The Prairie Spirit School Division has taken the proactive step of closing all its schools as a significant winter storm bears down on the region. The decision was announced on the morning of Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
Preemptive Closure Due to Severe Weather
Faced with forecasts predicting a potent Alberta clipper system, school officials made the call to cancel classes to ensure the safety of students, staff, and families. The closure affects all educational facilities under the division's jurisdiction. This move aligns with a winter storm watch that has been issued for southern Saskatchewan, warning of hazardous travel conditions and reduced visibility.
Context of Widespread Winter Disruptions
This is not an isolated incident in what has been an active winter season across Canada. The announcement from Prairie Spirit comes on the same day as other weather-related disruptions were reported nationally. In Manitoba, wintry weather was also causing school closures and bus cancellations. Meanwhile, ferry service between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island ended its season three days early due to prevailing conditions.
The decision underscores the challenging balance school boards must strike between maintaining education and ensuring community safety during extreme weather events common on the Canadian Prairies.
Safety as the Paramount Concern
The school division's primary cited reason for the closure is the anticipated severity of the blizzard. Such storms bring a combination of heavy snow, strong winds, and extreme cold, creating dangerous situations for anyone attempting to travel. By closing schools preemptively, the division aims to keep children and staff at home and off the roads before conditions deteriorate.
Parents and guardians are advised to monitor the school division's official channels for updates on when classes will resume. The closure serves as a reminder for all residents in the storm's path to prepare for the blizzard, check on travel advisories, and heed warnings from local authorities.
