May 9th 2012

Re: Enrolment Policy

Dear Parents / Guardians,

The Enrolment Policy is under review and the Board of Management has taken on board feedback, suggestions and requests from many parents and the DSP Executive, our patron body.  The BoM has proposed two motions for parents / guardians to vote on regarding changes to the current ‘first come, first served’ Enrolment Policy:

• to introduce a form of sibling preference
• to recognise the specific needs of adopted children and children in long term foster care

An information evening is being held on Wednesday 16^th May at 8pm in the school, where there will be an opportunity to discuss the proposed changes.  An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) will take place on Wednesday 30^th May at 8pm in the school where voting will take place. We hope both the meetings will be well attended and that as many parents/guardians as possible will come and vote on the issues.

Any changes to be made to the policy must be first ratified the DSP Executive before the BoM can implement them. Any changes decided on will not come into effect for four years from the date of ratification as those who currently have a PEL number have a contract with the school under the Enrolment Policy at the time they applied.

The next review of enrolment policy will not take place before 2017/2018.

Voting procedures:

As change to this policy is fundamental to the ethos of the school, any change should only take place on the basis of a two-thirds majority of those voting. In view of the importance of the issue, strict voting procedures are being followed.

1. A register of voters will be established consisting of all parents/guardians of children in the school
2. Each parent/guardian will be entitled to vote
3. The ballot boxes will be open to cast your vote

a)    At the EGM on 30^th May at 8pm-9pm

b)    On 31^st May and 1^st June in the school from the hours of 8.30am-9.30am and 1.00pm-2.30pm

1. Each person must come and vote in person in the school
2. Results will be announced in June

A summary of the Enrolment Policy Review Process is attached as well as the formal announcement of the EGM.

Yours sincerely,

_____________________                                                      _______________________

Miriam Hurley, Principal                                                          Liz McGovern, BoM Chairperson

 Notification of an Extraordinary General Meeting

of the Board of Management
of Dalkey School Project National School

Wednesday, May 30th at 8pm

Dalkey School Project N.S.

Purpose:             To conduct a vote on proposed amendments to the Enrolment Policy
(this vote follows an information evening on Wednesday May 16th at 8pm)

The motions being voted on are as follows:

1.     that the Enrolment policy is changed so that siblings of children who are currently pupils in the school will be given preference if placed on the pre-enrolment waiting list (PEL) within 6 months of their birth. Prioritisation of siblings will only apply to the JI list.

 2.     that the Enrolment policy is changed  so that in the case of an adopted child or child in long term foster care, the PEL application date shall be backdated by adding to their birth date/placement date, the interval of time between placement with their existing family and the date their application for pre-enrolment is received by the school.

For example:  Child B is born/placed on 1 February 2009.  He/she is placed with a family for adoption/foster care on 1 August 2011.  An application to place him/her on the pre-enrolment is received in the school on 14 August 2011.  The date of receipt of application is calculated as 14 February 2009.

 ENROLMENT REVIEW 2011/2012

This school year, the Board of Management undertook a review of the Dalkey School Project National School Enrolment Policy.  A sub-committee of the Board was established and a questionnaire was devised and circulated to all parents / guardians on 1^st February 2012.   Based on responses to the questionnaire and direction from our Patron (the DSP Executive) the Board considered changes to the policy in three areas:

• Siblings
• Deferral / Postponement of place on the Pre-Enrolment List (PEL)
• Adopted/Fostered children

The Board decided that as this policy is fundamental to the ethos of the school, any changes to it should only take place on the basis of a two thirds majority of those voting and that voting should take place over a period of time to offer the greatest possible opportunity for all parents/guardians to participate.

Siblings

The Board determined that a sibling policy should be proposed, as a majority of 85% of questionnaire respondents were in favour of a sibling policy.   Amongst other considerations, the Board looked at breakdown of the Junior Infant intake over the past three years:

September 2009:   Intake 29 of which
Sibling                         15
Deferred                      14
Deferred + Sibling         6

September 2010:            Intake            27 of which
Sibling                                      9
Deferred                          9
Deferred + Sibling              4

September 2011:            Intake 29 of which
Sibling                                    13
Deferred                          9
Deferred + Sibling              5

Having considered a number of possible implementations, the Board determined that there were two options:

No sibling policy
Enrolment application for sibling of child currently enrolled in the school receives no preferential treatment over other applications.  This is the current “first come, first served” policy.

