Inclement weather procedures

Transportation

Wellington-Dufferin Student Transportation Services has inclement weather procedures for school busses which are common for all five of the school board members. For more information, visit the WDSTS website.

Extreme weather during the school day

The Upper Grand District School Board has additional extreme weather procedures in place for its own schools. The board's Senior Administration also provides direction to principals to deal with isolated weather incidents, as required. For additional information on extreme weather conditions speak to your school principal.

Recess/Lunch during conditions of extreme cold

At the request of principals, a specific wind chill standard has not been adopted by the Upper Grand District School Board to determine if students should be kept in at these times. Principals are required to be sensitive to the safety and well-being of students during periods of severe weather. The decision to keep students in during recess/lunch/nutrition break or to shorten their time outdoors is made by the principal or designate of each school using sound judgement and in consideration of the following:

• Recess provides a necessary break for students. Physical activity and socialization refresh students and help them to be more successful in the learning activities that follow a recess break. Principals will allow outdoor recess whenever possible.
• The safety and well-being of students must be ensured, and during severe weather conditions, student safety is the primary concern of principals. Principals will make the decision to keep students inside or shorten an outside break when the conditions warrant such action.
• The specifics of the local situation are considered. Some schools have protected areas where weather conditions are mitigated. Others are very exposed.
• Principals may discuss their plans with neighbouring schools as part of the decision-making process and consider input from other staff members.

Fire alarm procedures in winter

If a school must be evacuated during the winter months as a result of a fire alarm, fire, or other emergency situation, principals follow these guidelines to ensure student safety from smoke and possible fire, and exposure to winter weather conditions.

• All students are expected to wear shoes or boots upon exiting the building.
• Principals establish a process by which K-6 students take warm winter clothing outside for a fire alarm.
• Teachers constantly remind students of the need to wear shoes in the school building at all times.

You can help ensure your child’s safety by providing a pair of shoes to be worn in the school during winter and periods of inclement weather, and by reminding your child of the importance of wearing shoes at all times in school.