Dear Parents, 

 

This is a very strange time for all of us.  We have been asked to make so many fundamental changes to the way we usually live our lives. Some people find adapting to the new situation easy. For others, it is very difficult. The same applies to our children. However, we all have to try our best to cope as well as we can while looking after each other as best we can.  

 

In an effort to support families at this time, we intend to continue to provide a range of lessons/activities assigned by our teachers, based on the primary school national curriculum, as prescribed by the Department of Education and Skills. We know well that working at home will suit some children but not others to varying degrees. Bear in mind too, that it may take a few weeks for the children to adjust to this new routine at home.  

 

We are now into our third week of these teacher assigned lessons/activities. I’d like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the whole staff, to share some thoughts about this work we are sending to you. 

 

We understand that each of your home situations is different and each home is facing a unique set of challenges. We know that many of you are now working from home, have school-age and perhaps younger children too, all of whom need to be looked after. Other parents also continue to work outside the home and struggle with childcare management.  This assigned work will be of great help to some families to manage the day, keeping children engaged and in a productive routine but we also know that in other cases it is possibly an unwelcome, stress-inducing burden. I want you to know that in trying to cater for the broad range of family needs out there, the teaching staff and I are concerned that we may be overwhelming some of you with this work. With that in mind, I wanted to clarify how we would like you to approach these weekly assignments.  

 

The week’s work is a menu only, from which you can choose to do some, or all of the lessons/activities. It is there to help you and your family. Our hope is that the structure of the work we provide will make life easier for you, not more difficult. Do what works best for you and your family. 

 

We are delighted to see so many pictures being posted on the gallery and welcome contact from you, through the website email: svdpinfs@gmail.com .  

 

Stay safe and take care of one another. 

 

Is mise  le meas, 

 

Catherine Kennedy,  

Principal, and Staff, 

St. Vincent de Paul Infant School.