Our remaining pupils from 3rd to 6th class will return to school on Monday, 15th March.
All parents/guardians will have received the reopening procedures letter by email and a copy of the Declaration Form which must be returned to school on Monday.
A copy of this letter and the Declaration Form can be viewed here also,
We look forward to welcoming back our pupils and we thank all the members of our school community for their continued support and cooperation in keeping our school safe.
Is féidir linn le chéile!
We had a fantastic week welcoming back all the pupils in Junior Infants, Senior Infants, 1st and 2nd class back to school!
There was great excitement all round and we had a very successful first week back.
Our pupils in 3rd to 6th class continued with online learning and we have some certificate winners for pupils who have shown great engagement and work online. You will receive your certificate in the post in the coming days!
3rd class: Noah Mughal McGuinness and Mya Hayes Ward
4th class: Kyle Woods and Harry Reilly
5th class: Finley O’Hare and Caitlyn Martin McCabe
6th class: Eimear Conroy and Marvis Ehimen Akhimien
Well done on the brilliant work!
Please watch the following videos and read the advice sheets for parents/guardians to prepare everyone for returning to school.
Well done to all the boys and girls on their hard work on Seesaw.
For the boys and girls in Junior Infants to 2nd class, last week was their last week of full online learning. The pupils in 3rd to 6th class have continued with their school work online this week.
Here are last week’s certificate winners, chosen by their class teachers,
Junior Infants (Ms. Reid): Aaron McDowell and Paige Agnew
Junior Infants (Ms. Lawler): Emilie Dullaghan and Sarunas Jokstas
Senior Infants: Kai Duffy McPhillips and Milana Alexsandrova
1st class: Zoe Casey and Peter Sandisco Sacolo
2nd class: Ayla Wallace and Kaidon Sharkey
3rd class: Divine Olaxode and Leila McCrory
4th class: Keane Heeney and Kaitlin Griffin
5th class: Leon Mandir and Lara Hardesty
6th class: Alicia Morris and Michael Miedzinski
Well done boys and girls!
Please see below a letter from the Minister for Education, Norma Foley, to all parents and guardians regarding the phased reopening of primary schools.
A copy of this letter was sent to all parents/guardians this morning by text.
Please follow the links below to take part in some online coaching sessions provided to us by the GAA,
Session 1
Session 2
We will also save these videos in the P.E. Section of our website if you would like to be able to come back to them in the future.
Some very lucky boys and girls will have received certificates in the post from their teachers.
These certificates were sent to pupils for great work, engagement and participation on Seesaw.
Here are some of our winners so far,
Well done to everyone who is working so hard! Keep an eye on the post…maybe you will receive a special certificate this week!
Along with their families, some of the pupils in 1st and 2nd class put their baking skills to the test to make Valentine’s Day cupcakes and pancakes.
Have a look at some of the amazing creations, they look really yummy!
Well done to all the families that took part…looks like we have some future star bakers in our midst!
If you would like to try out the recipes yourself, have a look at the pictures below.
A HUGE thank you to Ms. Dillon for organising this fun activity for our pupils!
We had a great response to our St. Brigid’s Day/Spring art competition last week.
The children created some beautiful pictures and made fantastic St. Brigid’s crosses.
It was really difficult to choose but here are our winners,
Junior/Senior Infants: Molly Jucyte McKeown and Logan Quilton
1st/2nd class: Mya Nulty
3rd/4th class: Levi Menary
5th/6th class: Jamie McCormack
Well done to all the winners and to all the pupils that took part! Great work!
On Monday, 1st February, we will celebrate the feast day of St. Brigid.
St. Brigid is an important saint in our local parish as she was born near Dundalk in the 5th century and was important in spreading Christianity in Ireland.
Follow the link below to find out information about St. Brigid and how to make a St. Brigid’s cross,
https://www.scoilnet.ie/go-to-primary/theme-pages/events/st-brigids-day/
We will also be running an art competition for our pupils, more information can be found on your class Seesaw.
Closing date for entries if Friday, 5th February and pupils must upload a photo of their entry on their Seesaw page.
We look forward to seeing all the fantastic entries!
Information above regarding a free workshop for parents and guardians – “Parenting in a Pandemic”.
Places must be booked in advance, contact Claire Gleeson on 083 1529792 or email claire.gleeson@cllp.ie
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.
This year, the pupils, staff and families of Scoil Eoin Baiste chose to organise a food collection for the local charity “Save the Homeless Dundalk”. Ms. Dillon did a fantastic job of organising the collection.
