Important changes on bus cancellation days and inclement weather days in the UGDSB

Posted November 20, 2020

(Originally posted on November 20, 2020)


Due to COVID-19 restrictions and protocols, there are changes to bus cancellation and inclement weather days in the Upper Grand District School Board in the 2020-21 school year. 

Please read below for important information for students/families in elementary schools and secondary schools. 

BUS CANCELLATION DAYS – ELEMENTARY

When buses are cancelled in Division 1 (Yellow – South Wellington/Guelph/Puslinch) or Division 2 (Blue – Centre Wellington/Erin/Rockwood), elementary schools in those divisions will remain open to students as usual. 

When buses are cancelled in Division 3 (Pink – North Wellington) or Division 4 (Green – Dufferin County), elementary schools in the affected division(s) will be closed to students. All students in those schools will pivot to remote learning for the day and will be supported by their teacher. Before and/or After School Programs will be cancelled at Division 3 and 4 elementary schools on bus cancellation days. 

Students in the Elementary Remote School will continue with instruction as usual.

BUS CANCELLATION DAYS – SECONDARY

When buses are cancelled in Divisions 1, 2, 3, or 4, secondary schools in the affected division(s)* will be closed to students. All students in those schools will pivot to remote learning for the day and will be supported by their teacher. *Please note that Erin DHS will close to students in the event of bus cancellations in either Division 2 or Division 4, due to the high number of buses coming from Division 2 and Division 4. 

Students in the Secondary Remote School will continue with instruction as usual.

EMERGENCY CLOSURE DAYS WHEN SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED TO STUDENTS AND STAFF – ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY

On the rare occasions when schools and board sites are closed to staff and students (e.g. power outages, weather closures formerly known as “System Shutdown”), all students will pivot to remote learning for the day and will be supported by their teacher. Teachers will plan for the possibility of emergency school closures and will be prepared to pivot to remote learning. 

Students in the Elementary and Secondary Remote Schools will continue with instruction as usual. 

WHY CHANGES ARE REQUIRED IN 2020-21

Elementary – Bus Cancellation Days: 

The reason for the above changes on no-bus days in Division 3 and Division 4 elementary schools is because, historically, there have been numerous days where staff at those schools are unable to safely report to work due to road conditions, despite their best efforts. With COVID-19 restrictions around limiting contacts and gatherings, we are unable to combine classes or groups to provide for adequate and safe supervision of students on no-bus days.

Secondary – Bus Cancellation Days:

The reason for the above changes on no-bus days in Divisions 1-4 secondary schools is because under the current quadmester model, no-bus days have the potential to significantly impact student learning, especially when there are multiple no-bus days in a given region. UGDSB secondary schools have a significant number of bused students, therefore a high percentage of the student body would be absent on a no-bus day. Under the quadmester model, these closures would impact the hours needed for secondary students to meet curriculum expectations and obtain a course credit. Therefore, on no-bus days, students will pivot to remote learning and teachers will ensure the continuity of learning for students. 

Emergency closures – When schools are closed to staff and students:

Emergency school closures, when schools are closed to staff and students, have the potential to significantly impact student learning. During the 2020-21 school year as a result of pandemic planning in the board, schools are much better equipped to pivot to remote learning as needed than in the past.

Thank you to all students, families and staff for their continued support as we navigate the school year with all the changes required due to the pandemic. 

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