Why public schools were closed in Waterloo Region today

The Waterloo Region public and Catholic school boards closed schools and cancelled buses Friday due to extremely cold weather, a move that had many parents questioning the decision.

• Waterloo Region schools closed due to extreme cold

• Should schools in Waterloo Region be closed when it's -35? 

According to Waterloo Region District School Board spokesperson Lynsey Meikle, the school board has implemented a new policy to cancel all classes in the event that the temperature or wind chill is forecast to be -35 at 7 a.m. The decision to close is made jointly by the public school board, the Catholic school board and the Student Transportation Services of Waterloo, the group that runs school buses and taxis. 

In an email to CBC News, she explained the factors behind the decision to close schools Friday:

1. "According to Environment Canada, at -35 C exposed skin  can freeze within 10 minutes. Environment Canada indicates that in temperatures between -28 to -39 there is a high risk of exposed skin freezing (frostnip or frostbite). This temperature is very unusual for our region and some students may not have the appropriate clothing to protect themselves.
2. Most students will take longer than 10 minutes to walk to school and the bused students may wait for extended period of time should any bus be delayed. 
3. We are unable to guarantee crossing guards service to our students as individual crossing guards have a right to maintain their safety given that they are exposed for extended periods of time in frigid temperatures."

Meikle said that the board revised its procedures last fall to the new standards that were applied Friday.