Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in St Colmcille's PS

• Remote Learning: Parents' feedback survey

  Wed 20 May 2020

  Dear parents
  We are now in the tenth week of remote learning and we're still adjusting to the “new” normal and the things we used to take for granted aren’t possible for now like Sunday mass, school runs, Sacramental preparation, playing in the park or watching our local teams. We face many challenges as we cope with new ways of working, home schooling and caring for vulnerable family members. 

   

  On behalf of the school’s governors, I’d like to thank staff, parents, pupils and the community for the very positive and flexible response to the challenges as typified by the Termon C19 Response team's provision of PPE equipment for local essential workers. I hope you and your families remain healthy as we continue to respond to the lockdown.

   

  Since the school closed, we have being refining how we work so as to support you in facilitating children’s independent learning by using monthly work packs and Seesaw as our main strategies. I now feel this is an appropriate time to review these arrangements. I'm seeking the views of teachers, parents and children about remote learning. I’d particularly like to know what’s going well, what challenges you face and what you'd like to improve in relation to:
  •    Internet connectivity
  •    Access to computer/ iPad etc
  •    Challenges associated with remote learning 
  •    Use of Seesaw

  Realistically, we don’t know when the school will return to the “old” normal. There are suggestions that phased reopening may commence in the autumn term so your feedback is important in helping us to support you and your child. PLEASE COMPLETE A SEPARATE SURVEY FOR EACH CHILD IN THE SCHOOL. 

   

  All parents received a ex message with a direct link to the survey. If you have difficulty accessing the link, please contact the school and an alternative link will be provided.

   

  Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey which will help us and for your continued support in these most challenging times.

  Yours sincerely

   

  Peter Cush
  Principal
   

• ADMISSIONS SEPTEMBER 2020: NOTIFICATION OF PLACEMENTS

  Thu 23 Apr 2020

  Given the uncertainty of the current situation, the Education Authority will issue 'notification of placement' letters for P1 and Pre-School to parents to arrive on 29 April 2020.

   

  As it is possible that due to Covid-19 that some post may take longer to deliver than usual, the EA's Admissions Portal will be opened on Wednesday 29 April and parents can log in to view their child’s placement. Guidance on how to log in and access placement offers will be accessible on the EA website.

   

  If you are accepting the place, we would appreciate if you could email the school at fconnolly588@c2kni.net to confirm your acceptance.

   

  Further induction information about the induction arrangements will be forwarded later.  

  Should you require any further advice, the EA's Admissions staff will be available via the Helpdesk:- Telephone number 028 9598 5595, available from 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. 

• 3rd HOME PACKS: COLLECTION ARRANGEMENTS

  Thu 23 Apr 2020

  We hope that you and your family are well at this difficult time and that the children have been progressing well through the second pack of work and are looking forward to the next pack which can be collected from the covered area in the playground. 

   

  The packs will be available as follows:

  Friday 24^th April: R1&2, R3&4, P1, P3, P4 & Mr O'Neill's P5-6.

  Friday 1^st May: Other Key Stage 2 classes.

   

  To facilitate social-distancing and limit congestion, we advise that, where possible, that you use the allocated times to collect the packs:

   

  Surnames	Time slots
  A to F	9.00am to 10.00am
  G to L	10.00am to 11.00am
  M to O	11.00am to 12.00 noon
  P to S	1.00pm to 2.00pm
  T to Z	2.00pm to 3.00pm
  Open session	3.00pm to 5.00pm
  Reception	5.00pm to 9.00pm

   

  After 5.00pm, the remaining packs will be available in the school's reception hall until 9.00pm.

  A few points to remember:

  1. This is an unprecedented emergency impacting on the whole world but what each of us does can make a difference.
  2. While this 'new' normal presents many challenges, this phase will pass more quickly if we all practice safe-distancing and hand hygiene.
  3. We all want to be back at work but this can only be done in a manner that doesn't facilitate the spread of the infection in the community.
  4. Please connect your child's teacher if you aren't sure about any aspect of the work sent home.
  5. Keep the Health Care workers in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

• St Colmcille's Church on Tues 31st at 8.00pm. Important announcement

  Tue 31 Mar 2020

  ** Important Public Announcement **

   

  The Termon C19 Response team will be doing a short but very important live broadcast from St Colmcille's Church Carrickmore on Tuesday ' 31st at 8.00pm. 

  During this broadcast we will have the local church leaders and a representative from Carrickmore Health Centre present. We will use this broadcast to communicate some of the things that are happening locally within the parish, including the new dedicated helpline that we ask everyone to avail of. We ask for all in the parish of Termonmaguirc to tune in to this broadcast via the St Colmcille’s Church webcam:

  http://www.termonmaguircparish.com/churches/church-of-st-colmcille-carrickmore/

  or watch via facebook live on the TermonCovid Response facebook page. 

