As we gear up for the winter season, we want to remind you of some essential information about how we handle inclement weather and potential bus and taxi cancellation and/or full school closures.
Guidelines:
• Stay Informed: Check the Board webpage, social media, and local news for snow reports and school board announcements.
• Unique Situations: There are times when schools may stay open even if buses/taxis are canceled. Consider your neighborhood's situation and decide if it is safe for your child to attend. Parents/guardians, you have the ultimate say in deciding whether to keep your children home when buses have been cancelled.
• Transportation Cancellation: If transportation is canceled but schools are open and you decide it is safe for your child to attend school, please ensure they can enter the school and arrange for their safe return home.
• Virtual Learning: If schools close due to snowy weather, teachers will post asynchronous learning materials by 10:00 a.m. Virtual school students will continue with their usual lessons.
• Childcare Centres: If HWCDSB schools are closed, all school-based childcare centres are also closed.
• Community Use of Schools: Weekday evening rental bookings are automatically cancelled when schools are closed during the day due to inclement weather. For weekend bookings, school closure and subsequent rental cancellations are at the discretion of the HWCDSB and announced by 7a.m.
When and How We Announce: If there is a need to cancel buses/taxis and/or close schools due to inclement weather announcements will be made on the HWCDSB and HWSTS websites and communicated to local media by 6:30 a.m., or earlier when possible.
As winter approaches, we appreciate your attention to this information.
Please also see the HWCDSB's website on Snow Days/Inclement Weather for more information at https://www.hwcdsb.ca/school_life/school/snow_days