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School late notice of closing early.

  • 10-04-2016 1:20pm
    #1
    average_runner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭✭


    School just sent us a text saying, closing at 12 on Friday. Pretty short notice and they are only back and off for a week in three weeks time?

    Is the school allowed to give this short of notice since it wasn't in the holiday calendar given to us?


Comments

  • #2
    strawberrie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 180 ✭✭strawberrie


    It's not great notice...but why are they off? It could be due to an electricity cut or water may be off. They could have just gotten notice themselves.
    average_runner wrote: »
    School just sent us a text saying, closing at 12 on Friday. Pretty short notice and they are only back and off for a week in three weeks time?

    Is the school allowed to give this short of notice since it wasn't in the holiday calendar given to us?


  • #3
    byhookorbycrook
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 12,514 Mod ✭✭✭✭byhookorbycrook


    It may be due to the new language curriculum in-service.This wasn't on any school calendar as the DES only got round to dreaming this half day training up since Sept.Yes, the school are allowed. You have a week's notice, not ideal, but not the worst either.


  • #4
    biko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,220 ✭✭✭✭biko


    What would be a good notice period for you OP if a week isn't enough?


  • #5
    average_runner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭✭average_runner


    biko wrote: »
    What would be a good notice period for you OP if a week isn't enough?


    4 working days isn't much in fairness, now if the school only found out on Sunday, thats fair enough, but if they knew earlier then its very unprofessional and disappointing.

    Wife is in the UK for the week, would of gotten a flight back this Thursday if we had know last week, but can't expect work to dish out for another flight and tell customers we do it another time.

    I had a half day off this week to actually help the school out with something, but will have to cancel that now and take it on Friday instead, if better notice I of could handle both.


  • #6
    pwurple
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,449 ✭✭✭✭pwurple


    That's better notice than we get to be honest. I was told the night before about world book day and needing some kind of outfit. Same for proclamation day, which we were asked to show up at (I had no idea that was on the cards).


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  • #7
    average_runner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭✭average_runner


    pwurple wrote: »
    That's better notice than we get to be honest. I was told the night before about world book day and needing some kind of outfit. Same for proclamation day, which we were asked to show up at (I had no idea that was on the cards).


    Thats very disrespectful from the school


  • #8
    harr
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,494 ✭✭✭harr


    We were in the same boat last week, kids only back after Easter and got text on Tuesday saying teacher training was scheduled for the Thursday so school would be closed for the day... Barely 2 days notice ...
    Often happens night before as other poster pointed for stuff kids need to bring into school or certain clothes to wear in...


  • #9
    OU812
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,088 ✭✭✭OU812


    Our school is always doing stuff short notice, we often get a note sent home the day before looking for stuff or telling us the school is closed early etc. A week would be luxury.


  • #10
    Lisha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,696 ✭✭✭Lisha


    average_runner wrote: »
    Thats very disrespectful from the school

    I agree, it's also typical of the school my children attend. I don't get it. Most of the teachers are working parents themselves but they can't realise that adequate notice is necessary


  • #11
    byhookorbycrook
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 12,514 Mod ✭✭✭✭byhookorbycrook


    Lisha wrote: »
    I agree, it's also typical of the school my children attend. I don't get it. Most of the teachers are working parents themselves but they can't realise that adequate notice is necessary
    As I have already pointed out the DES have given schools the instructions re the new language curriculum and that may well be the issue here.

    I know that in some schools notes go home, but get lost in the bottom of a bag and that the child only remembers the night before. So it's not always the fault of the school.


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  • #12
    average_runner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭✭average_runner


    byhookorbycrook wrote: »
    As I have already pointed out the DES have given schools the instructions re the new language curriculum and that may well be the issue here.

    I know that in some schools notes go home, but get lost in the bottom of a bag and that the child only remembers the night before. So it's not always the fault of the school.

    I have no problem if the school just found out that day or something, its by text they let us know. Anyhow I found out the reason yesterday and they knew 3 months ago!!!


  • #13
    juneg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,083 ✭✭✭juneg


    wait till you get to secondary school when your child phones you that day to tell you they have an early closing!
    no text, no note, no notice...

    I say be glad you got a text with 4 days notice!


  • #14
    RainyDay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,925 ✭✭✭RainyDay


    average_runner wrote: »
    I have no problem if the school just found out that day or something, its by text they let us know. Anyhow I found out the reason yesterday and they knew 3 months ago!!!

    Gwan, spill - don't keep us in suspenders - what was the reason?


  • #15
    average_runner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭✭average_runner


    RainyDay wrote: »
    Gwan, spill - don't keep us in suspenders - what was the reason?


    School play rehersal for 5th and 6th class, daughter is not near those classes, she is only 5!