   

  Please share this message on all social platforms to help us raise awareness. 

   

  #stay safe

  #In this together

• Direct payments to families on Free School Meals

  Thu 26 Mar 2020

  The Department of Communities and  Department of Education and the Education Authority plan to ensure that low income families and vulnerable people get the vital support they need in response to the Coronavirus outbreak.   

  Families will receive £2.70 per child per day for each day of term the schools are closed.  This money will be paid to families on a fortnightly basis.

   

  Education Minister, Peter Weir said: “These families will be contacted via a text message early next week and advised to complete an online form which will then be available on the Education Authority website.   It is vital that people respond to any request from the Education Authority, to avoid delay in payment.  

• 2nd Home packs ready for collection

  Thu 26 Mar 2020

  Dear parents

  I hope you and your family are well at this difficult time.

   

  This can be a stressful and overwhelming time for everyone especially with the children being at home for this prolonged period without the opportunity to avail of all the sporting and social activities that are available in Carrickmore. And if that wasn’t enough, we are sending work home for the children to add to the pressure.

   

  We hope that the children have been progressing through the first pack of work and are looking forward to the second pack which will be ready for collection tomorrow, Friday 27^th March from the covered area in the playground. To facilitate social-distancing and limit congestion, we have set out times for you to collect the packs:

   

  Surnames	Time slots
  A to F	9.00am to 10.00am
  G to L	10.00am to 11.00am
  M to O	11.00am to 12.00 noon
  P to S	1.00pm to 2.00pm
  T to Z	2.00pm to 3.00pm
  Open session	3.00pm to 5.00pm

   

  After 5.00pm, the remaining packs will be available in the school's reception hall until 9.00pm.

  A few points to remember:

  1. This is not homeschooling; at best this is distance learning. This is an unprecedented emergency impacting on the whole world so it’s important to keep perspective.
  2. You are and always have been your child’s main educators. If you decide that your child isn’t going to engage in anything sent home from school and is going to play in the garden, dig for bugs, read books etc; that’s your right so don’t  stress or worry about this.
  3. We are all working differently, we’re trying to be helpful but we could well be bombarding you with work that you don’t have time to look at. You don’t need to check out every suggested website.
  4. It’s difficult to do distance learning with primary-aged children. The focus is on revision as far as possible because it’s impossible to teach new concepts in this format.
  5. Every child learns differently so don’t fret if all your children don’t respond positively to the home packs. Give yourself and them a break, do some baking, let them play games and send them outside and remind them how important it is not to mix with other children.
  6. You are doing enough by supporting them through this difficult time. Look after yourself and minimize stress as much as possible.

   

     We will continue to try to support the children over the coming weeks.

     You are doing enough by supporting them through this difficult time.      Look after yourselves and minimize stress as much as possible.

    Yours sincerely

    Peter Cush

     Principal

  

• COVID-19:

  Sat 21 Mar 2020
  Please read this important advice below.

  

• COVID-19: Supporting Children of Key Workers

  Fri 20 Mar 2020

  
  Supporting Children of Key Workers

  Dear parents

  Further to the Minister for Education’s announcement yesterday that schools are to remain open as Child Care Centres for children of key workers, there is still a lot of ambiguity about the necessary arrangements to limit potential the spread of the Coronavirus in schools which are; by their very nature, ideal environments for spreading infection.

   

  Medical experts remind us that the overriding priority is to reduce the spread of the virus through social distancing and effective hygiene. That’s why churches, schools and sporting organisations are closed.

   

  You too can play your part; limit contact with people outside your immediate family; limit unnecessary journeys; avoid crowded spaces; practice good hand washing hygiene; spend precious time with your children and keep in contact with your child’s teacher as they endeavour to support you through home packs and seesaw interactions.

   

  At this time, we are mindful of the additional pressures and expectations on medical and caring professions. As a community, we will seek to support the frontline service workers; doctors, nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, etc to enable them to help the most vulnerable people. 

   

  Given the very small number of children who require the service in rural areas, it is now proposed that central locations for children will be arranged in towns. More information about this will be given to the key workers in our area.

  We will practice social distancing by keeping staff and children’s numbers very low and insisting that there is no direct contact between them so it will be nothing like a ‘normal’ school day.

   

  I would appreciate if you could let me know if you think that you qualify for key workers’ Child Care places. Please complete the table below and return by email to pcush286@c2kni.net or leave a message on the school’s answer machine to confirm the necessary information. 

   

  Following anticipated clarification from DE, we will plan arrangements for staff rotas, children’s timetable, safeguarding, sanitary, play and lunchtime etc.

