School Newsletter February 2021
School Closure Update
After a successful first term we had hoped that this school year would have no school closures as a result of Covid19. However due to the prevalence of infection in the community countrywide we have now entered our sixth week of remote learning with no indication to date of when a reopening of mainstream schools will be allowed.
As parents will be aware there has been a focus on supporting children with complex needs and in this regard a partial reopening of special education has been prioritised. This Thursday 11th February special schools will reopen on a half in / half out basis and special education units attached to mainstream schools will reopen on Monday 22nd February.
Let us hope that the number of cases will continue to fall in the coming weeks and that community transmission will be low enough for mainstream schools to reopen in March. Until then let us continue to work together to deliver remote learning as best we can.
Remote Learning
I wish to thank parents for the work they have been doing in engaging with our remote learning and for the many kind messages received by staff which are greatly appreciated. Remember everyone’s circumstances are different, so don’t compare and do the best that you can.
With remote learning continuing until at least the end of February the school is reviewing our current practices at this week’s staff meeting. The staff would really appreciate feedback from parents to guide their planning for after the midterm break. We ask that you complete the following survey by this Wednesday evening by clicking on the following link https://forms.gle/KBatXEtMXpmhU2a69
If you require any assistance you can contact the school by phone or email or contact the class teacher through the SeeSaw application.
New Supplementary Programme for children with complex special needs
The In-person Supplementary Programme to Support the Education and/or Care Needs of Pupils with Complex Needs scheme is a temporary measure during this period of school closure, in February 2021. The four-week programme (20 hours) can commence from 11 February and can be used by families at any time up until the end of April.
These hours supplement existing school provision provided remotely, therefore they cannot be delivered during the school day. They can however be delivered outside of the normal school day and/or at weekends if necessary.
As this will be a supplementary programme, it is voluntary for teachers and SNAs to participate.
Similar to the department’s home based summer programme, parents will engage tutors/SNAs directly in a private arrangement.
Eligibility for the programme will comprise:
The school will contact parents of eligible pupils in the next week to discuss the programme and ascertain levels of interest. Alternatively, parents can contact the school directly having read the details of the programme.
Board of Management News
The Board of Management most recently met on Wednesday 3rd February. The Board continues to monitor the current school closure and will review all practices and procedures for a return to school once a date is announced by the Department.
At the meeting the Board reviewed the school’s new Admissions Policy in light of the junior infant applications procedure which closed on Friday 29th January. The Board are also using the current closure to undertake a number of repairs/works in the school at present.
The Board would like to express a special word of thanks to the Parents Council for their continued work on behalf of parents and children. The Parents Council recently presented the school with a cheque for €4,000 as a result of their fundraising in the last year which will be used in the upgrading of our remaining interactive boards. The cost of upgrading the remaining boards is €12,000 but means that all our classrooms will now have the most up to date interactive technology. The Board has also sanctioned the purchase of additional ipads to facilitate staff with remote learning and to ensure that children with additional needs will have access to increased technology when school reopens.
The annual review of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment will take place at the Board’s meeting in March. If any parent wishes to make a submission on this area, please do so in writing and address to the Secretary Board of Management Child Protection Review by Friday 12th March.
Internet Safety Day
Safer internet day takes place tomorrow Tuesday 9th February. The main aim of the day is to raise awareness around safe and proper internet/online usage. Teachers will be referencing the day with their classes this week and we ask parents to get involved in discussing this important topic with their children. Given our current circumstances and increased dependence on being online it is imperative that children understand the pros and cons associated with its usage. In particular guidance on online etiquette, sharing of information including personal/photographs/making payments and learning how to stay safe are extremely important. Further information is available at www.webwise.ie
Parent – Teacher Meetings
Our annual Parent-Teacher meetings normally occur during the last week of January. As school is closed and face to face meetings are not possible at present the meetings will be deferred to term 3 when hopefully it will be possible to meet in person. Parents are reminded that they are welcome to contact the school and class teachers at any stage if they have any concern that they wish to discuss.
Midterm Break
The school will be closed next Wednesday 17th February – Friday 19th February for the midterm break. There will therefore be no remote learning or meetings on these dates. On Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th teachers will be offering alternative activities for the pupils to participate in, including the making of pancakes which we hope everyone will enjoy.
As we head into spring and we see signs of new growth let us hope that it will be safe for us all to return to greater normality and to school in the near future. In the interim please take care and stay safe and remember you can contact us in school, by phone or email if you have any query or require assistance.
David O’Brien
Principal.
School Closure Update
After a successful first term we had hoped that this school year would have no school closures as a result of Covid19. However due to the prevalence of infection in the community countrywide we have now entered our sixth week of remote learning with no indication to date of when a reopening of mainstream schools will be allowed.
