October 2020 Newsletter
We’re Open
It’s great to be able to compose a newsletter for October – it seems so long since the newsletter last March. With cases of Covid 19 on the rise again we all must be extra vigilant and heed the advice we are being given by our Government ministers. On a positive note all children have settled back into a good routine and are enjoying the company of their peers again. We continue to ensure hands are washed and/or sanitised throughout the day, all children use separate entrances to the building and have separate supervised play areas.
Hand Towels
As part of our Covid response plan the use of paper hand towels has been implemented as this is more hygienic than children using the same towel to dry their hands. If pupils wish to bring their own small hand towel to school in a plastic bag to keep in their bag they may do so. Towels must go home every day to be dried/replaced.
Digital Learning
A survey has been emailed to all parents using Survey Monkey. This survey is to give us an idea as to where everyone is at in relation to digital learning. The Department of Education issued a circular last week ‘Guidance on Remote Learning in a Covid 19 Context’ and as part of this every school must have a contingency plan in case schools are closed during a lockdown again. We understand this will cause some families anxiety and the idea of remote learning may not fill some parents with joy! However a ‘weekly email’ will not be sufficient moving forwards if we are in lockdown again. If it does not appear on your email page, check your ‘trash’ file. Please complete the survey by clicking on your preferred answers and then click done at the end.
The use of Seesaw
Prior to the Department’s circular last week staff had already been receiving training in the use of the online learning platform Seesaw. While this will be part of our contingency plan it will also be used regardless of school closure or not. All families should have received the ‘Guide for Parents’ and downloaded the Seesaw Class app to a device (including phones). Please return the consent form ASAP as consent is needed for GDPR reasons. If you have mislaid the form please contact the office for a new one. This week your child’s class teacher will be demonstrating how to log in to Seesaw and pupils will complete very simple tasks in school. It is planned that from next Monday 19th every pupil will log in from home to complete tasks. Tasks set will be very basic until children and staff become more confident in the use of the platform.
Book Bills
Many thanks to those who have already paid their book bills. Receipts (including those paid on line) will be issued by the secretary each week. Please ensure all book bills are paid by 23rd October.
Cash For Clobber
Some parents have been asking if we are doing a Cash for Clobber clothes collection this year. At the moment we have no room to store bags in school. Once we know a collection date we will ask that clothes are brought to school on that day (or the evening before) only.
Homework
Oral/Learning homework will continue to be set each night Mon-Thurs for all pupils. Following the mid-term break it is hoped that additional written tasks will be set using Seesaw each week.
Mid-Term
School will be closed from Monday 26th October-Friday 30th October inclusive for mid-term. Please check the school website ballybaycns.com for this year’s school calendar for additional closing dates.