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Safety Reminders for Winter Weather Conditions

Winter weather conditions are forecast this week and parents/guardians are cautioned to take extra care with students traveling to and from school. Please note the following:

• All students should be well prepared for conditions caused by low temperatures and high wind chills.  Parents/guardians should ensure their children have suitable outdoor clothing for the lunch hour and scheduled breaks.

• Cold weather or heavy snowfalls can result in bus schedules being unavoidably delayed. Buses will run as close to schedule as possible, but delays do occur and should be expected.

• Students should not be left unattended at bus stops. Parents should form an emergency plan with their children so they have clear instructions about what to do if the bus does not arrive.

• Children should be dressed appropriately for the cold weather. Unexpected mechanical problems may occur which can cause buses to cool off very quickly.

During the winter months, it is necessary on occasion to temporarily close a school or schools when weather conditions might endanger the safety of students. The Superintendent of Schools has authority on behalf of the Board, to temporarily close a school or schools. A number of factors go into this decision, including the conditions of: roads near schools, school grounds, school bus routes, and whether facilities are fully operational.  If parents/guardians believe their local conditions are unsafe, they may keep their child at home or arrange for his/her early dismissal.

We strive to keep our schools open to provide a safe, warm and secure environment for attending students.  We advise parents/guardians to check our website if they are uncertain of school closures. Announcements will be clearly posted on the homepage.  Information will also be provided via the radio stations along with the School Division Facebook page and School Division Twitter account.