Sibling policy
Enrolment application for a sibling of a child currently enrolled in the school will position applicant ahead of non-sibling applicants on PEL, if applicant is pre-enrolled within 6 months of birth.

 Deferral

51% of the respondents to the questionnaire were in favour of reviewing the deferral policy. There is a perception evident in some of the returned questionnaires that the current policy of providing an option for to defer the offer of a place in the school leads to the blocking of places in Junior Infants.

Some of suggested changes from the questionnaires to the policy were:

1. If postponing a place, it should only be allowed in exceptional circumstances.
2. If deferring a place, the school should only allow it if the child is then put on the Senior Infants waiting list.
3. When applying for a place you should only be allowed to register a child for the year that you want them to start school.

In response to the above suggestions the Board found that:

1. You cannot define ‘exceptional circumstances’ as there are too many possibilities.
2. We cannot guarantee that a place be available to a deferred pupil in Senior Infants.  Also, a child cannot start school in Senior Infants without first attending Junior Infants.
3. It is very difficult for parents to know when they register an infant, when that child will be ready for school.

Having considered all of the responses to the questionnaires it was decided that none of the proposed changes were manageable from an enrolment/policy point and that the current deferral/postponement policy will remain in place:

Postponement is granted automatically where the child will not have reached the age of six before the following September.  In the case of older children, each case will be considered by the Board and parents will be informed of the decision. Postponement does not confer a right to a place in a future year, only a right to apply for a place. A child, whose application for a place is postponed, retains his/her registered date of pre-enrolment.

For Example:

Child A (aged 4) defers his/her place on the PEL for Junior Infants. The following year he/she may not defer and his/her name will be placed on the waiting list for Junior Infants.  If offered a place, and he/ she refuses it he/she will have to reapply and receive a new date of application.

 Adopted / Long term fostered children

The majority of respondents who wanted a modification to be more inclusive, suggested adopted/long term foster care as an area for consideration, the Patron was also in favour of this consideration.  The Board has decided to propose the following change to the enrolment policy:

In the case of an adopted child, or a child in long-term foster care their place on the enrolment list will be calculated by adding to their birth date/placement date, the interval of time between placement with their existing family and the date their application for pre-enrolment is received by the school.  Documentation to support the placement must be provided.

For example:

Child B is born/placed on 1 February 2009.  He/she is placed with a family for adoption/foster care on 1 August 2011.  An application to place him/her on the pre-enrolment is received in the school on 14 August 2011.  The date of receipt of application is calculated as 14 February 2009.

Junior Infant Age Preference

Following consultation with staff, it has been decided by the Board of Management that an age preference will be included in this review of our Enrolment Policy for children starting in Junior Infants. This is the current practice of many primary schools (including our sister school under our Patronage, Monkstown Educate Together N.S.) due to a general acceptance that children tend to make better overall progress when they start school at an older age.

The current policy on the age of a JI child is that they must be at least 4 years of age before the 1st September in the year in which they propose to start school. An age preference will be included in the Enrolment Policy where preference will be given to applicants who are 4 years of age on or before 30th June in their year of admission.

 Conclusion

Following a review of the current Enrolment Policy and the feedback, suggestions and requests from parents and our patron body, the Board of Management have concluded that:

• The current Deferral / Postponement policy will remain in place
• There will be an age preference included in the Enrolment Policy
• Two motions will be put to the school community (Parents / Guardians) to vote on at an Extraordinary General Meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 30th (following an information meeting on Wednesday, May 16th)
  
  - to introduce a form of sibling preference
  - to recognise the specific needs of adopted children and children in long term foster care

Painting scenes for 'The Lion King'

5th class prepare for 'The Lion King'

Board of Management Summary Report

A meeting of DSPNS Board of Management (BOM) was held on Wednesday 25^th April 2012. Items on the agenda included the Treasurer’s Report & School Accounts, the Principal’s Report, the Maintenance report, the Voluntary Contributions report, and the Buildings report.  Specific items included:

1. Board has approved job share arrangements for Mr P Finucane/
   Ms F O’Donoghue and Ms J Dungan/ Ms K Gobl for 2012/2013 school year.
2. Voluntary Contributions are under budget to date.
3. Information Evening on Enrolment Review will be held Wednesday 16 May 2012; Extraordinary General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 30 May 2012 to vote on motions.
4. The Board appreciates time and contributions of all who completed Ethos Survey.

