Coronavirus - School Correspondence
Letter From Dr. Greene, Principal, 19 March 2020
Dear Students, Parents & Guardians,
Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD has today (Thursday 19 March 2020) announced the cancellation of oral and practical performance tests of the state examinations which were originally scheduled to take place from Monday 23 March to Friday 3 April 2020.
All students who were due to take these tests will be awarded full marks for this portion of the exam.
Please see the link to the full statement:
https://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2020-press-releases/PR20-03-19.html
I know that this has been a very worrying time for our Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate Students. I hope that this announcement brings some ease in the stress that you are feeling and that you continue to study in a calm and focused manner. Please note the new dates for project work and coursework is the 15th May.
I am very grateful to the wonderful dedicated staff of St. Mary’s who are working remotely to support all the students in their learning.
I encourage all students to maintain the connection to their schoolwork and classmates in supporting each other and motivating one another. This is vital for your mental health and wellbeing.
The school email [email protected] remain active and we will endeavour to assist with any issues that may arise.
Please stay safe and well,
Kind regards,
Edel Greene,
Principal.
Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD has today (Thursday 19 March 2020) announced the cancellation of oral and practical performance tests of the state examinations which were originally scheduled to take place from Monday 23 March to Friday 3 April 2020.
All students who were due to take these tests will be awarded full marks for this portion of the exam.
Please see the link to the full statement:
https://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2020-press-releases/PR20-03-19.html
I know that this has been a very worrying time for our Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate Students. I hope that this announcement brings some ease in the stress that you are feeling and that you continue to study in a calm and focused manner. Please note the new dates for project work and coursework is the 15th May.
I am very grateful to the wonderful dedicated staff of St. Mary’s who are working remotely to support all the students in their learning.
I encourage all students to maintain the connection to their schoolwork and classmates in supporting each other and motivating one another. This is vital for your mental health and wellbeing.
The school email [email protected] remain active and we will endeavour to assist with any issues that may arise.
Please stay safe and well,
Kind regards,
Edel Greene,
Principal.
Letter From Dr. Greene, Principal, 12 March 2020
Dear Parents,
As you are probably aware, the Taoiseach has announced on Thursday 12 March that all schools will close at 6 p.m. that evening until the 29th March.
Please see below the Statement from the Department of Education and Skills on school closures.
Our teachers have been working on contingency plans in the event of such a closure and will be communicating with the girls via office 365/ Edmodo and prepared handouts.
It will be the responsibility of all students to keep in touch with teachers and work remotely from home. This closure should not be viewed as a holiday. Their teachers have been advising them regarding their course work plans.
We would encourage the girls to continue to get up early, plan their day around their school timetable, study, take regular breaks and keep the momentum going throughout this time.
Our priority remains the wellbeing of our students and ensuring continued teaching and learning at this challenging time.
We will endeavour to keep you informed in relation to the ongoing situation.
We sincerely wish good health to whole school community and please remain safe and well.
Kind regards,
Edel Greene,
Principal.
Statement From the Department of Education and Skills can be assessed below
https://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2020-press-releases/12-march-2020-statement-from-the-department-of-education-and-skills.html
Letter from Dr. Greene, Principal, copy given to students Friday 6 March
Dear Parents/ Guardians,
I am writing to you today to continue to keep you updated on our arrangements relating to the ongoing situation regarding the Coronavirus and the actions we have taken.
A school Contingency Committee has been set up which comprises of the Principal, Deputy Principal, Year Heads, ICT Coordinator and Admin Staff. We are currently reviewing our current practices and will meet on a regular basis as the country continues to deal with the issue of Coronavirus.
The following actions have been taken by the school:
You, as parents, are advised to:
Affected areas as published by the HSE as of 5th March 2020
Symptoms of Coronavirus
I am very grateful, as always, to the dedication and commitment of my staff in seeking to support the girls inside and outside school. The girls play a significant role in their own learning and need to take ultimate responsibility for their learning in any time off that may arise. All students are expected to study and revise for their forthcoming exams.
The school will continue to review our plans as the situation unfolds and we will keep you and the girls informed. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to ensure we are doing our best for the girls.
Please be advised that school closure will only occur by direction of the HSE/Department of Education and Skills. Any relevant information will be posted on our school social media accounts - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the Website.
Best wishes,
Dr. Edel Greene,
Principal,
Secretary to the Board of Management.
I am writing to you today to continue to keep you updated on our arrangements relating to the ongoing situation regarding the Coronavirus and the actions we have taken.
A school Contingency Committee has been set up which comprises of the Principal, Deputy Principal, Year Heads, ICT Coordinator and Admin Staff. We are currently reviewing our current practices and will meet on a regular basis as the country continues to deal with the issue of Coronavirus.
The following actions have been taken by the school:
- All advice issuing from the HSE will be forwarded to you.
- Posters provided by the HSE are displayed throughout the school.
- The school twitter account on the Website is updated to contain hand washing videos and advice.
- The girls have been advised to bring a wash bag with tissues, hand sanitiser and soap.
- Cleaners have been instructed to keep the soap dispensers filled in student toilets and to disinfect all door handles as a matter of routine.
- We have 24/7 texting and email functionality if an urgent message needs to be communicated to you. Please ensure your contact details are updated and correct.
- Students and teachers already use a range of educational internet tools such as Edmodo. Teacher are providing work plans to students. Tools such as Edmodo and Gmail will be utilised to allow teachers to set and direct student’s work. In the event of a school closure, these will be the primary means of teacher- student communication and will enable students to continue with their studies. It is essential that students check their teachers Edmodo page, check school emails regularly or setup the notifications option available. We are currently working to support teachers and students in remote working options.
- Any trips will be subject to advice issuing from the relevant agencies/authorities and decisions will be made by the Board of Management /Principal taking account of this advice
You, as parents, are advised to:
- Keep updated on advice issuing from the HSE, the Department of Education and Skills and our school. There is a link on the homepage of our website.
- Provide personal sanitisers for your daughter to complement school provision
- Inform the school if your child has been to any of the affected areas in the last 14 days
- Keep your daughter at home if she exhibits flu like symptoms
- Respond immediately to any call from the school - this is the usual procedure in the event of your child becoming ill.
Affected areas as published by the HSE as of 5th March 2020
- China
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Iran
- Japan
- Italy- Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia- Romagna, Piedmont
Symptoms of Coronavirus
- Cough
- Shortness of Breath
- Breathing difficulties
- Fever
I am very grateful, as always, to the dedication and commitment of my staff in seeking to support the girls inside and outside school. The girls play a significant role in their own learning and need to take ultimate responsibility for their learning in any time off that may arise. All students are expected to study and revise for their forthcoming exams.
The school will continue to review our plans as the situation unfolds and we will keep you and the girls informed. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to ensure we are doing our best for the girls.
Please be advised that school closure will only occur by direction of the HSE/Department of Education and Skills. Any relevant information will be posted on our school social media accounts - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the Website.
Best wishes,
Dr. Edel Greene,
Principal,
Secretary to the Board of Management.