Severe Weather and Unscheduled School Closures
Decisions about school closures and bus route changes due to severe weather are made early in the morning, based on the most up-to-date conditions. The Superintendent of Schools has authority, on behalf of the Board, to temporarily close a school or schools. This decision is made in consultation with management and supervisory staff who have checked first-hand on the driving conditions, walking/sidewalk conditions, and general condition of buildings and accessibility to sites. Several factors go into a school closure decision, including student and staff safety, the conditions of roads near schools, school grounds, school bus routes, and whether facilities are fully operational.
How are district sites and road conditions assessed during winter weather?
Beginning at approximately 3:00 AM, our Facilities Department begins investigating road and site conditions at all schools. Unpredictable conditions can be a result of the varying elevations within Mission. For this reason, road assessments take place across the city. District crews analyze the estimated time it will take for snow and ice to be cleared from parking lots, sidewalks and busses. Other concerns include fallen or low-lying trees, power failures, accidents and traffic flow. Sidewalks with excessive snow due to street snow removal are also a safety concern, especially along corridors where students normally walk to school.
Once area assessments are complete, the Facilities and Transportation staff make a recommendation to the Superintendent. Whenever possible, this information is communicated by 6:15 AM.
Stay Informed:
- Website: Updated closure and bus cancellation information will be posted on the School District homepage (top announcement ribbon).
Please refresh your browser to see the latest updates.
- Radio: Tune in to CKNW (980 AM) or CKWX (News1130 - 1130 AM) for announcements.
- Social Media:
- Telephone: Usually, within 5-10 minutes of the announcement, an extended message gets recorded on the district phones.
- Administrative Procedure: For full details, see Administrative Procedure 3.8.1 - Temporary School and Classroom Closure on the district website.
- City of Mission: See conditions via Mission Road Cameras (images refresh every 5 minutes)
- Drive BC Cam: Lougheed Hwy (Hwy 7)
Snow Removal
In the event of a snowfall, available staff prioritize clearing main access points to our 22 sites and parking lots as soon as possible. Other areas will be cleared as time allows. City crews clear sidewalks and side streets on a priority basis, but conditions may vary throughout the community.
For safety, please use main entrances until class-specific doors have been cleared and are safe to use. Parking lots and walkways may still be slippery, so please use caution.
Once schools are open, please allow extra time to travel and use caution, as road and sidewalk conditions may differ across the city.
Ensure children are dressed appropriately for winter conditions, as schools may be cooler than normal.
We understand these decisions impact families and appreciate your patience. While we strive to keep schools open whenever possible. The safety of students and staff remains our top priority. The final decision to send children to school rests with parents, as they are most familiar with the conditions in their area.
Any questions should be directed to the Board of Education Office at 604-826-6286.
Angus Wilson
Superintendent of Schools
School District No. 75 (Mission)
