Thursday 9 April PS

Primary Parent Update – April 9

Dear Parents & Guardians,

I would like to thank you sincerely for the support and positive feedback you have provided to the staff over the last three weeks in regards to online learning. The many emails and telephone calls highlighting motivational lessons and exciting activities have been greatly appreciated. In addition, the photographs that have been sent tell a wonderful story of successful examples of learning at home.

It has been an arduous task but in just over two weeks the teachers have perfected the use of Class Dojo, Google Classroom and Google Hangout to provide a seamless education for the students in their care. Initially, there were settling in problems but after a series of staff meetings and professional development the teachers have managed their online role skilfully and addressed concerns and issues as they have arisen.

Allowances have been made for those students and families who are experiencing difficulties at home, where possible work packages have been organised and additional time for the completion of assignments in the evening or over the weekend has been allowed.

Next term, online learning will continue using Class Dojo to message parents, Google Classroom to provide lessons for students but there has been a change and Google Hangouts Meet will replace Google Hangouts for face to face instruction time. The teachers decided only this week that Google Hangouts Meets is a superior programme because it allows for more successful interaction with students and stops the online ‘chatter’ amongst students during lesson time.

Please be reminded that the Easter holiday break begins on Thursday 9 April and the students will not resume lessons until Wednesday 29 April. This will give teachers and staff the opportunity to have a break and then complete planning for Term 2 which will include the preparation of work packages and programmes.

Wednesday 29 April has been set aside for parents to collect programmes, work packages, text books and stationery from school. To ensure there is not a rush to collect these items the teachers will organise packages on the benches directly outside their classrooms at the following times:

• 9.00am to 10.00am:    Families with surnames A to G;
• 10.30am to 11.30am:   Families with surnames H to M;
• 12.00noon to 1.00pm:  Families with surnames N to S;
•  1.30pm to 2.30pm:      Families with surnames T to Z.

For those parents who have not been involved in a Parent/Student/Teacher interview, you will be contacted during Weeks 1, 2 or 3 in Term 2 and the class teacher will link up with you either by telephone or online to discuss your child’s progress and set future goals.

Again, thank you sincerely for your support throughout these extremely difficult and unprecedented times. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy Easter and an enjoyable, safe holiday, and I look forward to working closely with you next Term.

Yours sincerely,

Wayne Cronin

Head of Primary