Quebec schools have been significantly impacted by the first major winter storm of the season, resulting in widespread closures across the province. On February 13, precipitation caused all school boards within the greater Quebec City region to suspend operations for the day, affecting several centers for education, including public and private institutions.
According to reports, all school service centers from across Quebec announced their closures due to the anticipated severe weather, which included forecasts of heavy snowfall. The closures include the following service centers: CSS Appalaches, CSS Beauce-Etchemin, CSS de la Capitale, CSS de Charlevoix, CS Central Quebec, CSS de la Côte-du-Sud, CSS des Découvreurs, CSS Navigateurs, CSS Portneuf, and CSS des Premières-Seigneuries. Some like CSS Beauce-Etchemin and Charlevoix have arranged for childcare services to remain open during the storm.
The CSS Navigateurs was among the first to announce its closure on the evening of February 12, as conditions were predicted to worsen. All primary and secondary schools, as well as adult education centers within the CSSDN, were proactively closed on February 13. University Laval also announced its closure for the day; nevertheless, all online courses will continue as scheduled.
Private institutions followed suit with closures, including notable schools such as Collège François-de-Laval, École des Ursulines, and Saint-Jean-Eudes. For at least one secondary institution, online courses will be offered instead of traditional classroom sessions.
Notably, other regions affected by the storm also reported numerous school closures. Regions of Chaudière-Appalaches and the Capitale-Nationale saw closures across various educational institutions due to the adverse weather. Public service centers like those within CSS de Beauce-Etchemin and CSS de la Capitale made provisions for students' safety by suspending courses for the day.
While most centers suspended classes entirely, some maintained childcare services; for example, CSS Appalaches kept certain facilities open, where children could be accommodated even during the day’s closure. Meanwhile, staff were still required to report to work to manage these services.
Colleges across the region, like Cégep de Beauce-Appalaches and Cégep Lévis, also confirmed cancellations of classes due to the storm’s intensity. The widespread closures raised safety concerns as peak commuting times coincided with challenging road conditions.
Environment Canada placed several regions under warnings for winter storms, predicting considerable snowfall and strong winds. The Quebec region was projected to receive around 15 to 25 centimeters of snow, and wind gusts reached between 50 to 70 kilometers per hour. A minimum of -12 degrees Celsius with wind chills reaching -29 was reported early Thursday morning, making travel perilous.
Alongside closures at educational institutions, the City of Saguenay canceled outdoor winter activities, including public skating at various outdoor rinks, swimming lessons, and other events due to safety concerns associated with the storm.
Reactions to the closures reflected community concerns focused on the safety of students and staff members. Many sympathized with parents managing unexpected adjustments due to the avalanche of snow and the urgent need for safer conditions. Others expressed frustrations about missed instructional time, arguing for contingency plans to cover material lost due to sudden weather disturbances.
This storm marks one of the harshest winter events observed this season, and its impact on educational scheduling is significant. With the province already noted for challenging winter conditions, stakeholders are urging proactive measures to prepare for the continuation of potential severe weather events throughout the month.
Whether through online learning adaptations or daycare provisions, educational authorities are stressing their commitment to maintaining the safety and well-being of students during severe weather incidents. Continued updates will be provided as authorities assess the storm's impact and issue necessary precautions.