Inclement Weather School Closure Guidelines

Information for Parents, Guardians and Students

Inclement weather can include significant snowfall, freezing rain, high wind, and other severe weather that can happen at any time of the year. The district has a plan in place for these conditions. 

When severe weather occurs, our team investigates road and site conditions beginning around 2:00am. This includes driving bus routes, visiting schools and sites, and consulting with the city and regional district. Staff consider weather forecasts for the entire day. Once management and supervisory staff have assessed conditions, they make a recommendation to the Superintendent. For details on how the assessment is done, click here.

Service to students and parents is a priority and schools will be kept open as much as is reasonably possible. However, student and staff safety are the district's primary considerations.

child in snow

When all schools are closed:

Any district closure or delayed school opening will be announced on the Chilliwack School District website, individual school websites, as well as communicated on the district’s Facebook and Instagram accounts by 6:00am. 

Please note: Typically, only cancellations, closures or delayed school openings will be announced. Except under extreme circumstances, no announcement will be made that schools are open.

Where to find information on school closures: 

  • Chilliwack School District website: www.sd33.bc.ca
  • All district school websites
  • Chilliwack School District Facebook and Instagram accounts
  • Local radio stations: STAR FM (98.3 FM) or JR Country (89.5 FM)
  • Other local media 

When there is extreme weather and schools remain open, student attendance is the parent/guardians’ decision.

Transportation Snow Plan 

A Transportation Snow Plan is in place for students who rely on travel by school bus and live in higher elevations such as Chilliwack Mountain, Little Mountain, Majuba Hill, Ryder Lake and some areas of Columbia Valley and the Eastern Hillsides. An announcement will be made should travel in these areas become challenging due to slippery road conditions.