4 June 2020

Dear Parents,

We hope you and your children are all safe and well. We wish to share the following information with you.

Online Learning

We sincerely thank all the children and parents for making such a big effort to complete the learning activities posted on the school website each day. We really appreciate the work parents have undertaken to support their children with the online learning. From Monday the 15^th of June, we will reduce the amount of work expected of the children as we understand how challenging it is for everyone to keep up the momentum.

Enrolment

We have a big number of children enrolled in Junior Infants for September. We understand and appreciate the benefits of small infant classes for making the transition to primary school as easy as possible for the children. Therefore, like this year, we will have three classes for Junior and Senior Infants so the numbers in each class will not be large. If any of our parents know of a family who wish to enrol a child, we would be grateful if you would pass on these contact details so we can arrange to give them a registration form – Tel: 087 2180041 or michael@scoiliosaballina.ie.

Induction for Infants

Unfortunately, we cannot give the new junior infants an opportunity to visit the school before the end of June. Parents of those children are asked to collect the welcome pack from the junior school between 10am and 2pm on Thursday 11^th June. We wish to assure parents that we will do everything we can to ensure that the children’s transition to primary school is as easy and as pleasant as possible.

Green School Award

Scoil Iosa has been awarded a Green Flag for water conservation. We are so proud of the children on our Green School committee who worked so hard to help us achieve this prestigious award.

Return to School

Scoil Iosa will reopen for the children on the 1^st of September. Before the new school year, we will provide further information for parents with regard to any special arrangements we are required to make by the Department of Education and/or the HSE to manage risks associated with the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Toy Boxes

We wish to thank Mayo North East and North Mayo School Completion for funding the toy boxes provided for our families. Thanks also to the families who emailed us the photographs published on the school website.

Collections and Returns

On Thursday next, 11^th of June, parents are invited into the school to return textbooks rented from the school and to collect the following:

• Textbooks and copies that will not be used in September 2020 – Some of the unfinished workbooks, copies and scrapbooks will not be returned as your child will use them in their new class in September.
• Booklists and School calendar for the 20/21 school year
• End of Year Reports
• Returns of money owed for activities that did not take place due the school closure e.g. School Tours, Swimming.
• Collection of welcome packs for junior infant children starting school in September 2020.

We request that parents are accompanied by a maximum of one child only, adhere strictly to the timetable below and follow social distancing signs and directions when they enter the school on Thursday next. The belongings of the children in each family have been put together in the classroom of the oldest child.

Please note that parents of children in the language class will be given a time after the 19^th of June to pick up their belongings. We will confirm a date and time later in the month.

School Books

As part of a Department of Education and Skills (DES) pilot scheme, Scoil Iosa has received additional funds for the 20/21 school year to purchase textbooks for children in all classes. Parents of children from 3^rd – 6^th will only be required to purchase copies/stationery. Copies and stationery will, as always, be provided for children in the junior classes. All parents will be asked to pay €20 per child towards the cost of art materials, photocopying and digital licensing.

Building Project

A considerable amount of progress has been made in relation to our school building project over the last number of weeks. The school architects have considered a number of different design options for the new school that they will present to the Department of Education and Skills (DES) later this month. We will provide parents with further information when the DES makes its decision in relation to their preferred design option.

Communion Class

We are so sorry that the Holy Communion mass did not take place for the children in second class. We will, however, schedule a new date in the autumn and we look forward to this very special event.

Staff

Ms. Gilroy is leaving us for the 20/21 schoolyear but we really hope she returns to us in September 2021. Chelsea Delaney completed her work placement with us this year and we wish her the very best. Ms. Brady has finished covering Ms. Cawley’s maternity leave. We wish Ms. Brady the very best and welcome Ms. Cawley back from maternity leave.

Graduation Ceremony

Due to the government restrictions, we hope to have a graduation mass for sixth class children at the end of August. After the mass, the children will be presented with a Scoil Iosa – Class of 2020 hoodie. We will phone or text parents later in the summer with details of the event. Please see the beautiful graduation video on the school website. The video captures some of the great memories we have of this wonderful group of students who we are all so proud of.

Attendance Awards

Mrs. Duffy will post small gifts to those children who have been awarded prizes for excellent attendance.

Finally, we wish to thank all members of our school community. We are so proud of our students for their participation, kindness and goodness. We are deeply grateful to all the parents for the help and support they give us during the year. We wish to thank each and every staff member for working so hard to provide the children in Scoil Iosa with such rich and varied learning experiences, along with great care and kindness, throughout the school year.
Yours faithfully,

Michael Tunney                         Monica Duffy
Principal                                    Deputy Principal