Letter to Parents regarding Seesaw

Dear Parents

I hope this email finds you and your families safe and healthy. It is a challenging time and hopefully that all our combined efforts will shorten the duration of these unusual times.

You are aware that the Government has extended restrictions until May 5^th and it still looks very uncertain as to when our schools will re-open. The school staff has been planning the best way of supporting our pupils over the coming weeks. However, it is important to re-iterate that this time away from school will have minimal effect on your child’s long term education and that the priority for us all is to stay safe and well. All activities that we have posted and will post in the future are optional and should not add to any stress or tension in your lives. Many pupils will be missing the learning environment of school and their classroom and may be finding it difficult to focus in their homes. This is ok, while a good home learning routine will benefit your child, no child will be hugely disadvantaged if they find this difficult.

Over the last few weeks we have been posting class activities on the school website. This will continue, however we felt it would be of benefit to pupils if they were able to share their work with their teachers. Consequently, we have decided to use the Seesaw App to enable this sharing of work. Pupils will be able to send as little or as much of their work to their teacher while their teacher will be able to review and comment on it. (Further information and instructions for downloading this app can be found at the end of this email.) It is also important to note that pupils who are unable to use the app can still access activities on the school website and teachers will be delighted to review any work they may have when we return to school.

Finally, to all parents working on the frontline, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the school community of Callystown NS, to thank you for all that you are doing. Please let your children know that their teachers are thinking of them and are looking forward to seeing them in the not too distant future. On behalf of our school, please take care and stay safe.

Regards

Ambrose Mc Ginnity

Principal.

What is Seesaw?

• Seesaw is an app that allows teachers to assign learning activities to children. It also allows children the opportunity to share their learning with their teacher for feedback and acknowledgement. We think this will be very helpful to families who are engaged in distance learning.

How will this be set up?

• Parents will download the Seesaw app or login through a website (TIP: access is easier on a tablet or laptop where possible).
• Please note that by setting up this App you will automatically be giving permission for the school to use this App with your child.
• Each child will receive a unique home learning code which provides your child access to their class. This will be emailed to you later today. You don’t need to do anything until you receive this email with instructions and the home learning code.
• Please note that each child will receive a unique code, so if you have three children in the school then you will receive 3 unique home learning codes (in three separate emails) for each of them to access their own class.

How will learning activities be shared?

• Teachers will share a suggested programme of work through the Seesaw app. This will be in the format that we have been using with our website posts.

When will the work be shared?

• Teachers will upload the weekly programme of work each Monday.

How will children share their completed work?

• Children will be instructed to share completed tasks via photo, video, uploading documents etc. (instructions will be included in the app)

Will children need a laptop?

• Seesaw can be downloaded onto a device such as a phone or tablet or alternatively you can login online on a laptop or computer for example. Where possible, teachers will assign tasks that don’t require the child to use a device apart from uploading it.

When can my child expect feedback from their teacher?

• Teachers will provide acknowledgement of completed learning tasks or feedback during the week. Where tasks are uploaded on a Friday, feedback may not be provided until the following week.

What if I’m having difficulty with the app?

• If you require support we have set up a dedicated email address to provide support and guidance for parents. Please feel free to email seesaw@callystownnationalschool.ie and a member of staff will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

What if my child can only complete some activities and doesn’t get to do all the work each day?

• All the activities are optional and are only suggestions. If you download the app and your child completes only some tasks, this will still be great and keep them engaged and motivated in their learning. If not we totally understand that there could be several possible valid reasons why you have not engaged (lack of time, parents working, parents working from home, lack of suitable devices, somebody is ill etc.)

Just to mention again, you won’t need to do anything until you receive the email with your Seesaw code and login instructions. If you don’t receive the code by Friday, 17th April please email seesaw@callystownnationalschool.ie  I would also encourage parents to ensure that their email address is entered correctly on Aladdin. If you find any incorrect information when you log in to Aladdin Connect, you may edit the information there and it will be approved by an administrator on Aladdin.