There are few more difficult decisions to make in a school year than deciding whether to declare a Snow Day or not.  This week we had fair warning that snow was likely and teachers were asked to check their fan out procedures and the Principals and Nihat Tetiker planned their early morning routines. 

Sure enough, at 6 am on the morning of Tuesday 29^th January, Mr. Tetiker reported that he couldn’t get his car up the school driveway and Lynch Bus Lines declared that their fleet would not leave the yard.  Mr. Cusbert immediately posted a message on our web site that the school was closed for the day, notified the Media and activated the fan out system. This was so successful that I heard from one family who have four children in the school that they had no less than four phone calls from Class Parents dutifully calling round! All schools in West Vancouver were closed on Tuesday 29^th January so there was little doubt in anyone’s minds that the right decision had been made. 

The next morning, Wednesday 29^th January started with again the bus company declaring that they could not get their equipment out on the roads.  There are three Mulgrave bus routes and about 120 students are dependent on the buses for transport to and from school.  At the same time, reports from the school were that the hill was slippery but could be managed with care.  More ploughing was needed and salters were on their way.  But it was still snowing hard!  The easiest decision would be to cancel school for the day but we had already lost one valuable teaching day and we realize how difficult it is for some families to manage supervision of their children when the school is suddenly closed.  We decided that we had to wait until the road was properly cleared so it could handle over 400 cars descending on the bottle neck around the same time.  Also it was forecast that the snow would turn to rain.  So we went with the compromise; Late Start at 10 am and children could be dropped-off anytime after 8 am. 

We realize that for some families, the different start time, the lack of bus service and the driving conditions in your own neighbourhood, make it necessary for you to keep your child at home for the day. This is your right, but we do ask that you call in to the school to record the approved absences.

 Thank you for your understanding and patience while we endure the worst that nature can throw our way!

 Sincerely,

Tony Macoun
tmacoun@mulgrave.com