School Climate Surveys Are Here!

Posted April 30, 2015

School climate surveys are important tools which help schools assess the current culture within a school. The survey captures perceptions from students, parents and staff relating to issues such as character development, equity and inclusion, safe schools, and variables that contribute to a healthy school environment. Please take the opportunity to complete the Safe Caring […]

UPDATE: Important Notice for Elementary Students & Families

Posted April 29, 2015

Potential job action by elementary teachers province-wide The purpose of this letter is to update Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) families on the status of labour negotiations with elementary teachers. At the provincial/central bargaining table, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) filed for conciliation and made the request for a No-Board Report. On April 24, […]

Important Notice for Elementary Students & Families

Posted April 22, 2015

Potential job action by Waterloo Region District School Board Secondary teachers. You may have heard about the possibility of labour disruption at the Waterloo District School Board (WRDSB). We would like to assure you that this is currently an issue affecting secondary schools, not elementary schools. The collective agreements for all unionized school board employees […]

Register Now for the PIC Family Event!

Posted April 1, 2015

Registration is now open for the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) Family Event ‘Building Skills to Navigate the School Years’, April 18, 2015, Bluevale Collegiate Institute. This FREE event is open to parents, guardians and the community. Keynote speaker, Lesley Andrews, will share with us her inspiring story of ‘overcoming the odds’ to follow her passion […]

New Pilot Funding Initiative for Schools

Posted March 23, 2015

The Waterloo Region District school board has partnered with My Class Needs, a not-for-profit foundation associated with Curriculum Services Canada, to offer a unique opportunity to support classroom teachers in securing additional resources to support student learning, well-being and achievement. The program provides grants for materials/services up to a maximum of $750 per class. To qualify, […]

February 23 – All schools open & buses are running

Posted February 23, 2015

Transportation is running and schools are open today.

Why were our schools closed Friday?

Posted February 23, 2015

The WRDSB has put in place a frigid temperature threshold in our severe weather procedure primarily for three reasons related to the safety of our students:

1. According to Environment Canada, at -35C exposed skin can freeze within 10 minutes. Environment Canada indicates that in temperatures between -28 to -39 there is a high risk of exposed skin freezing (frostnip or frostbite). This temperature is very unusual for our region and some students may not have the appropriate clothing to protect themselves.

2. Most students will take longer than 10 minutes to walk to school and the bused students may wait for an extended period of time should any bus be delayed.

3. We are unable to guarantee crossing guard service to our students as individual crossing guards have a right to maintain their safety given that they are exposed for extended periods of time in frigid temperatures.

The Education Centre remains open and is fully operational.

Read more about Why were our schools closed Friday? »

February 20 – All Schools are Closed & Buses Cancelled

Posted February 20, 2015

Due to frigid temperatures, all schools are closed today and all buses are cancelled. All Extended Day Programs are also closed. The Education Centre remains open for those who can safely arrive to work.

When do Schools Close Due to Weather?

Posted February 19, 2015

Our procedure for severe weather  provides guidelines and expectations for school closings due to severe weather, and how this information is communicated to our families.

Severe weather refers to conditions such as ice, fog, rain, sleet, snow, wind and/or frigid temperatures and wind chills. We consider a frigid temperature to be -35C with wind chill, or colder.

The general manager of Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) will monitor weather and temperatures in the region beginning at 5:30am, using Environment Canada’s wind chill index. If the temperature is forecasted to reach or exceed -35C with wind chill at 7:00am, buses will not operate and schools will be closed. The education centre will be open to those employees who can safely arrive to work.

How do we communicate cancellations or closures?

Decisions relating to cancellations and closures are made by 6:00am. Any cancellations and closures will be posted on our website and school websites. Information will also be available on our twitter account (@wrdsb). We encourage you to monitor our website and listen to local media for up-to-date cancellation and closures.

Parents have the option of keeping their children at home when concerned about weather conditions.

Read more about When do Schools Close Due to Weather? »

February 2 – All Schools CLOSED

Posted February 2, 2015

Due to weather, ALL schools are CLOSED today. All Extended Day Programs are closed as well. The Education Centre is open for those who can get there safely.

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