The information below explains what happens when buses are cancelled or schools are closed due to inclement weather.
Our Approach
Overall, our goal is to keep all of our school buildings open for students and staff who can arrive safely. Bus operators make decisions about bus route cancellations and our staff consider the following factors when considering a school closure:
- School location and road conditions/closures
- Bus cancellations
- Current and forecasted weather conditions (including temperature)
- Water and hydro service at the school
- The ability to provide alternate learning formats.
In all cases, the closure of a school’s access road will result in the closure of that school. Please see Administrative Procedure 178 – Inclement/Severe Weather for full details.
What Happens on Inclement Weather Days
Teaching will continue as usual with the understanding that some students may not be able to arrive safely or access materials posted online. In order to support students who are not in attendance on inclement weather days, teachers will provide support upon their return and ensure they are not disadvantaged for weather-related non-attendance.
There are two circumstances that may occur on inclement weather days:
- Bus cancellations (school is open)
- Schools will follow the regular school schedule.
- Educators will facilitate learning activities for those students in attendance.
- As soon as possible, educators will post asynchronous learning activities in their Google classrooms/D2L Brightspace for students who are not able to attend (these are activities that students can complete on their own).
- Educators are aware that not all students will be able to attend in-person or access online learning materials from home, so students will be given support and time upon their return.
- School/system closure
- As soon as possible, in their Google classrooms/D2L Brightspace, educators will post instructions for asynchronous learning opportunities to consolidate prior learning for subject areas/courses (these are activities that students can complete on their own).
- Educators are aware that not all students will be able to access online learning materials from home, therefore learning activities will not be assessed.
Key Message
Days when buses are cancelled but schools are open are not meant to be days off for students as learning can continue. Please help us change the culture of students not attending on these days so that we can maximize learning opportunities for all.