THUNDER BAY – Another pandemic-related change is coming to local schools.
On days when school buses are cancelled due to weather, local high schools with the public and Catholic school boards will instruct all students – even those who do not use the bus – to stay home for full-day remote learning.
The change will go into effect for secondary students at the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board on days when either rural buses or all student transportation is cancelled.
The Lakehead District School Board will only implement the policy when all school buses are cancelled, with schools operating as normal when only rural routes are cancelled.
In a release issued Friday, the Catholic board said it implemented the change to minimize disruption to students’ already modified schedules.
“This new procedure will ensure a full day of uninterrupted learning for all secondary students,” the board said.
Most high school students at both boards currently follow a half-day model, attending school in-person during the mornings, and learn remotely at home during the afternoon (while some students opted to stay at home for full-day remote learning).
Elementary students, who continue to study under a full-day model, are not impacted by the changes.
Schools will remain open to staff on days when student transportation is cancelled, short of a snow day being declared.
