Policy in the event of an extreme weather event

or emergency school closure:

Scoil Naomh Bhríde, Union Hall N.S.

This plan was reviewed in March 2017

Introduction:

The following policy was compiled and implemented by the Board of Management of Scoil Naomh Bhríde, Union Hall in April 2014 in response to recent extreme weather events. The policy will be reviewed and amended where necessary in the future. It is a policy for extreme weather events, unforeseen circumstances and emergency closures.

As with all school policies, the support and cooperation of parents is imperative for its successful implementation.

In the event of an extreme weather event or emergency school closure, the following procedures will be followed:

If the closure is planned before school starts;

  • All parents will receive a text message from the ‘text a parent’ service informing them of the closure and the reason for it.

If the closure is planned after staff arrival at the school;

  • A minimum of 2 staff members/Board member will remain outside the school gate informing parents of time of closure (if will be later in the day) and the reason for the closure.
  • The staff members will have a copy of the school’s Family List with them to check.
  • If any individual parent is not spoken to by staff they will be contacted by phone.
  • A text will also be sent out to all parents using the ‘text a parent’ service informing them of the closure and the reason for it.

If the closure takes place during school hours;

  • All parents will receive a text using the ‘text a parent’ service informing them of the time of the closure and the reason for it.
  • A minimum of 2 staff will be standing at the school gate at the time of closure.
  • If any children are not collected, the school will contact their parents by phone.
  • If the parents are not contactable, the contact person(s) on their ‘contact persons form’ will be contacted.
  • If these persons cannot be contacted, as a last resort, 2 teachers/staff members will remain with the child(ren) in school until normal school closing time.
  • In limited circumstances where the school MUST be vacated, 2 staff members will remain with the child(ren).
  • The 2 staff members will endeavour to drop the child(ren) to the contact person(s) if possible

Notes to parents:

  • Parents should ensure that they have a minimum of 2 contact persons – outside of themselves – nominated to the school and should inform the school immediately of any changes to these persons.
  • Parents should ensure that contact person(s) are contactable if they are looking after their child(ren) on a particular day.
  • Please bear in mind that in certain weather events, there will be no phone line for the school to use and/or no power or internet for the school to send out texts and/or no mobile phone service.
  • If you have no power/phone/mobile phone service or you know that there are problems locally, it is parent’s responsibility to check when you drop your child(ren) to school that the school is open and that it will stay open. It is often the case that parents are more aware of local faults or problems or the potential of them than the school staff.

This Plan was ratified by the Board of Management of Union Hall National School at a meeting held on the _____/______/2016.

Signed:______

Mr. Sean Murray

Chairperson BoM

Dated:______

This policy will be reviewed again in Spring 2020