I am posting this update with some items of interest and some information about how we are planning to take forward our Digital Learning provision in the coming weeks.  Please take a look at the information and if you have any questions, get in touch for assistance.

WE ARE BEGINNING TO USE MICROSOFT TEAMS as our Digital Learning Platform

Up until now, we have been posting items on our Class Blogs.  We will continue to do this and post news items on there too.  However, all work and assignments will be placed onto the Class Teams page.  Microsoft Teams is a fantastic resource with lots of functions which make it easier for children/families to interact with Class Teachers.  The benefits are…

• Class Teachers can post assignments
• Children and staff (including HT/DHT & PTs) can interact and chat
• Staff can monitor the traffic on the site
• Staff can mark and comment on assignments more readily and regularly
• Children can contact each other in a safe environment
• Teams can be accessed on an PC/Mac Computer/Laptop, any Tablet/iPad or Phone.
• Teams can be accessed on X-box and PlayStation too as well as on your SMART TV.
• We can offer events such as Assemblies and interactive lessons through video conferencing

We want to support you and your child as you get to grips with this…

Miss Guidi has created a fantastic guide, in which she talks you through and shows you how to access GLOW and specifically Teams.  You can listen to/watch the whole thing (it only lasts a few minutes) or swipe to the bit that is relevant to you.

Click on the link HERE to access the guide.

HOME LEARNING PACKS

Many of you have made use of the Home Learning Packs we offered at the end of last week and the beginning of this week.  It was lovely to be able to say a socially distanced “Hello” to some of you as you did this.  If any of you are struggling to get out to collect things in the future, please let us know and we can post or drop off these to you.

Home Learning Packs going forward

You will understand that, given that staff are not regularly at school and do not have all of their resources to hand, it can be difficult to put hard copies of differentiated packs together.  Differentiated means the tasks are geared towards ability groups in Literacy and Numeracy.  Online tasks should be differentiated for Literacy and Numeracy.

We have ordered Numeracy and Literacy Jotters which will be available with the next set of Home Learning materials.  This will give the children space to do their tasks, whether it is an online task or a task from a printed copy.  We also hope to offer practical resources such as stationery (Pencils, rule, rubber, etc.) if possible.

Dates and times for this will be published in the coming weeks.

MAY – THE MONTH OF OUR LADY

During the month of May, we pray for the intercession of Our Lady, particularly in these difficult times.  If we were in school right now, we would be praying the rosary regularly and keeping Our Lady at the forefront of our prayers together.

The Diocese of Motherwell will be showing clips of various school staff and children saying the prayers contained within The Angelus.  This will be led by Bishop Toal.  Some of our staff and children will be involved with this, so please follow the Diocese on Facebook and on Twitter to see this.  The Angelus is a long-standing Catholic devotion, which traditionally is said at 12noon each day.  The Angelus is prayed regularly by Fr Morris and the parishioners of St. Gabriel’s.  There are free resources on the Twinkl website for May Devotions and The Angelus.  Remember there was fe

100TH BIRTHDAY OF ST. JOHN PAUL II 

During the coming month, on 18th May, we had planned to mark what would have been the 100th birthday of St. (Pope) John Paul II.  Even though we will not be together for this celebration, we will be sending you ideas of ways in which you can mark this occasion.  We will also be planning some events which we can participate in as a whole school.  Please watch this space and please keep praying to our Patron, St. John Paul II for his help, support and intercession.

We had planned to go on a school Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes (Carfin Grotto) where we would have had Mass and a Picnic Lunch.  Mass would have been (weather permitting) outdoors, at the altar next to the Shrine to St. John Paul II.  The shrine consists of a statue which is based on the picture below.

Unfortunately, we won’t be able to arrange this, but maybe sometime in the future we could have our own celebration there.  Please do join us for whatever events we organise for the 100th Birthday of our Patron Saint.