“Due to the weather forecasts announced for tomorrow, the CSSCV announces the closure of all its primary and secondary schools and daycare centers for the day Tuesday, September 5, 2023,” the organization announced on its website, networking social events under the end of the day on Monday. Employees are in telework mode.
The organization covers the area east of Gatineau (Buckingham and Masson-Angers sectors) as well as Petite-Nation.
However, vocational and adult education centers will remain open, it is said.
This decision follows a directive in force at the CSSCV since 2018, which states that we are in a situation of great unrest in the facilities with temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius or more and that in this context we take into account that the students are not in an appropriate educational context, not to mention that their well-being and that of staff is at risk. The announcement was made the day before based on the forecast of the highest temperature in its area.
“The school calendar provides for two educational days to be converted into teaching days in the event that the CSSCV closes schools due to extreme heat, the first at the beginning of the school year and the second towards the end of June,” the policy statement said.
Nothing has been decided yet for Wednesday.
All other schools in the Outaouais and Ontario side will remain open as usual.
For its part, the Draveurs School Service Center (CSSD) saw fit to clarify this on the Internet.
“However, it is important to note that school teams can take measures to adjust educational activities depending on temperature,” it said.
The National Capital Region is under a heat warning as the heat wave began on Sunday and could well continue into Thursday.
On Monday the felt temperatures reached 38°C with the Humidex factor, on Tuesday and Wednesday they are expected to reach 42°C before gradually falling at the end of the week.
The mercury exceeds the psychological mark of 30°C in September, while surprisingly this mark has only been reached nine times in the region since the beginning of June, including not once in August.
Environment Canada says in its warning that Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be the hottest days of the week, with daytime highs between 30 and 34°C and nighttime lows just below 20°C, providing little respite warmth, an unusual situation for early September.
Heat records could fall in the coming days. For September 5th and 6th, the historic record highs are 33.1 and 31.7°C in Ottawa, respectively, a mercury level reached in 1983 and 1945.
“Even very hot and humid air can cause air quality to deteriorate and cause the air health index to approach the high-risk category.” Extreme heat affects everyone. The risks are greatest for young children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with chronic illnesses and those who work or exercise outdoors,” explains the federal agency.
Remember to watch out for the effects of heat illness, such as swelling, rashes, cramps, fainting, and heat stroke or heat exhaustion. It is recommended to drink plenty of water before you feel thirsty; and taking more frequent breaks, especially if you work outside.