Uxbridge High School, six elementary schools CLOSED Tuesday for lack of power
Published May 24, 2022 at 8:38 am
Uxbridge High School and six elementary schools in Uxbridge and other areas in north Durham remain closed today as Elexicon Energy races to restore power to all its customers following Saturday’s storm.
The Durham District School Board, who has been communicating with local municipalities and Elexicon on the impacts to school operations, sent a letter to parents and students Monday declaring that the schools will be closed Tuesday as “they do no have electricity.”
The closed schools include:
- Uxbridge SS, Uxbridge PS, Joseph Gould PS and Goodwood PS (Uxbridge)
- Lincoln Avenue PS (Ajax)
- A. Fairman PS (Whitby)
- Valley View PS (Pickering)
“The decision to close these schools has been made to protect the health and safety of students, parents/guardians and staff as electricity is needed to safely operate a school,” the letter said. “Many students in the area of these schools may also be without power and therefore, not able to access virtual learning. For this reason, there will be NO remote learning taking place at those schools.”
“Although there is a state of emergency in Uxbridge, other schools in Uxbridge are open as they have power restored and the municipality has requested that we operate as many schools as possible to support families. We recognize that busing may be impacted for those schools.”
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Sixty-thousand Elexicon customers were left without power after the storm – which brought a low-grade tornado to Uxbridge and caused widespread destruction – hit Saturday. As of this morning the utility is reporting 6,600 customers still without power.
The school board and Elexicon anticipate all schools will be open Wednesday.
Some school bus routes may be delayed or cancelled because of the storm and parents and students are asked to monitor the DSTS website for more information. Those walking to school are asked to stay clear of areas with debris. Students are also reminded that if they encounter a downed power line, to stay 10 meters away.
Power has been restored to all Durham Catholic schools in the Region and classes will resume as scheduled today.
