Good Evening Parents/Guardians and Students,

Thank you for your patience today amid a blizzard that dropped more than 40 cms of snow in some parts of the Greater Toronto Area. I recognize that last night’s last minute change of plans was difficult for many families given the many last minute transitions you’ve endured throughout the pandemic.

This evening, the City of Toronto has declared a major snow storm condition in Toronto in response to the significant snow and is encouraging residents to stay home after this snowfall to allow roads and sidewalks to be cleared properly. 

At the TDSB, we are also faced with a number of concerns:

• Students may not be able to walk to school safely given the road conditions and snow drifts in some neighborhoods. 
• School bus operators say many buses will likely be delayed, experience issues, and in some cases cancellations. 
• While plowing on and around school grounds is underway, it will likely not be complete prior to the start of the school day and schools may or may not be accessible. 
• We know that staff, who live across the GTA, may not be able to make it into school, which would require mixing of classes and cohorts which TPH has asked that we avoid doing except in emergencies as part of the ongoing COVID-19 safety measures. 
• There are 36 TDSB schools that must first have the heavy snow removed from their roofs prior to occupancy, something that could not be done today due to weather and road conditions. Please note that any child care centres located in those schools (listed below) will be closed tomorrow as a result.

With all of this in mind, we have made the decision to close all schools to in-person learning for Tuesday, January 18. Students will not participate in live remote or virtual learning. Where possible, teachers will provide voluntary class work through established online platforms for students who wish to continue their learning. Students may also work on previously-assigned work or spend time reviewing material previously covered.

Please note that child care programs (serving infant, toddler and preschool-aged children) can remain open to families, however families are encouraged to connect directly with the operator to confirm they are open. Before and After-School Programs and Extended Day Programs will be closed. EarlyON programs will be closed to in-person programming, however families can participate in virtual programming.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. 

Sincerely,

 

Colleen Russell-Rawlins

Director of Education

 

 

• Beaumonde Heights JMS
• Briarcrest JS
• Chester ES
• Clinton St. Jr. PS
• Cottingham JPS
• Deer Park J& SPS
• Ellesmere-Statton PS
• Etobicoke CI
• George Vanier SS
• Grenoble PS
• Guildwood JPS
• Humbercrest PS
• Kew Beach JPS
• Malvern CI
• Martingrove CI
• Military Trail PS
• Milne Valley MS
• Park Lane PS
• Perth Avenue JPS
• Rene Gordon Health and Wellness Academy
• Scarlett Heights Enterprise Academy
• Shirley Street JPS
• Three Valleys PS
• Wandering Spirit School
• Warden Ave /Taylor Creek PS
• Western Tech CS
• Westmount JS
• Wexford CS for the Arts
• Woburn CI
• Woodbine MS
• Brookview MS
• Emery MS
• George S Henry Academy
• Northview Heights SS
• Parkdale CI
• Westview Centennial SS