School closures are widespread across Southern Ontario as a significant winter storm approaches. School boards began announcing closures Sunday evening in anticipation of 60 or more centimetres of snow falling in some areas.
Toronto
All Toronto District School Board schools, sites, and administrative buildings – including childcare centres – will be closed to students and most staff. Secondary exams scheduled for Monday have been postponed and will be rescheduled later this week, with details communicated directly to affected students and families. The Toronto Catholic District School Board is also closing all schools and board sites on Monday, cancelling bus transportation, childcare, and after-school programs. Exams scheduled for tomorrow will be rescheduled for January 29, while those on January 27 and 28 will proceed as planned. St. Michael’s College School and The Mabin School will also be closed on Monday, with all classes and after-school activities cancelled.
York Region
York Catholic District School Board is closing all of its schools on Monday, rescheduling secondary exams to Thursday. Exams scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday will continue as planned. York Region District School Board has also announced closures for all schools and board locations. Vaughan College Private School will be closed Monday, with exams postponed to a date to be announced.
Durham Region
All Durham District School Board and Durham Catholic District School Board school sites are closed on Monday. Durham Student Transportation Services has cancelled all bus service for both boards.
Dufferin-Peel
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board schools and offices are closed to students and staff on Monday. Secondary exams will be moved to the designated Contingency Day. Peel District School Board is also closing all schools and worksites, cancelling all activities including childcare and night school. Exams scheduled for Monday will be rescheduled to Wednesday, January 28, while those on Tuesday, January 27, will proceed as planned. White Pines Montessori Academy in Mississauga will also be closed.
Halton
Halton District and Halton Catholic District School Board schools and administrative centres will be closed on Monday, with transportation services cancelled in Zones 1, 2 & 3. The Halton Catholic District School Board stated the decision prioritizes the safety of students, families, and staff given significant snowfall and deteriorating road conditions.
Hamilton
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board is closing all schools, administrative buildings, and workplaces, including the Education Centre, on Monday. All learning, including remote instruction, and childcare services are cancelled. Secondary exams have been postponed and rescheduled for Tuesday, January 27. The board cited ongoing snowfall impacting road conditions and snow removal as the reason for the closures.
Niagara
The District School Board of Niagara and Niagara Catholic District School Board are closing all schools and offices on Monday, with bus service also cancelled. Exams and final culminating activities for DSBN secondary students will be postponed by one day. Niagara Children’s Centre School Authority is also closing its school and cancelling buses.
French-language school closures/bus cancellations
Conseil Scolaire Viamonde, the French-language public board in southwestern Ontario, is closing its schools and childcare centres on Monday in York, Durham, Toronto, Peel, and Halton, with the possibility of further closures. Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir is closing some of its schools, citing incomplete snow removal operations. Affected regions include Toronto, Peel, Halton, York, Durham, Peterborough, Hamilton, Niagara, Guelph, Brant, Norfolk, and Waterloo. All exams scheduled for tomorrow are postponed, and schools will communicate revised schedules directly to students and families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the school closures?
School boards are closing schools due to a forecast from Environment Canada of 60 or more centimetres of snow in parts of the region.
Are all schools closed in every region?
Yes, closures have been announced for all public and Catholic school boards in Toronto, York, Durham, Dufferin-Peel, Halton, Hamilton, and Niagara regions, as well as for French-language school boards in several areas.
What is happening with exams?
Exams scheduled for Monday are being postponed or rescheduled in most regions, with specific dates varying by school board. Schools will communicate details directly to affected students and families.
As communities prepare for significant snowfall, what considerations are families making to ensure a safe and productive day at home?
