IPPN is operating as normal
- Published: 19 March 2020
A chairde, I hope you are well and keeping safe.
We are working in very challenging times at the moment. The IPPN team and I want to acknowledge the fantastic leadership shown by our primary school leaders and your staff, as you manage a very difficult situation at this time.
We know that your focus has been on your pupils and their learning, on staff welfare and the wellbeing of everyone in your school community. I would ask you in the first instance to please look after your own wellbeing, so that you in turn can help others.
We are here to support you. And I want to assure you that IPPN is operating as normal. Many of our staff are working from home. As always, we are here to support members with your queries by the phone on 1890 21 22 23 and of course by email to info@ippn.ie. Our office is open from 8:30 until 5 Monday to Friday. The networking mailing list is still running, as are all of our other supports and services for members.
We know that you are probably bombarded with information from many sources. Rest assured that IPPN is in close contact with the Department and the key agencies and are working hard to ensure that our member website ippn.ie is kept updated with the key information you need to know. Our weekly E-scéal will also provide key updates.
It is very evident that schools are availing of all available resources to provide remote learning opportunities to pupils and to communicate with parents. We want to acknowledge the innovative work going on across the country, especially where there are limitations with internet connectivity. Our advice is to look at the PDST website as the key source of relevant information for schools as you seek to put in place home-based learning. We must do all that we possibly can do to support our pupils and parents, but we must also realise that there are limitations to what we can do.
At the moment, we would advise you to focus on what your school can collectively do, as a team, to support the pupils in your school – Do your best to facilitate regular communication amongst teachers. The letter from the Secretary General Seán Ó Foghlú clarifies what the Department is asking schools to do.
IPPN is here to help in any way that we can. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Don’t struggle alone. Mind yourselves, We’ll get through this together – ar scáth a chéile a mhairimid.
