Editor's note: Meteorologists are saying the Lower Mainland may see its first snowfall of the season Sunday night or early Monday. With that in mind, the Delta School District released the following reminder for parents, guardians, students and staff:
As winter weather approaches, we want to remind parents/guardians, students and staff of the Delta School District’s winter weather procedures and announcements.
All schools in the Delta School District will remain OPEN if at all possible during winter weather, including snowfalls. Any district-wide closure will be decided by 7:00 a.m. at the latest and will be announced through the media as well as through the District and school websites.
Please note that no announcement will be made stating that schools are open. Only closures and delayed openings will be announced.
Information about any district-wide closures will be sent to Metro Vancouver radio and television stations.
Please check the following stations for school closure information:
Radio: CBC AM 690/88.1 FM; CKNW AM 980, News AM 1130, Fairchild AM 1470.
Television: Global BC, CBC TV, CTV BC, City TV.
Announcements of school closures or delayed openings will be posted on the school district’s website. Individual school closures due to unique circumstances (e.g., power outages) will be announced as early as possible on the district website as well as on the affected schools’ websites.
On occasion, schools may delay the start of the school day; if this happens, specific details will be posted on the school and District websites.
We encourage you to check your school website in the morning, listen to local media and/or check the Delta School District Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Student safety is the first priority of the Delta School District. Parents/guardians are responsible for their children's safe travel to and from school. If, for any reason, a parent/guardian feels that a child cannot travel safely to school, then they should make other arrangements. Schools will be kept open except under extreme circumstances to provide the option of attendance for all, but the decision to attend is the responsibility of each family.
During extreme weather conditions it is also common for police and other authorities to advise citizens to avoid unnecessary travel. Parents should take this advice as well. Students will not be penalized for lack of attendance under such poor weather conditions.
This is also a reminder to all students to dress warmly and wear appropriate clothing. Sidewalks and roads can be extremely slippery and so students walking to school are advised to take extra care.
At this time, we encourage you to review your own preparations for winter weather and ensure that you are familiar with your municipality’s snow and ice response procedures. We request that you strictly adhere to parking restrictions in and around all Delta schools. Your child’s school will contact you about any changes to driving routes that may be put into effect on streets adjacent to the school.
With your cooperation and adherence to winter weather procedures, we can help achieve safe conditions for students travelling to and from school. Please put safety first.
School buses for students with special needs will attempt to operate on their normal schedule during days with snow. Significant changes to the bus schedule as a result of weather conditions will be reported on the district website. Should the condition of side streets require a change to the operation of school buses for our students with special needs, or any cancellation of service, affected families will be informed.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during the winter months ahead.
Doug Sheppard
Superintendent of Schools
Links:
Metro Vancouver Weather Forecast – Environment Canada
The Weather Network - Delta