School Closure Policy

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During the winter months, storms are a fact of life for residents of the South Shore of Nova Scotia. Occasionally, particularly during the winter, we may have to cancel school because of inclement weather or dangerous road conditions.

The decision to cancel school is not made lightly and is arrived at through only after consulting with Environment Canada and several private weather forecasting services, and after checking with Transportation and Public Works road crews in several different parts of the region. Factors taken into account when making the decision in current weather and road conditions, weather and road condition forecasts and, most importantly, the safety of children while walking to school, waiting for the bus or travelling on the bus.

Weather conditions can vary greatly in different parts of the region and can change dramatically within a few hours. This increases the difficulty in making the best decision for our students.

The decision to cancel school is normally made by 6:30 a.m. When that decision is made, CKBW and CBC Radio One are notified and the information is posted on our website. An announcement is also sent by email to parents who have registered for the service on our website. To register for the service, click here.

Occasionally, we may have to close schools during the day to ensure students get home before weather becomes severe. In such cases, the provincial road report is closely monitored, as is Environment Canada's Weather Service and several private services. When a decision is made to close schools early because of deteriorating weather conditions, announcements will be made on CKBW and CBC Radio One. In addition, the information will be posted on our website and an email bulletin will be broadcast to subsribers.

In addition, our elementary schools all have organized telephone trees which are used to contact parents or designated alternates when an early closure occurs. Please make sure your child knows what arrangements have been made for him or her, if school closes early.

There will also be times when a school bus runs late because of road, weather, traffic or mechancial conditions. When this happens CKBW and CBC Radio One will air announcement indicating that the bus has been delayed for a certain amount if time. For example, it a bused is delayed by 30 minute, the radio stations will carry that announcement and students are expected to meet the bus 30 minutes later than they normally would.

Suggestions for Parents

  • Listen to CKBW or CBC Radio One between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. if there is any question whether schools will be open that day.
  • Do not call the Board office or the radio stations to inquire about the school status, since that will only tie up telephone lines which may be needed for other purposes.
  • Don't drop off your child at school unless you are certain that the school is operating that day.
  • Make alternate arrangements for your child in case school is closed during the day for any reason. Ensure that your child is aware of these arrangements. You may also wish to share this information with your child's home room teacher.
  • If your child is in Primary to Grade 3, please provide your child's homeroom teacher with written instruction where your child should go if niether you nor the emergency contact can be reached by the telephone tree.

When conditions are questionable and schools are open, the final decision as to whether you child attends school that day always rests with you, the parent or guardian.