With the arrival of winter weather, we wanted to provide some important reminders about the steps we take to keep students safe when severe weather occurs.
School Transportation Cancellations
School transportation (buses and taxis) may be cancelled due to extreme cold or inclement weather. On these days, schools will remain open unless otherwise stated. If school transportation is cancelled in the morning, it will also be cancelled in the afternoon. Any lunch programs and field trips will also be cancelled. Lunch program days will be made up later in the year.
Families should use their best judgement to decide whether to send their children to school on extreme cold or inclement weather days. Students will not be penalized for missing school on those days. For safety reasons, please ensure you let the school know if your child will not be attending school that day.
School Closures
Emergency closures will be considered when conditions may not be safe for students and staff members to attend school for the full day. This may include events that significantly limit school operations or access to the school site (e.g. widespread, prolonged power failures or downed power lines).
In keeping with our current practice, we will continue to keep our schools open as much as possible. However, it is important that families have alternate childcare arrangements planned for the rare occasions when schools may be closed. Before and aftercare programs will not operate if schools are closed.
Communication to Families
Decisions about school transportation and school closures will be made as early as possible and no later than 6:00am. We will do our best to notify families in advance when we may be considering closing and Board offices. Transportation cancellations or school closures are communicated through:
- Student Transportation Services - www.schoolbuscity.com or 1-877-330-3001
- Board and school websites
- @YRDSB Twitter account
- Radio and TV media outlets
