'Extremely rare': 2 storms within 1 week close schools again
‘We cannot recall a time where there have been three shut downs in one year,’ says UGDSB
The weather has to be pretty bad for schools to close in Waterloo region and Guelph.
But schools have closed twice in Waterloo region and three times in Guelph this winter.
Even the University of Waterloo, which has a reputation for rarely closing, has closed its campus twice in the span of a week. The last time the campus closed in the same semester was Jan. 15, 2007 and March 2, 2007. Never on record has it closed twice within seven days due to separate winter storms.
"We're kind of aware of our own reputation as the place that never closes," said Nick Manning, the associate vice-president of communication for UW.
"We've certainly heard from the community over recent years and have thought hard about the circumstances under which we need to make decisions about the operation of campus."
Having a reputation for rarely closing, though, means many students are confused when the school actually does shut down.
Many tweeted at the school on Tuesday asking whether co-op interviews or midterms were still on.
"We've got a very work-oriented campus culture," Manning said. "It doesn't surprise me that they've got those questions … students in particular invest a lot effort and time in preparing for things like co-op interviews, mid-terms and so on. These [closings] aren't decisions we make lightly."
Wilfrid Laurier University, Conestoga College and University of Guelph were also closed on Tuesday.
Weather can vary within region
For Waterloo region's public, Catholic and French schools, this is the second time in a week schools have been shut. Lynsey Slupeiks, a communications officer with the Waterloo Region District School Board, said school closures "don't tend to happen very often."
"On average we have one closure per year, sometimes it's two, sometimes none. It really depends on the weather each year," she said.
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John Shewchuck, chief managing officer for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, has been the "lucky" official who communicates news about inclement weather since 2001.
We've had a number of years with no system closures at all.- John Shewchuck, Waterloo Catholic District School Board
"I've probably had a front row seat on the decision process longer than anyone else currently involved in making the call on days like this, and I certainly can't recall two system closures in the same week," he said, noting it's usually freezing rain or ice that causes shutdowns.
"In my 19 years with WCDSB we've had a number of years with no system closures at all."
He added what also makes things difficult is the weather in the region can vary greatly.
"Waterloo region is the size of some European countries, and what's going on in north Waterloo may be radically different than what is happening in south Cambridge or New Hamburg and we have to take a regional perspective on the decisions," he said.
Safety of staff and students 'primary consideration'
Heather Loney, spokesperson for the Upper Grand District School Board, says the board has had three system shut downs this year along with three to five bus cancellation days, depending on the area.
"System shutdowns are extremely rare. There are some winters where there are no system shut downs," Loney said Tuesday. "We cannot recall a time where there have been three shut downs in one year, let alone in one month."
There are a number of factors taken into consideration before schools are closed, Loney noted. It includes a close look at the forecast and whether blowing snow and reduced visibility are anticipated, road conditions, temperature and wind chill factor, and whether conditions are expected to improve or deteriorate.
"The primary consideration is the safety of our students and staff," she said.