Beginning in November 2020, Inclement Weather Interim Procedures were developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given that many COVID-19 restrictions were recently lifted by the provincial government, effective immediately, we will be returning to our previous practice for inclement weather. This means that when student transportation (buses and taxis) are cancelled due to inclement weather, schools will remain open to students. You can find information about winter inclement weather and school transportation cancellations on our website.
Please note that Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for tomorrow, Wednesday, March 30. Please continue to monitor local media for up to date weather forecasts and take safety precautions advised by local authorities.
There may still be rare occasions where unprecedented winter weather events occur and we need to close all schools and Board locations. Closures will be considered when facilities 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 such as a significant snowfall or ice storm that restricts access to the school site, causes widespread or prolonged power failures or downs power lines.
We will endeavor to keep our schools open as much as possible. However, it is important that families have alternate child care arrangements planned for the rare occasions when schools may be closed. Before and after care programs will also not operate if schools are closed. Families should ensure they take the time to make plans in the event of an emergency school closure.
As a reminder, please note that on Inclement Weather days, there will be no assessments and new material will not be introduced. In-person learners who attend school will be provided with activities or tasks, which are supplementary. This could include practice, completion of work, an extension or reinforcement to the current learning.
Remote learners and in-person learners who do not attend school on the day may access asynchronous learning activities online attvoLearn.com. French Language resources are available at TFO. Note that some resources on the TFO site (e.g., IDÉLLO) require students/parents to create an account if they wish to access them.
As always, families have the final say over whether or not their children should attend school when we’re experiencing challenging weather conditions. Students not attending school due to inclement weather will not be coded as absent or be penalized in any way, but we do ask families to let the school know if their child will not be attending or late.
Announcements will be posted as early as possible and no later than 6:00 a.m. Please check the following for updates:
- Student Transportation Services website: schoolbuscity.com
- Student Transportation Hotline: 1-877-330-3001
- @YRDSB Twitter account
- Board website (www.yrdsb.ca) and school websites
- Radio and TV media outlets
Please continue to monitor local media for up to date weather forecasts and take safety precautions advised by local authorities.
Our priority continues to be the safety of our students, staff members and families. We appreciate patience and understanding as we navigate to our new normal and thank you for your continued support.