Remote Teaching and Learning Plan

St John the Baptist National School

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 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 legislation.

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

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.

St John the Baptist NS 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.

Guidelines for good online communication:

Staff, families and students are expected to behave in an appropriate, safe, respectful and kind manner online.
Pictures or recordings must not be taken, during group classes, by any member of the group.
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.
Staff members will communicate with pupils and their families via Seesaw, teachers school email, Zoom and Aladdin.
Any electronic forms of communication will be for educational purposes and to allow for communication with families.
Students and staff will communicate using tools which have been approved by the school and of which parents have been notified.
Parental permission will be acquired before setting up a profile for a pupil on Seesaw.
For 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.
For security reasons, passwords will be provided to families, where applicable.
St John the Baptist NS cannot accept responsibility for the security of online platforms, in the event that they are compromised

Seesaw will be the primary platform for pupils and teachers to communicate with each other. Pupils can connect to their folder and they then have the option of uploading items to their folder for their teacher to see. Parental consent is required prior to using this app. Each child will be assigned an individual access code. Unfortunately, single family log in is not facilitated on Seesaw. Some lessons will be pre -recorded and uploaded via Seesaw.

Remote Teaching and Learning Protocols for Students:

Check assigned work each week day
The normal school calendar will apply
Current school policies continue to apply during remote teaching and learning:
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
- In so far as possible, provision for SEN students will be made when using Remote Learning methodologies
- In so far as possible, provision for student at very high-risk to Covid 19 will be made when using Remote Learning methodologies.

For submitting learning:

Submit work and pictures that are appropriate – have an adult take a look at your work before you send it.
Use kind and friendly words.

For Zoom calls:

Remember to ensure you join each Zoom meeting using your family name.
Join with your camera enables but microphone muted.
Remember our school rules – they are still in place, even online.
Set up your device in a quiet space, with no distractions or passing traffic.
No food allowed.
Leave the keyboard alone, the sound of typing can be distracting. The Chat function will be disabled.
Ensure that you are dressed appropriately for the video call, no pj’s!.
Raise your hand before speaking, just like you would in class.
If you have the chance to talk, speak in your normal voice, using kind and friendly words.
Show respect by listening to others while they are speaking.
Enjoy! Don’t forget to wave hello to everyone when you join.

Remote Teaching and Learning Protocols for Parents

We ask parents/guardians to ensure protocols for students are adhered to
Check-in on their child’s school work on a daily basis and talk to their child about the work being assigned
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.

For learning

It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to ensure that pupils are supervised while they work online.
Check over the work which pupils send to their teacher, ensuring it is appropriate.
Continue to revise online safety measures with pupils.

For Zoom calls

Under no circumstances should pictures or recordings be taken of video calls.
Ensure that the school has the correct email address for inviting you to join apps and meetings.
The main purpose of a video call is to maintain a social connection between the school staff and pupils. Encourage pupils to listen and enjoy the experience.
Parents must be present or in the vicinity during the zoom call.
Pupils will not be allowed to enter meeting after 10 minutes of the meeting commencing, so be on time please.
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)
Make sure to familiarise your child with the software in advance. For video in particular, show them how to mute/unmute.
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.

Remote Teaching and Learning Protocols for School Staff

Check uploaded work each week day
The normal school calendar will apply
Current school policies continue to apply during remote teaching and learning:
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.

For Zoom calls:

Meeting ID must be shared via parent email. A password should also be included for entry to all calls.
Two staff members will be present at all group meetings.
School staff should have engagement with parent/guardian initially.
Please be aware of your surroundings and pick a suitable environment with no disruptions.
Staff members must only let a person in once they recognise the family name.

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.

In the case of all other children who are instructed to self-isolate by their GP or HSE Public Health, educational provision will be provided as follows:
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
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 (not video conferencing)
School POD instructed by HSE Pubic Health to self-isolate. Teacher will link in with the pupils via See-Saw (not video conferencing)
School bubble (whole class) instructed by HSE Public Health to self-isolate (14day isolation period). Teacher will engage with the bubble daily on Seesaw.
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 pre-recorded lessons and guided teaching and learning on Seesaw.

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

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

This plan was ratified by the BOM of St John the Baptist NS on:________________________ and is subject to change, in light of any guidance or instruction received from Department of Education and Skills/HSE Public Health.

Signed: ________________________________________

Neil Sandes

Chairperson BOM