We are really looking forward to welcoming your child to St. Mary’s NS.  We understand that this is a big milestone in their lives, so to help with their transition, we have put together a list of tips which may help with the transition.  A list of policies and further details are available on our school website www.stmarysdrung.ie 

Ensure that your child can use the toilet by themselves and knows how to wash and dry their hands after using the toilet.

Practice putting on and taking off their coat/jumper.  Your child will be encouraged to do this independently in school.

Write your child’s name on all of their clothes, books, copies and stationery.  It will help your child greatly to be able to recognise their own first name.

Most importantly, talk to your child about what to expect in school.  This is especially important to children who have not done a pre-school year.  Explain some of the basic school rules in advance of starting e.g. sitting down, listening to their teacher, trying their best, putting up their hand to get teacher’s attention.  Talk to them about any worries they might have.  Remind them of all the fun things they will do and learn in school: songs, stories, games, making new friends, art etc.

Schoolbag

Your child’s schoolbag should contain the following items:

Stationary with your child’s name on every item.

A healthy break time snack and water.  Please send a packed lunch for the initial week of school.

Choose a lunchbox and flask/bottle that your child can open and close themselves.  Please label them clearly with your child’s name.  Practice opening and closing your child’s schoolbag and taking out items from their pencil case and putting them back in.  Your child will be encouraged to do this independently in school.

 

School Times

Our school welcomes children to come into school at 8.50am.  School officially starts at 9am.  It is advisable for the children to arrive as close to this time as possible.  When dropping your child off, please try and leave as promptly as you can as this will ensure your child gets used to their new surroundings and to playing with their new friends.

Little Break is from 10.50 – 11pm. All classes go outside to play (weather permitting).  Please note, they will get an opportunity to eat their small snack before they go out to play.

Lunch Break is from 12.30- 1pm.  All classes go outside to play again (weather permitting).  As before, they will get an opportunity to eat the rest of their lunch before they go outside to play.

Home time for Infants is at 1.40pm and other classes at 2.40pm.  Please arrive promptly to collect your child each day at the school gate.

Lunches

Your child’s lunch should contain food that is manageable for them to deal with independently.  It is advisable to pack a small snack for little break.  It would be helpful if you could explain this to your child, so that they know when to eat each item.

Parents will be given the option of hot meals for lunch.  An email will be sent out and you will have the opportunity to pick varying hot lunches that your child will like.  Please send lunch for the initial week in case your child needs time to adjust to the hot meal options.

Please ensure you send a drink to school with your child each day.

We ask that parents view our healthy eating policy which is available on our website.

Books & Uniform

The school will purchase all necessary books for your child.  Please note the books will remain in school and your child will only carry home the books/items they need in a folder for homework.

Our uniform policy will be available on our school website.  Please send a coat each day.  Crested school jumpers and PE sweatshirts can be purchased at Lennon’s, Market Street, Cootehill.

If you need to contact the school, please phone between 9am and 2.40pm.

We hope all of these tips help both you and your child with settling into a new school.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again in August!