INNISFAIL - All Chinook's Edge School Division (CESD) offices and schools are closed today (Feb. 8) due to inclement weather, while Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools' buses are cancelled but schools are open.
"Due to extreme cold weather and wind chill temperatures, we made the decision to close schools and offices today for the safety of our students, parents, and staff, Kurt Sacher, CESD superintendent of schools, said in an email sent this morning.
As staff are unable to travel to school to access their regular technology and teaching materials, Sacher encourages students and families to check Google Classroom or students' email for access to alternate learning activities and further direction.
An Environment Canada weather warning updated this morning says extremely cold wind chill values between minus 40 C and minus 55 C continue for much of Alberta including communities in Mountain View and Red Deer counties.
Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frost bite and hypothermia.
"This prolonged cold snap is expected to persist into the weekend for many areas of Alberta. There will be some moderation in temperature at times, typically during daylight hours," the weather warning says.
Due to the extreme cold temperatures for today, Red Deer Regional Catholic Schools bus service has been cancelled for Blackfalds, Sylvan Lake, Innisfail, Olds and Rocky Mountain House. This also includes all rural (Red Deer County) school buses.
Red Deer Regional Catholic Schools' schools are still open today.
