Six schools will close and buses will be cancelled in preparation for the G20 summit next week.
The public and Catholic school boards have decided to cancel all school bus transportation on Friday June 25 because of anticipated traffic issues. The Toronto Catholic District School Board and the Toronto District School Board consulted with the Ministry of Education, local police and the RCMP, before informing parents of the "precautionary measure."
The Integrated Security Unit has warned of traffic congestion from June 24 through 28.
"The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. We do not want to subject our students to the possibility of spending extended periods of time on buses that are not able to manoeuvre around traffic congestion, nor do we want to subject students to waiting for long periods of times on city streets for school buses that are delayed due to road closures and traffic congestion," TCDSB Director of Education Ann Perron said in a letter to parents.
A letter sent to parents by Director of Education Chris Spence said all schools will remain open with the exception of ALPHA Alternative JS, Beverley P.S., Ogden Junior P.S., Orde Street Junior P.S., The Waterfront School and Island Public/Natural Science School which will be closed on Thursday, June 24 and Friday, June 25. Parents at these schools will receive additional information.
Kevin Hodgkinson, a spokesman for the TCDSB Catholic Board said that between the two boards, about 45,000 students will be affected by the cancellation of the bus, including 10,000 special ed kids.
But for children who can not get to school without the bus, fear not: "It's considered a snow day," said Mr. Hodgkinson. I guess that means summer break starts early.