This charity does fantastic work in helping local people and families in need and work tirelessly all year round.
Have a look at our photos of our donations,
As always, our school community were incredibly generous and we had a fantastic response to the collection.
Thank you to everyone who donated, you have made a huge difference to local people in need.
The pupils and teachers in Scoil Eoin Baiste wanted to give back to the community after what has been a difficult year for everyone.
We decided to visit Dealgan House Nursing Home where we put on an outdoor performance of Christmas songs for the residents.
Have a look at some of the photos from our visit,
Each of our pupils in 4th, 5th and 6th class received the name of a resident living in the home and made a special Christmas card for them.
Mrs. Hamill made an envelope to hold all the cards and Eimear in 6th class drew a fantastic picture of our school crest.
The cards were presented by Ms. Hughes and Ms. Dillon.
Applications are now open for places in Junior Infants for September 2021.
Please return you completed “Application for Admission Form” for Junior Infants 2021 to admissions@scoileoinbaiste.com or alternatively, to the school office by the 20th November 2020.
Our Admissions Policy, Annual Admissions Notice and Application for Admission Form can be downloaded below.
Please read this important update for all parents, it will give guidance on what to do if your child is unwell or is sent home from school unwell. This update was also sent to all parents via text message today.
As always, the guidance and advice from the Department of Education and the HSE is subject to change as more information comes to light.
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/if-your-child-has-symptoms.html
Many thanks for your continued patience and cooperation in helping us curb the spread of the virus in our community and ensuring our school is safe for our staff and pupils.
We look forward to welcoming back our pupils, old and new, this week.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We look forward to welcoming all our pupils, parents and staff to school this week and a special welcome to our new Junior Infant pupils. The past few months have been challenging and difficult for us all, but we are so proud of how our pupils, families and staff dealt with and rose to the challenge.
School will look slightly different when our children return but all these measures are in line with HSE and Department of Education advice and are in place to keep our school as safe as possible for our pupils and staff. It is so important for all of us that we adhere to these measures so our children and staff can work and learn in a safe environment.
Your patience is requested in these difficult times. As you are aware, guidance is ever changing so please be prepared for this. Updates will be provided to families via our school website, text message and email so please ensure the office has correct contact details for you.
In these times, parents/guardians are not permitted on school grounds so if you wish to speak to a staff member regarding any matter, please make an appointment by emailing the office at, scoileoinbaiste@gmail.com or by phoning the office on 042 9331575.
If you do attend a physical meeting in school, you must adhere to strict social distancing guidance, coughing and sneezing etiquette, wear a face covering throughout the time you are in the school and sanitise upon entering and exiting the school. Contact details will be logged at the reception for all visitors to the school.
Please be fully aware of the symptoms of Covid-19 and do not come to the school if you, or anyone in your house, has been tested for Covid-19 or is displaying symptoms.
Your continued support during these times is greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks,
Roisin Hughes & Staff
Please read through our reopening procedures carefully. Advice from the HSE and the Department of Education is ever changing so please be prepared that our procedures may need to change over time.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the school office (042 9331575 or scoileoinbaiste@gmail.com) or our HSCL, Karen (sebhscl@gmail.com or 087 7921493)
Please see the information below which may be of interest to some of our parents as you prepare for children to return to school:
The Genesis Programme are hosting an online workshop with Dr Malie Coyne; Clinical Psychologist and Psychology Lecturer at the National University of Ireland Galway, for parents to support their children going back to school.
The workshop takes place on Thursday 27th August 2020. Booking is essential, priority will be given to parents with children attending Primary Schools in Co. Louth as there are limited places available.
Register by sending a private message to the Genesis Programme Facebook page with your name and address of your child’s school or email the details to hugh.doogan@cllp.ie
The Genesis Programme have also developed a Tip Sheet called ‘Parents, Let’s Get Ready for Your Child Starting School’. You can download it at: https://flyingstart.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/starting-school-flyer-.pdf
We look forward to welcoming all our pupils back to school next week.
We have been working hard behind the scenes creating a plan to make our school as safe as possible for our staff and pupils.
Please see the letter attached below from the Minister of Education, Norma Foley to parents.
Our website will have regular updates about our re-opening plans.
It has lots of fun facts and characters based on Co. Louth, follow the link below,
Cooking and baking can be a fun learning activity to do at home with the whole family.
Here are some simple, easy to follow recipes you could try out at home, keep checking back and we will add to the recipe ideas!
