In the event of an extreme weather event​, the ºÚÂí´ÅÁ¦ (GECDSB) has developed procedures intended to reduce the potential of health and safety implications, accidents or injuries to staff and students.
The Board's Health and Safety Department closely monitors and relies on weather alerts provided by Environment Canada to initiate the implementation of our safety and prevention protocols.
2023-2024 Student Transportation Cancellations
For the 2023/24 school year, should student transportation be cancelled due to inclement weather, schools will remain open for in-person learning/support.
Students who are able to arrange for transportation to/from school will receive in-person instruction. For those students who are unable to arrange for alternative transportation, teachers may choose to post asynchronous work at their discretion.
This process is the same for elementary and secondary students, both in the City and the County, depending on the status of their bus transportation due to inclement weather.
Station | Channel |
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CKLW AM | 800 |
CBC | 97.5/91.9 |
89X | 88.7 |
Cool | 100.7 |
Country | 95.9 |
Mix | 96.7 |
The River FM | 93.9 |
Extreme Weather Events
Fog |
In the event of heavy fog which may make travelling unsafe, conditions are reviewed, prior to the commencement of student transportation services by the Transportation Consortium. In consultation with senior administration a decision is made whether to cancel student transportation for the day, or a portion of the day. |
Winter Weather |
The decision to cancel student transportation is made in consultation with the Transportation Consortium, which monitors the weather and have spotters review conditions prior to the commencement of transportation services for the day. Only the Director of Education can make the decision to close schools due to weather conditions. In extreme cold we ensure that staff and students are made aware of cold stress signs and symptoms. They are reminded to:
Consideration should be given to reducing the amount of time students and staff stay outdoors if the temperature and the wind chill factor is -20 degrees Celsius. Children shall be kept indoors during recess / nutrition breaks if the temperature falls below -28 degrees Celsius. |
Heat |
Staff are advised, and have access to administrative procedures, about heat-related safety and prevention techniques and tips:
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Thunderstorms, Tornadoes and Weather Hazards |
If a thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued by Environment Canada outdoor activities may be cancelled. If this occurs during a field trip, student excursion or outdoor activity everyone should be relocated to a safe location. In the event of a tornado warning, procedures from the Board's Emergency Response Admin Procedure should be followed (under Code Tornado). |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do GECDSB schools have air-conditioning? |
There are 70 schools in the GECDSB building inventory. Some are fully air conditioned, others are partially air conditioned and the remainder have specific areas within the school that are air conditioned, which aligns with the Board's policy and regulation on air conditioning. |
Why can't all schools have air conditioning? |
The capital costs to provide full air conditioning to the schools without air conditioning has been estimated to exceed $102 million. |
Why don't GECDSB schools close during extreme heat? |
This decision would put thousands of parents across the district in a challenging position of having to find childcare with very short notice - something we know will not be possible in every case. It's with that in mind that the GECDSB and other school boards across Ontario do not typically close schools due to heat. As always, parents may also choose to keep their children at home during extreme weather. |
How do schools without air conditioning manage the heat? |
During warmer temperatures, there are several actions that schools and staff can take to manage the heat and keep schools, classrooms and students as comfortable as possible, including:
Students with a susceptibility to heat or medical concerns should speak with staff, who will do their best to accommodate. |
How are decisions made for school recess being inside or out? |
From time to time, it is necessary to hold indoor recess or a shortened recess due to inclement weather (rain, extreme cold or heat, severe icy conditions). This decision is typically made at the school level depending on local conditions which can vary widely across the district. |
How can weather affect student activities? |
Outdoor school activities such as sports practices/games may be cancelled due to severe weather. These decisions are typically made on a school-by-school basis. In cases where board-wide activities and programs are cancelled, this will be communicated on the GECDSB website and social media. |
Where can I find more information on extreme weather? |
More information on extreme weather can be found by visiting the |
Tips for Families
Summer and Winter can be wonderful times to play outdoors. Please dress for the weather. Participating in summer and winter sports will help keep the whole family healthy, but injuries can spoil the fun. Here's how to keep kids safe during summer and winter play.
Summer outdoor play |
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Summer safety tips |
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Winter outdoor play |
All winter activities require warm, dry clothing. To prevent frostbite, children should be dressed in warm clothes, including:
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Winter safety tips |
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