1.    Introduction

In response to this time of uncertainty regarding school closures, we have formulated this policy to outline how the school will maintain the link between school and home. In the event of another whole or partial school closure, we aim to continue to communicate with our pupils through various means.

We recognise that online safety is of huge importance and the aim of this document is to help to protect both school staff and pupils, while teaching and learning online.

This policy does not set out to replace our Mobile Phone or Acceptable Usage Policy. Rather, it is proposed as an important addition to the area of learning from a digital platform. The policy presented here should be read also in tandem with our school’s Code of Behaviour Policy and Anti-Bullying (including Cyber Bullying) Policy.

The primary obligation of all schools is to the welfare of the learners in their school. This policy, therefore, seeks to ensure that remote learning is safe for all student learners and that personal and sensitive data is also protected under GDPR legislation. Schools must ensure that learning takes place in an environment that is respectful and fair and meets its statutory duties.

This Policy has been formulated in accordance with the provisions of the Department of Education and relevant sections of:

a)      The Education Act (1998)

b)      Education (Welfare) Act (2000)

c)       Equal Status Act (2000)

d)      Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act (2004)

e)      Disability Act (2005)

f)       Children First Act (2017)

g)      GDPR

h)      Data Protection Act (2018)

i)        Department of Education: Child Protection Procedures for Primary schools

j)        NEWB Guidelines for Developing a Code of Behaviour (2008).

k)      DES Guidance on Continuity of Schooling for Primary Schools (May 2020)

l)        DES Guidance on Continuity of Schooling: Supporting Primary Pupils at very High Risk to Covid 19 (August 2020).

m)    Guidance on Remote Learning in a COVID-19 Context: September – December 2020

This is a working document. As we continue to explore options available to support distance learning, the document will be updated accordingly.

2.    Context

Teaching and Learning is always evolving, especially, as we move deeper into the 21st century. Developments in IT provide us all with great opportunities as learners and teachers. Never before has there been greater scope to learn using technology and it continues to change the learning relationship between teachers and students. Advances in technology mean that assignments can be delivered remotely and that greater access to information on the internet affords the opportunities for real learning to take place under the watchful and professional guidance of the teacher. However, whether a child is being directed remotely or via a traditional classroom environment, it is very important that all partners are aware that once a learning exchange takes place between a student and teacher, whether at home or school, the same statutory rules apply i.e. the school’s Code of Behaviour and all of the school’s policies apply.

We recognise that online collaboration is essential for distance learning and that families are in favour of increased opportunities to maintain the connection between school and home. Scoil Bhríde uses a variety of child friendly, online tools, which assist in providing more effective teaching and learning, while also enabling greater communication between staff, families and students.

3.     Guidelines for good online communication in Scoil Bhríde, Paulstown

1. Under no circumstances should pictures or recordings be taken of video calls.

2. Staff, families and students are expected to behave in an appropriate, safe, respectful and kind manner online.

3. It is the duty of parents/guardians to supervise children while they are working online and to ensure that any content submitted to their teacher is appropriate.

4. Staff members will communicate with pupils and their families via Google Classroom or through an established app (e.g. Seesaw).

5. Any electronic forms of communication will be for educational purposes and to allow for communication with families.

6. Students and staff will communicate using tools which have been approved by the school and of which parents have been notified (Seesaw, Zoom)

7. Parental permission will be acquired before setting up a profile for a pupil on a communication forum.

8. For video/Zoom calls, parental permission is implied, as the link to a video call will be communicated via the parent/guardian’s email address. Essentially, by virtue of the pupil logging on to the call, permission is assumed.

9. For security reasons, passwords will be provided to families, where applicable.

10. Scoil Bhríde, Paulstown cannot accept responsibility for the security of online platforms, in the event that they are compromised.

Scoil Bhríde, Paulstown will use online platforms for communicating and connecting with families/pupils. Our plan for remote teaching and learning may include the possibility of a combination of assigned work and pre-recorded.

Media which the school will use

School App

Staff will communicate regularly with parents and pupils via the Aladdin Connect school App. All families are asked to download the Aladdin Connect app and to check it daily for updates and important information.

Parental queries should be emailed to admin@paulstownns.ie will be addressed as soon as possible.Our plan for remote learning will provide for a mix of offline & online activities which will be outlined on the relevant digital platform.

Seesaw

Seesaw Class App is for our pupils to connect to their e-portfolio folder and when requested response to home activities can be posted here.  This app is used from Junior Infants – 2nd Class and requires a QR code which will be sent home with pupils & can be resent by email if requested. In signing in to the app parental consent is assumed. Each child will be assigned an individual access code. Unfortunately, single family log in is not facilitated on Seesaw.

3. Google Classroom: (also includes Google Meet where appropriate)

Google Classroom is an online platform used with 3rd – 6th  Class pupils and  it enables our pupils to connect to their folder of work and it also allows access to their teacher when required. Class teacher may also provide feedback and communicate with pupils via Google Classroom.  Parental permission is assumed in the approval of school Acceptable Use Policy.

Zoom

Zoom is a video-conferencing platform which will enable teachers, staff and pupils to connect via a live or recorded link as deemed appropriate.

