VSB Faces Backlash Over Snow Day Decision
Snow falls on PW’s school grounds for the very first time in 2025.
Written by Beau Wong
The recent heavy snowfall has once again sparked concerns among students and staff about the VSB’s handling of extreme winter weather.
On February 4, while School Districts in North Vancouver and West Vancouver announced closures due to hazardous conditions, the VSB chose to keep schools open, sending more than 60,000 students and staff to navigate icy roads, unshoveled sidewalks, and delayed transit.
The decision has sparked frustration among students across the district who believe that the VSB is prioritizing routine over safety.
For context, the VSB’s inclement weather policy states that schools and offices will remain open “except under extreme circumstances.” While “heavy snowfall” is listed as a factor in determining school closures, there is no clear threshold for what qualifies as “extreme.”
The VSB usually makes closure announcements by 6:30 am, but if no announcement is made, students are expected to attend school unless their parent or guardian feels that they cannot travel safely to or from school.
For many, this poses frustration and concerns about safety.
At PW, students rely on various forms of transportation, including vehicles, public transit, and walking. While major roads are often plowed and salted, many side streets and sidewalks remain treacherous and hard to navigate.
Under the City of Vancouver’s bylaws, property owners and occupants are required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property by 10 a.m. the morning after a snowfall. However, this rule offers little reassurance to students who must begin their commute before 10 am.
riVancouverites navigate the wintery streets covered in snow. (Getty Images)
Several students who take public transit to school told The Wale Perspective that their walks to bus stops were unsafe, with ice and snow making every step a potential hazard.
One student, preferred not to be named, described their daily commute as “a struggle,” citing unshoveled sidewalks and slippery conditions that made walking to school feel “dangerous.” Another student said that even after reaching the bus stop, the delays caused by snowy road conditions made it difficult to arrive on time.
Concerns over commuting safety extend beyond students. Teachers and staff members face similar challenges, with many driving to get to school.
When asked about the conditions on February 4, one staff member, who spoke to us under the condition of anonymity, shared that their usual commute took much longer than usual due to traffic congestion caused by the snow. They also expressed frustration over the VSB’s decision and felt that the VSB needed to be more transparent in their decision to keep schools open.
While some argue that closing schools for snow disrupts learning, others suggest that keeping them open under unsafe conditions causes even greater disruptions.
When schools remain open but conditions are poor, many students stay home for their own safety, leading to inconsistent attendance. Teachers are then faced with the challenge of balancing lesson plans for students who made it to school and those who did not, ultimately slowing down instruction.
A study by Harvard researcher Joshua Goodman found that unplanned student absences due to weather-related conditions have a greater impact on learning outcomes than full school closures, as teachers are forced to accommodate absences rather than rescheduling lessons for an entire class.
On the contrary however, parents also face difficulties when snow days are called, particularly those who work full-time and rely on schools for daytime childcare. For some, unexpected closures mean scrambling to find supervision for their young children, while others may be unable to miss work, forcing them to leave their children at home alone.
However, students, parents and staff members who advocate for clearer snow day policies argue that these challenges should not outweigh the safety concerns associated with winter travel. Some have suggested that the VSB provide earlier notifications of closures, rather than waiting until early morning, to give families and staff members more time to make arrangements.
The Wale Perspective reached out to the VSB for comment on its decision to keep schools open during the snowstorm.
In response, the VSB defended its stance, stating that “the decision to close schools is made in consideration of safety, equity, and well-being.” The board also emphasized other factors influencing their decision, including transit delays, meal programs, and essential student services, noting that for many students, schools provide crucial support beyond academics. They further highlighted the challenges faced by working families who cannot stay home, stating, “Student safety is our top priority. If for any reason a parent or guardian feels that a child cannot travel safely to or from school, they can notify their child’s school about the expected absence.”
The VSB likely will not change their inclement weather policies in the near future, but with climate patterns and trends becoming increasingly unpredictable, concerns over extreme weather disruptions are only expected to grow, and the risks and potential consequences to student and staff safety during inclement weather conditions only will increase overtime.
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Beau Wong
Managing Editor
