SCHOOL  DISTRICT  NO.  78  (FRASER-CASCADE)

 

POLICY                                                                                             NO:                                  4000                                    DATE:                                                                     1998-04-14

                                                                                              REVIEWED:                       2002-10-22
                                                                         REVISED:                       2005-04-26
                                                                         REVISED:                      2009-04-28

 

SUBJECT:       SCHOOL CLOSURES - EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

 

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The Board of Education states that the immediate safety of all pupils and employees is of prime consideration.  In extraordinary circumstances, safety will take precedence over any, and all other considerations.

 

SCHOOL  DISTRICT  NO.  78  (FRASER-CASCADE)

 

REGULATIONS                                                                               NO:                                  4000                                    DATE:                                                                     1998-04-14

                                                                                              REVIEWED:                       2002-10-22
                                                                         REVISED:                       2005-04-26
                                                                         REVISED:                      2009-04-28

 

SUBJECT:       SCHOOL CLOSURES - EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

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1.         Inclement Weather Conditions

 

                  In the event of unusual weather conditions:

 

      (a)        The Transportation Supervisor will contact the Department of Highways to determine what roads are open, and the likelihood of future road closures.

 

      (b)        The Transportation Supervisor will contact key community members.

 

      (c)        The Transportation Supervisor will telephone the Secretary-Treasurer to advise what roads are open or closed and the possibility of future closures.

 

      (d)        The Secretary-Treasurer will review weather and facility conditions with the Maintenance Supervisor.

 

      (e)        The Transportation Supervisor will advise bus carriers of any decisions involving their routes.

 

      (f)         The Secretary-Treasurer or Superintendent of Schools will call the local radio station before 0600 h to announce:

                  i)       full closure of schools

                  ii)      partial closure of schools

                  iii)      late busing and/or late opening of schools.

 

      (g)        When busses are not running, the schools in the geographic area (Hope, Boston Bar, Agassiz-Harrison) will be closed.

 

      (h)        Staff who are within walking distance of the school will report to assist students who do arrive at school and will supervise the students until parents are contacted and can pick the students up or make alternate arrangements for them.

 

      (i)         The Superintendent of Schools will advise the Chairperson of the Board of Education of action taken.

 

      (j)         The Assistant Superintendent of Schools will advise Principals of action taken.

 

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(k)        In the event of a partial closure, all staff members are expected to be on duty in their appropriate places or in the nearest school.  In the event that a staff member is unable to report to his/her school that is open, that staff member is to report to the nearest school or to the District Education Office. Staff members who must drive to the nearest school will make personal decisions regarding safety and driving to work.

 

      (l)         When the schools are closed according to the above policies,

      i)    Staff will not be subject to loss of pay because of inclement conditions or school closures.

 

When there are road closures and when school busses will not be running the bus supervisor will communicate this information to the Secretary–Treasurer. The Superintendent will contact the media forthwith to broadcast any interruptions to the bussing schedule. All notices of bus cancellations or school closures will be broadcast on local stations:  Star FM at 100.5 in Hope and 106.1 in Boston Bar and 98.3 in Agassiz and 90.1 FM in Sunshine Valley.

 

The Assistant Superintendent will inform Principals of the following circumstances:

 

·         Bus run cancellation due to weather; schools will ensure that all students transported by bus have pre-arranged billets at the beginning of each school-year;

 

·         For road closures passable with pilot car: arrangements for the pilot car will be made by the bus supervisor immediately upon determining need;

 

·         For road closures impassable but where there is an alternate route available; if drop-off times are altered, all parents of affected students will be contacted by schools; and

 

·         Road closure, no pilot and no alternate route; schools will ensure student billets are activated for all students affected by the road closure.

 

2.         Violent Forces

 

            Violent forces include, but may not be limited to, natural, mechanical, chemical or human forces.

 

            The Board of Education directs Principals, in co-operation with the appropriate authorities, to develop procedures to ensure the safety of pupils and staff in the event of unforeseeable violent forces or disasters.

 

 

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2.         (a)        Advance Warning - Unspecified Forces

 

                        i)       The Principal will immediately notify the Superintendent of Schools.

 

      ii)      The Superintendent will make whatever decision and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

 

      iii)      The Superintendent will notify the Chairperson of the Board of Education of the decision made.

 

 

3.         Bomb Threats

 

If a bomb threat is received during school hours or during school sponsored activities:

 

      (a)        The Principal, or individual in charge, will immediately evacuate all pupils and staff to a safe distance from the school.  Normal fire drill procedures will be used.

 

      (b)        When the evacuation is in progress, the Principal or individual in charge, will contact the police and the Superintendent of Schools.

 

      (c)        Pupils and staff are not permitted to re-enter the school until police officers have determined that it is safe to do so.

 

 

4.         Facilities Breakdown

 

      (a)        In the event that conditions in any school render the building to be unsafe or unhealthy for students to attend for reasons such as inadequate water supply, electrical outage, heating system breakdown, inoperative washrooms, the school may be designated as in a condition of plant failure.

 

      (b)        The school-based Principal will consult with the Maintenance Foreman, who will notify the Superintendent of Schools of the necessity of school closure relating to a facility malfunction or breakdown.

 

      (c)        The Superintendent will take action as outlined in 2 (a).

 

 

5.         Emergencies

 

      (a)        In the event of an emergency that threatens the safety of pupils and/or staff, the Principal will take whatever immediate action is deemed appropriate.

 

      (b)        As soon as practicable, the Principal will advise the Superintendent of Schools.