Dear Parents:

During the winter season, we must recognize that there are days when school buses will not be able to operate because of fog, freezing rain or other adverse road conditions. This may be confined to certain areas or necessitate a complete system shut-down for that day.

We wish to draw your attention to the procedures outlined below so that together we can strive to ensure that all children are safe at all times.

A. SCHOOL BUS CANCELLATION/SCHOOL CLOSURE – BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS

Bus operators will consult with their drivers and other monitors to determine road conditions. If conditions appear unsafe, they will contact the Transportation Official for approval to cancel buses.

If there is a decision to cancel, the Transportation Official will contact the radio stations.

Bus cancellation notices affecting our schools will be given out between 6:45 and 8:30 a.m. to:

CHYM FM (FM 96.7) KOOL FM (FM 105.3)
570 News (AM 570) KIX (FM 106.7)
C JOY (AM 1460) DAVE FM (FM 107.5)
MAGIC FM (FM 106.1) KOOL FM (FM 105.3)
OLDIES 1090 (AM 1090) CTV SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO – (Channel 12)
FAITH FM (FM 94.3) THE RECORD (www.therecord.com)

 

Cancellation information is also posted on the Board’s website at www.wcdsb.ca.

1. When morning bus routes have been cancelled, they are cancelled for the day.

2. If buses are cancelled and parents bring their children and/or OTHER CHILDREN to school, it is the parents’ responsibility to pick them up at the end of the school day.

3. Unless a system closure has been announced, all schools will be open during regular hours with the exception of:

St. Agatha which is closed if buses are cancelled before school opens.

B. EARLY SCHOOL DISMISSAL

Emergency dismissal procedures for bus or non-bus students will be followed and implemented by each school. It is the principal’s responsibility to prepare a plan for notifying each family.

Bus students may be dismissed from school at any time during the school day as determined by the Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region. (Bus drivers will be directed to pay particular attention to students whose needs are described in the “Special Education: Student Needs – Transportation Information Form” and to return to the school any students whose safe arrival is uncertain.)
Non-bus students will be dismissed only at the normal dismissal times either at lunch or the end of the school day. (Only if parent/guardian is home and only if certain of safe arrival.)

In the event that a system wide dismissal is called, information will be announced by the radio stations and posted on the Board’s website.

Suggested procedure for parents of children who ride school buses:

a) If you are unable to be home for early dismissal, make arrangements to safeguard your children at a neighbour’s home.

b) Please make sure your children are aware of what they are to do in the event of an early dismissal.

c) Call the school only when absolutely necessary so that you will not tie up the school telephone.

d) Parents are the primary decision makers regarding the safety of their children.

REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT SCHOOLS ARE OPEN AND BUSES ARE RUNNING, IF PARENTS FEEL THAT CONDITIONS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO GO TO SCHOOL, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN AT HOME.