Below is a letter from the Minister for Education to all parents,
12 January 2021
Parents of students receiving remote learning
Dear Parent/Guardian
I hope that you and your families are keeping safe and well at this difficult time.
As you know, from yesterday Monday 11 January, schools will be closed to students and all students at primary and post-primary level will now move to a programme of remote learning.
While NPHET is of the view that schools remain safe environments, the decision to close schools was taken in order to minimise mobility of the entire population and to support the suppression of the Covid-19 virus in the community. This will allow everyone to reduce their contacts, with a view to reducing the spread of the virus and a swift return to school for all.
Remote Learning during this period
Following the initial period of school closure last year, the Department has engaged with the education partners to revise remote teaching and learning guidance. This was agreed with all stakeholders last year and guidance for primary and post-primary schools was subsequently published online in October and December 2020 respectively.
As such, during this time, all teachers, including special education teachers (SETs), are required to continue to support teaching and learning for all pupils/students in their class/subject group or on their caseload.
Schools have been advised of the need to ensure appropriate provision and support for pupils/students during this time. Every school has been advised of the need to develop a contingency plan for remote learning that is appropriate to children’s different ages and stages, and has been provided with guidance on best practice. The guidance provided to schools notes that it is crucially important that the learning of all pupils/students, especially those with special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage and/or early school leaving, are supported at this time. These guidelines are listed at the end of this letter.
Schools have been provided with funding as part of the Digital Strategy for Schools. In 2020 funding totaling €100m in 2020 was provided to schools and schools have been advised to prioritise supporting the purchase of devices for students who may not have access to devices for remote learning. The School Support services that are funded by the Department have developed a suite of materials to assist teachers in using an online platform to support teaching, learning and assessment. Furthermore, there is a range of supports available to schools from the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, Junior Cycle for Teachers, An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscoilaíochta, National Educational Psychological Service, Education Centres and the Centre for School Leadership.
There has been an excellent take up by teachers throughout the country of training and supports provided in this area, and I know that schools will do their utmost in these difficult circumstances to provide the best possible experience for students. Schools will contact parents directly with their plans and arrangements for remote learning.
The Inspectorate of the Department will continue to offer an advisory service to schools to support the delivery of remote learning and to provide assistance to school leaders in particular. The Inspectorate will also evaluate and report on the quality of educational provision for students at this time.
Returning to in-person learning for all schools
The Department is conscious that closing schools has hugely adverse consequences at individual, family and societal level. For children, it impacts on wellbeing, learning, on social and emotional development.
School closure has significant impacts on children with special educational needs. School closure also heightens student anxiety, particularly for the Leaving Certificate cohort, in relation to state examinations.
The Government decision included provision that in-person learning would be maintained for two specific cohorts from Monday 11, pupils/ students attending special schools and classes and final year Leaving Certificate students. Despite the confirmation by Public Health that schools remain safe, unfortunately it has not proved possible to get agreement to provide in-person learning for these two groups. In these circumstance there is no alternative but to pause the limited reopening and continue engagement with partners. I will keep parents of these students updated on this engagement.
The latest public health advice received by Government is available here. It clearly outlines that schools are safe environments, and that the protective measures and the considerable supports put in place to support schools have been successful.
Where there have been cases in schools, the enhanced school teams put in place by Public Health and the Department have worked effectively to support schools, and the level of transmission in schools has been low. Because of this, we continue to aim to return all students to in-person learning as soon as it is possible to do so.
Supports and wellbeing
It is important that students experience continuity of learning during this period to the extent that is possible for your family, bearing in mind your child’s age and stage. Research conducted in Ireland concluded that while online learning worked for some students during the period of school closure, it did not replicate the in-school learning experience – this was also the experience internationally.
We all know that it can be difficult to achieve maximum interaction with remote learning, with many competing demands and restrictions. The best advice is that you provide the support that is possible for your family to your child and that you prioritise your child’s and your own wellbeing, balancing that with supporting learning, during this period.
Links to some supports available are provided below.
I wish you and your family all the very best at this time, and hope to communicate soon with you on a safe return to in-person learning for all.
Regards,
______________________________
Norma Foley TD
Minister for Education
Please see the following information about upcoming Incredible Year Parent Course.
These courses have been extremely popular with our parents and families over the years and come highly recommended.
The poster and leaflet below provide more information.
If you need any further information, please contact Karen (HSCL) on 087 7921493
The Government has announced that all schools will remain closed until the 31st of January due to the Covid-19 situation, all schools will move to online teaching and learning.
We will be providing updates for parents/guardians via text message and our website will be updated regularly.
We will continue to use Seesaw as our online platform for continued teaching and learning. All pupils have their login details for using Seesaw, if you have any difficulties, please contact your child’s teacher.
Your child’s teacher and SEN teacher (if applicable) are available, during school hours, via email to help with any queries you may have regarding your child’s learning and the work they are doing during this school closure.
If you have an general school queries, please contact the office via email, scoileoinbaiste@gmail.com
Please check back here for further updates and we will be providing useful websites and resources for your child while schools are closed.
We will also be uploading examples of the children’s work. We can’t wait to see that fantastic work they produce!
These are difficult times for everyone and as always, the staff of Scoil Eoin Baiste appreciate the support and cooperation of all our pupils and their families. We will work together to ensure our pupils are well supported and that their learning continues during this time.
Senior Infants have created some amazing pieces of art this term alongside their teacher, Mrs. MacKenzie.
Keep up the fantastic work boys and girls, we can’t wait to see what art work you create in the new year!
Check out some of the fantastic art work created by 1st class this term.
Keep up the great work boys and girls!
Have a look at some of the beautiful Christmas Art creations by Junior Infants and their teacher, Ms. Reid.
Check out some of the fantastic Winter Art created by our very talented Junior Infants and their teacher Mrs. Lawler.
Well done and keep up the great work!
4th class have done some really interesting and fascinating work while learning about Ancient Egypt this term.
Have a look at some of their photos,
Well done to 4th class and their teacher, Miss. Rice.
Keep up the great work!
