Dear families,
This year, we are doing many things differently in our schools to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and support the health and safety of our students, staff members and families. As we enter the colder months, we have also reviewed what it will look like when inclement weather days are declared and school transportation is cancelled.
We usually try to keep schools open as much as possible, and in previous years, schools have remained open when school transportation is cancelled. This year, however, given the importance of adhering to our health and safety guidelines, we have made the decision to close schools to students when an inclement weather day is declared and school transportation is cancelled. Please do not send your child to school when an inclement weather day is declared. We are unable to guarantee appropriate coverage for students on inclement weather days when school transportation is closed and classes cannot be combined.
Please take the time to make plans in the event of an inclement weather day school closure. Please note that before and after care programs will not be operating on inclement weather days. For on-site, full-day child care, please confirm with your childcare operator. We recognize that this may be an inconvenience for some families. This decision was not made lightly and made to prioritize the health and safety of students, staff members and families.
There are also rare occasions when school transportation is cancelled due to extreme cold weather and not road conditions, and schools will remain open for students.
Student learning will continue:
- Students attending elementary school in person will be provided with learning activities for the day through their Google classroom and teachers will be available online to support students.
- Students attending secondary school in person will shift to virtual learning for all of their classes for the day.
- Elementary and secondary virtual schools will operate as normal.
Communication to families
Decisions about school transportation and school closures will be made as early as possible and no later than 6:00 a.m. We will do our best to notify families in advance. Our priority continues to be the safety of our students, staff members and families. If you have any questions, please speak with your school principal.
Transportation cancellations or school closures will also continue to be communicated through:
- Student Transportation Services website: www.schoolbuscity.com
- Student Transportation Hotline: 1-877-330-3001
- Board website and school websites
- @YRDSB Twitter account
- Radio and TV media outlets
Families who have provided the school with their cell phone will also receive a text message, unless you have opted out of this service. Please contact your school if you have any questions.
For more information on inclement weather days, please visit our website www.yrdsb.ca.
Sincerley,
Louise Sirisko
Director of Education
Ventura Park PS BLOG 
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