If you try out some of the recipes, why not take a picture of the end product and share with your teacher on Seesaw!
Many parents will have now received a text and email providing them with their child’s login details for Seesaw.
Seesaw is a website that we will be using to provide our pupils with school work and to interact with families during school closures.
The codes teachers’ have sent you are very important – they are like a password so keep them very safe and don’t share with anyone else!
Your child’s teacher will also have given you their school email address so you can contact them if you have any questions about the school work that has been set by them.
Here are the instructions for setting up Seesaw:
Please sign in with your Home Learning code following the steps below:
1. Go to https://web.seesaw.me on a computer or install the Seesaw Class iOS or Android app.
2. Tap “I’m a Student”.
3. Scan or type in your Home Learning code.
4. Post to your journal, respond to activities, and view class announcements.
5. Remember, this code is like a password. Keep it safe!
Please see link below to a letter from our principal updating parents about our preschool service for September 2020. Please pass the message on to other parents who also may have children enrolled in the preschool.
Our school office is currently closed due to COVID-19 however we can be contacted on scoileoinbaiste@gmail.com
“Every day is a school day”
When we think about learning, we often think about our school books and writing in our copies.
But we now have the chance to get back to basics and there are endless opportunities for learning in the home, for example,
Here is a link to lots and lots of different ideas for learning at home – Never underestimate the life skills children can learn from you!
Exciting News…Collins have made their Big Cats eBooks and worksheets free for parents to use during school closures!
The Big Cats programme is our daily reading programme for our pupils and you may see that your child’s teacher has included it in the work they send out to you.
If you follow the link below it will lead you to the website,
https://collins.co.uk/pages/big-cat-ebooks
Here you will see instructions and login details.
Happy Reading!
Here are some fun, simple Easter activities that our pupils will enjoy!
Normally our teachers would get to do some of these with their classes in the lead up to the Easter holidays, but maybe this year you can try them out at home with your family!
Follow the links:
Keeping children active and allowing them to be creative is just as important as other subjects.
Here are some links to websites that I am sure our pupils will get great fun and enjoyment from,
www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga
www.bbc.co.uk/teach/supermovers
Search PE with Joe Wicks on Youtube for fun workout videos
Here are some useful websites for Maths activities, 
https://global.cbeebies.com/ – Numberblocks
www.cjfallon.ie – allowing free access for pupils and parents, this is where you will find our Maths books.
https://www.mathplayground.com/
http://www.haveyougotmathseyes.com/ – Fun, real life Maths activities.
Remember how useful everyday tasks can be in helping children with their Maths, telling the time, counting money when planning shopping, weighing food for cooking and baking, etc.
There are lots of opportunities to practice Maths in everyday tasks around the home!
We understand this is a difficult time for families and it can be tricky to keep children busy and occupied all day!
We are aware that parents want their children to continue learning in some way so we have put together a list of websites that you may find useful to help your child with reading, phonics, writing and oral language.
Normally a fee paying website but sign up has been made free for parents during school closures due to COVID-19. It has endless worksheets, games, activities, art ideas, etc. that cover ALL subjects.
https://www.seussville.com/ – games and stories by Dr. Seuss – a favourite with children!
https://www.folensonline.ie/ – parents can now sign up for free, a lot of our books we use in school are on this website.
https://www.funbrain.com/ – Maths and reading skills
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html – lots of fun activities for kids.
www.worldofdavidwalliams.com – David Walliams is very popular with our pupils, check out his website, he is releasing an audio story every day for 30 days!
Most of the Jolly Phonics songs can be found online and on Youtube – another great way to practice phonics with your child.
Always remember the value of just reading a story with your child and take the time to ask him/her questions about the story, discuss the characters, where the story took place, etc.
We hope we will get to see you all very soon!
Keep checking back here for new activities and websites to help your learning!
We hope all our pupils and their families are keeping well during this difficult time.
Follow the links below to find some stories and posters to help answer childrens’ questions about the virus.
We hope this information will help our pupils and families!
guide-for-parents-supporting-children (1)
Supporting Parents and Families through the Days and Weeks Ahead – FINAL… (2)
Talking to Children and Young People about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – Advice for Parents and Schools
Words and pictures for older children
Words and pictures for younger children
Stay Safe!
On Thursday, 18th October 2018, we held our annual Attendance Awards Prize-giving in our school hall. Parents and friends were invited to see some of our pupils receive certificates and trophies for excellent attendance in school last year.
We are very proud of all the pupils who received certificates.
