Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Fwd: Bus Éireann Status Red Weather Warning Policy




From: "BE Schools Online" <BESchoolsOnline@buseireann.ie>
To: "ballybrownns ias" <ballybrownns.ias@eircom.net>
Sent: Tuesday, 27 February, 2018 17:09:10
Subject: Bus Éireann Status Red Weather Warning Policy

STATUS RED WEATHER WARNINGS –

SERVICES PROVIDED BY BUS ÉIREANN UNDER THE SCHOOL TRANSPORT SCHEMES BY BUS ÉIREANN SCHOOL BUSES AND CONTRACTORS

 

In developing this policy, account was taken of the 'Be Winter Ready' booklet produced by the Office of Emergency Planning and developed in association with other organisations including the Department of Education & Skills, the RSA, An Garda Siochána, the Health & Safety Authority, and Met Éireann.

 

The weather can be very dangerous during winter and on occasion exceptionally intense meteorological phenomena have been forecast by Met Éireann.  In these circumstances major damage and accidents are considered likely, with a possible threat to life and limb, over a wide area. 

 

When a Status Red Weather Warning is announced it is important that everyone stays informed about expected meteorological conditions and risks, and follows instructions and any advice given by the authorities. 

 

Weather warnings are intended to protect the lives and livelihoods of all of the nation's citizens.  A Status Red Weather Warning is the most severe weather warning and implores all citizens to take appropriate action in order to protect themselves from the anticipated conditions. 

 

Met Éireann recommends that in the event of a Status Red Weather Warning families "take action to protect themselves and/or their properties; this could be by moving their families out of the danger zone temporarily; by staying indoors; or by other specific actions aimed at mitigating the effects of the weather conditions".  

 

Following this advice means children should not be exposed to such weather conditions to travel to or from school.

 

Any decision to cancel school transport services due to severe weather conditions is taken in the interest of child safety, having assessed risks to the safe operation of services and the safety of children carried.  The decision must and will be consistent with the spirit and intention of a Status Red Weather Warning. 

 

On the rare occasion that Met Éireann declares a Status Red Weather Warning, the following operating policy will apply:  

 

Status Red Weather Warning on a National Scale:

 

All services provided by Bus Éireann under the Department of Education and Skills School Transport Schemes will be cancelled in the affected area if a Status Red warning is announced for all or part of a given day*. 

 

Operating decisions as to whether a service should operate or not when a Status Red Weather Warning is announced cannot be left open to local interpretation because this could mean the approach being taken would not be universal.  This would lead to confusion for parents/guardians, and could thereby increase risk to child safety.

 

Similarly, the nature of the anticipated severe weather, whether it is a wind or ice or rain event for example, cannot have a bearing because this too runs the risk of a less than consistent approach being adopted locally, with potentially grave implications.   

 

The policy adopted in respect of services provided by Bus Éireann under the Department of Education and Skills School Transport Schemes in the event of a Status Red Weather Warning must be universally applied and easily understood by the general public and school authorities alike – 'Status Red Warning for your area Means NO Bus Éireann School Transport Service' is automatically understood by all.

 

All schools served in the affected area will be notified accordingly.

 

This approach will apply irrespective of whether individual schools decide to open or not – the set of conditions that influence the decision to operate a school transport service may be different from those that govern the decision to open a school building.

 

In general school bus services will not be available to bring children into school for a delayed class commencement later than normal class time (i.e. 11am start).

 

*In the event that a Status Red warning in place in the morning is downgraded at or before noon, services – which do not operate in the morning - will operate as normal at school closing time.

 

If the Status Red warning is not downgraded until afternoon or later in the evening we will endeavour, where possible, and with the assistance of emergency services if necessary, to bring children home.  In these circumstances Bus Éireann will keep schools and media informed of school transport service developments.

 

 

Status Red Weather Warning on a Regional or Local Basis:

 

All services provided by Bus Éireann under the Department of Education and Skills School Transport Schemes in the affected area only will be cancelled if a Status Red warning is announced for all or part of a given day*.

 

This approach will be implemented irrespective of whether individual schools decide to open or not – the approach will be universal within the affected area.

 

Where the weather warning identifies a county affected all services provided by Bus Éireann under the Department of Education and Skills School Transport Schemes that operate in or serve schools in the affected county will be automatically cancelled.

 

This will include school transport services that may operate predominantly in a neighbouring unaffected county i.e. if the school is located in a county subject to a Status Red Weather Warning the service will not operate regardless of where it comes from.  Equally, if a school transport service starts in a county subject to a Status Red Weather Warning but ends in an unaffected county the service will also be cancelled. 

 

In the event that the Met Éireann warning is vague in terms of the affected area (i.e. North Leinster, or parts of a county), the local School Transport Office/School Transport Inspector will make the determination on the services to be cancelled locally.

