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Anglophone West School District

An Important Message to Parents – School Closures Because of Weather Conditions

Anglophone West School District is committed to the safe and efficient transportation of students.  The District recognizes it may be necessary to cancel bus runs, close schools, or delay school opening to ensure students are not endangered by hazards brought on by poor weather and road conditions.

Approximately 22,855 students attend 69 schools in the following areas: Edmundston, Grand Falls, Plaster Rock, Perth Andover, Bath, Florenceville-Bristol, Centreville, Hartland, Woodstock, Canterbury, Nackawic, Burtts Corner, Harvey, McAdam, the greater Fredericton area, New Maryland, Stanley, Nashwaak Valley, Boiestown, Doaktown, Lincoln, Oromocto, Burton, Gagetown, Geary, Fredericton Junction, Chipman, Minto and Cambridge Narrows. 257 school buses transport approximately 16,966 students, travelling more than six million kilometers each school year.  When a decision is made to close school, delay school opening, cancel bus runs, or delay bus runs, safety is the number one consideration.

Options Considered

• Schools open as usual: no communication required.

• All schools closed for the day: see “Communication” section below.

• A school or schools in a particular zone of the district closed:  see “Communication” section below.

• All school bus routes delayed by one hour: On these occasions, all schools in the district will open at their regular time to receive walking students and drop-off students.  Students arriving late will not be disadvantaged.

• Schools may be closed early on days when it is anticipated that weather conditions may deteriorate significantly.  It is important that parents have alternate arrangements for their children if they or another adult will not be at home to receive the students.  Please ensure that the school has up-to-date contact numbers for parents (work numbers, cell numbers, etc.) and at least one emergency contact.  It will be announced that buses will run their afternoon runs one, two, or three hours earlier than usual, whatever time is determined.

• Power Outage: In the event that a particular school is without power, the school will be opened at the regular time, unless otherwise communicated by the Superintendent.  In some power outage cases, the decision regarding school closure for the day may be deferred from 6:00am to 7:00am. 

Important Notes

• There may be occasions when a particular bus route is hazardous because of varying weather conditions throughout the district.  In cases where the bus driver has a safety concern, he or she has the responsibility to recommend either the cancellation or delay of his/her particular bus run.

• Parents may exercise their right to keep children at home if they believe that the weather and/or road conditions are not suitable.  Students will not be penalized for such absences; however, parents must provide a written excuse to the student’s teacher when the child returns to school.

• There are times when school buses run late for reasons unrelated to weather.  Individual school buses expected to be more than 20 minutes late will be announced whenever possible.  Parents are responsible for the safety of their children at the stop until the bus comes.

School Zones

1. Edmundston

2. Grand Falls, Plaster Rock, Perth-Andover

3. Florenceville-Bristol, Bath, Centreville, Hartland,  Woodstock

4. Canterbury, Nackawic, Burtts Corner, McAdam, Harvey

5. Stanley, Boiestown, Doaktown

6. Greater Fredericton Area (including New Maryland, Keswick Ridge, Nashwaak Valley)

7. Oromocto, Geary, Burton, Lincoln, Fredericton Junction

8. Chipman, Minto

9. Cambridge Narrows, Gagetown

Decision Process

The Superintendent of Schools makes the decision to close schools after district transportation personnel provide current information about weather and road conditions.  The school district transportation department has access to current weather and road conditions throughout the district through the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure road supervisors, a contracted weather information service provider, as well as other internet sites.  Inclement weather predictions are monitored closely throughout the prior evening and again from 5:00 a.m. onward.

Communication

It is a school-based decision to use voice-messaging, if available.  Parents should not rely on this means of notification for information about school closures.  Announcements will be made on local radio stations, through a recorded message that can be heard by dialing the district public information line at 1-888-388-4455 (toll free) or 453-5454 (local calls) any time after 6:00 a.m., and by checking the district website at

www.asd-w.nbed.nb.ca.

The following is a list of radio stations that will be notified of a school closure/delay for announcements: