During the potential inclement weather months (roughly early November to early April), our transportation partner, Tri-Board Student Transportation Services (Tri-Board), works closely with their school bus companies to determine if it is safe to offer school transportation on inclement weather days. School buses function differently than other vehicles, and sometimes, although it is safe for the average family vehicle to travel, it is not safe for a school bus to be on the road. Due to the geographic size of our district, weather conditions can vary significantly from one region to another. As a result, there are times when transportation cancellations may only apply to specific areas experiencing adverse conditions, while other regions remain unaffected. Having to cancel school transportation is understandably disruptive to families, but Tri-Board always puts the safety of their 30,000-plus bus riders first and foremost in their decision-making.
Tips to help make the winter season and bus cancellation days easier for families to manage:
Sign up for Bus Status Alerts through Tri-Board’s Student Portal
- Families should sign up for bus status alerts by creating an account in Tri-Board’s Student Portal. Families can add their student to their account, so they are signed up to receive alerts for their specific bus and zone cancellations.
- When all transportation is cancelled across the district, the notification is sent as a general notice from Tri-Board to everyone with an account. Tri-Board does their best to post this alert by 6:00 a.m.
- Tri-Board communicates all bus delays and cancellations through its Student Portal; LDSB does not send these transportation alerts directly to families. LDSB and individual schools communicate school closures, and schools communicate any changes to exam schedules.
Have a backup plan for cancellations
- Tri-Board understands that cancelling transportation is inconvenient for families.
- Tri-Board recommends creating a backup plan for alternative travel or childcare when busing is not available. If a student is taken to school when buses are not running, it is the family’s responsibility to arrange for their travel home at the end of the day.
Timing and duration of cancellations
Tri-Board’s decision-making process occurs every morning and they do not normally decide to cancel transportation the night before. This is because conditions change, and Tri-Board wants to make the best decision closest to the time buses are actually on the road in the morning. To avoid students being taken to school by bus and then stranded without transportation home, Tri-Board cancels the transportation for whole day, even if inclement weather is only expected for part of the day. Sometimes weather is not as predicted and this is understandably very frustrating, but student safety is always the priority for Tri-Board.
School attendance
Schools remain open when school buses are cancelled unless LDSB and the individual school announce a school closure. On bus cancellation days when schools are open, LDSB staff continue to support teaching and learning for students who can safely get to school.
All parents/guardians are asked to report their student’s absence regardless of the reason, including during bus cancellations. Often, bused students find alternative ways to school, and we want to make sure we know the whereabouts of every student to ensure their safety and well-being. Knowing who is supposed to be at school will allow school office staff to make certain all students are accounted for. Students are asked to ensure they report to their first period class for attendance.
Please use the Inclement weather (all transportation types and walkers) option when reporting absences for your student for any inclement weather days when your student will not be attending school. Absences on days when school transportation is cancelled will not negatively impact a student's mark.
Secondary Exam Schedule January 21 to January 27, 2027
Students are expected to be present and available to write exams throughout the exam period, January 21 to January 27, 2027. If inclement weather and bus cancellations change the exam schedule, schools will communicate with families directly and post the revised schedule on school websites. Families should check these updates during the exam period. If buses serving the school are cancelled due to inclement weather, exams scheduled for that day move to the next exam day. Each remaining exam also moves to the following exam day, keeping the original order.
Visit Tri-Board’s website for more information, including:
- Sign up for their student portal to view transportation details for specific students and subscribe to bus status alerts for delays and cancellations
- Prepare for winter-related bus delays and cancellations
- Familiarize yourself with Tri-Board’s Weather Zone Map