Inclement WeatheR


When the forecast calls for bad weather and unsafe road conditions, the DSBN and Niagara Student Transportation Services (NSTS) may decide to cancel buses or close schools. 

Bus Cancellations and School Closures

Decisions about bus cancellations and school closures will be announced by 6:00 a.m. on the day of the cancellation or closure on DSBN’s websites and social media. Local media will share these updates as well. 


Important for Families

Reporting Absences on Inclement Weather Days
  • It is a parent/guardian's decision whether or not they send their child to school on inclement weather days
  • If you decide to keep your child home, you MUST report your child's absence on www.dsbn.org/safearrival
  • Reporting your child's absence helps ensure we know your child is home safe
Reminders for Bus Riders
  • When bus transportation is cancelled in the morning, this means it is cancelled for the full day
  • NSTS posts timely updates about delays and cancellations to their website
  • Parents can opt-in to receive notifications about delays and cancellations through the NSTS Parent Portal
  • Buses may be delayed on cold weather days; remember to dress warm - extra layers, a winter coat, hats, gloves, thick socks and warm boots

Child Care Centres

  • Child Care Centres are responsible for directly notifying parents of their protocol in cases of inclement weather and school closures
  • To find bus cancellation and school closure information, Child Care Centres monitor our website, social media, as well as local media
 Extreme Weather Protocol
  • Principals make the decisions on whether or not to hold recess outdoors during cold weather days
  • Principals make these decisions as weather conditions vary considerably from one area to the next in Niagara
Remote Learning
  • If the decision is made to close schools, this includes both in-person AND remote learning
Learning Activities during School Closures
  • ELEMENTARY: when schools are closed, learning options will be available for elementary students on our home page dsbn.org
  • SECONDARY: when schools are closed, secondary students are encouraged to use the time to review classroom notes, lessons, and/or complete outstanding projects or assignments on their D2L and/or Google Classroom

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

How Decisions are Made

The safety of students, families, and staff is always the District School Board of Niagara’s (DSBN) top priority.

Decisions regarding school closures are not taken lightly. They are made after careful consideration and in consultation with local and regional agencies, and our coterminous board (Niagara Catholic District School Board). We work to keep schools open whenever it is safe to do so, recognizing the essential service our schools provide to families and follow a detailed inclement weather process, sharing updates with families early to support informed decisions about travel.
Cancelling Transportation : Niagara Student Transportation Services (NSTS) determines bus cancellations using multiple sources, including weather monitoring technology, input from emergency services, and real‑time road condition reports from bus company drivers. NSTS, in collaboration with transportation providers, may cancel buses when conditions make it unsafe for students to be outside waiting for pick-up, or when operating large vehicles on certain roads becomes hazardous, even if conditions may be manageable in other parts of the region.
Closing Schools: School closures are jointly decided by the Directors of Education at both DSBN and the Niagara Catholic District School Board. While both Boards work closely with NSTS, transportation cancellations do not automatically mean that schools will close. The risks associated with running bus routes - such as students standing outside in extreme conditions or buses navigating difficult roads - are different than the considerations involved in keeping schools open and staffed for students able to arrive safely.

School closures are implemented when it is determined that it is unsafe for students, staff, and families to travel to or from school due to severe weather or hazardous conditions. This decision is made only after thoroughly reviewing the latest information from local agencies, road and weather authorities, and regional partners to ensure the well‑being of the entire school community.

The Niagara region is large, with weather patterns that can vary significantly from one area to another. This is why both DSBN and Niagara Catholic strive for consistency with one another, making closure decisions together whenever possible, after carefully reviewing each situation. When schools remain open, staff work hard to clear parking lots and sidewalks to support safety on school property. When schools are closed, this includes both in-person and virtual learning.

We recognize that winter weather can shift quickly and understand the challenges this creates for families and communities. Ultimately, parents and guardians decide whether their child attends school on inclement weather days, and we fully respect and support the choice each family makes. We also understand that opinions may differ, no matter what decision is made about transportation or school operations.