Parental Involvement
Title Policy re Parental Involvement
Introductory Statement
The process of formulating this policy was originally begun in May ’08, and the policy was subsequently ratified by the B.O.M. in February 2009. It is currently being reviewed as part of the on-going monitoring/evaluating/review process. Our Lady of Mercy Convent School is a community where pupils, parents/guardians and teachers collaborate and work in partnership for our children. When parents/guardians decide to send their child to our school they are entering a very important relationship. Parents/Guardians are invited to become involved in the school in many ways and at many levels (see Appendix 1: Ways in which parents/guardians are currently involved), e.g.:
Rationale
The formulation of a Policy on Parental Involvement was considered necessary for the following reasons: (i) to acknowledge and record good practice in this area to date in our school; and
(ii) to plan for greater levels of parental involvement, and to formalise the procedures involved.
Relationship to characteristic spirit of the school
The Mission Statement of Our Lady of Mercy Convent School, Booterstown is as follows:
To educate, encourage and celebrate our children and the wider school community as together we grow in body, mind and spirit.
Tá ár dTiarna linn.
Mindful of this Mission Statement, we in our Lady of Mercy Convent School recognise and applaud the benefits witnessed to date as a result of parental involvement in the school; and look forward with confidence to increased levels of activity in this area, developments which can only serve to enrich our whole school community.
Benefits of Parental Involvement
Guidelines for Parental Involvement
Success Criteria
The school has been evaluating the effectiveness of this policy through monitoring (i) pupil feedback (ii) staff feedback, and (iii) the views of parents/guardians; and will continue to do so.
Practical indicators as to the success of this policy in Our Lady of Mercy Convent School are as previously stated:
* Improved learning by these pupils: e.g. assessments showing progress (teacher observations, work samples, standardised tests etc.);
* Increased opportunities to engage the pupils in a more diverse range of activities;
* Happy, well-adjusted children, with positive attitudes to school and high levels of motivation and self esteem;
* Positive parental feedback;
* Positive feedback from pupils, teachers and SNAs, psychologists or inspectors; and
* Improved partnership between class teachers and parents/guardians in planning and implementing activities for the pupils.
Implementation Date
The procedures outlined in this policy are immediately effective.
Timetable for review
The operation of the procedures outlined in the policy above will be reviewed and, if necessary amended every three years; or earlier, if required.
Communication
This policy is circulated to all teaching staff. Furthermore, a copy of this policy will be posted on the school’s website and/or it can be inspected in the Administrative Policies folder in the secretary’s office.
Ratification
This plan was ratified by the Board of Management.
Appendix 1: Ways in which parents/guardians are currently involved:
- As parent reps on B.O.M.
- As members of P.A. committee
- In the Library
- Gardening activities
- Tours/Field Trips
- Sports’ activities/events (extra curricular)
- Committees e.g. Green Schools, Healthy Eating etc.
- Special Events e.g. Healthy Eating Week, Science Day, Artefacts Day, Maths Week etc.
- Cooking activities
- 6th Sale of Work
- ‘Talks’ on topics of specific interest
- Over the next 3 years, we aim to have parents/guardians become more involved in the area of ICT support.
Introductory Statement
The process of formulating this policy was originally begun in May ’08, and the policy was subsequently ratified by the B.O.M. in February 2009. It is currently being reviewed as part of the on-going monitoring/evaluating/review process. Our Lady of Mercy Convent School is a community where pupils, parents/guardians and teachers collaborate and work in partnership for our children. When parents/guardians decide to send their child to our school they are entering a very important relationship. Parents/Guardians are invited to become involved in the school in many ways and at many levels (see Appendix 1: Ways in which parents/guardians are currently involved), e.g.:
- Serving on school bodies (Board of Management, Parents’ Association Committee, Project committees e.g. Green Schools, Comenius, Healthy Eating etc.
- Library, Field Trips/Tours, Special Events, Extra-Curricular activities etc.
- In the classroom
- Fundraising
Rationale
The formulation of a Policy on Parental Involvement was considered necessary for the following reasons: (i) to acknowledge and record good practice in this area to date in our school; and
(ii) to plan for greater levels of parental involvement, and to formalise the procedures involved.
Relationship to characteristic spirit of the school
The Mission Statement of Our Lady of Mercy Convent School, Booterstown is as follows:
To educate, encourage and celebrate our children and the wider school community as together we grow in body, mind and spirit.
Tá ár dTiarna linn.
