March 29th, 2022

Dear Families and Students,

As COVID-19 pandemic restrictions continue to lift, we have decided to change our severe weather procedure to reflect those changes.

Effective immediately, if buses are canceled due to severe weather, schools will remain open unless it is unsafe to keep them open. This decision was made in partnership with Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB).

Although severe weather is rare as we get further into the spring months, it can still happen and we want our community to be prepared. If severe weather happens, we will follow our severe weather administrative procedure. Staff, students and families can anticipate being notified of cancellations or closures by 6 a.m. through the WRDSB website, your school website, and WRDSB social media channels. If nothing is posted on our website or social media channels by 6 a.m., it is a regular school day.

Here are the different situations that transportation cancellations and/or school closures can happen due to severe weather:

Situation 1

  • Due to the current weather conditions, all school buses, taxis and special education routes are CANCELLED. All WRDSB schools are open.
  • All Before and After School programs and Child Care Centres located in schools are OPEN.
  • Education Centre is OPEN.

Situation 2

  • Due to the current weather conditions, all school buses, taxis and special education routes in Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich Townships are CANCELLED. All WRDSB schools are open.
  • Transportation in all other areas is operating.
  • All Before and After School programs and Child Care Centres located in schools are OPEN.
  • Education Centre is OPEN.

Situation 3

  • Due to the current weather conditions, all school buses, taxis and special education routes in Wellesley, Wilmot, Woolwich and North Dumfries Townships are CANCELLED. All WRDSB schools are open.
  • Transportation in all other areas is operating.
  • All Before and After School programs and Child Care Centres located in schools are OPEN.
  • Education Centre is OPEN.

Situation 4

  • Due to the current weather conditions, all school buses, taxis and special education routes are CANCELLED. All WRDSB schools and sites are CLOSED.
  • All evening rental permits are CANCELLED.
  • All Before and After School programs and Child Care Centres located in schools are CLOSED.
  • Education Centre is CLOSED.
  • All WRDSB students will participate in a Weather Impacted Remote Learning day. Educators in both the in-person and remote learning programs will provide asynchronous learning resources from home. Staff will be available virtually to students during the regular school day hours. Students should visit their respective virtual classrooms and/or WRDSB@Home for resources.

Situation 5

  • Due to the current frigid temperatures, all school buses, taxis and special education routes are CANCELLED. All WRDSB schools are open. 
  • All Before and After School programs and Child Care Centres located in schools are OPEN to those students who can safely arrive to school under the supervision and/or direction of their parents. 
  • Education Centre is OPEN.
  • In the interest of student safety, parents are reminded that today’s frigid temperatures present a risk of frostbite to exposed skin and they must ensure their children are properly dressed for today’s frigid temperatures. Parents must also take into consideration that there may not be crossing guard service as a result of the frigid temperatures.

Have Questions?

If schools are open, but I don’t think it is safe to send my child(ren) to school, what should I do?

If you feel that it is unsafe to send your child(ren) to school and you make the decision to keep your child(ren) home, you should call the school attendance line and let the school know. There is no penalty for making this decision.

If schools are closed, do students learn remotely?

Yes, if school are closed, all WRDSB students will participate in a Weather Impacted Remote Learning day. Educators in both the in-person and remote learning programs will provide asynchronous learning resources from home. Staff will be available virtually to students during the regular school day hours. Students should visit their respective virtual classrooms and/or WRDSB@Home for resources.

If you have more questions, please visit the frequently asked questions (FAQ) page.