Dear Parents,
As we move on through the term, I am afraid that there is still no clarity on a possible timeframe for schools to reopen. We had hoped that the daily incidence of Covid19 cases would have fallen sufficiently to allow us to be reopened by the end of our mid-term break. However this is now looking increasingly unlikely unless the numbers fall back drastically over the next two weeks. What we do know is that Special schools and special classes in mainstream primary schools are scheduled to open on February 12th and February 22ns respectively. We are currently awaiting clarity as to whether this also includes schools such as ours being allowed to open for children with Special Educational Needs. If this does turn out to be the case, we will be in touch directly with parents of the children concerned to discuss arrangements etc.
In the meantime our teachers have scheduled online meetings with all classes on a weekly basis moving forward. These will commence from Monday next (February 8th) and will take place via the ‘Zoom’ meeting platform. Basically each family will be sent a link via the Seesaw app/Google Classroom which when clicked will lead into the meeting for their child. I will upload a timetable to our website showing the weekly meeting schedule for each class. The times will stay the same each week. I will also send a list of requirements and suggestions for good practice in partaking in the meetings as required under acceptable use/child safeguarding. All families will have received a text requesting that Email contact addresses should be forwarded to each class. Please do this as a matter of urgency. February 15th -19th.
Mid Term Break
The children and teachers will take a break from the online learning programme for those dates. Learning and instruction is scheduled to recommence on Monday February 22nd. At the moment this is scheduled to continue online. If there is any change in this I will be in touch to inform parents of developments.
Pupil Engagement
I am very concerned that a number of our pupils have still not taken part in any aspect of their school work during the current enforced closure. This has serious consequences for the pupils concerned as they have missed out on a large proportion of their school programme for this year. Many of those pupils will also have missed out on the work covered during the closure from March –August 2020. Please note that this is recorded as absence from school and while there is no engagement with the school work, the school will not be enabled to issue any letters pertaining to child benefit/PPSN numbers/ Residency issues as we are no longer in a position to confirm these childrens attendance at school. As well as this we may have to insist that certain children repeat classes as they will have developed serious gaps in their learning and attainment which will hinder their ability to be promoted to a higher class for the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. I earnestly request that where children have not yet engaged in the work apportioned by their teachers, they do so as a matter of urgency.
Enrolment
Enrolment of new Junior Infant pupils in Scoil Íosa has now commenced for the 2021-2022 school year. Application/Enrolment forms can be accessed via the school website www.iosaballyhaunis.com in the ‘Enrolment’ tab or can be requested directly from the school. Where possible there will be a member of staff in school daily from 11a.m to 2p.m daily. Forms may be returned by email at iosaballyhaunis@gmail.com or ccassidy@iosaballyhaunis.com . They may also be forwarded by mail to the school address or may be put through the school letterbox. Enrolment will close at the end of April and should the child fulfill age criteria, parents will be informed of successful enrolment in early May.
With Thanks
K. Dennedy