Since when is this acceptable? | Mum In The Madhouse

Since when is this acceptable?

The weather this week has been terrible, we still have snow despite the thaw and one of the issues the milder weather has brought has been the hazard of compacted snow with an extremely slippery surface.  In fact it is like walking on wet glass, well what I think walking on wet glass would feel.

MadDad and other neighbours have been clearing driveways and the road during the snow regardless of the fact that many people seem to think that there is an issue over being sued if someone falls.  This does appear to be something of an urban legend and I have not been able to find a single instance of this happening.  Contrary to popular myth, it is fine for you to take action to clear your local pavements and pathways.

The school on the other hand have only cleared one path into and out of the school and  not done any work on the pavements outside of the school.  On Thursday morning last week, I took both the boys to school and my neighbours girl and only having two hands, I could not hold all three children and Maxi slipped on the snow and ice, as did lots of children.  It was lethal.  Upon entering the building I tried to raise this issue with the receptionist, who at the best of times needs a personality transplant, but on this particular morning didn’t even try to be polite.  I gave up and took the boys to their class.

On my return I took the opportunity to speak to the head, who whilst wasn’t as dismissive as the reception but did inform me that it was not on school property and, therefore, not their responsibility.  It struck me as this is far too common a response nowadays.  We are all quick to pass the buck.  I wasn’t looking to apportion blame, just look for a solution that was suitable for all.  I was also informed if I had health and safety issues I should keep my children off school (oh and yes that would be an unauthorised absence).  I was furious, this is not the example I want to set to my children.

I decided that I was not going to get anywhere and went to collect mum to come and see Maxi’s nativity.  After the nativity the head came to see me and inform me that the council had been and gritted the paths.  So I took the opportunity to explain that the reception team were seriously lacking interpersonal skills and communications skills.

I appreciate that I probably wouldn’t have been the first person to complain and I am sure I wasn’t the last, but it costs nothing to be polite.  I entrust the school with my most precious possessions, my children and am seriously considering other options at the moment.

To make matters worse all the parents received a letter from school informing us that there has been abuse of the front line staff at the school.  This infuruated me and other parents, as the reception teams attitudes were immediatley defensive and unhelpful.

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