RESPECT * KINDNESS * POSITIVITY * CO-OPERATION
Just a short note to say that the woodland path from Lempockwells Road past the old folks home and down over the river is currently an ice rink. All the snow that’s still lying has been compacted and has turned to ice.
It’s worse on the other side of the metal bridge below the back of the school playground and the wooden steps are lethal. So, for the time-being at least, it’s best to avoid this route as it’s just too difficult at the moment.
Ralph
Pencaitland Parent Council
We’ve set up a Flickr photo page so anyone can upload photos they’d like to share of whatever snowy scenes took your fancy in and around Pencaitland this last week. Don’t forget to email your pictures to the school as well, as there’s a plan to display ‘Pencaitland in the Snow’ once everyone’s back.
Ralph
Pencaitland Parent Council
Following advice from East Lothian Council, we are planning to open for all pupils on Monday 6th December. Efforts have been made to clear safe routes to school but we would recommend walking where possible, taking care due to icy pavements. If you have young children, or have concerns about their safety, make sure you accompany them on their walk to school as we cannot guarantee that school crossing supervisors will be on duty in all areas.
Although The Glebe and school car park have been cleared, the playground is still under a lot of snow so we would recommend that pupils don’t arrive before 8.45am.
Please ensure that pupils are dressed appropriately for the weather conditions and please provide them with a plastic bag (preferrably labelled) to put wellies, gloves, scarf etc. in.
If there are any changes we will update you over the weekend. For more information see the East Lothian Council website.
For any mums and dads tucked up at home, this report on the East Lothian Courier website might be of interest.
“An average of more than 46 centimetres of snow accumulated across the county between Friday and Tuesday, causing widespread travel problems and cutting off some communities in the Lammermuirs.”
Get up-to-date information from the Parent Council twitter service.
Ralph
Pencaitland Parent Council
Here’s the update from East Lothian Council
“All East Lothian schools will remain closed to pupils for the rest of this week (Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December). Also information on refuse collections roads, sports centres, libraries and more…”
The ELC website adds, “Due to the continuing severe weather conditions, it has been confirmed that ALL East Lothian schools will remain closed to pupils on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December. The forecast for Wednesday night is for worsening weather conditions with snowfalls of between 5 and 10cm and falls of 20-30cm in some parts of the county.
Major efforts to open up safe access routes to schools will continue during the rest of the week. East Lothian Council appreciates that these closures are causing major inconvenience to parents and carers. However, every effort is being made to re-open schools in the face of unprecedented severe weather conditions and transport difficulties.”
Keep updated by following the Pencaitland Parent Council twitter account.
Ralph
Pencaitland Parent Council
This update is taken for the East Lothian Council website. You can check for any updates here.
“Parents and carers are advised that headteachers will make the decision as to whether they believe their schools can open depending on the weather conditions in the area. This will be done as early as possible tomorrow morning, and each morning thereafter.
At this stage, all schools are set to open on Monday, 29 November as normal, though parents and children are asked to be careful given likely underfoot conditions.
Any school closure announcement will be added to this website and published through other local media, including Radio Forth, as soon as possible. Schools will also publish information on their own websites.”
Ralph
Pencaitland Parent Council
PS – look out for updates on the pencaitlandpc twitter feed which we’ll update as soon as we know anything about opening for Pencaitland Primary.