 

In these circumstances:

 

Services will be cancelled on a per school basis – either all or no services to a given school will operate.

 

The decision will be an operational matter at the sole discretion of Bus Éireann.

 

All affected schools will be notified accordingly.

 

In general school bus services will not be available to bring children into school for a delayed class commencement later than normal class time (i.e. 11am start).

 

*In the event that a Status Red warning in place in the morning is downgraded at or before noon, services – which do not operate in the morning - will operate as normal at school closing time.

 

If the Status Red warning is not downgraded until afternoon or later in the evening we will endeavour, where possible, and with the assistance of emergency services if necessary, to bring children home.  In line with advice outlined in the 'Be Winter Ready' booklet, parents are advised to keep in touch with local schools during incidents of severe weather and as conditions improve may decide to undertake the journey to the school to collect children, a decision which can be made in conjunction with the school authorities and subject to the prevailing weather conditions.  In these circumstances Bus Éireann will keep schools and media informed of school transport service developments.

 

In the event a Status Red Weather Warning is imposed at short notice during class time:

 

In circumstances where a Status Red Weather Warning related to wind is issued when class is already underway with students and staff present, and a decision is made on health and safety grounds for students to remain on the school premises, the 'Be Winter Ready' booklet outlines that schools are required to plan to accommodate students and staff within the school while awaiting an improvement in the weather.

 

In the event that a Status Red warning in place in the morning is downgraded at or before noon, services will operate as normal at school closing time.

 

If the Status Red warning is not downgraded until afternoon or later in the evening we will endeavour, where possible, and with the assistance of emergency services if necessary, to bring children home.

 

Communicating this Policy:

 

This policy is being outlined in advance so that school authorities and parents are aware of the implications of a Status Red Weather Warning for services provided by Bus Éireann under the Department of Education and Skills School Transport Schemes. 

 

A Status Red weather warning automatically means all school transport services in the affected area are cancelled while the warning is in effect.  Weather warnings are carried on all national and local news bulletins. 

 

In line with advice outlined in the 'Be Winter Ready' booklet, schools are encouraged to advise parents/guardians of exceptional measures using their group text messaging facilities as and when the situation arises.

 

BÉ Press Office will inform national and local media, update BÉ website, and coordinate with the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning as necessary.



Bus Eireann-Irish Bus, cuideachta ghniomhaiochta ainmnithe, faoi theorainn scaireanna, claraithe in Eirinn ag Chloch Leathan, Baile Atha Cliath 7. Uimh. 119570 Uimh. CBL. 4812850M
Bus Eireann-Irish Bus, a designated activity company, limited by shares, registered in Ireland at Broadstone, Dublin 7. No 119570 Vat No. 4812850M


Thursday, February 22, 2018

School note February 22nd 2018

22-2-2018

Dear parents,

                      Yesterday, Sr. Rose Miriam and  Veronica Behan from Limerick Diocesan Office visited the school to meet the children in all classes. They were very complimentary about the attainment and behaviour of the children and the hard work of their teachers. Confirmation for children in Fifth and Sixth classes will take place in Ballybrown Church on Wednesday March 21st at 1 p.m.

                   I have been informed that all teachers are required to attend Inservice Training on the proposed new Primary Language  Friday March 16th. Consequently, school will be closed for pupils on that day.  

                Today, children from Junior Infants, Senior Infants and First classes attended a live puppet performance by Call Back Theatre in the school.  ''Dorothy DoLittle's Magical Adventure", an educational  and fun performance about the importance of Healthy Eating and Physical Activity, was enjoyed by all.  

             World Book Day is Thursday March 1st. The school will organise a programme of events throughout the week to promote literacy and a love of reading. Ten minutes spent reading to, and with, your child is a wonderful use of your time.

               Parking: I would appreciate if parents used the Resource Centre and Church grounds car parks. Children should not walk through the staff car park. They should enter via the gate nearest to the Resource Centre. Safety of children is paramount.  Please do not park in Staff parking areas or in Bus berths.

Parents Association:

 A clothes Recycling Day will take place on Friday March 9th. All families will receive bags in school today. Please have your bags of unwanted clothes, handbags, paired shoes etc in bags at the school by 9.15 a.m.  on that morning. Thank you for continued support for this worthwhile fundraising event.

Confirmation volunteers - The Parents Association recently sent a note home to all 3rd and 4th class parents seeking volunteers for the teas/coffees for the Confirmation. This will be held on Wednesday 21st March at 1pm in the church - volunteers required for approx 90 minutes from 1.30-3pm. Please contact Susan MacNamara on 087-2257625 if you can help out. 

Website: All information relating to the school, school calendar, booklists, etc  is on the website www.ballybrownns.ie . Check in on  Twitter @BallybrownNS to keep yourself informed on school news.     

