Message from the principal 20/03/20
Dear Parents / Guardians / Staff,
Congratulations on making it to Friday, although at this stage I'm sure the days have all merged for many! I hope everyone is doing okay.
Apologies for the lengthy but necessary notice. Going forward, Friday notice will simply read: Website updated.
Very quickly just to say thank you for your continued support and lovely photos and messages from the children. We are missing the children and I am missing my Principal’s Post – home office is very bleak indeed! As families, you are doing an amazing job in the most challenging and unprecedented of circumstances. I hope you are assured that the suggestions we are making are simply that, suggestions. We do not ask or expect all children to do all of the work and activities. We are trying to give you as much as we can so that you have plenty to choose from. You decide as a family what works for you and do that - no more, no less. It is not a competition and nobody will be ‘falling behind’. All work is revision or challenged based. No new content will be covered.
This is all new to us as well and we are happy to try things out and see what works best for us as a school community. We had heard that some families are feeling over-whelmed, so we are reducing our whole-school and whole-class communications from Monday but don’t hesitate to contact us should you need or want to.
Changes from this weekend:
Kind Regards,
Francesca Hunt
Congratulations on making it to Friday, although at this stage I'm sure the days have all merged for many! I hope everyone is doing okay.
Apologies for the lengthy but necessary notice. Going forward, Friday notice will simply read: Website updated.
Very quickly just to say thank you for your continued support and lovely photos and messages from the children. We are missing the children and I am missing my Principal’s Post – home office is very bleak indeed! As families, you are doing an amazing job in the most challenging and unprecedented of circumstances. I hope you are assured that the suggestions we are making are simply that, suggestions. We do not ask or expect all children to do all of the work and activities. We are trying to give you as much as we can so that you have plenty to choose from. You decide as a family what works for you and do that - no more, no less. It is not a competition and nobody will be ‘falling behind’. All work is revision or challenged based. No new content will be covered.
This is all new to us as well and we are happy to try things out and see what works best for us as a school community. We had heard that some families are feeling over-whelmed, so we are reducing our whole-school and whole-class communications from Monday but don’t hesitate to contact us should you need or want to.
Changes from this weekend:
- Class teachers will check in daily with their classes – either a notice on Aladdin or a message on Dojo. We do this so you know we are here. On occasion, a teacher might post a few extra messages if they deem it necessary. Check in or ignore – it’s completely your decision.
- I will be streamlining the resources and class sections of the Covid-19 Closure tab on the website this evening. This will house everything you need throughout the closure, a one-stop-shop. Check in here every couple of days to keep up-to-date. The relevant tabs are News / Gallery / Covid-19 Closure. The website updates will be ready for tomorrow so that you and your family have time to look at what’s on offer, choose a few activities you like and make a plan for the week ahead.
- Within the school website there will be links to Padlet (you need to register for a free account). Padlet is basically virtual sticky notes that we will be populating in an organised way with websites and online resources. This should help with streamlining the wealth of available online resources.
- We are taking this closure as a chance to upskill as a staff. Teachers have been extremely busy learning about and trying out new apps that could be useful both now and in the classroom when normal service resumes. Teachers will be trying these with children over the closure – again, engage with this only if you are in a position to do so. One such app is Kahoot, a fun online quiz space for the children. Class teachers will post a code and you enter this on the Kahoot website to take the quiz. Again, there is no pressure on anyone.
Kind Regards,
Francesca Hunt
mESSAGE FROM THE PrINCIPAL 13/03/2020
Dear Parents / Guardians,
This current mandated closure is a difficult situation for schools to manage. It is not appropriate for us to assume that every family will be in a position to do prescribed work / access technology etc. With this in mind, class teachers have put together a variety of work for parents and guardians to pick and choose from as they wish. All work set is based on revision, projects and problem solving. As a school, we do not believe that endless reams of worksheets are in the best interest of the children, nor is excess of screen time. That being said, this is a challenging situation and we are providing some sheets and websites that will be of help. Class teachers will liaise directly with parents and guardians regarding work and activities.
Teachers can be contacted throughout this closure through dojo and email. I will also be available on email. You are encouraged to take photographs or videos of work completed by the children, the children working on tasks, messages for teachers from the children and generally anything the children want to send to their class teacher or myself via dojo or email. However, please bear in mind that we have to provide the same access and support for all 27 children in each class. Teachers will do their best but please be realistic in your expectations. This is not ideal for anyone.