As parents will be aware there has been a focus on supporting children with complex needs and in this regard a partial reopening of special education has been prioritised. This Thursday 11th February special schools will reopen on a half in / half out basis and special education units attached to mainstream schools will reopen on Monday 22nd February.
Let us hope that the number of cases will continue to fall in the coming weeks and that community transmission will be low enough for mainstream schools to reopen in March. Until then let us continue to work together to deliver remote learning as best we can.
Remote Learning
I wish to thank parents for the work they have been doing in engaging with our remote learning and for the many kind messages received by staff which are greatly appreciated. Remember everyone’s circumstances are different, so don’t compare and do the best that you can.
With remote learning continuing until at least the end of February the school is reviewing our current practices at this week’s staff meeting. The staff would really appreciate feedback from parents to guide their planning for after the midterm break. We ask that you complete the following survey by this Wednesday evening by clicking on the following link https://forms.gle/KBatXEtMXpmhU2a69
If you require any assistance you can contact the school by phone or email or contact the class teacher through the SeeSaw application.
New Supplementary Programme for children with complex special needs
The In-person Supplementary Programme to Support the Education and/or Care Needs of Pupils with Complex Needs scheme is a temporary measure during this period of school closure, in February 2021. The four-week programme (20 hours) can commence from 11 February and can be used by families at any time up until the end of April.
These hours supplement existing school provision provided remotely, therefore they cannot be delivered during the school day. They can however be delivered outside of the normal school day and/or at weekends if necessary.
As this will be a supplementary programme, it is voluntary for teachers and SNAs to participate.
Similar to the department’s home based summer programme, parents will engage tutors/SNAs directly in a private arrangement.
Eligibility for the programme will comprise:
- all pupils enrolled in special schools and special classes in primary schools
- pupils in mainstream schools who are accessing the highest levels of support in school at the School Support Plus/Support for a Few stage of the Continuum of Support (including pupils with Autism, Down syndrome, sensory impairments, and other disabilities.) This will include the pupils who were identified for the summer programme of 2020
- schools have flexibility to identify pupils that require the highest level of support at any given time. This will ensure that pupils presenting with exceptional needs due to the current school closures can participate in the scheme
The school will contact parents of eligible pupils in the next week to discuss the programme and ascertain levels of interest. Alternatively, parents can contact the school directly having read the details of the programme.
Board of Management News
The Board of Management most recently met on Wednesday 3rd February. The Board continues to monitor the current school closure and will review all practices and procedures for a return to school once a date is announced by the Department.
At the meeting the Board reviewed the school’s new Admissions Policy in light of the junior infant applications procedure which closed on Friday 29th January. The Board are also using the current closure to undertake a number of repairs/works in the school at present.
The Board would like to express a special word of thanks to the Parents Council for their continued work on behalf of parents and children. The Parents Council recently presented the school with a cheque for €4,000 as a result of their fundraising in the last year which will be used in the upgrading of our remaining interactive boards. The cost of upgrading the remaining boards is €12,000 but means that all our classrooms will now have the most up to date interactive technology. The Board has also sanctioned the purchase of additional ipads to facilitate staff with remote learning and to ensure that children with additional needs will have access to increased technology when school reopens.
The annual review of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment will take place at the Board’s meeting in March. If any parent wishes to make a submission on this area, please do so in writing and address to the Secretary Board of Management Child Protection Review by Friday 12th March.
Internet Safety Day
Safer internet day takes place tomorrow Tuesday 9th February. The main aim of the day is to raise awareness around safe and proper internet/online usage. Teachers will be referencing the day with their classes this week and we ask parents to get involved in discussing this important topic with their children. Given our current circumstances and increased dependence on being online it is imperative that children understand the pros and cons associated with its usage. In particular guidance on online etiquette, sharing of information including personal/photographs/making payments and learning how to stay safe are extremely important. Further information is available at www.webwise.ie
Parent – Teacher Meetings
Our annual Parent-Teacher meetings normally occur during the last week of January. As school is closed and face to face meetings are not possible at present the meetings will be deferred to term 3 when hopefully it will be possible to meet in person. Parents are reminded that they are welcome to contact the school and class teachers at any stage if they have any concern that they wish to discuss.
Midterm Break
The school will be closed next Wednesday 17th February – Friday 19th February for the midterm break. There will therefore be no remote learning or meetings on these dates. On Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th teachers will be offering alternative activities for the pupils to participate in, including the making of pancakes which we hope everyone will enjoy.
As we head into spring and we see signs of new growth let us hope that it will be safe for us all to return to greater normality and to school in the near future. In the interim please take care and stay safe and remember you can contact us in school, by phone or email if you have any query or require assistance.
David O’Brien
Principal.
RSS Feed