Book Rental Scheme Policy

This is a whole-school policy that encompasses all students that attend St. Fursey's N.S. School.

Administration, Staff and Parents at St. Fursey's N.S. seek to promote a secure and caring community environment and a well-balanced curriculum which is student centered, with parents recognised as the first educators and teachers as facilitators of the learning process. In partnership, we hope to provide an atmosphere, which encourages respect, responsibility and commitment, drawing forth the positive potential of each individual, thus equipping all students to take their place in life and work in the future.

This policy aims to foster in students self-reliance, co-operation and responsibility in relation to their loan of books from St. Fursey's N.S.

Goal

  • That all students are facilitated to have text books at minimum expense to their parents
  • To ensure sensitivity and discretion in securing the required textbooks for pupils in our school, whose families are experiencing significant financial hardship.

Policy Content

  • Parents are informed during March/April of the cost of the rental charges for the upcoming year.
  • Parents of incoming students are informed when an offer of a place in the school has been accepted. The book rental scheme is explained to ensure that parents understand that opting in and out of the scheme is not an option. If they do not wish to join in Junior infants they take full responsibility for supplying all of their children's books, including class readers, until their child finishes in 6th class.
  • If they wish to take part in the book rental scheme but cannot afford to pay all at once, arrangements can be put in place for them to pay in instalments.

Procedures for parents / guardians

  • Parents are informed by letter and text of the payment dates for the book rental.
  • If they cannot make it in on the appointed days, they can make an alternative arrangement with a member of the Parent's Committee or the Principal.
  • Upon payment parents receive a receipt.
  • There should be a signed declaration by the parent / guardian stating that they agree to

return all books loaned, in good condition, on the last day of the school year.

  • Any student who loses or mislays a book will be asked to replace it.

Procedures for teachers

  • Teachers meet in March/April to decide on textbook requirements for the upcoming year. Decisions on book lists may be influenced by class splits but where possible the existing stock of textbooks will be used.
  • A final list for each class is presented to the Principal at the end of April/beginning of May.
  • Students are actively encouraged to take proper care of texts on loan to them by the school
  • Teachers may carry out spot checks during the school year.
  • Stocktaking of all books returned is carried out annually and the condition of books is monitored. At this stage a decision is made by the book rental committee, in conjunction with the teachers and the Principal, as to whether the stock of any particular text is of sufficient quality to be issued again. If deemed unusable they are sent for recycling.

Purchasing Books

Books are purchased by the Book Rental Committee in May. They are labelled and put into the appropriate classes during the summer holidays.

Monitoring and Evaluation Procedures

The Principal is responsible for ensuring, monitoring and evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of the policy.

Review Procedures

Following Evaluation, appropriate changes and improvements may be made to the policy and its implementation.