Mindful of this Mission Statement, we in our Lady of Mercy Convent School recognise and applaud the benefits witnessed to date as a result of parental involvement in the school; and look forward with confidence to increased levels of activity in this area, developments which can only serve to enrich our whole school community.
Benefits of Parental Involvement
- Children benefit from greater diversity in the classroom.
- Parental skills may support and complement work already taking place.
- Parental involvement actively supports and encourages the child’s learning.
- A wide range of activity is facilitated. This can be interesting and fun, and can lead to a broader and more holistic education.
- It promotes “good parent/teacher relationships and a better level of understanding between home and school” (National Parents’ Council).
- It enhances communication, trust and respect between parents/guardians and teachers.
- Parents/guardians can learn about the curriculum.
- Parental involvement allows children to see that school is an extension of home, and therefore fosters the idea of the ‘school family’.
- Parental skills can contribute to the smooth running and development of the school.
- Parental involvement provides the opportunity of making lifelong friends.
Guidelines for Parental Involvement
- Opportunities are endless … the school welcomes all ideas.
- Parents/Guardians can communicate with the class teacher / the principal / a post-holder about hobbies, skills or interests they can share with the pupils, bearing in mind that needs change from year to year. It remains the responsibility of the teacher to determine the appropriateness of an activity (e.g. is it suitable for the age group, has something similar already been done etc.).
- For certain activities (i.e. more academic and on-going support), it is recommended that Parent/guardian volunteers would not work in their own child’s classroom.
- Parents/Guardians should come into the classroom at the invitation of the teacher, by prior arrangement and for an agreed purpose. They work in conjunction with the teacher in a planned and co-ordinated way, and can lend a welcome hand in many areas which can be identified by the teacher.
- Ongoing projects over a number of weeks may enhance and enrich the work the children are involved with in the classroom: parents are encouraged to discuss any ideas they may have with the teacher. The teacher has the final say in the event that he/she feels such a project is falling short of its original aims and objectives.
- The happiness, welfare and safety of the children are our primary concern. A child’s personal history and academic achievements are strictly confidential. Any doubts about issues of confidentiality must be discussed with the teacher.
- Respect for teachers in their professional capacity is essential.
- The school ethos must be upheld at all time.
- Discipline remains the responsibility of the teacher.
- All work will be supervised by the teacher.
- Parents who participate should be conscious of and sensitive to the needs of the entire class.
- Parents who participate are advised that it is not considered appropriate for him/her at any time to be in the company of an individual child.
- In the interest of safety, toddlers and younger children cannot be accommodated during a classroom activity.
- The highest standard of behaviour and language is expected.
- Punctuality and consistency are crucial.
- Parents/guardians coming into the classroom must consult with the teacher before inviting other parents/guardians/individuals to participate.
- Any expenses a parent/guardian wishes to reclaim must be sanctioned in advance by the teacher, and must be accompanied by receipts.
Success Criteria
The school has been evaluating the effectiveness of this policy through monitoring (i) pupil feedback (ii) staff feedback, and (iii) the views of parents/guardians; and will continue to do so.
Practical indicators as to the success of this policy in Our Lady of Mercy Convent School are as previously stated:
* Improved learning by these pupils: e.g. assessments showing progress (teacher observations, work samples, standardised tests etc.);
* Increased opportunities to engage the pupils in a more diverse range of activities;
* Happy, well-adjusted children, with positive attitudes to school and high levels of motivation and self esteem;
* Positive parental feedback;
* Positive feedback from pupils, teachers and SNAs, psychologists or inspectors; and
* Improved partnership between class teachers and parents/guardians in planning and implementing activities for the pupils.
Implementation Date
The procedures outlined in this policy are immediately effective.
Timetable for review
The operation of the procedures outlined in the policy above will be reviewed and, if necessary amended every three years; or earlier, if required.
Communication
This policy is circulated to all teaching staff. Furthermore, a copy of this policy will be posted on the school’s website and/or it can be inspected in the Administrative Policies folder in the secretary’s office.
Ratification
This plan was ratified by the Board of Management.
Appendix 1: Ways in which parents/guardians are currently involved:
- As parent reps on B.O.M.
- As members of P.A. committee
- In the Library
- Gardening activities
- Tours/Field Trips
- Sports’ activities/events (extra curricular)
- Committees e.g. Green Schools, Healthy Eating etc.
- Special Events e.g. Healthy Eating Week, Science Day, Artefacts Day, Maths Week etc.
- Cooking activities
- 6th Sale of Work
- ‘Talks’ on topics of specific interest
- Over the next 3 years, we aim to have parents/guardians become more involved in the area of ICT support.
Parental Involvement V1.0
