Ladyswell National School

SCOIL AN CHEATHRAIR ÁLAINN
HOME SCHOOL COMMUNITY LIAISON POLICY

• HSCL scheme acknowledges parents as primary educators of the child.
• HSCL scheme acknowledges parents/teachers as equal partners in the formal education process.
• HSCL scheme broadens communication between home/school/community.
• HSCL policy highlights existing good practice.

This HSCL policy seeks to strengthen and promote the five aims of the HSCL scheme:

1. to maximise active participation of the children in the learning process in particular those who might be at risk of failure
2. to promote active co-opertion between home, school and relevant community agencies in promoting the educational interests of the children
3. to raise awareness in parents of their own capacities to enhance their children's educational progress and to assist them in developing relevant skills
4. to enhance the children's uptake from education, their retention in the educational system, their continuation to post-compulsory education and to third level and their attitudes to life long learning
5. to disseminate the positive outcomes of the scheme throughout the school system generally

Guidelines

In Scoil an Cheathrair Álainn we have an open door policy whereby parents are welcome to call in anytime, either to the principal/DP and/or the HSCL co-ordinator. If parent needs time to discuss their child's progress/development, it is advisable to make an appointment with the class teacher. The policy also includes HSCL co-ordinator visiting homes on a structured and regular basis and on request by the principal/teacher/parent. These visits are positive and preventative.

Current good practice includes

• Communication of information
• Meetings
• Written communication
• Telephone messages
• Award ceremony
• Home visits
• Encouraging parents to be involved in their children's learning at home and at school
• Homework journal
• Parent induction meetings-Early Start, Junior Infants
• Early Start parent involvement course
• Jolly phonics meetings
• First Steps Writing programme
• Paired Reading Programme
• Maths for Fun
• Transfer meetings
• Substance misuse awareness meetings
• Sacrament meetings
• Parents/Teachers working together
• Toy/book library
• Exhibition of children's work
• Presentation of certificates/awards/prizes
• Book Fair
• Tours
• Sporting events
• Concerts

Other Ways are:

• Enlisting parents views in decision making/policy making
• Parents on BOM
• Parents on Local Committee & sub-groups
• Parents involved in policy making
• Meetings formal/informal
• Providing opportunities for parents own education and development
• Home visits
• Courses
• Support talks
• Participation on Local Committee & sub-committees
• Involvement in in-school curricular programmes
• Providing crèche facilities
• Information noticeboard, newsletters, fliers etc.

Community networking/afterschools provision

Responsibility

The HSCL co-ordinator and the principal have responsibility for the development and implementation and review of this policy.
Success criteria

• Level of involvement of parents in school
• Attendance levels of pupils
• Attendance levels of parents at meetings/programmes
• A positive relationship between home and school

Review This policy was reviewed in 2008 and will be reviewed again in 2011.
Ratification
This policy has been ratified by pupils, parents, staff, BOM.