Bus Cancellation and School Closures

We try to make any cancellation decisions before 6 a.m.

We know that many people need to start travelling early, so we do our best to make the decision and get information out about cancellations and closures by 6 a.m.

We make decisions about bus cancellations and school closures in consultation with Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB).

STSWR bus operators start monitoring road conditions early in the morning. A recommendation to make any bus cancellations or school closures is discussed with the Director of Educations.

No. Bus cancellations does not automatically mean schools are closed. Schools may still be open to students who can safely arrive to school.

We will post cancellation information on www.wrdsb.ca and through our Twitter and Facebook accounts. You can also find out about bus cancellations or school closings through the following media outlets:

• KFUN FM  99.5
• KOOL FM 105.3
• CKGL AM 570
• CHYM FM 96.7
• DAVE FM 107.5
• CJOY “Magic” FM 106.1
• CKWR FM 98.5
• COUNTRY 106.7
• CKBT “The Beat” FM 91.5
• FAITH FM 94.3
• CTV – Southwestern Ontario

Please visit STSWR’s website for up to date information on bus delays and cancellations.

Frigid temperatures  are temperatures at -35 degrees Celsius with wind chill or colder. If frigid temperatures are forecasted for 7 a.m., buses will not operate.

Please be advised that Crossing Guards may not be available as a result of frigid temperatures.

You can read our Extreme Temperatures policy or our Severe Weather Conditions procedure online.

We try our best to make it clear that schools are open on days that are snowy, icy or super cold. But this can be tricky and not everyone agrees on what days we should announce that we are open as normal. If you don’t see a cancellation or closure message by 6 a.m., then schools and buses are operating normally.

We make it clear if schools are closed, or not. Although we may cancel buses, schools may still be open. If it is safe for students to come to school, they should.

If you make the decision that it is unsafe to come to school, you should call the school attendance line and let the school know that you are keeping your child home. There is no penalty for making this decision.

Extended day programs operate normally on days when buses are cancelled. If your child is registered to attend the extended day program you can drop them off as normal, if you think it is safe to get them to school.

Sometimes we may need to close extended day programs if the weather gets bad or we may need to close programs on non-instructional days like PD Days. If we need to close these programs we will announce our decision in the same way as a regular school day.

Read more about our extended day programs.

If buses are cancelled and schools remain open, some athletics events may still happen, including transportation to these events. The decision to cancel sporting events on these days will depend on the road conditions at the end of the day, the availability of players and more.

You should check with your coach to find out if your game or event will change.

If any buses are cancelled in any area of Waterloo region, we will postpone exams scheduled in all secondary schools. You should talk to your teacher if your exam is rescheduled to find out when the exam will happen.

If we make the decision to close schools, we will cancel all scheduled rentals.

Read more about community use of schools.

No. The Education Centre is an adult place of work and we do not automatically close if schools are closed. We judge the need to close the Education Centre on the safety of the adults who travel there for work or meetings.

Student Transportation Services Waterloo Region provides a service that allows you to get notifications by email and SMS when your bus has been cancelled or is delayed or schools are closed.

You can sign up for alerts on specific bus routes, or general announcements about delays and cancellations.