Emergency Closure Policy

School: Carlow Educate Together NS

Emergency Closures Policy

Introduction

The need for the school to produce a policy on emergency closures is primarily due to:

Relationship to School Ethos:

The safety of our children, their families and the staff is of utmost importance to our school.  Our vision is that every member of the school should feel happy, safe and be able to learn.  We wish to keep a balance between keeping our community safe while not affecting their learning.

Aims and Objectives:

Procedures

Severe Weather:

Every effort will be made to open the school in the event of snowfall.  While staff will make every effort to come to school or arrange accommodation to allow them come to school, safety must override any decisions that might put them in danger.  As long as there are enough members of staff to teach, the school will open.  All staff and parents should make their own decision as to whether it is safe for them to travel in the morning.

 

A minimum number of staff is required for a school to be able to open.  Staff who cannot come to school should let the principal know, no later than 7:15am of the school day.  This is to ensure that there is enough time to tell parents whether the school can open or not.  Due to the staffing demands of the special class, the school may have to open without this class running. 

 

In the event of severe weather conditions, the principal shall consult with the local principals in Carlow Town and then the Chairperson of the BoM as soon as is feasible, and a decision will be made as to whether it is in the interests of all parties to close the school.

 

If it is decided to close the school, the school will do the following:

 

All bus operators servicing the school will be contacted by the secretary, confirming that the school will not be opening.  The bus operators will announce that they will not be traveling to their respective families by their usual means. (Parents should make themselves aware of these procedures).

 If the severe weather is prolonged over a number of days and the school is closed indefinitely, parents and bus operators will be informed of re-opening dates through the school web site and Facebook page. 

With regards to making up school days, it is anticipated that from the year 2011-12, that “snow days” will be factored into the school year.  The Board of Management will discuss these procedures with the staff to reach an agreement.

Disconnection of Services:

Where water or electricity services to the school are to be disconnected, a week’s notification is normally given to the school authorities.  This enables the school to furnish the parent body with the relevant advance warning of such closures via the school web site and noticeboard.  The school will not send a text message out for situations where more than 2 days notice is received.

If the electricity disconnects in the morning before school opens, the ESB network will be contacted.  If there is no expected time of re-connection, the school cannot open.  This is due to the fact that all heating, lighting, alarms, etc. rely on the electricity working in the school.  However, if the electricity cuts out during the school day, the school will endevour to continue lessons as best possible until parents collect their children.

Critical Incident/Death:

In some instances the school might remain closed for pupils in the event of a critical incident or death of a staff member, BoM member or pupil.  Parents are informed of such closures either by letter or text.  In this particular instance, the school may remain open to staff and BoM or Parents Association if issues such as counseling is required (See Critical Incident Policy).

Roles and Responsibilities:

Emergency closures in the school place particular responsibilities on various personnel within the school according to seniority in the school.  The chairperson should be kept up to date with any such incidents.

 

 


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