Anglophone East students have had a total of four snow days so far this year. On some days, it’s an obvious call, but on others, some parents are left wondering why the district made the decision to stay closed.
Superintendent Gregg Ingersoll says this is something that is very carefully considered, starting long before the school day does, “We look at the weather forecast, not just for a few hours, but for the whole day. Based on all of that information, the Transportation Manager calls me, and we have a discussion, and I make the decision as to whether or not we close schools. We have to consider what the conditions will be like for getting students to school and home again.”
Ingersoll says closing at noon time is an option, if the weather changes, but it makes for a more difficult scenario. It is a lot of workers for staff to reach out to all of the parents to let them know that students are being dismissed early, and will be coming home.
“This winter so far, most of the days have been half snow, half rain, going to from above zero to below zero and icy conditions. Those are much more difficult decisions to make,” Ingersoll says.
He says it is always safety first for their students.
Students could be faced with another snow day this week. Environment Canada is keeping a close eye on a system that is expected to roll through our region on Wednesday evening. It could bring over 15 centimetres of snow.
Ingersoll says, “We’ll be up, once again Thursday morning, to look at conditions, and determine whether or not it is safe for the students and staff to go to class.”
