Email to Parents 290121

Dear Parent/Guardian,

We hope you are keeping well and safe as the COVID19 restrictions are extended for us all. As per NPHET public health advice, the school will not reopen on Monday 1^st February as previously scheduled. We will continue to communicate with you about any communication that we may receive from the Department of Education and Skills.

Focus of the Week - ‘Maintaining online engagement’.

The focus of the week for students this week will be on ‘Maintaining online engagement’. It is very important that students continue to engage in their online classes to the best of their ability. All year groups are continuing to cover new content in their classes, and students need to be present for this over the coming weeks.

Mock Examinations

We are aware that students are getting anxious as we await the decision from the Department of Education and Skills re Junior Cycle summer examinations. Until we have formal direction from the Department of Education and Skills, we will continue to plan for mock and summer State Examinations. It is important that students continue to work with their teachers as they continue to prepare students for assessment.

Senior Cycle Programmes

The Board of Management having reviewed their decision have decided to continue with Transition Year as an optional programme in our school. All 3^rd year and Transition Year parents and guardians will receive a Subject Choice and Programme Information Booklet in the post next week. We will coincide this with the release of Four video presentations on

Senior Cycle Programmes in Kingswood Community College; Transition Year, Leaving Certificate Applied, Leaving Certificate Established and Subject Choice overview.

First Year Student Option Books.

Educate.ie have set up a store for First years to purchase their option subject books. Please use the following link.

https://kingswoodcc.educate.ie/

Staff Training Thursday 4^th February 2021 – No school for students

A reminder that there is a JCT staff training day next Thursday 4^th February. Consequently, there will be no online classes for students next Thursday. Classes will resume as normal on Friday 5^th February.

Wellbeing

As you are aware, we are putting great efforts into supporting the Wellbeing of our students as we remain apart from them. We would like to support parents in this also. Please click on the following links suggested by our Guidance Department to support all parents and guardians during our journey through the pandemic.

• A Guide for Parents on supporting children and young people with daily routines while schools are closed
• How to Calm and Support your Child – A Guide for Parents and Guardians
• Managing Stress and Anxiety - A Guide for Parents and Guardians

Parent / Guardian Feedback Survey

We are keen to collate some feedback from parents about your experience of online teaching and learning to day in our school. We have compiled a brief survey – (should take less than 5 minutes to complete) and we would be very grateful if you could take the time to complete this based on your experience. We ask parents to submit the survey by Wednesday 3^rd February 2021. Here is the link that you will require. Just click on the link and press ‘Submit’ at the end when completed. We appreciate your cooperation with this.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=9cjWPhZMrUSe7WD4UYNKhD_SIwSZ5kNDlvEDJ8ycJkNUMVVSNFcxNzhCWFdTUlhJVldZMUtTMjNZUS4u

Again, from us all at Kingswood Community College, we wish you a safe and relaxing weekend.

Deborah and Mary.