 

 Gach dea-ghuí,

 

J. Lyons

Principal

 

 


Wednesday, February 7, 2018

School Note February 8th

8-2-2018

Dear parents,

                     We had a most enjoyable Grandparents Day last Thursday. Grandparents travelled from far and near to celebrate with their grandchildren. Fr Cussen led the Prayer Service and after that, children shared their memories and  feelings in verse and in story. Thanks to Mr Barry and Ms Gibbons.

                     The Infant classes also enjoyed Grandparents' Day as Ethan's granny visited and spoke about her childhood memories.

                    Reminder: School will close at 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday February 14th  for all children to enable teachers to attend Inservice on the new Child Protection  guidelines. School will be closed for midterm on Thursday and Friday February 15th and 16th. and will reopen on Monday February 19th.

                    Active School news: Hurling coaching with Killian Gavin continues tomorrow Friday with the children from Mrs Hodgins and Mr Lordan's classes.                 Dean Corbett is doing soccer coaching every Tuesday with children in 4th, 5th and 6th classes.  The children in Third class are enjoying swimming lessons each Wednesday.

                      Ballybrown NS will take part in a Ground Hurling tournament in St Clement's College on Tuesday February 13th. We look forward to defending the title we won in 2017!

                      This week, I have once again  been informed of a couple of  cases of head lice in the school. It is advisable to deal with this as soon as possible. Your child may have caught head lice.  There is no reason for alarm - head lice have nothing to do with cleanliness, in fact head lice prefer clean to dirty hair.  Anyone can get head lice but it is particularly easy for young people to catch them as they spread by direct head -to -head contact.

               On a practical note, children with long hair should keep their hair in plaits or tied up rather than hanging loosely.

For information on dealing with this problem, see

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/flu/A-Z/H/Head-lice/Treating-head-lice.html

 

          Please remember that an absence note is required every time your child is absent. These are kept on file until the end of the school year. The school is obliged to make returns to Tusla  in respect of every child who misses 20 days or more in a school year.  A number of children are frequently late for school. Please try to ensure this does not happen.

                    "Date for your Diary - RECYCLING DAY Friday March 9th".  All unwanted clean dry clothes, paired shoes and unwanted handbags gladly accepted.


            Sincere condolences to Mrs Millar on the death of her mother this week.

 

Gach dea-ghuí,

 

J. Lyons

Principal

 


Thursday, February 1, 2018

School note February 1st

1-2-2018

Dear parents,

                     This week is Catholic Schools Week. Fr Cussen  visited the school on Tuesday for a prayer service.   There will be other activities during the week.

                  Over the past couple of  weeks,  teachers have put up Maths Displays on the corridors of the school. There are very eyecatching displays to be seen.  See them on our Twitter page @Ballybrown NS

                 Head Lice: Head Lice are a common problem in any environment where children assemble.This school is no exception. For information on dealing with this problem, see   http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/H/Head-lice/

                   Child Protection: The Department of Education and Skills (DES) has published Circular 0081/2017 which outlines new Child Protection Procedures for primary & post primary schools. The procedures come into effect immediately. All school personnel are required to be trained in the new procedures and schools may close for two half-days for this purpose. This school will close at 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday February 14th for the first module. The Board of Management is currently drawing up a Child Safeguarding Statement to comply with new legislation.

Ballybrown/Clarina Community Games – Upcoming events

Art Competition on next Wednesday 7th February in the Ballybrown Resource Centre from 6.30pm to 7.45pm please bring your own colours, paper will be provided. Cost 2 per person.

Swimming B Competition Sunday 25th February 2018 – Askeaton Pool from 4-6pm

Swimming A competition Sunday 25tg March 2018 – Askeaton Pool from 4-6pm

Talent – Solo and Group singing, dance, music and recitation

Pitch & Putt - U16

Gymnastics – U9, U11, U14 and U15

Sports Day – Provisional date 29th April 2018.

Contact Pauline Lowe on 087 8365545 if you have any interest in the above events. Check out our facebook page for more details https://www.facebook.com/ballybrownclarinacommunitygames/?ref=bookmarks

 

Gach dea-ghuí,

 

J. Lyons

Principal

 

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Hunt Museum: Archaeology Camp in February. We will now be running a 2 day camp for kids ages 6+, from Thursday 15th - Friday 16th of February
During the Archaeology Camp in February, children will learn about History and Archaeology through workshops, art, science, and activities. The Camp will be a great reinforcement for school curriculum and their interest in those sciences. 

Thursday 15th - Friday 16th February. 10am - 4pm.Fee: €40 per child, €30 per sibling.

For more details, please contact education@huntmuseum.com or call 061 312833.
Online booking form:
https://eu.jotform.com/educationhuntmuseum/digging-up-the-past-archaeology-cam