February 23 – All schools open & buses are running
Posted February 23, 2015
Transportation is running and schools are open today.
Categories: Broadcast
Why were our schools closed Friday?
Posted February 23, 2015
The WRDSB has put in place a frigid temperature threshold in our severe weather procedure primarily for three reasons related to the safety of our students:
1. According to Environment Canada, at -35C exposed skin can freeze within 10 minutes. Environment Canada indicates that in temperatures between -28 to -39 there is a high risk of exposed skin freezing (frostnip or frostbite). This temperature is very unusual for our region and some students may not have the appropriate clothing to protect themselves.
2. Most students will take longer than 10 minutes to walk to school and the bused students may wait for an extended period of time should any bus be delayed.
3. We are unable to guarantee crossing guard service to our students as individual crossing guards have a right to maintain their safety given that they are exposed for extended periods of time in frigid temperatures.
The Education Centre remains open and is fully operational.
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Categories: Broadcast
February 20 – All Schools are Closed & Buses Cancelled
Posted February 20, 2015
Due to frigid temperatures, all schools are closed today and all buses are cancelled. All Extended Day Programs are also closed. The Education Centre remains open for those who can safely arrive to work.
Categories: Broadcast
When do Schools Close Due to Weather?
Posted February 19, 2015
Our procedure for severe weather provides guidelines and expectations for school closings due to severe weather, and how this information is communicated to our families.
Severe weather refers to conditions such as ice, fog, rain, sleet, snow, wind and/or frigid temperatures and wind chills. We consider a frigid temperature to be -35C with wind chill, or colder.
The general manager of Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) will monitor weather and temperatures in the region beginning at 5:30am, using Environment Canada’s wind chill index. If the temperature is forecasted to reach or exceed -35C with wind chill at 7:00am, buses will not operate and schools will be closed. The education centre will be open to those employees who can safely arrive to work.
How do we communicate cancellations or closures?
Decisions relating to cancellations and closures are made by 6:00am. Any cancellations and closures will be posted on our website and school websites. Information will also be available on our twitter account (@wrdsb). We encourage you to monitor our website and listen to local media for up-to-date cancellation and closures.
Parents have the option of keeping their children at home when concerned about weather conditions.
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Categories: Broadcast
Transportation Eligibility for 2015-2016
Posted February 3, 2015
Parents and students are now able to determine whether they are eligible for transportation in September 2015. Go to www.stswr.ca, choose Transportation Eligibility, change the School Year to 2015-2016, and fill in your address, school board and grade. For questions, please contact STSWR at (519) 650-4934 ext. 221