How GTA school boards are responding to the extreme cold temperatures

Windchill values are expected to dip below -30 C, and another major dumping of snow is set to wallop the city on Sunday. Beth Macdonell reports.

Schools in the Greater Toronto Area are responding to the extreme cold temperatures that have plagued the region.

Environment Canada issued an extreme cold warning on Friday, saying bitterly cold condition begin in the evening with temperatures falling to a low of -33 C with the wind chill.

• READ MORE: Environment Canada issues winter storm watch, up to 30 cm expected Sunday

The extreme cold is expected to continue into Saturday morning, and dropping only slightly into the start of the school week.

Here’s what school boards have planned to deal with the chilling temperatures:

Toronto Catholic District School Board

The school board said it follows Environment Canada’s guidance on when to stay indoors during severe cold weather. The board said most of its school use between -15 C and -20 C as a threshold, as well as a “reasonable wind chill/temperature” based on local conditions at the time of the decision to trigger indoor recess.

The board said parents can also read its Inclement Weather Protocol for additional information on how decisions are made regarding bus delays, cancellations or school closures during extreme weather events.

Halton District School Board

The school board says it follows its Inclement Weather Procedures to minimize student exposure to cold-related risks.

When temperatures or wind chill reach approximately -20 C, students enter school immediately upon arrival and remain indoors during nutrition breaks. The board added that students are encouraged to keep their coats and jackets with them throughout the day in case of an emergency evacuation.

The board added that decisions related to school closures and transportation cancellations are made by the board in collaboration with Halton Student Transportation Services. These decisions, they said, are based on weather forecasts, road conditions and real-time information from transportation providers across the region.

York Catholic District School Board

The school board says extreme cold temperatures between -15 C and -20 C, including wind chill, triggers indoor routines. Other weather events, including rain, freezing rain, thunderstorm, hail, ice and extreme winds also trigger indoor routines. A full explanation of the board’s extreme weather protocols can be found on their website.

Toronto District School Board

The Toronto school board says that when the temperature and/or wind chill factor indicates -28 C or lower, children will remain indoors due to risk of frostnip and frostbite. When an extreme cold weather warning is issued or when temperatures and/or wind chill factor indicates –20 C to -28 C, recesses may be shortened to 10 minutes and lunch recess to 20 minutes.

Further information on the board’s response to extreme weather events can be found on their website’s Severe Weather Procedure, including when and how school and bus cancellations take place.

Durham Catholic District School Board

The school board does not have an overarching policy on extreme cold and keeping children indoors, instead school principles make the decision based on information from the Durham Region Health Department and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

“[They] will issue weather and air quality alerts for extreme heat or cold and/or poor air quality. Where these conditions are present, principals will consider keeping students indoors or shortening the length of time they spend outdoors,” the board said in its online policy.

“As noted above, principals will arrive at this decision based on a variety of factors related to their school communities.”

CTV News Toronto reached out to school boards in the Greater Toronto Area, and will add their responses as they are sent in.