Guidelines for School Closure Due to Adverse Weather or Other Conditions

Hong Kong weather can be extreme and often unpredictable necessitating the need to modify our school schedules on occasion. As always, parents are advised to use their best judgment in determining whether to send their children to school when inclement weather conditions or other road or safety conditions prevail.

Any decision to close the school or delay opening will be made by the Head of School, or when absent, by one of the Principals, after considering the view of the Government and / or relevant school officials where appropriate.

The school will be closed temporarily in the following circumstances:

. Extreme weather conditions . Instruction from the Bureau, the Department of Health, or other Statutory Agency of the Government of that is empowered to close schools . Emergency or critical incident . Risk to health or safety . Special events in Hong Kong . Traffic conditions

The Education Department usually makes a decision at 6am on such mornings. Under normal circumstances, CDNIS will follow the Government’s recommendation and will not call parents directly. Where possible, the Head of School shall ensure that adequate notice is given to the parents through a variety of media including a written note to parents on the main school website. Parents are advised to check the website for updates regularly during school closures the school will also attempt to notify parents via the school mobile app and/or SMS. Parents should pay close attention to television/radio announcements, as well as Government websites.

Useful Websites: www.cdnis.edu.hk Canadian International School of Hong Kong www.hko.gov.hk Hong Kong Observatory www.epd-asg.gov.hk Environmental Protection Department www.edb.gov.hk www.chp.gov.hk Centre for Health Protection

Weather Warnings The guidelines below are an indication for closure during adverse weather conditions. The school will always put safety first to safeguard student welfare under any circumstances.

Off Campus Warning Status Before School During School Activities

AMBER RAIN School open School open Closely monitor situation Heavy rain is expected Regular classes Regular classes At discretion of teachers

RED RAIN School closed Classes remain in session Before activity – Heavy rain has started Classes cancelled Students stay at school cancelled to fall, with 50mm of rain Students stay at home until regular dismissal time During activity – over the last hour or until safe to go home students will return to school

School closed Classes remain in session BLACK RAIN Classes cancelled Students stay at school Cancelled Over 100mm of rain has Students stay at home until regular dismissal time been recorded over the or until safe to go home last 2 hours

THUNDERSTORM School open School open Closely monitor situation Regular classes Regular classes At discretion of teachers

Thunderstorms likely to affect Hong Kong

School open School open Closely monitor situation T1 Regular classes Regular classes At discretion of teachers 1 SIGNAL approx. 800 km off Hong Kong

No school - Pre Rec & Rec Classes remain in session Before activity – T3 (AM classes) Pre Rec & Rec: PM classes cancelled TYPHOON 3 SIGNAL Decision will be made for will be cancelled During activity – Strong Wind Speed 41- Pre Rec & Rec PM classes students will return to 62km/h. Gusts may by 10am school exceed 110 km/h Regular Classes for students in Prep to Grade 12

School closed Classes will be dismissed Cancelled T8 + Classes cancelled Students stay at school TYPHOON 8 SIGNAL Students stay at home until collected or safe to go Gale or storm force wind home Speed 63-117 km/h, Gusts may exceed 180 km/h

Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)

The quality of Hong Kong air and the condition of the air fluctuates considerably each day and from area to area. The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is issued by the Environmental Protection Department of Hong Kong (EPD) to provide a simple and uniform way to report daily air pollution concentrations and to serve as a basis for issuing advice to the public before the onset of air pollution episodes. The school will monitor these levels on a daily basis using the Central & Western Station and use the following guidelines to safeguard our students:

Government issued Guidelines Website Source: http://www.edb.gov.hk/mobile/en/sch-admin/admin/about-activities/sch-activities- guidelines/index.html

Health AQHI Health Advice Recommendations for Recommendations for Risk Band Pre Rec & Rec Prep to Gr. 12 Low 1-3 No action required

Moderate 4-6 No action required

High 7 Reduce outdoor Physical activities of moderate The intensity and duration of physical exertion to low intensity for the following the following activities should be and time outdoors types of activities: at a moderate level:  Running/jumping  PE Lessons  Ball games (i.e. soccer)  Athletics Meets  Cycling  Swimming Galas  Ball games (i.e. soccer)  Outdoor Activities (i.e. camps)  Cross Country

Very 8-10 Reduce to the Physical activities of moderate The intensity and duration of High minimum outdoor to low intensity and minimum the following activities should be physical exertion duration for the following types at a moderate to low level: and time outdoors of activities:  PE Lessons  Running/jumping  Games Days  Ball games (i.e. soccer)  Athletics Meets  School picnics/outings  Swimming Galas  Ball Games (i.e. soccer) Prolonged outdoor activities not  Outdoor Activities (i.e. recommended camps)

Activities not recommended: × Cross Country

Serious 10+ Avoid being outdoors Avoid physical exertion

Outdoor ASAs will be moved to indoor supervised areas Outdoor athletics cancelled

Susceptible Students Susceptible students are those who have a medical condition, such as heart, respiratory or chronic illnesses (i.e., asthma, chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive airways diseases), which is indicated on your child's submitted medical information

For susceptible students, the following recommendations are in place:

AQHI Band Applicable AQHI Recommendations 7 8-10 ≥ 8 10+

**for CDNIS STAFF information only**

SCHOOL CLOSURE COMMUNICATIONS PLAN

Organizational Hierarchy

Step 1 Step 2 Response

Report to Board

Chairman/ Notify

Board Members of  the school closure

• Notify staff members Principals through Emergency Decision Maker   Vice-Principals  Phone Tree * • Arrange for transportation for students and staff Head of School • Coordinate with teachers to deliver the necessary course of study.

• Contact parents through media, radio, Communications email, SMS or  and Development website announcement Manager • Prepare news releases for publication and broadcast • Respond to media

• Contact service providers and request service deliveries Facilities Manager • Coordinate with appropriate authorities and  Business   official departments/ Administrator agencies for delivery of intervention services and strategies.

Report to

appropriate  authorities and government departments