Grand Erie Issues Winter Weather Reminders as Temperatures Plunge

THURSDAY, NOV. 17, 2022

W

ith winter temperatures here, Grand Erie is reminding families of how the board makes decisions around inclement weather conditions, and where they can find information in the event of weather-related cancellations. 

"Our focus is always on the safety and well-being of our students and staff," said JoAnna Roberto, Director of Education. "The decision to cancel transportation is made when Student Transportation Services believes the forecasted road conditions will not allow for the safe delivery of services during the morning or afternoon commute. Transportation is also cancelled when visibility is expected to be significantly impacted."

When student transportation services are cancelled due to inclement weather, there are two options: closure of all Grand Erie schools or closure by zone. Grand Erie has four zones: Norfolk County (Zone 1), Haldimand County (Zone 2), Brant County (Zone 3) and City of Brantford (Zone 4). Grand Erie students from Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation are included in Zone 2. In the event of transportation cancellations, schools are closed to all students and staff. 

“Where possible, impacted students will be provided with asynchronous learning on inclement weather days,” said Roberto. “These learning opportunities are optional and will provide students with an opportunity to support the continuity of their learning when schools are closed.”

The decision to cancel student transportation services due to inclement weather is made by 6:30 a.m. If Grand Erie schools are closed, the decision will be posted on the board’s website (www.granderie.ca), Twitter account (@GEDSB) and shared with local media. Student Transportation Services Brant Haldimand Norfolk (STSBHN) will also communicate closures to riders, post on Twitter (@STSBHN) and share on its phone line (519-751-7532).

Grand Erie’s Inclement Weather policy also allows for the option to cancel transportation services when there is extreme cold weather. In this case, student transportation services would be cancelled; however, all Grand Erie schools would remain open to students and staff. Extreme cold weather negatively impacts the operation of buses. Extreme cold weather in Grand Erie’s Inclement Weather policy is defined as -30 degrees Celsius (without windchill) at 5 a.m. or a high risk of frostbite (10 minutes or less) as of 5:45 a.m.