TORONTO — Students in the Greater Toronto Area may have to wait one more day before returning to class.
A significant snowstorm in the region from Sunday evening through Monday is threatening to delay plans to reopen publicly funded schools in Toronto and surrounding areas.
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) on Sunday evening advised its students to be prepared to attend online classes if schools are closed and school buses are canceled due to heavy snowfall.
“Whereas we shared last month that if the buses are cancelled, it will be a normal “snow day” (no live learning), as the whole system is already learning remotely for almost two weeks and Considering the disruption in learning of students, we feel it would be best to extend distance learning in kindergarten by an additional day up to class 12,” TDSB said in a message posted on its website.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) also confirmed on Sunday that students will have to attend classes if in-person learning is canceled due to the storm.
“While we shared TCDSB’s inclement weather protocol last month, given the unique circumstances with school staff and students already learning/working for the past two weeks, we realized that in kindergarten up to class 12, It would be best for the students to continue with distance learning. For an additional day, to avoid any further disruption in learning,” the TCDSB said.
Environment Canada initially issued a snowfall warning for the Toronto area early Sunday, but upgraded its advisory to a winter storm warning late this evening.
The federal agency has warned that by Monday evening the region could receive between 25 and 35 cm of snow.
“Snow, sometimes heavy, is possible on Monday morning with maximum snowfall rates of 3 to 5 centimeters per hour, which will significantly reduce visibility,” Environment Canada said.
“Locally blowing snow is also possible on Monday afternoon and evening with northwesterly to northeasterly winds.”
Snowfall is likely to subside from Monday night.
The TDSB and TCDSB said they would inform parents and students about school closures or bus cancellations at 6 am.
Here’s what other school boards in GTA are planning for Monday’s snow storm:
Peel District School Board
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
York Area District School Board
York Catholic District School Board
Durham District School Board
Durham Catholic District School Board
Halton District School Board
Halton Catholic District School Board
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