February 23 – All schools open & buses are running

Transportation is running and schools are open today.

Why were our schools closed Friday?

The WRDSB has put in place a frigid temperature threshold in our severe weather procedure primarily for three reasons related to the safety of our students:

1. According to Environment Canada, at -35C exposed skin can freeze within 10 minutes. Environment Canada indicates that in temperatures between -28 to -39 there is a high risk of exposed skin freezing (frostnip or frostbite). This temperature is very unusual for our region and some students may not have the appropriate clothing to protect themselves.

2. Most students will take longer than 10 minutes to walk to school and the bused students may wait for an extended period of time should any bus be delayed.

3. We are unable to guarantee crossing guard service to our students as individual crossing guards have a right to maintain their safety given that they are exposed for extended periods of time in frigid temperatures.

The Education Centre remains open and is fully operational.

Read more about Why were our schools closed Friday? »

February 20 – All Schools are Closed & Buses Cancelled

Due to frigid temperatures, all schools are closed today and all buses are cancelled. All Extended Day Programs are also closed. The Education Centre remains open for those who can safely arrive to work.

When do Schools Close Due to Weather?

Our procedure for severe weather  provides guidelines and expectations for school closings due to severe weather, and how this information is communicated to our families.

Severe weather refers to conditions such as ice, fog, rain, sleet, snow, wind and/or frigid temperatures and wind chills. We consider a frigid temperature to be -35C with wind chill, or colder.

The general manager of Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) will monitor weather and temperatures in the region beginning at 5:30am, using Environment Canada’s wind chill index. If the temperature is forecasted to reach or exceed -35C with wind chill at 7:00am, buses will not operate and schools will be closed. The education centre will be open to those employees who can safely arrive to work.

How do we communicate cancellations or closures?

Decisions relating to cancellations and closures are made by 6:00am. Any cancellations and closures will be posted on our website and school websites. Information will also be available on our twitter account (@wrdsb). We encourage you to monitor our website and listen to local media for up-to-date cancellation and closures.

Parents have the option of keeping their children at home when concerned about weather conditions.

Read more about When do Schools Close Due to Weather? »

Sign Up to Receive Email is Now Available

Over the past few years, Empire Public School has used email as a means of quickly getting information to families for a wide variety of purposes. Recent legislation has required the WRDSB and our school to participate in a new process for registering family email contact information. Many of our families have not registered through […]

School Council Cancelled – Feb. 11

The School Council Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 11 has been cancelled.  Our next School Council Meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 11.

2015 OTIP Teaching Awards

Celebrate our great teachers and nominate them for this award! Nomination deadline is March 31st. More information on the link below! OTIP Teaching Awards Poster 2015

February Newsletter

Check out The Empire Express for February/March. It is now posted under newsletters on this website.

February 2 – All Schools CLOSED

Due to weather, ALL schools are CLOSED today. All Extended Day Programs are closed as well. The Education Centre is open for those who can get there safely.

Movie Night @ Empire is tomorrow night!

Empire students voted and they have chosen the movie “Rio”!  Thursday January 29th is the showing of “Rio” in the Empire gym.  Doors open at 5:30 pm and the movie starts at 6 pm.  Free admission (donations accepted)!  Pizza, popcorn and juice for sale.  Students are welcome to bring a pillow and /or blanket for […]

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