File photo of the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division office in Lethbridge. (Photo: Holy Spirit Catholic School Division)

By Justin Goulet

Holy Spirit schools in Lethbridge set to be open Friday, despite extreme cold

Jan 11, 2024 | 3:33 PM

UPDATE – January 12, 2024

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Father Leonard Van Tighem School is closed Friday due to a watermain break causing flooding.

ORIGINAL STORY – January 11, 2024

LETHBRIDGE, AB – While some schools in southern Alberta will be closed Friday due to the extreme cold, those in Lethbridge operated by the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division will remain open.

READ MORE: Extreme cold leads to closure of Palliser Division schools on Friday

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The division confirmed that all of its schools in the city will be operating as normal on January 12, 2024.

However, a statement from the division noted that with temperatures expected to significantly drop, it “recognizes and respects that some parents/caregivers may wish to keep their children at home”.

School buses may be delayed due to the weather and road conditions. The division said students should not be left unattended at bus stops because of dangers that come with the cold weather.

RURAL COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

The division operates schools in rural communities. These include St. Joseph School in Coaldale, St. Catherine School in Picture Butte, St. Mary’s School and St. Patrick School in Taber, and St. Michael’s School in Pincher Creek.

Officials said those schools will be closed on Friday. This is due to bus routes being cancelled for the Horizon, Livingston Range, Palliser and Prairie Rose School Divisions, which Holy Spirit utilizes.

READ MORE: Livingstone Range schools to close Friday due to extreme cold

Individual messaging will be sent to all families impacted by these closures. Students will be welcomed back to class on Monday, January 15.

BLOOD BUSES

The division added that the Blood buses will not be operating on Friday, so those using that service are advised to stay home or find alternative means of transportation.

READ MORE: Extreme cold warning issued for all of Alberta

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