Inclement Weather

With the cold weather here, we want to remind families how inclement weather impacts student transportation and zone closures.

Who decides to cancel the busses or close school zones and how are the decisions made?

On days of potential inclement weather, the staff of Student Transportation Services – Brant Haldimand Norfolk (STSBHN) and the bus companies, who provide service to our area, are actively reviewing current road conditions and future weather patterns to decide on delayed or cancelled transportation services. As well, STSBHH relies on meteorological professionals and, in each zone, municipal staff who are actually ‘on the roads’ to assist in informing decision-making. Information collected from many sources is the best way to understand current and future weather patterns in all areas of the school district.

As the decision to run, delay or cancel transportation is made in advance of services being provided, including travelling home from school, so there may be some instances where variability exists in what was forecasted versus what occurs.

Zone or district-wide transportation cancellations result in the corresponding school building closures with one exception – extremely cold weather. If Environment Canada identifies that the air temperature, with wind chill, is below -30 degrees and a high risk of frostbite could occur in 10 minutes or less, transportation will be cancelled but schools and facilities may remain open. This will be determined at 5:45 a.m. and messaged out accordingly. The cancellation of transportation due to air temperature and bus reliability is to ensure that students are not stranded, without heat, on a disabled bus

Are ALL busses and ALL schools always closed when inclement weather is expected?

Due to the vast geography of the district, it may be determined that one or more zone(s) are to be closed due to inclement weather while others remain open. Families must understand which zone their school is in. The zones are:

  • Norfolk County (Zone 1)
  • Haldimand County (Zone 2)
  • Brant County (Zone 3)
  • City of Brantford (Zone 4)

Zone or district-wide transportation cancellations result in the corresponding school building closures with one exception – extremely cold weather. If Environment Canada identifies that the air temperature, with wind chill, is below -30 degrees and a high risk of frostbite could occur in 10 minutes or less, transportation will be cancelled but schools and facilities may remain open. This will be determined at 5:45 a.m. and messaged out accordingly. The cancellation of transportation due to air temperature and bus reliability is to ensure that students are not stranded, without heat, on a disabled bus

When a decision is made to close one or more zones, the following occurs:

  1. Transportation is cancelled in the affected zone(s).
  2. All schools and Board facilities within the affected zone(s) and all activities, community use of school rentals, training sessions, co-curricular activities, and before and after-school child care programs are closed to students and staff.
  3. STSBHN and BHNCDSB announce cancellation details.

How are cancellations shared with families?

STSBHN and BHNCDSB make every effort to communicate cancellation decisions by 6:30 a.m. Cancellations are shared via STSBHN, BHNCDSB, local media and social media.

The following sources are available for details:

Television

Radio
900 CHML/Y108 (107.9); CD 98.9; CKOT Easy 101; Lite 92 (CKPC), 92.9 The Grand

STSBHN

BHNCDSB

Families should ensure that there is a plan in place for child supervision in the event of transportation delays or school closures.

Students in schools within a closed zone/transportation cancelled on an inclement weather day are provided with asynchronous learning opportunities through the BrightSpace (D2L) platform.
Our decisions are made on information received from many sources, but it is important to remember that ultimately it is up to the parent to decide whether they feel it is safe to send their child to school.
For more information: