Dear Parents,
As you are probably aware, the Education Welfare Act was passed into law in July 2002. Essentially this act is about promoting school attendance.
The National Education Welfare Board (N.E.W.B.) was established to support regular school attendance and follow up on children who are not attending school regularly.
The attendance rate in Kilcleagh N.S is extremely high and this is a record that we are very proud of.
In our continuing commitment to maintain this high standard, I would like to bring the following points to your attention:
- Assembly time is from 9.20 – 9.40 a.m., allowing pupils a twenty minute period to assemble in their classrooms. Children who arrive later than roll call at 10.30 a.m. will be marked absent.
- A written explanation for all absences should be given to the class teache. Pupil’s from 3rd class up have detachable slips in their school journal for this purpose.
- If a child misses twenty schooldays, the Board of Management is required to notify the National Education Welfare Board. For this reason, if your child is absent for an extended period due to illness,(you will be notified when your child has 15 days absence), it is advisable to retain any relevant medical certificates.
I would also ask you to bear the absence of twenty school days in mind when booking family holidays. The Board must report all absences, regardless of the reason for non-attendance.
Ensuring that your child attends school punctually and regularly will enhance his/her potential to make social and educational progress.
I look forward to you co-operation in this regard.
Yours sincerely.
______________________
Mary O’Connell. Principal.