Major Winter Storm Forces Widespread School Closures Across GTA and Hamilton Area
A significant winter storm that battered Southern Ontario on Sunday has extended its disruptive impact into Monday, forcing widespread school closures across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. The aftermath of the severe weather event has prompted numerous school boards to declare a snow day, prioritizing student and staff safety amid challenging conditions.
Toronto School Boards Announce Monday Closures
The Toronto District School Board made the announcement on Sunday afternoon, confirming that all schools, administrative buildings, childcare centres, and other sites would remain closed on Monday. This decision aligns with the City of Toronto's declaration of a significant weather event and allows for continued snow removal operations across the municipality.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board quickly followed suit, announcing identical closures for all its schools and facilities. The board also confirmed that any examinations scheduled for Monday have been rescheduled to Thursday at their original times.
Regional School Boards Across GTA Take Similar Action
The disruption extends well beyond Toronto's boundaries, affecting school boards throughout the surrounding regions:
- York Region District School Board announced closures for all schools, board locations, and transportation services, explicitly advising parents not to send children to school buildings.
- Peel District School Board declared closures affecting schools, childcare programs, night school, and permit activities. Monday examinations have been moved to Wednesday, while Tuesday exams proceed as planned.
- Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board confirmed via social media that all schools, offices, and facilities would close, with Monday exams rescheduled to a designated contingency day.
Additional Closures in Durham and Halton Regions
The impact of the winter storm continues to ripple across the broader GTA region:
The Durham District School Board cited "significant snowfall forecasted" and "anticipated storm aftermath" as reasons for closing all schools on Monday. Similarly, the Durham Catholic District School Board cancelled all school operations, bus transportation, and permit programs due to inclement weather conditions.
In Halton Region, the Halton District School Board will close schools and workplaces while cancelling transportation for all students. The board emphasized that these measures address safety concerns during the ongoing winter weather event.
As of Sunday evening, Conseil Scolaire Viamonde had not announced whether its facilities would close on Monday due to the winter storm. The situation remains fluid as school boards continue to monitor conditions and communicate updates to families across the affected regions.
