March Break continues for Halifax students

HALIFAX – School children in Halifax get an extended spring break, as Halifax Regional School Board cancelled classes Monday.

In a news release the board said an extra day is required to improve conditions on school grounds. While kids and teachers are allowed to stay home, administrators and caretakers are required to report to their schools.

On Friday, the school board said the goal was to have all school grounds cleared by Sunday. The Halifax Regional School Board (HRSB) said structural assessments of all schools prone to leaks would also be done over the weekend.

Many french-language schools in Halifax were also closed.

Classes are also cancelled at schools in Kings County in the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board, and in Cumberland County in the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board.

Meanwhile, the Halifax Regional Municipality warned residents returning to work on Monday that many streets are still narrow and snow covered and to plan their commute accordingly. In a news release Spokesperson Jennifer Stairs said crews have been working day and night to clear streets and snow removal is still a top priority. City crews are also coordinating with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency and Halifax Transit to help identify the remaining problem areas and prioritize street clearing.

The 24/7 street parking ban remains in effect until further notice, cars can be ticketed and towed if they are parked on streets in the municipality. To encourage people to take public transit rather than driving to work, Halifax Transit is again offering free service on Monday.

Garbage collection resumes Monday after being cancelled for most of last week.  Residents whose collection was cancelled are allowed double the amount of garbage.