4.    Rules for pupils using online communication

For submitting learning:

1. Submit work and pictures that are appropriate - have an adult take a look at your work before you send it.

2. Use kind and friendly words.

For video calls/Zoom:

1.       Remember to ensure you join each Zoom meeting using your family name.

2.       Pictures or recordings of the video call are not allowed.

3.       Remember our school rules - they are still in place, even online.

4.       Set up your device in a quiet space, with no distractions in the background.

5.       Join the video with your microphone muted.

6.       Raise your hand before speaking, just like you would do in class.

7.       If you have the chance to talk, speak in your normal voice, using kind and friendly words.

8.       Show respect by listening to others while they are speaking.

9.       Ensure that you are dressed appropriately for the video call.

10.   Be on time - set a reminder if it helps.

11.   Enjoy! Don’t forget to wave hello to everyone when you join!

5.     Guidelines for parents and guardians

For learning

1. It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to ensure that pupils are supervised while they work online.

2. Check over the work which pupils send to their teacher, ensuring it is appropriate.

3. Continue to revise online safety measures with pupils.

For video calls/Zoom

1. Under no circumstances should pictures or recordings be taken of video calls.

2. Ensure that the school has the correct email address for inviting you to join apps and meetings.

3. The main purpose of a video call is to engage in online learning activities while maintaining a social connection between the school staff and pupils. Encourage pupils to listen and enjoy the experience.

4. Be aware that when participating in group video calls, you can be seen and heard unless you are muted or have disabled your camera.

5. You will automatically enter a waiting room when the code for a Zoom call has been entered. Please note that school staff will only accept users into video call if you can be identified by the display name on your zoom account. (i.e. Family Name)

6. Please ensure that your child is on time for a scheduled video, or they may be locked out. Please request to join the Zoom call approximately five minutes before the scheduled start time. This will give school staff time to verify your email address.

7. Make sure to familiarise your child with the software in advance. For video in particular, show them how to mute/unmute and turn the camera on/off.

8. Participants in the call should be dressed appropriately.

9. An appropriate background/room should be chosen for the video call.

10. For detailed information on GDPR and Zoom, please visit https://zoom.us/privacy

It is important to note that any breach of the above guidelines will result in a discontinuation of this method of communication. A breach may also result in a person being immediately removed from a meeting or a meeting being immediately terminated.

6.    Remote Teaching and Learning Protocols for Pupils

1.       Check assigned work each week

2.       Pupils can submit their work when completed & teacher will feedback in due course.

3.       The normal school calendar will apply

4.       The following school policies apply to remote teaching and learning:

a.       Code of Behaviour

b.      Anti- Bullying Policy

c.       Acceptable Use Policy

5.   Teaching and Learning best practice will continue to apply, with students expected to present all assignments to the best of their ability and on time, where possible in this evolving and unprecedented situation.

a.   In so far as possible, provision for SEN students will be made when using Remote Learning methodologies.

b.      In so far as possible, provision for student at very high-risk to Covid 19 will be made when using Remote Learning methodologies.

7.    Remote Teaching and Learning Protocols for Parents

1.       We ask parents/guardians to ensure protocols for students are adhered to.

2.       Check-in on their child’s school work on a daily basis and talk to their child about the work being assigned.

3.    The health and wellbeing of all is paramount. Circumstances may change for any of us unexpectedly, teachers or parents, so please keep schooling in perspective and do not allow anything school related to impinge on your child negatively. You are the primary educator of your child and you make those calls. We encourage a little work every week day for routine. We provide work and guidance and ask parents and pupils to do their best and that is all.

8.    Remote Teaching and Learning Protocols for Teachers/SNA’s

1.       Check uploaded work regularly during the time of closure.

2.       Feedback on work to be given regularly as deemed appropriate

3.       The normal school calendar will apply

4.       The following school policies apply to remote teaching and learning:

a.      Child Protection Policy

b.      Data Protection Policy

5.     Teaching and Learning best practice will continue to apply with students expected to present all assignments to the best of their ability and on time, where possible.

9. Remote Teaching and Learning Provision specifically for the following Covid 19 related scenarios

Provision for children who are at very high risk to Covid 19:

The school will engage directly with relevant parents, regarding remote educational provision for children who are deemed to be at very high risk to Covid-19 (see HSE Guidelines) where medical certification has been provided to the school.

Provision for all other children who are instructed to self-isolate by their GP or HSE Public Health, educational provision will be provided as follows:

1.   Children who are awaiting Covid 19 test results for themselves or a family member and have been instructed by their GP to isolate at home for a few days.

These pupils will be supported to catch up on their learning on their return to school.

2.   Children isolating at home on instruction from their GP due to a confirmed case within their own family/close contact outside of school (14-day isolation period).

Teacher will link in with the pupil via See-Saw/ Google-Classroom.

3.   School POD (small group) instructed by HSE Public Health to self-isolate.

Teacher will link in with the pupils via See-Saw/ Google-Classroom.

4.   School bubble (whole class) instructed by HSE Public Health to self-isolate (14day isolation period).

Teacher will engage with the bubble daily with a blended approach of offline & online activities on Seesaw/Google Classroom.

5.   Whole school closure as instructed by HSE Public Health (duration of closure will be advised by Public Health)

Teachers will engage with pupils, using a blended approach of offline & online activities on Seesaw/Google Classroom.

Please note that the current situation is quite fluid and these circumstances may vary throughout the year.

10:  Summary:

1.       For parents when remote teaching & learning is in place do what you can, within your circumstances to the work set by teachers during that time. There is no need to focus on any other work.

2.       There will be no school work set for planned school closures/holidays. There will be no interaction on Online Platforms during these times

3.       Please keep abreast of postings on the school app – it is our main mode of communication going forward.

4.       We ask parents/guardians, students and teachers to ensure protocols are adhered to at all times.

5.       If you have yet to connect to any of the on-line platforms/school App, please do so. 

If you are experiencing difficulties please email the school and we will assist you in any way that we can and please contact the school with any further queries you may have.

We thank the school community for adhering to the above guidelines for everyone’s safety and welfare.

This plan was ratified by the Board of Management of  Scoil Bhríde, Paulstown at its meeting on Nov 11th 2020 and is subject to change, in light of any guidance or instruction received from Department of Education and Skills/HSE Public Health.