2nd November 2009

SNOWSTORM ARRANGEMENTS

As you know, the weather during winter can become severe quite suddenly. As a result of this, Aberdeenshire Council has clear policies and practices regarding snowstorm arrangements. That is why we continue to issue snowstorm arrangements cards, asking you to complete them and return them to school. In addition, we have at least one practice session in the late Autumn, so that the internal school procedures can be checked before “the real thing”.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS DURING SNOWSTORMS

If you live in an isolated location, and the weather is severe at the beginning of the day, it would be advisable for your son or daughter to remain at home for that day.
If school transport is not running do not bring your child to school.
If you normally bring your son or daughter into school by car then come with them to the School Office, so that we can advise you regarding the transport situation. In the past some pupils have been dropped-off at school by parents who have then had to make a second journey immediately to collect pupils and take them home.

BUSES UNABLE TO REACH SCHOOL AFTER STARTING A JOURNEY

The hirer will contact us. We will then attempt to contact those on the ‘priority calls’ lists, to let those involved know that their son or daughter is coming home again.

EARLY CLOSURE AND RECALLING THE BUSES EARLY TO TAKE PUPILS HOME

In certain circumstances the school will recall the buses and then send pupils home.

Communicating early closure information to Parents

The school will inform all parents by SEEMIS text message.
The phone line message will be updated.
The schools closure information on the Aberdeenshire School Closure website will be updated.

Please do not phone the school as this ‘jams’ the switchboard and prevents us making important phone calls

Action by all parents

The buses will transport pupils to the normal drop-off points. Parents and young people should ensure that they have made suitable arrangements (eg understanding of these procedures, access to the house, keys etc) in case of early closure.

Priority Calls

These are only applicable to some pupils. Parents should complete the Priority Call, Section 4 on the green ‘snowcard’, to have their name added to the “priority calls” list if:

the child lives more than a quarter of a mile away from the drop off point
you are concerned that your son or daughter would be exposed to some danger, by being allowed to leave the bus to walk home even if the distance is less than a quarter of a mile.

The school has the ability to make a limited number of Priority Calls in a reasonable timescale. If we cannot contact you by telephone, your son or daughter would not be allowed to set off on the bus from school.

If you request a priority call for your child then you must be able to answer in person and take immediate appropriate action.

In all cases of priority calls, we would ask you to meet them at the drop off point.

You may nominate another person to take a Priority Call on your behalf this should be done on SECTION 4 of the form. Again they must be able to answer in person and take immediate appropriate action.

PLACE OF SAFETY / ROADSIDE SHELTER POINT

In most cases, it will be possible to get your son/daughter home or at least to the place of safety/roadside shelter point agreed with you.

In the case of those homes more than quarter of a mile from the drop off point, the provision of a suitable roadside shelter point is essential.

This should be done on SECTION 5 of the form.

STORM ADDRESS

There may be occasions when the weather is so severe that it may be prudent for pupils not to attempt to reach their homes, but rather to spend the night within the town boundaries. That is why you are asked to indicate a possible address in Oldmeldrum. This is done on SECTION 2 of the form.

If you have not been able to do so, the school will make arrangements for your daughter/son to stay in a place of safety. We will make contact to inform you of what is happening.

Instructions from staff and bus drivers

It is vital that youngsters obey all instruction given to them by members of staff or by a bus driver, especially in such emergencies.

It is extremely important that they do not undertake any private arrangements with yourselves - for example to collect them in Oldmeldrum - without making sure that they have the permission of the teacher in charge of their bus to do so. You will realise that failure to receive such permission may in the circumstances lead to confusion, resulting in a member of staff looking for a pupil who has already made arrangements to return home. This could delay the departure of the bus, endangering others as a result.

ADVERSE WEATHER TELEPHONE AND WEB INFORMATION SERVICE & GROUPCALL SERVICE

Website : www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk – School Closures.

Phone Line

Dial Aberdeenshire Council’s access number : 0870 054 4999
Now enter Meldrum Academy’s pin number :02 2820.
You will now be taken to the MAIN MENU where you will be given 4 options.
Press 1 ; to hear your school’s message about the adverse weather
Press 4; enter the pin number for another school within the authority.

Yours sincerely

Andrew Travis

Head Teacher