Next meeting: Wed 6^th or 13^th June 2012

PTA

The PTA would like to say a big thank you to Conor Sullivan, Adam Sullivan (Dad and brother of Bianca 6th Class) and Niall Shortall (Dad of Sam 5th Class) for giving up their Bank Holiday Sunday to assemble the new tables the PTA purchased for the Junior and Senior Infants Yards.

Thanks!

Break time in the patio

Important Dates

• Wednesday 16 May @ 8pm Enrolment Review Information Meeting in Halla

• Monday 21 May @ 7.30pm DSP AGM in Monkstown Educate Together

• Monday 28 May @ 9.30am new Junior Infants children and parents visit class. (NB date on last week’s calendar incorrect)

• Wednesday 30 May BOM EGM Enrolment Review Vote @8pm in Halla

As you are aware the enrolment policy is being reviewed. A sub-committee was established and a questionnaire was sent out to parents / guardians on 1^st February 2012. The Board of Management has analysed results and is preparing a discussion document to present at an Information Meeting to be held on Wednesday 16^th May at 7.30pm in the school. An Extraordinary General Meeting will follow on Wednesday, 30th May to vote on the motions to amend the Enrolment Policy. Ballot papers will be available on the night and for the following 2 days in school. Ballots will be counted at the end of this period.

Green School Committee with Táiniste Eamon Gilmore

Táiniste Eamon Gilmore attended assembly last Friday and launched the Green Schools Committee. Children from 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th sang songs, read poems or projects and explained how they got elected to the committee.

5th class at Green School Assembly

We have a busy time ahead as we work on improving our recycling awareness and practice. This week is Spring Clean week in school.

Staff and classes have undertaken to clear up specific areas of the school and premises. This has the effect of making our school look more welcoming and creating a better learning environment. Thank you to everyone for taking part in the big clean up!

2nd class assembly

 We are revising our ethical education values for the month of April. The values we have been teaching to date are:

 Respect                               Cooperation                         Peace

4th class star students

Happiness                            Love                                                               Freedom

3rd class students of the week

Each value has been explored in every class on a weekly basis, and children have been rewarded for showing a commitment to demonstrating these values in school. Below are examples of our objectives for Respect and Freedom:

Thanks to everyone (parents/guardians, staff and pupils) who completed the survey on the school ethos. The online surveys will remain active until next Monday April 23rd if you have not already contributed to the process and would like to have your say! Paper copies can still be submitted until this Friday (copies available in the office if you need one).

 Dates for the diary

• Fri 20^th April: launch Green School Committee; 6^th class trip to Collins Barracks Museum
• Mon 23^rd April PTA meeting 7.30pm
• Wed 25^th April BOM meeting 8pm

Junior Infants measure during activities time

Senior Infants copy news from board

Showing respect, cooperating, making good choices are values we need to nurture in class, in school, and outside school. Parents/Guardians please remind your child(ren) and encourage them to be their best selves for remainder of this term and when we return after spring break.

Pupils show their good work

 Dress Code Reminder – important for sunny weather

The school does not require children to wear a uniform. All T-shirts, sweaters and other forms of clothing bearing the school logo are optional.

All children should come suitably dressed for attending a primary school where the age is 4 years to 12 or 13 years.

It is essential that the clothes the children are wearing are safe for playing on the yard, for example:

Shoes should be flat and tied properly;

Very wide and/or very long trousers or skirts are not suitable for safety reasons

Bikini type and off the shoulder tops, extremely short skirts or shorts are not suitable dress for school

No underwear should be showing

Only small stud earrings are permitted.

The use of make-up is not permitted;

Sun cream/ hat should be provided by Parents/Guardians for your children during the summer term.

Children should dress suitably for PE and movement activities e.g. tracksuit, leggings, shorts. Jeans are not suitable for PE and movement activities. Runners/trainers should be worn. Hair should be tied up. No hard hair bands/clips should be worn.

