While our winters in Manitoba can be cold, they can also be very enjoyable and fun for our students and families!
- Please remember to send appropriate winter clothing with your child/ren every day (ski pants, toques, mitts, warm winter jacket and winter boots). We also please ask that all clothing and boots are properly labelled with the child's name or initials. Thank you!
- Students need to dress appropriately during the school year. Students spend one hour outside per day for recesses (15 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes in the afternoon, and 30 minutes over the noon hour). Additionally, physical education classes are outside occasionally. Please ensure your children are dressed appropriately so they are comfortable and warm when they spend time outside.
- Outdoor recesses will continue throughout the winter months. Recesses are cancelled and students will remain indoors during recess time when the windchill temperature falls to -28 degrees Celsius or below. During these times students will remain in their classroom and play inside.
During our winter months there is potential for cancellations or for school to be cancelled. These cancellations or closures can be caused by extreme temperatures and/or transportation safety issues. Our plan is to communicate cancelled classes/school closures through our Instagram and Twitter accounts, as well as our school website. Western School Division does the same and will also report it to the radio stations. The school is not open to students on these days. If weather conditions develop that makes travel by school buses unsafe, a decision to cancel buses and/or classes will be made by 7:30 a.m. This decision will be broadcast on the following radio stations: CFAM 950 AM, CBC 990 AM, CJOB 680 AM, CKMW 88.9 FM, and CJEL 93.5 FM. Notification will also be posted on the Western School Division website, and tweeted on the Division’s Twitter account @WesternSD_MB. Parents/Guardians may also be notified via school communications systems.
Bussing may be cancelled due to any one or a combination of the following factors, bearing in mind that student safety is of prime concern: low temperatures (-35°C) or high wind chill values (at or below -45°C Wind Chill Index), poor visibility, unsafe road conditions (Manitoba Highways or driver recommendations). If unacceptable weather and/or road conditions develop during the school day where classes are already in progress, classes will continue as regular and all afternoon bus routes will be cancelled. The Billeting Procedure will be implemented. If weather conditions improve and permit, classes will continue as regular the following morning and busses will follow normal route procedures. In the case of late cancellation, drivers shall attempt to contact the parents/guardians of the students on their route.
Please note: Parents have the right to keep children at home if the weather and/or road conditions are severe, regardless of the decision of Western School Division.
