Inclement Weather

During the time of the season when inclement weather may affect the safety and welfare of students and staff and, in particular, when extreme weather events have the potential to cause classes to be postponed or some School District 46 services to be suspended, current information will be updated continuously on the district website and our Twitter and Facebook pages (@SD46SC). 

We will also provide 91.7 Coast FM with information about the status of our facilities and transportation services.

In addition, staff and parents/caregivers will receive a direct email and phone message.

We will also contact parents/caregivers in the event of an emergency release of students during the school day.

Individual school closures or delayed starts due to unique circumstances (e.g., power outages) will be announced as early as possible through direct email and by phone and on the district or impacted school’s website.

There may be times when bus routes will not be operating as usual, or when schools in the district are closed. The following outlines how these decisions are made.

BUS CANCELLATIONS

The most likely reason for the cancellation of bus service will be extreme weather conditions, in which case one or more bus routes in the district may be cancelled. The decision to run school buses and school bus safety rests with our school bus provider, Diversified Transportation. They will determine whether or not to cancel one or more bus routes after carefully assessing local road conditions after extreme weather warnings/events. The district then communicates to all families the decision made by the bus company regarding school buses through our phone and email systems, the district website, and social media channels.

It is very important that you take note of what route(s) your child(ren) ride(s) on.

WHEN BUSES ARE OPERATING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER

When road conditions are poor, some of the less maintained and more dangerous roads (i.e. winding, steep) may be determined unsafe to drive. Our school bus provider may indicate, and we will communicate a safer pick-up and drop-off location.

If buses are running more than fifteen minutes late, the school bus providers will advise the principals and vice-principals of the affected schools, who will then inform the families impacted.

SCHOOL CLOSURES

The closure of schools in the district may occur when we are experiencing extreme weather conditions, or when it is simply unsafe to ask parents/caregivers and staff to report to school due to hazardous road conditions.

If there is snowfall overnight and accumulating in the morning, we make every attempt to make a call about school closures/delayed starts prior to the morning pickup of children by the buses. We aim to determine by 7 a.m. whether or not to close or delay the start of schools in the district after assessing the situation.

The safety of students and staff is our first priority. Specifically, student safety is a shared responsibility. Parents/caregivers are responsible for their child’s safe travel to school. If for any reason a parent/caregiver feels that a child cannot travel safely to school, they should make other arrangements for their child(ren). Students will not be penalized for absences due to extreme weather events. The decision to attend school is the responsibility of each family. Please remember to contact your child’s school office to inform them of your child’s absence if you decide to keep them home from school when schools remain open. 

Parents/caregivers are encouraged to establish an emergency plan for their children if schools are closed, the school’s start time is delayed, or students are dismissed early.

Please remember that all students need to dress warmly and appropriately for winter weather conditions.

We encourage families to review their own preparations for extreme weather events and ensure that they are familiar with their town’s snow and ice response procedures. We request that you strictly adhere to parking restrictions in and around all Sunshine Coast schools.

With your cooperation and adherence to extreme weather procedures, we can help achieve safe conditions for students, staff and families travelling to and from school.

Please view Regulation 3130: Inclement Weather for more.