parents for a month.  Please follow the instructions outlined below.
A chara,My name is Jonathan Seaton, and I am the CEO of Twinkl. In light of recent developments in relation to Covid-19, we here at Twinkl want to support all pupils, parents and teachers should the decision be made to close primary schools in Ireland. We are offering all parents and teachers a One Month FREE Ultimate Membership to Twinkl.ie. This will allow parents and teachers unlimited access to every single resource for every single curriculum subject from junior infants to sixth class.
Setting this up is really easy to do - go to www.twinkl.ie/offer and enter the code IRLTWINKLHELPS. We’d like your support to get this message out. We’ve also put together some guidance which outlines several ideas for how schools can support parents during school closures. Please visit our blog for more information. This code will only work for new memberships. If you are an existing member with a Core or Extra membership, please get in touch and we will upgrade you to Ultimate right away.
Accessing this offer on Twinkl.ie will allow parents the opportunity to transform their home into a classroom by being able to access PowerPoints, games, songs, rhymes, stories, worksheets and much more for every area of all subjects on the curriculum from junior infants to sixth class.
This offer is not exclusive to your school so please feel free to share this information with your school’s Parents Association, the parents/guardians of the children in your school and also with every teaching member on your staff. In addition, please feel free to share this with local schools in your parish, your county and with other principals in Ireland.
The help we are offering would not be possible without the continued support of our members and we would like to thank you for enabling us to provide this support, globally. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the Coronavirus and we hope that this will go some way towards helping.
Le meas,
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Gill Education are giving parents access to all online content for Over the Moon while schools are closed. 
 
Junior and Senior infant teachers thought it would be an excellent resource to share with parent.
 
When you click their appropriate link below, you will be taken to all resources for our English workbook Over the Moon. This includes readers, interactive and oral language activities and games for each chapter/unit.
From the dropdown menu of resources, we would recommend 
  • Genre Story eBooks
  • Non-Fiction Reader eBooks
  • Oral Language and Interactive Resources
 
Junior & Senior Infants have covered units/chapters 1-7 so we would ask that this resource be used as a revision activity; please go no further than unit/chapter 7.
 
Junior Infants
https://www.gillexplore.ie/gill-explore-resources/over-the-moon-junior-infants-skills-book
 
Senior Infants
https://www.gillexplore.ie/gill-explore-resources/over-the-moon-senior-infants-skills-book

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Tel: 01/8252807.
Email: office@dunboynejps.ie
Website: www.dunboynejps.ie
We are offering this guide to parents as a little practical aid in dealing with the education of their children at the very early stages.  We will be happy if you dip into it from time to time and find something of value to you and your child.
 


Welcome to Dunboyne Junior Primary School. Let our new and exciting Journey Together Begin.
 
Mission Statement
“Our aim is to be a centre of excellence for learning and teaching, Inclusive to all.”

Please be aware that for Health and Safety reasons  there is no vehicle access to our school grounds.  Parking is available in the church grounds or adjacent car park.  We ask that all parents/guardians adhere.

 
School Times
School opens               9:20 a.m.
Small Break                 11:00 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.
Lunch Break                12:45 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Finishing Times          2:00 p.m. (Infants)
                                        3:00 p.m. (1st Class to 2nd Class)
                                        1st and 2nd classes finish at 2.55 p.m. on Friday

Please be on time for school every day.
It is very important that your child is in their line with the rest of their classmates before your class teacher collects them at 9.20 a.m.  Your child will be more relaxed starting his/her day on time.

Attendance
Good attendance is a priority in our school.  If you bring your child late, leave early, or your child is absent from school, you need to hand the teacher a note of explanation.  The teacher has to take an attendance roll every day and put in a “Reason for absence”.   Parents will be informed after 15-20 days have been missed.
Under the Education Welfare Act 2000, parents must let the school know if their child is absent and why.  The school has to report the non-attendance of any pupil who misses 20 days or more in any school year, including sickness and hospitalizations, to the Education Welfare Board.
 

UNIFORM
Pupils must wear their school uniform at all times, including the school tie.  School tracksuits are only allowed on the timetabled P.E. days.
Please label your child’s clothes, especially jumpers, tracksuit tops and coats.
In very cold weather make sure your child has extra clothes under their uniforms e.g. T- shirt or vest.
Make sure your child brings a warm jacket and hat in very cold weather and a rain jacket in milder weather.
Please get your child shoes with Velcro straps.  Young children cannot manage laces.
Uniform details
  • Navy jumper
  • Blue shirt
  • Plain Navy Tie
  • Grey trousers (elasticated) or grey skirt or pinafore with white/grey socks/tights
  • Tracksuit (navy) with blue polo t-shirt.
All clothing can be purchased in local stores and crests can be purchased in Dunboyne Sports and Leisure Shop. Please ensure that all clothing is labelled with your child’s name and classroom.
 
