• The pupils in Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Classes began engaging with an I.T Programme, specially devised for Primary School children and provided by tutors from ‘CAIT Roscomáin’. CAIT (Community Application of Information Technology) is a community based I.T learning company which provides a range of training to different age groups. Tutor Paula from CAIT visited the school, where she provided one hour of instruction each week in keyboard skills, file management, Microsoft Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint. CAIT provides a mobile suite of laptops, with each student using the same laptop each week. This initiative is part of the overall digital strategy at the school. Feedback from the children was extremely positive after each of the sessions.
• Midwest Radio Presenter, Mr Joe Byrne visited the school to record the children for his programme, ‘Ceol agus Ealaín’. Joe had previously seen the children on stage at the Féile Drámaíochta and this inspired his request to have the pupils on his show. The school band played a range of tunes while the children in the junior classes recited Irish poems and sang a song ‘as Gaeilge’. The senior pupils performed excerpts from ‘Na Leipreacháin agus an Greasai’ and ‘Cúchulainn’, plays which they had recently staged. Children also spoke in Irish, introducing themselves and talking about their interests and hobbies. Pupils were very excited to learn that the recording would be broadcast on Saint Patrick’s Night and quickly set about spreading the word to grandparents and neighbours about the upcoming show.
• The Aistear theme in Miss Fahey’s room was Construction. Various buildings and structures were looked at and discussed. Blocks and lego were used to build houses. Houses were drawn, with some extra items off the ‘wish list,’ for example swimming-pools! Learners planned and played with their own ‘villages’ and many budding engineers, builders and construction managers emerged during the process!
• ‘Ceol agus Ealaín’ presented by Mr Joe Byrne on Midwest Radio and featuring the pupils of Kilmovee School was broadcast on St Patrick’s Night. Pupils and Staff were very proud of how the school was showcased and greatly appreciated the many complimentary texts sent to the show. We wish to thank Joe for giving us this unique opportunity and for the added impetus it has given to continue the long tradition of Ceol agus Drámaíocht!
• On Thursday, March 12th came the announcement from the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that all schools were to close until March 29th to support efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19. Details of educational online resources were communicated to parents along with suggested reading material in text-books. Many planned activities and events on the school calendar were cancelled or postponed. This closure was subsequently extended to April 19th. Following this announcement each teacher provided an outline of work which included textbook and online options. In her communication with parents, Mrs Warde stated that as a Staff we were acutely aware that this was a particular time of worry and anxiety, therefore each family was free to engage with the suggested work outline at whatever level was achievable in the circumstances. The main priority of course, was that all in our school community would remain healthy and well during these unprecedented times.