1st class view the new vegetable patch

 Thanks to Garden Helpers!

Our garden got a great make-over last Sunday. Many thanks to parents, staff and children for their hard work, including moving compost bins, bench, logs, planks, pots; clearing weeds; creating vegetable patch; clearing clutter.

Please return paper forms to the office or do the survey online through our website:www.dspns.ie(access survey through Blog section).

4th class complete Ethos survey online

^Hockey

^{This year there was 3 hockey teams from Dalkey School Project in the league. There was the mixed league (11 aside) who made it to the FINALS! There was the girls (7 aside) who made to the quarter finals and there was the 4th class boys team (7 aside) who came 3rd in the league.  So overall we did very good in the league this year.}

^{By Ruby 6th Class}

Go DSP!

Support our Hockey Finalists tomorrow Thursday 2.30pm! 

6^th Class Boys Leinster Hockey Final

UCD @ 2.30pm

Please come and support your school team

(Team colors Black & White)

 Reminder school closes 12.15pm Friday 30 March for holidays Please note change in time for ECAs

Wheat grass and kulcha naan

Today in Uzbekistan, Navruz, (New Year) is celebrated. Zoe’s mother came in to tell Senior Infants about this special day. She brought wheat grass which is full of vitamins – necessary after a cold, hard winter, kulcha naan, and a yummy sweet homemade spread.

Congratulations to these 6^thclass students who earned extra cookery time for working hard, cooperating, showing respect, making good choices! Thanks to Ms Ireland for organizing the cooking.

Reward time

Ethos Self Evaluation reminder – Closing date next Wed 28^th March!

Please return paper forms to the office or do the survey online through our website: www.dspns.ie (access survey through Blog section).

Garden Spring Clean – Sunday 25^th March 10am

Parents/Guardians – Come next Sunday 25 March between 10am – 2pm. Help us do a spring clean in the garden. Children willing to work hard are welcome if accompanied by guardians.

Book Fair

Browsing at the Book Fair

Congratulations to the 5^th 6^th class team for getting through in the mixed league under 12sLeinster Finals! Thanks to Christina Simons for helping them with this marvelous achievement!

Date for match still to be decided.

Ethos Survey (password required)

Thanks to these 6th class students for making good choices!

5th class nominees

Congratulations to 4th class!

3rd class nominees

Book Week Monday 12th  – Friday 16th March

To celebrate Book Week the PTA have organised a number of events in the school next week. On Tuesday the 13th of March, the award winning author/illustrator  Chris Judge will visit the children from Junior and Senior Infants. On Wednesday the 14th, Joe O’Brien  writer of the Alfie Green Series of books will visit First, Second and Third Class and on Thursday the 15th, renowned author Derek Landy will visit Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Class.

The Annual Book Fair will take place in the Halla on Wednesday,Thursday and Friday. The school earns commission for every book sold at the fair so by buying at this event you are supporting your school.

We are also running a colouring competition for Junior to Second Class and a write a limerick competition for Third to Sixth.

The winners will be announced on Friday!

2nd class gymnastics lesson

Team Theatre did workshops with every class on the theme of Playground Bullying last Friday and Monday. Role plays enabled children to discuss how to deal with difficulties that may arise during playtime. Ask your child what they remember.

1st class Tag Rugby training

Please support our 6^th class fundraiser by giving your child/ren €2 this Friday

MaD HaiR DaY

A mad hair day will be held on the 9^th of March to fundraise for 6^th class end of year trip to Delphi Adventure Centre.  Children from all classes are welcome to try some Mad Hair styles. It will be at a cost of €2 per child.  There will be crimping, straightening, coloured hairspray and more.  This is of course optional.  If you feel your child might be allergic to any of the products please let the class teacher know. 

Thank you - Bianca Sullivan & Ruby Wall
PTA

Well done to Jim (4th), Marlon, Karol & Aaron (3rd) who represented DSP at the Chessforall Championship hosted by the Irish Chess Union in the Hilton Airport Hotel on Saturday 3rd March.  The DSP team was placed 26th (out of 37 teams from around the country) – a very respectable result as this was the first competition for some of the team members!

Many thanks to all who took part and to Bernie & Kyle for arranging & looking after the team on the day!

Board of Management

 Road Safety