Dear Parents/Guardians,

With the colder weather upon us, and the likelihood of severe weather conditions, we want to take this opportunity to review the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Severe Weather Procedure with our schools and families.

From time to time it is necessary to cancel school buses, classes and/or programs due to severe weather. On rare occasions, severe weather makes it necessary to close schools, administrative offices or sites. These decisions can have a significant impact on thousands of families across Toronto and are not taken lightly.

If Environment Canada forecasts poor weather conditions (including ice and significant snow), the Toronto Student Transportation Group (TSTG), the TDSB and Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) teams will assess and monitor the situation overnight and into the early morning in order to determine any necessary bus cancellations and school closures.

• If Busses are Cancelled: As more than 93% of TDSB students who are currently attending in-person school do not use a school bus, schools will remain open. Families must make alternative arrangements to transport their children to school. Students who receive bus transportation receive updates regarding their transportation via TSTG.

• If Busses are Cancelled and Schools are Closed: The decision to close schools (which would include child cares and Extended Day Programs) will be determined by the TDSB and the TCDSB by 6 a.m. in order for families to make alternative arrangements. In addition to updates being posted on the TDSB website and on Twitter, families will receive a notice from School Messenger only if schools are closed. *Please note that Virtual Schools will not operate and we will not be providing remote learning on days when schools are closed due to severe weather.

It’s important to note that when schools remain open on days with severe weather, parents/guardians make the final decision on whether to send their children to school and they can keep children home from school if they choose.

While the Severe Weather Procedure remains the same as it has in previous years, the current COVID-19 pandemic will be an important factor in any decision we make and we will ensure that all necessary health and safety precautions are being followed. With that in mind, staff will continue to closely monitor severe weather impacts on TDSB students, families, staff, and operations, and adjustments will be made if necessary. Please know that the safety and well-being of all students and staff is deeply important to us at the TDSB and we will continue to consult with Toronto Public Health regarding any necessary changes that be needed.

We encourage you to keep this information for your reference at home. Should you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child’s school principal.

Thank you for your ongoing support.