St Kilian's CS Online School January 2021 (2)

Fri, Jan 22nd, 2021

 Email to Parents/Guardians January 22nd 2021

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I hope that you and your families are keeping well in these difficult times. I want to update you on a number of school-related matters, as outlined below:

1.     Online Classes

We have now completed two weeks of our online classes and everything, for the most part, has been going extremely well. We appreciate your support in ensuring that your sons/daughters attend all of their classes.

With a very small number of exceptions (the students have the full details), the 6^th Year students are following their full normal timetable, while other year groups finish at lunchtime every day.

 2.     Supporting your Son/Daughter with Online Classes

The school has put together a set of four presentations, which form part of the school’s ‘Communication Charter’. These cover Getting Ready, Online Classes, Writing Emails and Sending Attachments. I have attached these, so that you can familiarise yourself with the approach that we are taking with the students

Please pay particular attention to the Online Classes presentation. There are expectations in terms of behaviour for all students in the online setting, just like there are when the school is running normally.

3.     Communication

At this period of school closure, all queries can still be directed to the School Office (01-2828126) or you can email advice@stkilianscs.com. If parents/guardians need to contact a teacher, they should use these means.

Students have teachers’ email addresses for the purpose of their classes and for sharing queries, information, homework and assignments only.

4.     Thursday, January 28^th

Next Thursday, January 28^th, is an online training day for teachers. This is part of a series of training days that teachers have had in recent years around the new Junior Cycle.

Thursday will be a day of well-deserved rest for the students! We hope they enjoy it!

5.     Mental Health Seminar

I have attached a letter from Ms Roseanne Sinnott (School Chaplain) regarding a seminar for parents/guardians about supporting young people’s mental health. This will be held next Wednesday 27th January at 7pm via Zoom. Full details are in the letter and I encourage you to attend.

6.     Letter from Minister for Education

I have also attached a letter addressed to parents/guardians by the Minister for Education, Ms Norma Foley.

7.     School Reopening, Mocks, State Examinations etc..

At the time of writing, there is still no clarity about dates for the reopening of the school. Likewise, at this time it is not possible to give any definite news about the Mock examinations. I understand that talks are ongoing regarding arrangements for the 2021 State Examinations, and there appears to be a firm commitment to hold the exams as normal. If and when there are developments around these or other relevant issues, I will contact you again. I understand how stressful all of this period has been, particularly for 6^th Year students, and I hope that the situation will become clearer soon.

8.     Student Support

The school’s Care Team, including the Guidance Counsellors and Chaplains continue to be available to support students at this time. Please do not hesitate to contact the school (01-2828126 or advice@stkilianscs.com) if you are concerned about your son’s /daughter’s mental health or if you have any other concerns where you feel that we can be of assistance. Likewise, the Home School and Community Liaison Coordinator, Ms Izzy Fox (086-7008999) continues to be available to support families at this time.

I wish continued good health and safety to you all and I look forward, as I know you do, to real improvements in our situation soon.

Best wishes,

John Murphy,

Principal.