  • #16
    RainyDay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,925 ✭✭✭RainyDay


    average_runner wrote: »
    School play rehersal for 5th and 6th class, daughter is not near those classes, she is only 5!

    Seems a bit over-dramatic (pun intended) to close the rest of the school for a play rehearsal. You could have a chat with your Parents Association, or with the Parent nominees on the Board of Management. It won't fix Friday, but might make it less likely to happen in future.


  • #17
    byhookorbycrook
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 12,514 Mod ✭✭✭✭byhookorbycrook


    average_runner wrote: »
    School play rehersal for 5th and 6th class, daughter is not near those classes, she is only 5!
    That's very odd?What size school is it?


  • #18
    teacherteacher
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 ✭teacherteacher


    RainyDay wrote: »
    Seems a bit over-dramatic (pun intended) to close the rest of the school for a play rehearsal. You could have a chat with your Parents Association, or with the Parent nominees on the Board of Management. It won't fix Friday, but might make it less likely to happen in future.

    Parents nominees do not "represent" the parents on the Board of Management. A very common misconception. You'd be better off speaking to the Principal directly and ask for more notice in future.


  • #19
    pwurple
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,449 ✭✭✭✭pwurple


    byhookorbycrook wrote: »
    I know that in some schools notes go home, but get lost in the bottom of a bag and that the child only remembers the night before. So it's not always the fault of the school.

    The notes are dated for us, or will have some wording like "Please attend such-and-such tomorrow".

    Anyway, it's not the end of the world for us, I can usually juggle something.


    Just saying 4 days would be a luxury to us!


  • #20
    RainyDay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,925 ✭✭✭RainyDay


    teacherteacher wrote: »
    Parents nominees do not "represent" the parents on the Board of Management. A very common misconception. You'd be better off speaking to the Principal directly and ask for more notice in future.

    There is absolutely no misconception here. I am very clear on the role of parents nominees, having served as one. In fact, I had originally types 'parents reps' - the usual term, though incorrect - and I went back and changed it to parents nominees.

    Parents nominees on the Board do not represent anyone, just like every other board member does not represent anyone, and must act in the best interests of the school. They can, however, bring a particular parental perspective to board discussions, and can raise issues like this and other issues that impact parents in particular.

    Parents are often concerned about bringing matters like this to the attention of school management, and may fear that they will be seen as a trouble-maker which may impact how their child is treated. This view may or may not be justified, but it does exist. Going through the Parents Association or the BoM provides reassurance on this.


  • #21
    teacherteacher
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 ✭teacherteacher


    RainyDay wrote: »
    There is absolutely no misconception here. I am very clear on the role of parents nominees, having served as one. In fact, I had originally types 'parents reps' - the usual term, though incorrect - and I went back and changed it to parents nominees.

    Parents nominees on the Board do not represent anyone, just like every other board member does not represent anyone, and must act in the best interests of the school. They can, however, bring a particular parental perspective to board discussions, and can raise issues like this and other issues that impact parents in particular.

    Parents are often concerned about bringing matters like this to the attention of school management, and may fear that they will be seen as a trouble-maker which may impact how their child is treated. This view may or may not be justified, but it does exist. Going through the Parents Association or the BoM provides reassurance on this.

    I would still advise going to speak to the principal first. I can't think of any school where this would be seen as "trouble-making". I believe teachers and school staff have the professionalism not to single out children over a parent query, never mind one which is such a very basic request!


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  • #22
    RainyDay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,925 ✭✭✭RainyDay


    teacherteacher wrote: »
    I would still advise going to speak to the principal first. I can't think of any school where this would be seen as "trouble-making". I believe teachers and school staff have the professionalism not to single out children over a parent query, never mind one which is such a very basic request!

    It's a fair suggestion. I suppose if the principal and teachers have created a culture where parents feel comfortable in raising such issues directly with the school, it would be a good place to start. I do know of one principal who's response to a fairly minor issue being raised with her was 'Perhaps this isn't the best school for your child then'.


  • #23
    byhookorbycrook
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 12,514 Mod ✭✭✭✭byhookorbycrook


    RainyDay wrote: »
    It's a fair suggestion. I suppose if the principal and teachers have created a culture where parents feel comfortable in raising such issues directly with the school, it would be a good place to start. I do know of one principal who's response to a fairly minor issue being raised with her was 'Perhaps this isn't the best school for your child then'.
    She may be right, I would hate to think a parent couldn't raise a concern!


  • #24
    teacherteacher
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 ✭teacherteacher


    RainyDay wrote: »
    It's a fair suggestion. I suppose if the principal and teachers have created a culture where parents feel comfortable in raising such issues directly with the school, it would be a good place to start. I do know of one principal who's response to a fairly minor issue being raised with her was 'Perhaps this isn't the best school for your child then'.

    Wow! That's appalling!


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