School Closure Due to Weather
Overview
Bad road and weather conditions affect our decision to keep schools open and buses running. This page provides information on how we make our decisions about storm cancellations and how we keep you informed.
Communication channels
We will communicate school closure information through the following channels:
- Radio: The following local radio stations will be contacted to announce closures. For more information on school closures due to weather conditions, please view the School Closure Due To Weather Conditions document below:
CFAI | 101.1/105.1 FM | Edmundston
CJEM | 92.7 FM | Edmundston
CKMV | 95.1 FM | Grand Falls
CIKX | 93.5 FM | Grand Falls
CJCJ | 104.1 FM | Woodstock
WQHR | 96.1 FM | Presque Isle ME
Channel X | 102.3 FM | Madawaska ME
Channel X | 98.1 FM | Van Buren ME
Channel X | 97.7 FM | Fort Fairfield ME
Channel X | 103.1 FM | Fort Kent ME
CBC – Radio One | 99.5 FM | Fredericton
Capital FM | 106.9 FM | Fredericton
Fox | 105.3 FM | Fredericton
UP | 93.1 FM | Fredericton
CJRI | 104.5 FM | Fredericton
CFRK – Fred FM | 92.3 FM | Fredericton
CIXN – Joy FM | 96.5 FM | Fredericton
CKHJ | 103.5 FM | Fredericton
CINB – New Song FM | 96.1 FM | Saint John
CBC – Radio One | 104.5 FM | Saint John
CHSJ | 94.1 FM | Saint John
The Wave | 97.3 FM | Saint John - Telephone: a recorded message will be available by calling 1-888-388-4455 (toll-free) or 453-5454 any time after 6:00 AM.
- Website: The district website will post a list of all school closures in the alerts section.
- Twitter: alerts are also posted to the district’s Twitter feed.
Decision process
Our district is committed to the safe and efficient transportation of students. Therefore, it may be necessary to cancel bus runs, close schools, or delay school opening to ensure students are not endangered by hazards brought on by poor weather and road conditions.
The Superintendent makes the decision to close schools based on the information provided by the ASD-W Transportation Department’s current weather and road condition reports for all school zones in the district. This information is gathered from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as prominent weather sites. The district also relies on our trustworthy Assistant Transportation Managers, who travel to inspect the road conditions in their areas and provide up-to-date reports on road and safety conditions. Inclement weather predictions are monitored closely the evening prior and again from 5:00 am onward.
- Documents
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School Closure Due to Weather Conditions
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Historical School Closure Report Due to Weather
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Possible outcomes
Schools open as usual
All students come to school and follow their regular schedules. There would be no communications sent out in this case.
All schools closed for the day.
Families will be notified by the district before the school day begins. For full details, please see the School Closure Communication document.
A school or schools in a particular zone of the district closed
Families will be notified by the district before the school day begins. Find your school’s zone in the school weather zones section below.
For more information on school zones, please see the School Closure Communication document.
All school bus routes delayed by one hour
On these occasions, all schools will open at their regular time to receive walking students and drop-off students. Students arriving late will not be disadvantaged.
Schools may close early
On days when it is anticipated that weather conditions may deteriorate significantly, the district may make the decision to close schools early. This will be communicated to families as soon as the decision is made. We ask that parents have alternate arrangements for their children if they or another adult will not be at home. Parents should ensure that the school has up-to-date contact information (work numbers, cell numbers, etc.) and at least one emergency contact. Announcements will be made that buses will begin their afternoon runs; one, two, or three hours earlier than usual.
Power Outage
In the event that a school is without power, the school will open at the regular time unless otherwise communicated by the Superintendent. In some power outage cases, the decision regarding school closure for the day may be deferred from 6:00 am to 7:00 am.
School Weather Zones
Cancellations and delays are sometimes issued to specific zones. Find you weather zone by school or city using the tools below.
Zones by school
Zones by city or town
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Edmundston
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Grand Falls, Plaster Rock, Perth-Andover
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Florenceville-Bristol, Bath, Centreville, Hartland, Woodstock
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Canterbury, Nackawic, Burtts Corner, McAdam, Harvey
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Stanley, Boiestown, Doaktown
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Greater Fredericton Area (including New Maryland, Hanwell, Keswick Ridge, Nashwaak Valley)
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Oromocto, Geary, Burton, Lincoln, Fredericton Junction
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Chipman, Minto
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Cambridge Narrows, Gagetown
Important notes
Right of parents
Parents may exercise their right to keep their child at home if they believe weather and/or road conditions are not suitable for travelling. Students will not be penalized for such absences; however, parents must notify the school of their child’s absence.
Bus run cancellations and delays
There may be occasions when a particular bus route is hazardous because of weather conditions. If the bus driver has a safety concern, they have the responsibility of recommending either a cancellation or delay of that particular bus run.
There are times when school buses run late for reasons unrelated to weather. Bus runs that are expected to be more than 20 minutes late will be announced on the district website and radio stations whenever possible.
Bus stop safety
Parents are responsible for the safety of their children at the bus stop until the bus arrives. It is also the responsibility of the parent to ensure an adult is available to receive their children at the end of the school day.