Vancouver School Board has procedures that are followed in situations where severe weather, like heavy snowfall or very high winds, might be affecting schools.

All schools in the Vancouver School District will remain open if at all possible during severe weather events. Any district-wide closure will be decided by 7:00 a.m. at the latest. Details of district-wide or individual school closures will be announced through the media and the district website front page.

Please note that no announcement will be made stating that schools are open. Only closures and delayed openings will be announced.

Information about any district-wide closures will be sent to Metro Vancouver radio and television stations. Please check the following stations for school closure information (but do not call them):

Individual school closures due to unique circumstances (e.g. power outages) will be announced as early as possible on the district website as well as on the affected schools’ websites. On occasion, schools may delay the start of the school day. If this happens, specific details will be posted on the school and district websites.

Student safety is the first priority of Vancouver School Board. Schools will be kept open except under extreme circumstances to provide the option of attendance for all, but the decision to attend is the responsibility of each family.

Parents/guardians are responsible for their children's safe travel to and from school. If for any reason a parent/guardian feels that a child cannot travel safely to school, then they should make other arrangements.

During extreme weather conditions it is also common for police and other authorities to advise citizens to avoid unnecessary travel. Parents should take this advice as well. Students will not be penalized for lack of attendance under such poor weather conditions. Students are reminded to wear appropriate clothing for the conditions. When sidewalks and roads are slippery, students walking to school should take extra care.

We encourage you to review your own preparations for severe weather conditions and ensure that you are familiar with the city’s response procedures for those conditions. We request that you strictly adhere to parking restrictions in and around all Vancouver schools. Your child’s school will contact you about any changes to driving routes that may be put into effect on streets adjacent to the school.

Busing

VSB bus transportation will attempt to operate on their normal schedule during days with snow or other severe weather. Significant changes to the bus schedule as a result of weather conditions will be reported on the district website. Should the condition of side streets require a cancellation or change to the operation of school buses for students using the service, affected families will be informed.