Extreme Weather Events

Fog

In the event of heavy fog which may make travelling unsafe, conditions are reviewed, prior to the commencement of student transportation services by the Transportation Consortium. 

In consultation with senior administration a decision is made whether to cancel student transportation for the day, or a portion of the day.

Winter Weather

The decision to cancel student transportation is made in consultation with the Transportation Consortium, which monitors the weather and have spotters review conditions prior to the commencement of transportation services for the day.

Only the Director of Education can make the decision to close schools due to weather conditions.

In extreme cold we ensure that staff and students are made aware of cold stress signs and symptoms. They are reminded to:

• Dress warmly and in layers
• Keep active
• Drink warm fluids
• Avoid loss of heat in rooms by closing operable windows
• Outside, cover exposed skin and take breaks in warm places / indoors

Consideration should be given to reducing the amount of time students and staff stay outdoors if the temperature and the wind chill factor is -20 degrees Celsius.

Children shall be kept indoors during recess / nutrition breaks if the temperature falls below -28 degrees Celsius.

Heat

Staff are advised, and have access to administrative procedures, about heat-related safety and prevention techniques and tips:

• Consume water on a regular basis and make announcements throughout the day reminding everyone of the need to stay hydrated. Students are permitted to have requested opportunities to obtain water from fountains/dispensers and may have refillable containers at their immediate disposal at all times

• Allow air to circulate in rooms with operable windows where effective and applicable (in non-air-conditioned rooms/schools)
• CSA​ Portable, temporary fans should be used to assist in circulating air
• Use existing blinds, curtains or reflective coatings on windows to reduce direct sunlight
• Staff and students should prepare for hot conditions by wearing loose fitting, lightweight clothing (light colours are better than dark). Hats are recommended for outdoor activities along with sunscreen
• Alter times of day for / reduce / eliminate physically demanding tasks and activities
•  Make a cool location available for staff during break & lunch periods
•  If necessary, relocate staff and students to a cooled location in the building
• Ensure that staff and students are aware of the signs and symptoms of heat stress

Thunderstorms, Tornadoes and Weather Hazards

If a thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued by Environment Canada outdoor activities may be cancelled. If this occurs during a field trip, student excursion or outdoor activity everyone should be relocated to a safe location.

In the event of a tornado warning, procedures from the Board's Emergency Response Admin Procedure should be followed (under Code Tornado).

Do GECDSB schools have air-conditioning?

There are 70 schools in the GECDSB building inventory. Some are fully air conditioned, others are partially air conditioned and the remainder have specific areas within the school that are air conditioned, which aligns with the Board's policy and regulation on air conditioning.  

Why can't all schools have air conditioning?

The capital costs to provide full air conditioning to the schools without air conditioning has been estimated to exceed $102 million.

Why don't GECDSB schools close during extreme heat?

This decision would put thousands of parents across the district in a challenging position of having to find childcare with very short notice - something we know will not be possible in every case. It's with that in mind that the GECDSB and other school boards across Ontario do not typically close schools due to heat. As always, parents may also choose to keep their children at home during extreme weather.

How do schools without air conditioning manage the heat?

During warmer temperatures, there are several actions that schools and staff can take to manage the heat and keep schools, classrooms and students as comfortable as possible, including:

• Allow air to circulate in rooms with operable windows where effective and applicable (in non air conditioned rooms/schools)
• CSA portable, temporary fans should be used to assist in circulating air
• Use existing blinds, curtains or reflective coatings on windows to reduce direct sunlight
• Staff and students should prepare for hot conditions by wearing loose fitting, lightweight clothing (light colours are better than dark).  Hats are recommended for outdoor activities along with sunscreen
• Alter times of day/reduce/eliminate physically demanding tasks and activities
• Make a cool location available during break and lunch periods
• If necessary, relocate staff and students to a cooled location in the building
• Ensure that staff and students are aware of the signs and symptoms of heat stress

Students with a susceptibility to heat or medical concerns should speak with staff, who will do their best to accommodate.

How are decisions made for school recess being inside or out?

From time to time, it is necessary to hold indoor recess or a shortened recess due to inclement weather (rain, extreme cold or heat, severe icy conditions). This decision is typically made at the school level depending on local conditions which can vary widely across the district.

How can weather affect student activities?

Outdoor school activities such as sports practices/games may be cancelled due to severe weather. These decisions are typically made on a school-by-school basis. In cases where board-wide activities and programs are cancelled, this will be communicated on the GECDSB website and social media.  

Where can I find more information on extreme weather?

More information on extreme weather can be found by visiting the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit website.

Summer outdoor play

• Loose, light colour fitting clothing that is light in weight
• A hat (wide brim hat that provides shade and is breathable)
• Sunglasses

Summer safety tips

• Drink plenty of water / keep hydrated  
• Avoid drinking caffeinated products  
• Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher  
• Children should limit their time playing outside when the Humidex is 35°C (95°F) and when the temperature Is above 45°C (113°F) they should not be playing outdoors.

Winter outdoor play

All winter activities require warm, dry clothing.  To prevent frostbite, children should be dressed in warm clothes, including:

• A hat (warm, close-fitting, and covering ear lobes)
• Mittens (gloves do not keep hands warm as effectively as mittens)
• Loose layers (an absorbent synthetic fabric next to skin, a warmer middle layer, and a water resistant/repellent outer layer)
• Socks - A single pair of socks, either wool or a wool blend (with silk or polypropylene) is better than cotton which offers no insulation when wet.  Avoid extra thick socks as they can cause cold feet by restricting blood flow and air circulation around the toes. 
• Boots – Be sure boots are dry and not too tight.

Winter safety tips

• Children should get out of wet clothes and shoes/boots as quickly as possible as they are the biggest factors in frostbite
• Jackets should be zipped up
• To avoid strangulation during play, use tube-shaped neck warmers instead of scarves. If scarves must be used, tuck them into jackets
• Remove drawstrings on hoods and jackets because they are also a safety hazard; better yet, buy clothes without drawstrings