  
Health
If your child has an allergy, medical condition, problem with sight or hearing, or is being assessed by a health professional or has any specific needs, please make sure that your child’s teacher is informed.
If you have any medical reports on your child who may have an impact on their ability to learn, please share it with your child’s teacher.
We wish to care for him/her to the best of our ability.
If your child is unwell or sick   please do not send them into school.
 
Lunches
Every day is a healthy lunch day. Only healthy snacks will be allowed for small break e.g. fruit, vegetable snack, water, juice, bread, bread sticks, crackers etc.  No chocolate, sweets, chewing gum, crisps, popcorn, lollipops, peanuts or fizzy drinks or cordials are allowed. There is filter taps in all the classrooms so bottles can be refilled.
   
Arriving on the first day
Be sure to arrive on time.
Children will be brought to their new classroom and introduced to their new teacher. 
When you arrive, be as casual as you can.  If you are relaxed, your child will be more relaxed.

Going Home
Be sure to collect your child on time.  Children can become very upset if they feel they are forgotten.
If you cannot collect your child on a particular day, tell them who you have organised to collect them that afternoon so that they don’t get upset.

Emergencies happen
If at any time the collecting routine is changed unexpectedly, contact the school, a phone call to the school can ease anxiety or send an email to school office.

Interrupting Class
We do not encourage the interruption of classes and ask that if you have appointments to try and arrange outside school hours where possible. Lunches, bags etc. can be dropped to office and we will deliver them to classroom.
 
 
Handling the upset child
Despite the best efforts of both teacher and parents, a small number of children will still become upset on their first day in a new school.  If your child happens to be one of them don’t panic.

Patience can work wonders
Trust the teacher.  They are experienced and resourceful and are used to coping with all kinds of starting-off problems.
Try not to show you are upset.  Sometimes parents are more upset than the child and this can make your child anxious or distressed
Reassure your child  that they will have great fun, make new friends, that you will be back for them, that you love them, that their teacher is lovely and that they will really enjoy it.  Smile and look confident.  Give them a hug and a kiss and say goodbye.
As Time Goes On
  • Get your child into the habit of being on time and coming to school every day.
  • Children need plenty of rest.   Get your child into an early and set bedtime.
  • Show and interest in the work your child brings home.  Please support your child with any small bit of homework they may get.
  • Children often “forget” to bring home messages so please check your child’s bag every night for messages/notes.
  • Do not compare your child’s progress to their peers.  Be patient and give plenty of praise for their efforts.
  • If your phone number or address changes during the year, please give details to the office and class teacher.  We need to have an up to date contact number for you should we need to contact you.
  • At the early stages some parents meet the teacher regularly and this is a good thing.  However, if there is something in particular that you would like to discuss you can arrange to meet your child’s teacher at a time when you both have a little peace and privacy.
 
Respect and Courtesy
Social skills are very important.  We encourage good manners at all times, please and thank you, addressing the teachers properly, being courteous to fellow students and staff.
Children’s moral and social education is covered right through the school day e.g. kindness to others, sharing with them, saying we are sorry.

Do’s                                               

Do be kind and helpful
Do be gentle
Do listen
Do work hard
Do be honest
 
Don’ts

Don’t hurt people’s feelings
Don’t waste your own or other people’s time
Don’t hurt anyone
Don’t interrupt

 In our school grounds we have fun by playing fairly and safely, where everyone is included.  Bullying, fighting and general roughness is totally discouraged.  Every child is entitled to play in a safe environment.  A school policy on bullying is in operation.  Children are supervised in the playground during breaks. 
It is important to ask your child whom he/she played with at school to ensure he/she isn’t alone, also encourage mixing rather than be dependent on one friend.
On the learning side the emphasis is on getting children ready for learning by:-
  • Learning through play – is the most  enjoyable and effective way
  • Developing their oral language and expression
  • Sharpening their senses, especially seeing, hearing and touching
  • Developing physical coordination, including hands and fingers
  • Extending their concentration and getting them to listen well
  • Cooperating with teachers and other children
  • Performing tasks by themselves
  • Working with others and sharing with them
 
Language
Children communicate their thoughts, feelings and needs, curiosity and desires through speech.  If they cannot express these feelings and ideas in words they will tend to remain silent or get very cross and frustrated.  They can pull away from class learning, which if not addressed can lead to negative feelings about school and education.

Children need to hear the words to understand them.
They need to understand the word to use it.

