Snow and Weather Update
With snow in the forecast, please see this information from Comox Valley Schools School Emergency Information.
There will be occasions when schools must temporarily close due to inclement weather, power outages or for emergency reasons. The superintendent may make the decision to temporarily close any or all district schools when the safety of students and staff may be compromised.
On snow days in the morning, any district-wide or partial-district closures will be decided and communicated by 6:30 a.m. via the Comox Valley Schools website and other sources listed below, so that families can plan and make alternate arrangements.
Our schools are prepared to handle various weather-related emergencies and power outages to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff.
Snow Days and Inclement Weather
Purpose: To ensure the safety of students and staff during severe weather conditions.
When Used: During heavy snowfall, ice storms, or other severe weather events that make travel dangerous.
Procedures:
- School Closures: Decisions to close schools are made based on safety using weather forecasts, road conditions, and consultations with operations staff. Announcements are made through the school district’s website, social media, and local news outlets.
- Delayed Openings: If conditions are expected to improve, schools may open later than usual. This allows time for roads to be cleared and for safe travel.
- Early Dismissals: If severe weather develops during the school day, students may be dismissed early to ensure they can travel home safely. Parents will be notified through the same channels used for closures.
School Closure Information
Schools in Comox Valley Schools are not routinely closed due to snow or other inclement weather conditions. All schools will remain OPEN, if at all possible, during winter weather.
On occasion, a district-wide or partial-district closure is required due to extreme weather. Partial-district closures affecting individual schools may occur due to the very different geography within our school district. If there is a partial-district closure, affected schools will be identified.
While the district tries to make the best decision with the information available, the weather can change quickly.
Several factors go into a school closure decision, including student and staff safety, the conditions of roads near schools, school grounds, school bus routes, and whether facilities are fully operational.
Extra-curricular activities, school events and field trips may be cancelled because of weather – even when school remains open.
Where to find information during emergencies
In the event of an emergency, please be aware that reaching the school by phone may be difficult. We will make every effort to contact parents directly through the following methods.
Crisis Notification Network
Parents can be informed of emergency situations via the School’s Crisis Notification Network (phone or electronic notifications). Instructions on accessing the crisis notification platform on the web, can be found in these documents:
https://www.comoxvalleyschools.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SchoolMessenger_App-Parent-Mobile.pdf
https://www.comoxvalleyschools.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SchoolMessenger_App_Parent_Web.pdf
Text Notifications
Additionally, parents can opt in to receive text-based notifications for certain emergency events. Instructions on how to opt-in for SMS text messaging can be found in the document: https://www.comoxvalleyschools.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SchoolMessenger_OptIn.pdf
Website, Social Media and Media
The District will also keep parents updated by posting information on the District website and through social media channels.
District Website: www.comoxvalleyschools.ca
Instagram: www.instagram.com/comoxvalleysd71/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SchoolDistrict71
Local Media: Comox Record, MyComoxValleyNow, Jet FM, The Eagle, The Raven
How are district sites and road conditions assessed during winter weather?
Beginning very early in the morning, our Facilities Department begins investigating road and site conditions at all schools. Unpredictable conditions can be a result of the varying elevations within the Comox Valley. For this reason, road assessments take place across the valley. District crews analyze the estimated time it will take for snow and ice to be cleared from parking lots, sidewalks and busses. Other concerns include fallen or low-lying trees, power failures, accidents and traffic flow. Sidewalks with excessive snow due to street snow removal are also a safety concern, especially along corridors where students normally walk to school.
What if I don’t think it is safe for my child to go to school due to weather conditions?
When schools remain open, decisions to stay at home during challenging weather conditions should be made by each family. If for any reason a parent/guardian feels that a child cannot travel safely to/from school, they can notify their child’s schools about the expected absence. Students will not be penalized.
Please see here for more Comox Valley Schools Emergency Information
