Seer Gree= n CE Combined School

Newslette= r - 11 January 2010

Dear Parents

A belated Happy New Year.

School Closure

Unfortunately, as five members of staff live nea= r to High Wycombe in areas that have remained impass= able until yesterday, we did not h= ave sufficient staff to look after the children safely and I made the difficult decision to close the school. I hope that the snow and icy road conditions did not cause you too much inconvenience, and the children (and you) enjoyed the opportun= ity to play in the snow while the school was closed.

I also understand that in Year 5 the ‘snow-line’ broke down before it reached everyone. Please make sure that if you can’t reach the person on the class list directly after you that you = ring the next one down. In this way, the line doesn’t break down, and more people are contacted. Please = note that we are aware that some people have needed to ring more than one number= if they have siblings in the school and we are trying to rectify this. We are hoping to get a ‘school closure’ area on the school website (www.seergreen.bucks.sch.uk )= and, of cou= rse, we always post school closure on the Bucks website (www.buckscc.gov.uk ).

We have managed to open today, the school site b= eing cleared of snow sufficiently on Friday afternoon. However, the playground remains covered by deep snow, and the children will not be able to play on = it early in the day. Howev= er, we will allow them on it just before going home.

If the snow continues, please make sure that your child has a change of socks or tights in their bag so that they can change = if they get wet, and that they are also wearing appropriate footwear. =

Road Safety.

As usual= , at the start of every term, I need to draw your attention to the importance of saf= ety when delivering to or collecting children from school. Parking outside the school at the beginning and end of the school day remains a major problem. Please consider the safety of not = only your children but also others when parking. Additionally, it is still getting = dark very early, and with current weather conditions, visibility is poor. Please make sure that you keep your children close to you when near to the roads a= nd remind your children of the dangers of walking from school in these darker months<= span class=3DGramE>, explaining the need for them to stay cl= ose to you or their child minders

Our children are very precious. P= LEASE THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THEIR SAFETY.

We will endeavour to continue with = our walking to school programme so that the children can earn extra playtime minutes. Reception Class and Years 1 and 2 will be encouraged to walk to sch= ool the week beginning 25 January. <= /span>Please make sure that you encourage them by walking to school for the whole week, = and if you need to drive for any reason, please park away from the school entra= nce so that they walk part of the way. The children must walk an equivalent distance to = Stable Lane<= /st1:Street> to the school, or do 2 laps of the playground, in order to earn their mark for walking. Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 will walk for extra playtime the week beginn= ing 18 January.

Dogs

If you bring dogs with you to the school gate, p= lease keep them away from children, preferably at the rear of the car park. I have received complaints from some parents that they are worried about the numbe= r of dogs being brought too close to the school exit, and also that they are bei= ng walked on the leash by the children themselves rather than an adult. Please be considerate of children = who are either nervous of dogs or allergic to them.

Educational Visits=

When sending payment into school for activities = please make sure that the money/cheque is in a named, sealed envelope, clearly sta= ting the class and the activity to which it relates. It is of enormous help if the payments for different activities are placed in different envelopes, and separate money/cheques paid for each activity and child. Cheques are preferred whene= ver possible.

We understand that finances can be stretched cur= rently and have tried to limit the number of activities requiring payment as much = as possible. <= /p>
=

School Council

The School Council continues to meet and give th= eir thoughts to the Governing Body about issues that are dear to the hearts of pupils in the school. They are hoping to have a cake sale during this term = in order to support the school or hospital in Kisiizi.

After School Activ= ities

If your child is not intending to attend an after school activity for any reason, it is imperative that we receive this information in writing from you.

Good time-keeping<= o:p>

May I remind you that the children need to be at school in time to line up at = 8.50am and that it is disruptive for the entire class w= hen a child arrives after this time.

Now that the Reception Class children are settle= d, I ask that parents of these children try to let them line up on the playgroun= d by themselves. If you need to st= ay on the playground until they line up, please wait by the Jubilee Hall.

Lost Property=

Please can you make sure that all items of cloth= ing are labelled, including hats, scarves, gloves and well= ington boots.

Kisiizi

Many thanks to those of you who sup= ported Kisiizi through the Kisiizi Partner scheme.= We will continue to support Kisiizi throughout the year= .

Dates for the Diar= y

See attached sheet.

Yours sincerely

Olwyn Davison Oakley

Headteacher

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