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It’s that time of year again when we must remind you about the arrangements for reporting absences and dealing with deteriorating weather conditions.
Pupil Absence/Appointments
Parents/carers are asked to report all absences, between 0830 and 0930, on each day of absence. The Scottish Government advises that where the school does not receive notification from parents/carers, pupils absence will be recorded as ‘truancy’. Where the school has not been informed of an absence, staff will endeavour to contact parents/carers/emergency contacts before 1030 to ensure they are aware that their child is not at school and to confirm the reason for their absence. If parents/carers cannot be contacted, the absence will be referred to the school management team who will decide on the most appropriate action to take. This may have to include contact with another agency. Schools are legally obliged to keep records of both authorised and unauthorised absences and these are reported annually to the Scottish Government.
NHS Shetland have a lot of advice on norovirus (winter vomiting bug). The key message is to advise the public to stay at home for 48 hours after their norovirus symptoms have stopped to avoid spreading it further.
Parents/carers are reminded that they should notify the class teacher either by sending in a note or by writing in their child’s homework diary when they know in advance that their child is to be taken out of school for an appointment. It is only necessary for the parent/carer to phone the school if the appointment has been arranged on the day and they have been unable to inform the class teacher in writing.
After School Arrangements
To avoid distress and upset could parents/carers make sure that children know what arrangements are in place for after school, before leaving home in the morning. Phone calls to the school with after school arrangements should only be made in exceptional circumstances.
Winter weather
Whenever the weather is reasonable we will be encouraging children to get fresh air and exercise, therefore please ensure that your child has a waterproof jacket with them every day and appropriate footwear. Please try to ensure that all clothing/footwear has your child’s name in it.
A pair of tracksuit bottoms would be a valuable addition to their PE kit.
Just a reminder that information about school closures due to bad weather will be announced on local and national radio – Radio Shetland at 5.30pm, Radio Orkney at 7.30am and SIBC. However parents/carers are responsible at all times for deciding whether to send their children to school. Parents can follow alerts on twitter. A direct link to this can be accessed through the Shetland Islands Council home page www.shetland.gov.uk click on twitter ‘follow@shetlslandsCll’ button at the top right corner of the page. We will also add updates to our school website: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/sh/bellsbraeprimary/
Please look out for the ‘snow day’ worksheets which your children will be bringing home soon.
Road Safety/Parking
We would like to remind all parents/carers that parking outside the school on Gilbertson Road is restricted. This area should only be used to pick up/drop off pupils and anyone parking in this area may be issued with a parking ticket. There should be no stopping whatsoever on the zig zag lines. The law states you cannot stop, wait or drop off passengers on zig zag lines during the hours given on the accompanying sign.
It is an offence to park on the double yellow lines..
The staff car park should only be used by staff and must be kept easily accessible for the emergency services. School staff and the Parent Council have received concerns about parents/carers using the staff car park to pick up and drop off their children. This is extremely unsafe and placing children at risk. Therefore, please do not use the staff car park to pick up and drop off children.
Electronic Gadgets
Please remember that as a result of the parent and pupil consultation, electronic gadgets are not allowed in the school. Any pupil requiring a mobile phone after school and carrying that with them should leave it switched off in their school bag whilst at school. Please reinforce this at home.
Dates for your diary
| Friday 16 November | Children in Need – as pupils may be involved in some fundraising activities please feel free to send in donations for this worthy cause. |
| Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 December | P1 performances – 2pm |
| Monday 17 December at 1800 | P7 performance to parents/carers |
| Friday 21 December | School closes for Christmas holidays |
| Tuesday 8 January 2019 | School open for pupils |
Please keep a look on the school website for dates, information and updates on what is happening in school.
https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/sh/bellsbraeprimary/
