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Inclement Weather and Bus Cancellations Updates

Originally posted November 20, 2020

Inclement Weather Procedures

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Each year, the Wellington Catholic District School Board is faced with school bus transportation cancellations due to inclement weather. In most cases when bus transportation has been cancelled, our schools have remained open. Due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, we have reviewed our procedures and have made adjustments that impact three of our county schools. The schools impacted have received notification of these changes. All other school procedures remain the same.

Bus Cancellations Communications:

On days when inclement weather is deemed to present a significant risk to the safe operation of school bus transportation for our students, Wellington-Dufferin Student Transportation Service (STWDSTS) cancels school buses in the morning and posts the information on their website and Twitter account. Cancellations are made at  6:15 a.m. and are communicated at that time.
Website:  https://stwdsts.ca/  Twitter: @STWDSTS

Elementary Schools and Bus Cancellations - 2020-21 

Division 1 (Guelph Schools) - If there is a bus cancellation in Division 1, schools will remain open to students. 

Division 2 (Elora, Fergus, Rockwood, Erin) - If there is a bus cancellation in Division 2, schools will remain open to students, with the exception of St. John Brebeuf, which will be closed to students. St. John Brebeuf (Erin) students will have access to remote learning during bus cancellation days.

Division 3 (Arthur, Mount Forest) - If there is a bus cancellation in Division 3, schools will be closed to students. St. Mary, Mount Forest and St. John, Arthur students will have access to remote learning during bus cancellation days. 

Secondary Schools and Bus Cancellations  - 2020 -21

If there are bus cancellations in Divisions 1, 2, or 3, our four secondary schools, located in Guelph, will remain open to students.

Bus Cancellations and COVID -19 Protocols 

The changes being implemented this year are as a result of new COVID-19 health and safety protocols and student supervision requirements. In the three schools impacted, we have experienced situations where staff are unable to travel to work due to weather and road conditions. In order to provide adequate student supervision on those days, classrooms have been combined and/or groups of students congregated together in the library, gymnasium or other classrooms. With COVID-19 and related public-health guidance, we are no longer able to mix students and staff from different cohorts in this manner. 

As we approach winter weather conditions, please continue to monitor the Student Transportation Services website for updates on bus cancellations.  

Thank you for your understanding and support as we adjust to these new situations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

School Closures due to Inclement Weather or Other Emergency - (Updated)

The closure of schools due inclement weather or other emergency are a rare occurrence.  
We recognize that families of students attending school in-person may not have access to all of the necessary technology or learning materials at home in these unplanned disruptions and may require flexibility throughout the day as they manage through unexpected circumstances.
As in the past, these days are opportunities to review key learning concepts, complete assignments and unfinished work, etc. The focus on these days is largely centered on review of learning. 
Additional information may be posted to your child's D2L page or classroom website by mid-morning (approx. 10:15 a.m.) with further instructions and suggested learning and review activities that can be accessed throughout the day.  
 
Virtual school students should check their D2L page for additional details about any changes to their day.