Arrivals & Dismissals Policy

Introduction

The Board of Management of Scoil Bhríde recognises its responsibility for ensuring appropriate supervision levels. To this end the teachers will take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of pupils. This policy applies to all staff and children and parents at times of school arrival & dismissal.

Rationale

This arrivals & dismissals procedure outlines:

• Provision of supervision for the children in our care at school arrival & dismissal times.

• Arrivals & dismissals procedures for pupils in accordance with  School Code of Behaviour and Health & Safety Policy

This policy is in keeping with the school ethos of providing a safe and secure environment for all pupils and the wider school community.

Procedures:

School Hours:

School hours are from 9:20 to 3:00p.m. ( 2:00 for Infant Classes )

Morning Procedure

The  Board of Management accepts that it is not possible for all children to arrive at 9:20a.m. The children may assemble in their designated yard from 9:10 – 9:20 a.m. The Board of Management accepts no responsibility for pupils prior to 9:10a.m. & pupils are not to be present in the school yard before this time.

Parents are not permitted to enter the school grounds at school drop off or collection time.

Staff will supervise at the gate area &  on yard from 9:10a.m. Children are not allowed to play games at this time but should gather around their designated line area, unless otherwise directed by staff.

Children enter the school grounds through the school gate. At no time should children climb over the school wall to access the grounds.

On mornings where the supervising teachers feel the weather is too inclement to be outside there is an organised supervision arrangement to allow children to go to their classroom or other designated area.

DROP & GO:

• Due to limited parking spaces, parents are asked to DROP and GO in the morning

• Children should be encouraged to walk independently up the path

• If parents have to accompany their child to the gate they should not delay & should return to their car as soon as possible in order to help relieve the traffic congestion.

• Parents are asked not to use either of the staff car parks inside or outside the gate at school drop off or collection times. Cars turning in the gate area at morning or collection time create a danger for children & adults coming in to school.

The attention of parents/guardians is drawn to this procedure at the start of each school term & it is specifically mentioned at the annual meeting of Junior Infant parents

Morning

• School officially opens to receive pupils at 9:20am.

• Classes are collected from their yard by their class teacher or another staff member.

• Children walk to their classrooms in an orderly manner.

• If, for any reason, children are late for school they should enter the school through the main front school entrance where they will be taken to their class by the secretary or another staff member.

• All late arrivals are noted on our school system Aladdin.

School Dismissal Time

• Junior and Senior Infants finish at 2pm. They are walked to the school gate by a teacher or staff member where they are collected by parent or designated adult.  If they are to be collected by a person different to the norm, this information should be given to the class teacher or through the school office.

• 1st – 6th  Classes finish school at 3pm. Children walk to the gate along the route designated by the school. Children should exit the school grounds in an orderly manner.  Children travelling by bus walk down the footpath to the bus. Should it be known that the bus be late, these children remain lined up at the school gate under the supervision of a staff member.

• Pupils who cycle to school should walk with their bicycle until they are outside the gate away from where people are gathered.

• Parents who wish to have their children escorted home should make their own arrangements to have them met at the school gate and the person to escort them should be at the school to do so as the school cannot accept responsibility for looking after the pupils after school finishing time.

Early Leavers

• If, in exceptional circumstances, a parent wishes to collect his/her child early from school they must notify the school in advance;  This can be done through the Aladdin app or by telephone call to the office.  A reason must be provided for their early departure, and the time given at wish they wish to collect their child.

• In the case of an appointment, an appointment letter must be provided.

• The person collecting the child should call to the office at the appropriate time.

• All early leavers & reason is noted on our school system Aladdin.

OTHER ISSUES

• If pupils are required to be on the school premises before official starting time e.g. for school tours /matches etc, written notification is sent to parents/guardians and a teacher must be on site at the arranged time.

• If pupils are required to be on the school premises after official closing time e.g. school tours, sports events etc. written notification is sent to parents and a teacher must be on site.

• The school does not undertake responsibility for children coming to school or going home from school.

Circulation:

This arrivals & dismissals policy will be available in the school office for parents/guardians should they request to view or obtain a copy. The policy can be communicated by providing a written copy if requested, or by e-mail. The policy will also be published on the school website.

Implementation/Ratification and Review

This policy was reviewed & approved by the Board of Management on March 31st 2022.