   

  I would also advise that sending children to school could potentially facilitate the transfer of the virus so only use the service if you would otherwise be depending on senior citizens or vulnerable adults to look after your children.  

   

  In the interim, keep safe and thank you for your continued support in these most challenging times.

   

  Yours sincerely

  Peter Cush

  Principal

   

  Reply slip- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

  Supporting Children of Key Workers available from Tuesday 24^th March

   

  “If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for Child Care provision.” Minister of Education 19^th March 2020

   

  Name of Key worker:
  Occupation:
  Work place:
  Work telephone no:
  Time when you require the service	From: To:
  Days when you require the service
  Child’s name & class
  Child’s name & class
  Child’s name & class
  Child’s name & class

   

   

  LIST OF KEY WORKERS AS OUTLINED ON DOCUMENTATION ISSUED TO SCHOOLS ON 19TH MARCH 2020

   

  • Health and Social Care. This includes doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, home carers and staff required to maintain our health and social care sector

   

  • Education and childcare. This includes nursery and teaching staff, social workers and those specialist education professionals who will remain active during the Covid-19 response

   

  • Public safety and national security. This includes civilians and officers in the police (including key contractors), Fire and Rescue Service, prison service and other national security roles

   

  • Transport. This will include those keeping air, water, road and rail transport modes operating during the Covid-19 response

   

  • Utilities and Communication. This includes staff needed for oil, gas, electricity and water (including sewage) and primary industry supplies, to continue during the Covid-19 response, as well as key staff in telecommunications, post and delivery, services and waste disposal

   

  • Food and other necessary goods. This includes those involved in food production, processing, distribution and sale, as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (e.g hygiene, medical etc)

   

  • Key national and local government including those administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the Covid-19 response.

   

   

  

• COVID-19: Message from Fr Ryan McAleer Diocesan Adviser

  Fri 20 Mar 2020

  Dear parents

  With the closure of all schools, both north and south of the diocese, and little prospect of a return to normality before the end of the academic year, I simply wanted to pass on my promise of prayer and best wishes to you and your school community.

   

  You can find some prayer resources at the following link for these times, which I encourage you to share with your staff and parents, if you wish: 

  https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2020/03/16/prayer-resources-for-use-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

   

  I will be particularly mindful of you, your staff, pupils and their families at the altar as I celebrate Mass every day in private.

   

  Warmest regards,

   

  Ryan

   

   

  Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary during the coronavirus pandemic 

  O Mary,
  you always shine on our path
  as a sign of salvation and of hope.
  We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
  who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
  You, Salvation of the Roman People,
  know what we need,
  and we are sure you will provide
  so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
  we may return to joy and to feasting
  after this time of trial.
  Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
  to conform to the will of the Father
  and to do as we are told by Jesus,
  who has taken upon himself our sufferings
  and carried our sorrows
  to lead us, through the cross,
  to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.

  Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

   

  --

   

  Rev'd Ryan McAleer, VF

  Diocesan Advisor for Primary Religious Education

  

• COVID-19: EXCEPTIONAL SCHOOL CLOSURE

  Mon 16 Mar 2020

  Dear Parents/Guardians 

  The Board of Governors of St Colmcille’s PS/ Bunscoil Naomh Colmcille with its duty of care to all its stakeholders has decided that the school will not re-open on Wednesday 18th March 2020 and will remain closed until at least Monday 30th March 2020. A review of this Exceptional Closure will be communicated to parents by Thursday 26th March.

   

  We urge everyone to follow Public Health Agency COVID-19 advice:

  • be responsible and look after one another, especially our vulnerable people.
  • have regard to social distancing and
  • practice healthy hygiene rules so that collectively we can curtail the spread of the coronavirus in our community.

   

  Your child has been given a homework pack which includes activities to support their learning until 31^st March. Teachers will remain in contact with your child and give advice about online resources etc though the Seesaw app or letter for those who can’t access the service. Packs for children who were absent on Friday 13^th March are available in the foyer.

   

  We acknowledge that this is a very difficult time for everyone in the community and remind you that local organizations can provide much needed help and support to the isolated, elderly and vulnerable within our community over the coming days & weeks:

  • Carrickmore GFC: https: //www.facebook.com/ancharraigmhorgaa/
  • https://www.facebook.com/eireogcarrickmore/
  • St Vincent de Paul: Termonmaguirc SVP Helpline 07738 838 216.

   

  In addition, if you would like to speak to me about any concern you have, please ring the school, leave a message if I’m unavailable or send an email to pcush286@c2kni.net.

   

  We thank you for your continued cooperation in this matter.

   

  Yours sincerely

   

  Mr Peter Cush       Mrs Ursula McElroy

  Principal            Chairperson