Inclement Weather Guidelines

In the interest of student health, safety and well-being, the Board supports students being outdoors during recess periods and whenever possible. Schools will, however, take appropriate measures to keep students safe during inclement weather, based on information received from Environment and Climate Change Canada, Durham Region Public Health, and local conservation authorities.

When temperatures drop, we take extra care to keep everyone safe and warm. You can find additional information on how to stay safe in cold weather at the Durham Region website and from Environment and Climate Change Canada.   

What We Do

  • Keep an eye on weather alerts and conditions.
  • Provide warm indoor areas for work and breaks. 
  • Watch for signs of cold-related illnesses.  
  • Adjust outdoor activities or schedules when needed. 
  • Encourage appropriate footwear and warm, layered clothing that covers exposed skin. 

Outdoor Temperature and Windchill Guidelines  

When cold weather alerts are issued, schools will decide to reduce time spent outdoors or keep students indoors to prevent risk of frostbite or other cold-related injuries. The following may be used as guidance:  

  • Temperature of -15°C or windchill of -20: The length of time spent outdoors may be shortened, or students may be kept indoors. 
  • Temperature of -28°C or windchill of -28: Students will be kept indoors due to the risk of frostbite or other cold-related injuries.

As temperatures rise, schools will implement measures to keep students cool and prevent heat-related illnesses. For additional information on heat safety visit the Region of Durham's Extreme Heat and Humidity webpage.

What We Do 

  • Remind students and staff to drink water and stay hydrated.  
  • Make indoor cooling areas available. 
  • Watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. 
  • Adjust outdoor activities to reduce heat exposure.  
  • Increase rest periods and re-locate activities to cool shaded areas where possible. 
  • Open windows and doors to allow air to circulate where effective and applicable. 
  • Use blinds, curtains, or reflective coatings on windows to reduce direct sunlight. 
  • Encourage lightweight, loose, breathable clothing. 
  • Promote sun safety: shade, hats, sunscreen, sunglasses. 

Outdoor Temperature Guidelines  

  • A heat warning is issued if, for two consecutive days, temperatures are expected to be at least 31°C during the day and overnight temperatures are at least 20°C or Humidex is at least 40. 

The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a tool designed to communicate the health risk associated with the current air quality. It measures common air pollutants known to cause health problems and provides an AQHI rating from 1 to 10+, depending on the potential health risk of the air pollution level.

You can find additional information on how to stay safe during periods of poor air quality at the Durham Region website. 

Safety Guidelines 

  • AQHI 7-10: Strenuous outdoor activities are reduced or rescheduled for at-risk individuals and for those experiencing symptoms such as coughing or throat irritation.    
  • AQHI above 10: Strenuous outdoor activities are reduced or re-scheduled. Children should avoid outdoor physical exertion.  

Additional precautions may be taken to manage wildfire smoke including: 

  • Adjusting school ventilation as required. 
  • Keeping windows closed.

Inclement Weather Leading to Bus Cancellations and Delays

From time to time, severe weather may affect student transportation and school operations across Durham Catholic District School Board. Decisions to cancel buses or close schools are made with student and staff safety as the top priority and are not taken lightly.

Bus Cancellations and Delays

For bus cancellation and delay information, we encourage families to: 

  • Check the alerts on the DSTS website: https://www.dsts.on.ca/
  • Create an account for the DSTS Family Portal, where they can subscribe to receive email alerts for their child(ren)’s bus route(s). Please note that parents and guardians will require their child(rens) Ontario Education Number (OEN) to subscribe.
  • DSTS also has a 24-hour automated information phone line, available at 1-866-908-6578 or 905-666-6979. The DSTS main office line can be reached during business hours at 905-666-6395.

How Decisions Are Made

Transportation (DSTS) monitoring
Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS) consults municipal partners and bus operators while tracking Environment Canada and media forecasts. DSTS reviews conditions by 6:30 a.m. and recommends one of three outcomes: buses operate, buses cancelled, or buses cancelled by zone.

Board decision for schools and sites
DCDSB reviews DSTS recommendations, local conditions, and operational considerations before determining school status. On rare occasions, DCDSB may close some schools or all schools when weather poses significant risk. 

What May Happen on an Inclement Weather Day

  • DSTS may cancel buses for specific weather zones due to variable terrain and more severe conditions in a specific area on a given day. Check your child’s zone on the DSTS website and the list of schools served in each zone.  
  • Families who rely on busing in the impacted zone must make alternate arrangements to get students to school if they wish to do so.
  • Parents/guardians always have the final say on attendance when weather is a concern.
  • When buses are cancelled in a weather Zone, they are cancelled for the remainder of the day (i.e. if buses are cancelled in the morning, they are also cancelled in the afternoon)

  • Families who rely on busing must make alternate arrangements to get students to school if they wish to do so. As always, parents make the decision as to whether or not their children should attend school during inclement weather conditions.
  • Student absence due to inclement weather will not negatively affect attendance records or academic assessments. Please report absences per your school’s regular process.
  • When buses are cancelled, they are cancelled for the remainder of the day.

  • When conditions require it, DCDSB will close some schools, or in rare cases, all schools and offices.
  • Child care operators in DCDSB schools will contact their families directly. 

DSTS Bus Cancellations and Delays Subscribe to the DSTS Family Portal

Stay Informed

Staff will continue to monitor inclement weather impacts on DCDSB students, families, staff, and operations. Adjustments will be made if necessary.

Visit the following websites to stay up to date on cancellations or closures due to inclement weather:

Other Resources