March 30th, 2020

advice-to-young-people-while-schools-are-closed

guide-for-parents-supporting-children

Dear Parents / Guardians,

As you are now aware, the Minister for Education has closed schools across the country until 19th April, 2020. This closure may be extended by the Minister in the weeks ahead. The Department of Education and Skills (DES) and the various stakeholders such as the National Parents Council, the Teaching Council and management bodies of schools will be meeting in the coming weeks to discuss what strategy to take if schools are not going to re-open for a longer period, so our school will review its approach to learning from home when guidelines are issued.  If you are missing some of the school books, Give Back, a directory of free products and services is available at the following link and in it there is a list of the websites for the school book publishers such as CJ Fallon, Folens etc.   https://covid19.shanehastings.eu/giveback/   Remember, though, the most important thing is that children are happy and healthy at the moment.  All schools will adapt their programs whenever we reopen to make sure key learning objectives are reached.   

Some advice for parents from our National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) psychologist has been issued and it is attached to this email.  There is also a letter from the DES called “Advice to young pupil while schools are closed” attached.  I’m sure parents have already gone through the importance of social and physical distancing with their children but it may be no harm to show the older ones the letter.  

If at any stage  you need to contact the school, please e-mail info@stmarysttown.com or call 0873768510 if it’s urgent.  
Regards,
Pádhraic Moran