Thank you for your continued support during what has been a very turbulent and busy time for our school. A big thank you also to staff who pulled together at very short notice and organised work, activities, supports for families and also a deep clean of classrooms and equipment so quickly. We have a fantastic school and I, as principal, couldn’t be prouder.
We wish you and yours the very best. Stay safe, stay healthy and follow HSE advice, especially regarding social distancing and children. As a Community National School, let's look after each other and the most vulnerable in our community as best we can.
Kind Regards,
Francesca Hunt
Locally
Thanks to Wicklow County Council, we have TTRS – Touch Type Read and Spell licences that we can offer to children from 1st Class – 3rd Class free of charge. Ms. D’Arcy will contact the relevant class groups. More information can be found at https://www.readandspell.com/.
Twinkl is a resource that every teacher in the country uses to find / make worksheets, resources etc. It is a huge resource and they have very kindly offered one free month’s subscription for parents using the following - www.twinkl.ie/offer and enter the code IRLTWINKLHELPS.
Dabbledoo Music – we use Dabbledoo to complement our music curriculum and the children really enjoy this. They had been working on parent supports for the past number of months with a view to making them available for September 2020, they have very kindly brought this forward and are offering it for free. I will email the link to parents / guardians.
Reading and Spelling - https://www.nessy.com/free-trial/signup – free 2 week trial for parents / guardians.
ScoilNet (site for teachers) – through ScoilNet, all children have access to World Book Online https://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/products?ed=all&gr=Welcome%21
E-Books
I will email e-books that might be of help to parents.
Educational Considerations:
Fine Motor Development - https://www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com/fine-motor-activities.html
Oral language development - https://ppds.pdst.ie/images/stories/curriculum_pages/english/discrete%20oral%20language%20activities..pdf
Other General Web Supports for Parents / Guardians (classes have more specific links):
https://www.vooks.com/ - online stories and books.
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/ - nominal yearly subscription but a great resource for younger children.
https://readingeggs.co.uk/parents/signup/ - online books, levelled for appropriate reading. 2 week free trial for parents.
https://www.readingrockets.org/audience/parents
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/ - for projects etc.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/4_11/ - general learning.
www.topmarks.co.uk – general learning.
http://www.ictgames.co.uk/ - general
www.starfall.com – younger children.
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/25-best-websites-teachers/ - general
Tablets / Devices
Please refer to www.webwise.ie for internet safety tips for parents / guardians, especially relating to apps.
Apple Suggested Apps:
https://www.pdst.ie/sites/default/files/Literacy%20Apps.pdf
*** We strongly advise limiting screen time and where possible using apps where the children are creating content rather than being passive.*** Examples of these:
Comic Creators - https://www.google.com/search?safe=strict&source=hp&ei=jSdqXr_6A9XD8gLt1ZqoBw&q=comic+creator+app&oq=comic+creat&gs_l=psy-ab.1.3.0l10.766.3131..5745...2.0..0.72.692.13......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i131j0i10j0i3.w-YvtFhqzDU
Stop Go Animation
https://www.mykidstime.com/things-to-do/10-handiest-apps-stop-motion - choice of animation apps
animation/https://lemonlimeadventures.com/how-to-do-stop-motion-animation-with-kids/ - how parents can teach / do stop animation at home
Book Creator
https://bookcreator.com/ - make their own book
Movie making
https://fisfilmproject.ie/ - practical advice and lessons on teaching children how to make movies at home and how to edit etc.
This current mandated closure is a difficult situation for schools to manage. It is not appropriate for us to assume that every family will be in a position to do prescribed work / access technology etc. With this in mind, class teachers have put together a variety of work for parents and guardians to pick and choose from as they wish. All work set is based on revision, projects and problem solving. As a school, we do not believe that endless reams of worksheets are in the best interest of the children, nor is excess of screen time. That being said, this is a challenging situation and we are providing some sheets and websites that will be of help. Class teachers will liaise directly with parents and guardians regarding work and activities.
Teachers can be contacted throughout this closure through dojo and email. I will also be available on email. You are encouraged to take photographs or videos of work completed by the children, the children working on tasks, messages for teachers from the children and generally anything the children want to send to their class teacher or myself via dojo or email. However, please bear in mind that we have to provide the same access and support for all 27 children in each class. Teachers will do their best but please be realistic in your expectations. This is not ideal for anyone.
