Public school board outlines severe weather protocol

The Waterloo Region District School Board has made a few changes to its severe weather protocol for the 2022-23 school year and have outlined five scenarios during which transportation and programs will be cancelled or schools closed.

If buses are cancelled due to severe weather, schools will remain open unless it is considered unsafe. 

This decision is made in partnership with Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB).

Although severe weather is rare, it can happen, and the school board says it wants the community to be prepared. If a severe weather event happens, the board says it will follow its severe weather administrative procedure.

Staff, students and families can anticipate being notified of cancellations or closures by 6 a.m. through the WRDSB website, school websites, and WRDSB social media channels. If nothing is posted on the 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 as outlined on the board's website:

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.
• WCSSAA games and competitions are CANCELLED.

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.
• WCSSAA games and competitions are CANCELLED.

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.
• WCSSAA games and competitions are CANCELLED.

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 Before and After School programs and Child Care Centres located in schools are CLOSED.
• All evening rental permits are CANCELLED.
• All events, clubs and sports are CANCELLED.
• Education Centre is CLOSED.
• WCSSAA games and competitions are CANCELLED.
• Students can access asynchronous learning resources in their respective virtual classrooms as available, and/or WRDSB@Home for resources. Students may also work on previously-assigned work or spend time reviewing material previously covered.

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.
• WCSSAA games and competitions are CANCELLED.
• In the interest of student safety, parents/caregivers 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/caregivers must also take into consideration that there may not be a 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?
Students can access asynchronous learning resources in their respective virtual classrooms as available, and/or WRDSB@Home for resources. Students may also work on previously-assigned work or spend time reviewing material previously covered.

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