GUIDELINES
The safety of students and the conditions for travel shall be the primary criteria to determine if buses will operate. Different geographical areas within the Grasslands School Division may experience different weather and driving conditions. Grasslands School Division believes that schools have the responsibility to remain open and on days when schools are open and buses do not run, parents must determine whether or not they believe that it is safe to take students to school.
It is always the choice of parents to have their child ride the bus. If a parent does not believe it is safe for their child to ride a bus due to cold/inclement weather, there is no requirement to send them on the bus.
PROCEDURES
- When possible, the decision to shut down some or all bus transportation will be made by 6:30 a.m.
- Buses may not run due to poor driving conditions, severe or inclement weather, and/or bus mechanical failure due to extreme cold.
- If any bus route is cancelled in the morning, it will not operate all day.
- Buses may be delayed due to driving conditions, inclement weather or mechanical failure.
- Parents are responsible for ensuring their child(ren) is/are dressed appropriately for the weather conditions prior to riding the bus in the event of a bus delay or breakdown.
- At -35°C or lower, bus drivers may be directed to not start their morning run.
- If buses are cancelled in excess of 3 days due to continuous -35°C weather, the cancellation will be evaluated and an announcement will be put on the local radio stations if there is a change in procedure.
- If buses are cancelled and any student needing to write a Diploma Exam does not have transportation, please contact the bus driver or our Transportation Office at 793-6703.
- The temperature will be determined from the Weather Network/School Day Forecast web site. Go to www.theweathernetwork.com type in the town/city. See the chart below to determine what town to type in.
WHAT TOWN TO LOOK FOR ON THE WEATHER NETWORK SITE
| Town | Look UP |
|---|---|
| Duchess | Duchess |
| Brooks | Brooks |
| Bassano | Bassano |
| Rolling Hills | Rolling Hills |
| Gem | Gem |
| Rosemary | Rosemary |
| Scandia/Rainier | Rainier |
| Tilley | Tilley |
IN TOWN (CITY) BUS ROUTES
- If the bus routes are cancelled due to inclement weather, road conditions or mechanical failure within the City of Brooks, the Transportation Supervisor or designate will contact local radio stations by 7:30 a.m.
- Parents should listen to one of the local radio stations for bus updates.
- Transportation updates for bus delays or cancellations will also be posted on the Grasslands website www.grasslands.ab.ca .
RURAL BUS ROUTES TO BROOKS AND/OR OTHER GRASSLANDS' SCHOOLS
- If rural bus routes are cancelled due to inclement weather, road conditions or mechanical failure, the Transportation Supervisor or designate will contact the local radio stations prior to 7:00 am.
- The bus drivers will contact all students on their bus route, or put a phone fan out into operation.
- Parents should listen to one of the local radio stations for bus updates.
- Transportation updates for bus delays or cancellations will also be posted on the Grasslands website www.grasslands.ab.ca.
INCLEMENT WEATHER OCCURING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
- If inclement weather or severe driving conditions occur during the school day, no school bus shall transport students home until regular dismissal time.
- If conditions result in the cancellation of afternoon bus service, the Transportation Department will notify local radio stations and update the website.
- Parents will be contacted to arrange pickup of their child. Students will be held at the school until parents are able to arrange for pick up.
- If rural parents are unable to pick up their child(ren) due to road conditions, schools will work with parents to contact, the provided, emergency contacts for pick up and local billeting/accommodation.
- Parents of rural students are to provide emergency contacts for billeting/accommodation each year as part of the registration information.
- In the event of a school plant emergency (ex. loss of power) related to severe weather, a school closure may be announced. This decision will be made by the superintendent or designate in coordination with the Manager of Facilities & Maintenance.
GENERAL NOTES REGARDING INCLEMENT/COLD WEATHER
Parents should work with their children to have a plan in the event that the school bus does not arrive to pick them up. Children must be aware of how long to wait at their bus stop before returning home or going to a safe place.