School closures can occur as a result of extreme weather, vulnerabilities with our school building’s infrastructure or any event that could pose the potential of harm to students or staff. Provincial alerts, media announcements, administrative judgement, and collaboration with other Independent Schools, will be ways in which we determine to close for weather-related issues or other emergencies. In the event of a school closure, the following steps will be taken: 

  • Families will be systematically notified from staff members by phone.
  • School administration will follow up with an email to families and staff outlining the event that occurred/is occurring and a justification of the decision by the administration to close the school and an estimated timeline for further communication.
  • Families will receive an email from school administration once a date and time are determined, where students can return to school when it is deemed a safe environment for learning.
  • If deemed safe for staff, school administration will be present at the school to inform any students or families that may not have received notification and have arrived at the school in error.

The most probable cause for a school closure is due to extreme temperatures and a large accumulation of snow during the winter months, making travel treacherous for students waiting at their bus stop and our bus drivers. The decision to call a school closure on account of extreme winter weather is a result of one or all of the following factors:

  • Extreme temperatures including a wind-chill that would cause the potential for students to be unsafe commuting to or from school
  • A large accumulation of snowfall resulting in road closures

Should this occur in the morning, the following procedure will take place:

  • Families will be notified by phone between 6:00 am and 7:00 am
  • An email will be sent by the school administration confirming the closure and a second will follow identifying a return date and time.
  • School administration will be present at the school to inform any students or families that may not have received notification and have arrived at the school.

If a similar event occurs during school time, the following procedure will take place:

  • Families will be notified by phone with a time that buses will arrive to transport students home or if alternate transportation is required.
  • An email will be sent by the school administration confirming the closure and a second will follow identifying a return date and time.
  • School administration will be present at the school until students and staff have safely evacuated the building.