[Thread - primary-focussed]

This guidance document places a strong emphasis on the use of technology.

The tools suggested are all excellent, but correct deployment requires accessibility, training and resourcing - which, in a primary setting, we can't simply presume to exist. https://twitter.com/Education_Ire/status/1246038706923986946

Setting up an online portfolio-type tool from scratch – without the right training, policy or procedure in place – is something we always counsel against. That's especially true in a crisis environment like Covid-19.

I'd ask school leaders to respond with heart above head here.

Continue to support your school to work as best it can in your own situation. If you have Seesaw/Dojo/GSuite/etc totally set up, lean ar aghaidh. If you don't, you fall into the majority (see below, from http://url.ie/16t5a ).

Keep communicating in whatever way works for you.

Don't allow yourself feel more pressure than you already do. https://www.into.ie/app/uploads/2020/04/Covid-19-Practice-in-Primary-Schools-Report-1.pdf is a supportive read - many of its contributors shared a series of various concerns and worries about distance learning.

If schools are asking teachers to call homes, they should also remind teachers of the 'Inspire Wellbeing' service (as advised), and to remember to ask for help themselves.

Teachers need to remember to hide their personal phone number, and always revert to a DLP with concerns.

Ultimately schools know their local community better than anyone and should have faith that own approach is the best one appropriate.

Consider your people, your resources, your circumstances. Good practice is helpful, comparison is pointless.

Mind yourselves. [end]