School districts across Muskoka are taking precautionary measures amid forecasts of extreme winter weather. On March 6, 2025, both the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB) and the Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) announced full closures of their schools to protect the safety of students and staff.
The TLDSB announced the closures early on March 6 due to the potential for messy weather, stating, "The decision was made based on the severe winter weather forecast for later this evening (March 5) and tomorrow (March 6)." Meanwhile, the SMCDSB confirmed it would be locking down all its facilities, emphasizing safety concerns with their statement: "Doors will be locked at all three school facilities and pathways and parking lots will not be safely accessible." This included schools such as Monsignor Michael O’Leary, St. Dominic, and St. Mary.
The weather forecast leading up to the announced closures painted a grim picture: snow mixed with rain was anticipated, accompanied by temperatures plummeting to minus 7 degrees Celsius. Blowing snow was also expected to create near-zero visibility for travel, prompting concerns over the conditions for students trying to make their way to school.
Further complicate matters, Environment Canada had indicated the risk of freezing rain during the early morning hours, with total snowfall amounts being forecasted between 5 to 10 centimeters. This led to heightened urgency from educational authorities, as they sought to mitigate any potential for hazardous travel conditions.
Wind gusts between 20 km/h to 70 km/h were predicted, making the wind chill factor significant, with temperatures feeling as low as minus 17 degrees Celsius. Given these dangers, the decision to close schools was not taken lightly. Educators recognized their responsibility to prioritize student safety amid challenging conditions.
Local authorities and school boards swiftly communicated about the closures, ensuring parents were informed of the decision made to safeguard children from potentially perilous travel situations. The SMCDSB articulated their reasoning clearly, asserting, "The risk of severe winter weather cannot be underestimated when making decisions about school operations.”
Intense weather patterns have become more common, and as the region braces for what is forecasted, precautionary closures like these aim to prevent accidents or injuries among students. This year, severe winter storm forecasts have prompted early planning, allowing school boards to act decisively and swiftly at the sign of potential danger.
While parents may have been concerned about missed instruction time, they were largely supportive of the closure decisions. The safety-first approach echoed common sentiment among families, who favored protecting their children from the elements over maintaining routine school operations.
Looking forward, residents are advised to stay alert to weather updates and school board communications. The immediate forecast suggests flurries and snow squalls may continue beyond March 6, encouraging caution among drivers and pedestrians alike.
With the situation as dynamic as the weather itself, all eyes will be on how conditions evolve over the next few days, affecting return-to-school schedules. School boards will likely continue to monitor the forecasts closely to determine the best course of action for reopening schools as soon as it is safe.
Overall, the proactive shutdown of schools reflects not only the responsiveness of the educational systems but also their commitment to student health and safety. Ensuring safe surroundings for children requires quick and effective decision-making, particularly when faced with the unpredictability of severe winter weather.