Dear Allenby families,
As you no doubt know, the schoolyard has been a source of frustration for everyone in the past weeks. We have a schoolyard that is covered in inches of thick ice that has melted and refrozen so that there are craters and hills of ice. It is obviously a safety hazard. Aside from the several staff members who fell on the icy sidewalks last Friday, on other days there have been incidents. On one day, for example, a staff member fell in the schoolyard, landing so that her head crashed on the ice. She ended up needing medical care for whiplash-like symptoms. Also on that same day a student fell on her face. So, we have been keeping the kids inside most days for recesses and lunch. It is hard on everyone. We have suggested to teachers that they take their classes for neighbourhood walks to “get the sillies out,” especially on days when they do not have gym or swimming, and several have done so.
We have had a request in for a task force or salt truck to come in and at least clear the track so they can have a “walk and talk” type recess, but so far nobody has come. We are hoping that by the time you read this something will have been done.
In other news, the window replacement project is almost finished. There are a few finishing pieces, such as trim and some window panes that are still to come, that will be dealt with during March Break and in the week or two after.
The evening Caring and Safe Schools session for Grade 3 and 4 parents has been postponed from March 21st to April 9th. A letter will come home with the details shortly after the break.
We wish all Allenby families a safe, relaxing and enjoyable March Break.
Jennie Ucar
Principal