Important Update - Educational Packs

Dear Parent,

Our class packs for all pupils will be available for collection from the school hall tomorrow, Friday 20^th of March from 11AM -2:30PM (See Timetable below). To keep numbers arriving at the school low and to avoid possible transmission we will be having a staggered pick up at intervals outlined below. If you are unable to pick your pack up and have asked another parent to do this please let us know by telephone first thing in the morning.

The work in each class pack will cover the next three weeks which will lead us into the Easter Holidays. Please go through your pack carefully so that nothing is lost. During this period of time it is extremely important that key Literacy and Numeracy skills are maintained and that the packs are completed by all pupils. Each pupil will have a timetable detailing the amount of time to be spent on each curricular area. Please try and stick to the timetable as much as possible and work the normal pattern of our school day. Plan a daily Schedule and make this visible for the children to see!!

Additional activities will be completed online via Accelerated Reading, Sumdog Maths, Code.Org and the Oxford Owl.org. These resources can be accessed through your phone, tablet or laptop. It is extremely important that you download these sites and save to favourites within your device. Please note that Children’s passcodes are in their class packs. Teachers will be able to observe pupil progress through these activities remotely. We will be posting comments about progress on our Webpage each week.

All learning will then move online following the Easter break as travelling to the school could be difficult. Learning resources will be easily accessed through our school webpage, an example of how that will operate is provided below. Please use the time available to ensure that you have this access. If you have any difficulties please contact Mr. Hart stjosephsmadden@gmail.com who will be able to provide some technical support.

There is no doubt that as social beings we all need a structure and purpose within our lives and that applies to our children also. This will be vitally important for everyone’s mental health during the challenging times that lie ahead for everyone. The physical health of our children is also vitally important so try to keep fit and healthy during this time by getting out into the fresh air and garden and providing some physical challenges for pupils around the house. eg (See our physical activity page for ideas.)

I am also very aware of the many difficulties and concerns that many of you will have in relation to the health of older family members, Job security concerns and keeping your children safe and occupied during this time. But please try to keep positive, all of this although unprecedented will pass and we will be hearing the sounds of laughter in our classrooms and corridors in the not too distant future.

Take care everyone and we will keep you and your family in our prayers.

Paud Loughran

PS I know that there is a lot of information here to absorb and that can be quite daunting, but please follow the step by step guide below for readiness.

Step by Step Guide for Online Learning

Please view the document below to illustrate how to access your child’s class work online after Easter.