Kia ora koutou

We continue to be plagued with illness, not as many children this week, but within the staff. Relievers are in very short supply so we have been doing our best to put a teacher in classrooms. Thanks to our amazing staff who are flexible and adaptable to the changes each day brings at the moment, we have not had to split any classes yet. Let's hope we don't need to!!

Winter

It would appear that winter has decided to join us this week. Just a reminder about communications regarding buses, late starts or snow days.

Please ensure you have downloaded and set notifications for our school communication App 'School Stream'. (Instructions attached to help download School Stream). Also join our Outram School Facebook page.

Outram School makes the decision for late starts and closures due to snow and other weather events. We do not follow the decision made for Dunedin Schools.

The decision for Outram School will be communicated through School Stream, the school Facebook page and the Outram School website. We will not use radio to advise of late starts and closure. If parents are not able to access School Stream, they should have an arrangement with another family to contact them for important announcements such as closure.

Announcement 1: “Outram School is closed.”

• a message will be sent through School Stream

• a message / notice on our website

Announcement 2: “Outram School will open at 10.00 am.”

• a message will be sent through School Stream

• a message / notice on our website

This later opening allows…

• time to check on snow conditions in and around Outram

• time to check on staff to see if they can travel safely

• time to liaise with Go Bus

If conditions deteriorate, or are considered unsafe, the 10.00 am opening announcement may be followed by a closure announcement.

Overriding advice

Our school catchment covers a wide area – you are the best judge of the conditions at your place. The safety of travel for you and your family overrides all decisions made by the school. If you cannot get out or judge that it is unsafe to travel, please stay put and let us know that your child will be absent.

Buses

I will communicate with Go Bus to ascertain safety of putting buses on roads.

Any changes to bus routes or times will be communicated through School Stream, Facebook and a message on our website. 

Learning Outside the Classroom (LEOTC)

The junior school are beginning their visits to the art gallery and Otago Museum over the next week. We look forward to hearing about their adventures and new learning. I will be joining Room 2 on Thursday. Thank you to whānau who are helping with supervision on these visits.

The next Board Meeting is to be held on Wednesday 14 June at 7pm.

Ngā mihi

Kim