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 will be communicating all bus delays and cancellations. The LDSB will not be communicating this information directly with families. The best way to receive communication regarding bus cancellations or delays is through the Student Portal.
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
The cancellation of school buses does not mean schools are closed. Should the need to close a school arise, that information will be communicated by the LDSB and the individual schools.
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.
Secondary Exam Schedule January 22 to January 28, 2026.
If buses are cancelled due to inclement weather at the school, exams scheduled on that day will be rescheduled to the next exam day. Subsequent exams in the exam schedule will also be rescheduled to the next exam day.
Schools will communicate with families directly through e-mail if the exam schedule is adjusted due to inclement weather and bus cancellations. Information about researched exams will also be posted on school websites. It will be important for families to watch for communication in the event of inclement weather. Students are expected to be present and available to write exams during the entire exam period, from January 22 to January 28, 2026.
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
