Calside Courier

Calside Primary School, Dumfries

Storm Eowyn

We have been notified that there is an AMBER weather warning for Dumfries tomorrow Friday 24th January from 6 in the morning to 9 in the evening. Currently winds are expected to be at their strongest at lunchtime: however, we need to ensure that all parents/carers are aware of the emergency procedures.

As parents/carers, you have a key role to play in the event of severe weather. If you have concerns about your child/ren travelling between home and school, you should “play safe” and keep your child/ren at home, informing the school that they are doing so. We need to know where all child/ren are, and that they are accounted for. 

If the school has to close, parents/carers will be notified via the usual Groupcall system. Please ensure that the school has up-to-date contact details. If several schools are closing at the same time, the message can take some time to come through. The parental Whatsapp groups will also be likely to have this information, and any school closures are also reported on the Dumfries and Galloway Council website https://info.dumgal.gov.uk/esc/home. 


We ask all parents to ensure that their children are fully aware of where they should go in the event of an emergency closure. Parents should make it clear to their older children whether or not they may escort younger siblings to their destination.

If it is customary for pupils to walk home at the end of the school day, it would be reasonable for the school to release these pupils to walk home in an emergency, but only if there were a parent or an identified adult expecting their arrival. Account should be taken of the distance to be walked and the severity of the weather. It would not be seen as reasonable to release pupils with the instruction to return to school if they find no-one at home. We also do not advise any travel at the height of a storm. 

It may be that a parent who collects his/her children offers to give shelter to other children. The agreements of the parents will be sought before releasing pupils in this way.

The safety and well-being of the children is paramount.  Safe and speedy dismissal of pupils in the event of an emergency closure depends on school and home working in partnership. We thank you in advance for your help. 

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