As the return to schools escalates on Monday the Deputy Chief Medical Officer has warned that this should not be taken as any relaxation of our precautions and parents and guardians need to be very vigilant in
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not assembling or interacting outside school gates
not arranging or allowing any after school activities among the young people
not have any household mixing and 
continue to obey travel restrictions

It has taken a lot of effort to get to this point of some students being able to return to school and it can only contiue with all of us playing our part.

​Full text of letter here

While there has been no definite directive yet parents and students have been eagerly awaiting direction before the return to online classes.  Below is a summary of my understanding of what the situation is and as I get further confirmation I will post it online.


School Update - A Summary

On Monday 22nd February Athy College opens for some of our students who have already been notified.
Currently we expect that Leaving Certificate students will be next to return. (Possibly 1st March but to be confirmed)
We expect that some other classes may follow but the return could be slow due to safety situation at the time.

Exams
The Junior Cycle exam is cancelled.  Certification should issue similar to last year.
The Leaving Cert written examination is planned to begin June 9th.  Timetable at examinations.ie
Calculated grades (SEC Accredited Grades) will be issued from the school
Students may opt for either or both.(written and or calculated)
Students to select which option on March 8th

Results
Indications are that results will issue mid August to allow CAO selection
Students who opt for both written and calculated grades will be awarded the highest grade achieved from both options.

In School
Mocks for LC class should take place as soon as possible after the return - date to be announced once return date confirmed

On Return
Safety procedures need to be strictly followed for those coming in
There should be no engagement by students or parents with teachers regarding calculated grades - we will have a very strict process to follow
Students should continue to study for exams as normal.

Opinion
Choosing to take both options (written and calculated) effectively doubles your chances of achieving the best grades

I hope this assists with some of your concerns

Even during midterm Athy College students take time to share their pancake creations, even Smiley Pancakes

The ATHE are running a competition for the month of February. Students can cook, bake or create a textiles item with someone they love in mind. Use the #HomeEconomics and #ATHEDéantaleGrá to take part. Athy College ​students are invited to try out any dish at home over the midterm break for someone they love and send the photo to any one of us three home economics teachers.
We will pick a school winner after midterm, who will receive a €40 voucher.  What's not to like?

Thanks to parents and students who are starting to send in An Dreoín videos.  Remember to take them landscape mode (wide not high) and email to odaly@athycollege.ie.  10 second clip.  Something to do over mid term.

We will then celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge with Ireland’s answer to Jerusalema - An DreoilIn.

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Well done to the students taking part in the "Step in the Right Direction" where class groups are competing against each other to see what group walks the farthest.  Tutors are recording the verified steps and ther are great prizes.

​Then it will be the turn of teachers and parents.  Oh No!!

Athy College resumes the provision of Food packs to support many of the families who were regular attenders of our food club before lockdown.  In partnership with Pettitts/SuperValue we are commencing the provision and availability of food hampers/grocery items to act as an additional support for large numbers of our student families.  In normal times we were in a position to subsidise the provision of food on a daily basis and we are now diverting that funding towards the homes.  This is also an initiative to support healthy eating.

Details of how to receive the food hampers should be with most of the eligible families early this week.

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