If your kids haven’t finished their weekend homework yet, they may want to get cracking.
Chilliwack schools are open on Wednesday, Feb. 8, according to an email sent out to staff.
The opening would come after a winter wallop that closed schools, recreation centres, libraries, and some city facilities, along with several stores and restaurants. While most of Chilliwack is still digging out for snow while bracing for a second onslaught of precipitation and possible freezing rain on Wednesday night, school district officials were hoping to re-open schools if possible.
However, school buses are not going to be running.
The district says it will continue monitoring the situation overnight Tuesday and will make a final decision at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. If schools are to open, they are asking families and staff to carpool as much as possible as there is limited space in parking lots. Carpooling will also reduce traffic in areas where there are no sidewalks for kids to travel on.
The snow began falling furiously on Friday night, and kept up most of the weekend. In total, just over 88 cm of snow fell in four days. While it’s unclear if it was a record breaking snowfall, it did exceed the average annual snowfall of 85 cm.
Freezing rain is expected to hit the area, either on Wednesday night or Thursday, and officials are reminding people to be prepared for potential power outages.
The email states:
“Buses WILL NOT be operating and transporting students.
We are anticipating and planning for our schools and sites to be open for students, staff and community activities.
However, we will be monitoring the weather overnight, particularly the drifting and additional snow that is being predicted.
Parking and roadway traffic is limited, therefore staff and parent carpooling, as much as possible, would be helpful.
We also recognize and are aware that sidewalks for students travelling to and from school continue to be an issue.
A final decision regarding schools and sites being open for Wednesday February 8, 2017 will be made by 5:30 a.m.”