You can Help
  • Speak with your child at every opportunity.  At home, at the shops, on the street, park.  Describe everything you see.
  • Make time to listen when they want to tell you something that is important to them. Answer genuine questions with patience and in an age appropriate way.
  • “MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO” Speak respectfully, quietly and kindly to your child and they will copy you and learn to speak in the same way.
  • Say nursery rhymes and sing songs together.  If a child learns to rhyme words they can hear the sounds in the words, which will help them to read.
  • Give your child lots of time to use their imagination.  Dress up, pretend play, dolls cars, blocks.  Doctors, nurses, farmer, policeman etc.  A lego block can be a phone, remote control, bar of chocolate etc.
  • Help your child explore feelings and ideas through play.
 
Play with them.

Feelings & Emotions Words
When a child is upset, it is difficult for the parent and the child.  It is a lot more difficult if a child does not have the words to let people know how they feel.  Your child can get very upset, angry and frustrated, or may go the other way and refuse to speak.  Most tantrums are caused by some frustration a child is feeling.
It is very important that your child can name how they feel.
You can help your child by naming their feelings when you see an opportunity.  “Are you feeling angry because your sister won’t share?”  “I can see that sleeping in the dark makes you feel afraid, nervous etc.”  Try to teach your child an emotional vocabulary.  It helps to control their feelings, make friends, keep friends and be happy.
Help your child to understand their feelings.  Teach your child that it is okay to have our feelings but that we need to deal with them in appropriate ways.
Play “Make a Face” Tell your child you are going to make a face and they must guess what you are feeling.  For example, If you make a happy or sad face and your child guesses it, say that’s right.  Explain a time you may feel like that.
“Going to the park makes me feel happy”  “I feel sad when it rains and I can’t go to the park” etc.
Read books to your child that shows characters experiencing different feelings e.g. sad, angry, happy, afraid, lonely, and confused.  Stop at a page showing a characters expression and ask your child:
What do you think he/she is feeling?
Why is he/she feeling this way?
Have you ever felt that way?
What should he do?

Expressing Feelings
Sometimes children express their feelings in an inappropriate way.  They might cry when frustrated or throw toys or scream when angry.  Try to teach your child different ways to express themselves appropriately and learn calming techniques.
  • Ask for help
  • Use your words “Say it, don’t do it”
  • Say “I am mad” (instead of throwing toys)
  • Tell an adult what’s wrong
  • Take a big breath, count to five.
  • Ask for a hug
  • Try again
  • Walk away
Five Golden Rules
When in school, know the rule: silence, whisper, talk.
For safety in school, walk with care is the rule.
Make haste, don’t waste, be on time.
Respect others as you should, be kind, polite, and good.
Be fair, always care, remember to share.

Feelings Words
Happy, sad, mad, curious, proud, frustrated, bored, angry, calm, lonely, afraid, worried, loving stubborn, uncomfortable, important, friendly, kind, patient, generous, safe, shy, annoyed, nervous, confident.

​Getting ready to read
Learning to read is a gradual process.  Lots of work must be done before a child is introduced to their first reader.  We deliberately do not rush children into reading.  Reading is something to be enjoyed.  It should never feel pressured for a child.

Surround them with words
  • Have colourful books in the home
  • Teach your child to respect and care for books
  • Read different types of stories.  Fairy tales, adventure stories, funny stories, silly stories
  • Look at the pictures with your child.  You can tell a wonderful story from pictures
  • Point at the words as you read them.  Your child will learn that we read from left to right
  • Teach your child how to turn a page
  • Ask predictive questions.  What do you think happens next? Etc
  • Take your child to the library  Read stories together.  Share a love of books and words.  Your child will have a favourite story and they will want you to read it over and over.  That’s great.  Gradually get them to tell you the story.
  • When your child has a large bank of words, they will be ready to read.
 
Getting ready for writing
  • Making letters on paper is not easy for small child.  They must learn to hold the pencil properly and make regular shapes.  Their finger muscles are only gradually developing at this stage.  They must develop the ability to get the hand and eye working together.  You can help train their muscles.  Get them to manipulate toys  like:  
  • Jigsaws, lego, beads to thread etc.
  • Plasticene (Marla) to make their own shapes
  • A colouring book and thick crayons
  • Sheets of paper to cut up with safety scissors
 
If your child is naturally using their left hand.  Do not stop them, do not try to change it.  This is natural for them.
 

Understanding Maths
Maths for a small child has nothing to do with “Sums” or figures or tables or adding and subtracting.  This will come much later.  Maths is part of the language children use in understanding and talking about certain things in their experiences e.g.
  • They associate certain numbers with particular things – two hands, four wheels, five fingers etc.
  • Counting – one, two, three, four, five
  • Colours – black, white, red, green, blue, etc.,
  • Prepositions (telling positions) before/after, above/below, under/over, inside/outside etc.
  • Matching/sorting – objects of the same colour/size/texture/shape
  • Shapes – Circle, square, triangle, rectangle etc.
Understanding of these concepts come quickly to some children, for others it can take a long time.
Be Patient
 
 
When parents and teachers work together children are the winners.

         
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The attached document  has some helpful information.