3rd April 2020

Dear Parents,

Today marks the official end of term two of what has turned out to be an unprecedented school year. From the unexpected, but correct closure of the school, we all have had to adapt to a completely new model of schooling. On behalf of the school staff, I thank you most sincerely for your engagement with the online learning platform which we are using to ensure that the interruption to our normal school life does not provide any insurmountable impediment to our children’s learning. Personally I would like to thank our wonderful teachers for entering into the new arrangements with enthusiasm and with a continuing focus on the children in the various classes. I know that each and every one of us want to be back in the familiar territory of Scoil Íosa with our colleagues, our pupils and the daily exchanges with our parent body. When that will be is anyone’s guess but conventional wisdom would suggest that it will not be on April 20th as
scheduled. I have no doubt that this will be extended further as the COVID-19 crisis continues. Hopefully we will all see each other in the near future when life begins to return to normal. In the meantime I hope you all keep healthy and continue to follow the guidelines on social distancing and that you stay at home until this episode comes to an end. Please note the following:

School Work:

As we are in the Easter holiday period, the teachers will not add any more work to the Google folder until the commencement of term 3 on April 20th. We ask that the children take a break and use the time to help out at home with gardening, housework or similar. It is very important that all children get their break and can be prepared to re-engage with schoolwork at the appropriate time. If parents feel the need for some activities for their children, allow them to write a diary or similar and to continue to view the online exercise programmes as often as needed.

Front line staff:
Never have we witnessed such sterling efforts as we see at present from the selfless frontline workers who are putting their health at risk on a daily basis to ensure that those of us enduring the lockdown are provided for in terms of the day to day necessities and in the unfortunate event of having to attend hospital as a result of the COVID-19 virus. From the healthcare professionals, to those involved in retail, deliveries, garbage collection, postal deliveries, courier services and those working in factories we owe a debt of gratitude to all. With this in mind, we would like our pupils to write a card, a poster or letter to thank frontline workers for doing so much during this Covid-19 crisis. It can be a Thank you card or letter or a letter or card wishing these people a Happy Easter. It should be completed on one side of a page so that it can be photographed in one picture. Once the work has been completed you should take a photo of the completed work and email it as an attachment to scoiliosacovid19@gmail.com . We will display these on the school website (www.iosaballyhaunis.com) and on the Scoil Íosa twitter page. The pieces of work may then be forwarded to local frontline places of work. We thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.

Finally, thanks again for your continued support and words of encouragement received from many parents. To those who have ensured that the children have continued with their school work, our sincere gratitude, and to all of our parents may we wish you a Happy and safe Easter break. We look forward to seeing you all again soon safe and well.

Mise le Meas

Kenneth Dennedy