Thank you for your continued support during what has been a very turbulent and busy time for our school. A big thank you also to staff who pulled together at very short notice and organised work, activities, supports for families and also a deep clean of classrooms and equipment so quickly. We have a fantastic school and I, as principal, couldn’t be prouder.
We wish you and yours the very best. Stay safe, stay healthy and follow HSE advice, especially regarding social distancing and children. As a Community National School, let's look after each other and the most vulnerable in our community as best we can.
Kind Regards,
Francesca Hunt
Locally
- Library – don’t forget that you can access audio books and ebook for free through our libraries. All you need is your card number, if you are not a member I would advise to join ASAP http://www.askaboutireland.ie/libraries/books-and-reading/ http://www.askaboutireland.ie/libraries/books-and-reading/
- Halfway up the Stairs – Children’s bookshop in Greystones, are still open and can prepare packs if you let them know your child’s age, ability and interests - https://www.facebook.com/halfwayupthestairschildrensbookshop/
- Art & Hobby are offering 15% off puzzles and board games.
Thanks to Wicklow County Council, we have TTRS – Touch Type Read and Spell licences that we can offer to children from 1st Class – 3rd Class free of charge. Ms. D’Arcy will contact the relevant class groups. More information can be found at https://www.readandspell.com/.
Twinkl is a resource that every teacher in the country uses to find / make worksheets, resources etc. It is a huge resource and they have very kindly offered one free month’s subscription for parents using the following - www.twinkl.ie/offer and enter the code IRLTWINKLHELPS.
Dabbledoo Music – we use Dabbledoo to complement our music curriculum and the children really enjoy this. They had been working on parent supports for the past number of months with a view to making them available for September 2020, they have very kindly brought this forward and are offering it for free. I will email the link to parents / guardians.
Reading and Spelling - https://www.nessy.com/free-trial/signup – free 2 week trial for parents / guardians.
ScoilNet (site for teachers) – through ScoilNet, all children have access to World Book Online https://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/products?ed=all&gr=Welcome%21
E-Books
I will email e-books that might be of help to parents.
Educational Considerations:
Fine Motor Development - https://www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com/fine-motor-activities.html
Oral language development - https://ppds.pdst.ie/images/stories/curriculum_pages/english/discrete%20oral%20language%20activities..pdf
Other General Web Supports for Parents / Guardians (classes have more specific links):
https://www.vooks.com/ - online stories and books.
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/ - nominal yearly subscription but a great resource for younger children.
https://readingeggs.co.uk/parents/signup/ - online books, levelled for appropriate reading. 2 week free trial for parents.
https://www.readingrockets.org/audience/parents
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/ - for projects etc.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/4_11/ - general learning.
www.topmarks.co.uk – general learning.
http://www.ictgames.co.uk/ - general
www.starfall.com – younger children.
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/25-best-websites-teachers/ - general
Tablets / Devices
Please refer to www.webwise.ie for internet safety tips for parents / guardians, especially relating to apps.
Apple Suggested Apps:
- Literacy - https://pdst.ie/sites/default/files/Literacy%20Apps%20-%20iCurriculum%20.pdf
- Numeracy - https://pdst.ie/sites/default/files/Maths%20Apps%20iCurriculum.pdf
- Geography / History / Science - https://pdst.ie/sites/default/files/SESE%20Apps%20%C3%B1%20Senior%20Classes%20-%20iCurriculum.pdf
https://www.pdst.ie/sites/default/files/Literacy%20Apps.pdf
*** We strongly advise limiting screen time and where possible using apps where the children are creating content rather than being passive.*** Examples of these:
Comic Creators - https://www.google.com/search?safe=strict&source=hp&ei=jSdqXr_6A9XD8gLt1ZqoBw&q=comic+creator+app&oq=comic+creat&gs_l=psy-ab.1.3.0l10.766.3131..5745...2.0..0.72.692.13......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i131j0i10j0i3.w-YvtFhqzDU
Stop Go Animation
https://www.mykidstime.com/things-to-do/10-handiest-apps-stop-motion - choice of animation apps
animation/https://lemonlimeadventures.com/how-to-do-stop-motion-animation-with-kids/ - how parents can teach / do stop animation at home
Book Creator
https://bookcreator.com/ - make their own book
Movie making
https://fisfilmproject.ie/ - practical advice and lessons on teaching children how to make movies at home and how to edit etc.