School Closure Update: Important Apology Issued
The York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) has issued an important apology concerning recent school closures due to severe weather conditions. The board aims to maintain open communication with families but faced significant challenges on the morning of the closure.
School Closure Update: Important Apology Issued
On a recent morning, heavy snowfall prompted the YCDSB to cancel school buses. Early communication was pivotal in informing families about this decision. An initial email was dispatched at 5:47 a.m. using a third-party email service, detailing the bus cancellations.
Details of the Incident
- Time of Notification: 5:47 a.m. – Initial email regarding bus cancellations.
- School Closure Decision: Made in consultation with neighboring school boards.
- School Closure Email: Sent at 6:12 a.m. to inform families of school closures.
- Email Delivery Rate: Only 20% of families received the closure message within an hour due to high traffic on the email service.
Throughout the technical issues with the email service provider, the YCDSB utilized other channels to disseminate information. This included updates on social media platforms, school websites, and outreach to news media outlets. Furthermore, phone messages were sent in an effort to ensure families received the critical school closure information.
Commitment to Improvement
The YCDSB acknowledges that many families depend on email for communication. Therefore, the board has expressed dissatisfaction with the email service provider’s performance and will address the technical difficulties that occurred. Jennifer Sarna, the Interim Director of Education, emphasized the board’s commitment to preventing a recurrence of this situation.
The YCDSB deeply regrets the confusion and stress experienced by families during this incident. As a result, the board is taking steps to enhance its communication systems to better serve the community in future emergencies.
