Due to the hard work and commitment of Operational Services and Facilities Management staff last week and over the weekend, Kirkhill Primary School we be OPEN tomorrow (Monday 5^th March) to all children and staff.  West Lothian have taken this decision as a result of risk assessments being carried out in all schools today.  Please note that there will be NO BREAKFAST CLUB tomorrow morning to allow staff to get into school and make final preparations for the children returning at 8.50am.

Due to the heavy snowfall last week alternative entrance/exit arrangements will be in place tomorrow and are as follows:

• One narrow path from the front gate has been cleared to the main entrance of the school and another path from the back entrance of the school building to the nursery. It may be difficult for pushchairs to get up this narrow path unless this clears further this evening and in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
• All nursery parents/carers will be required to enter the school building and exit through the back entrance to go to the nursery. Once children have been dropped off at the nursery parents/carers should again exit through the school building and out of the main entrance front door.
• Our nursery will be open from 8am but we would ask parents/carers that , if possible, they drop their children off at nursery from 8.30am to allow staff to prepare for reopening.
• There has been no path cleared at the rear of the school and will only be accessible to staff and delivery services. It would be unsafe for children to be brought into nursery using this entrance.
• The early years’ area entrance has not yet been cleared and so all early years children should enter in the morning through the front entrance door along with the upper school children. It is hoped that by the end of the day this area will have been cleared and children will be able to exit the building through their usual exit door.
• As the playground areas have not been cleared we would ask parents to drop their children at school as close to 8.50am, as possible.
• The school will be open from 8.30am to allow children to come into the school and wait in the gym hall until it is time to go to their classes, however we would be grateful if children could be dropped off at school as close to 8.50am, as possible.
• We will risk assess the playground prior to break and lunchtime to determine whether the children will be allowed to go outside to play at these times. If through risk assessment, it is unsafe to allow all of the children to be out at one time wet break/lunch arrangements will be in place until it is assessed that it is safe for the children to go outside for breaks/lunch.
• If we have wet break/lunch arrangements in place, class teachers may decide to take their classes outside for learning purposes or for time outdoors during the school day, if it is assessed that this would be appropriate. With this is mind we would appreciate it if children come to school prepared for outdoor play/learning and have a change of clothes and footwear with them in case they require to change out of ‘snowy’ clothes.
• Safe Arrivals and members of the Senior Leadership Team will be in the playground in the morning to guide children/parents/carers in the right direction.

We hope that all of our families will appreciate the need for these arrangements to be put in place to allow our school to re-open to all children.

Message from West Lothian Council

Re-opening nearly  100 schools following severe weather is a major job, with significant checks carried on every building required before it can be safely opened, such as ensuring they are still structurally sound, heating is working and toilet and catering facilities are in good working order.

Snow clearing work in school grounds is ongoing to ensure a safe route for staff and pupils, with up to five feet of snow drifts requiring cleared in some schools.

Due to the amount of specialist work required, it has not been possible to safely open every school on Monday.

If your child’s school is open, we would encourage you to send them if it safe to do so. Parents should carry out their own assessment of whether it is safe for their child to travel to school from their home, depending on their individual circumstances.

Parents/carers should take extra care when travelling to school on Monday, especially as some crossing patrol staff may not be in place. Revised school transport arrangements are in place for some pupils, and will be available fromwww.westlothian.gov.uk/schoolclosures  from 6pm on Sunday 4 March.

There will be no breakfast clubs on Monday, and lunch menus may vary from usual.