As the air turns colder and we are nearing December, there are some things we’d like you to know about winter weather and its impact on school. Something new this year is the inclusion of “weather make up days” in the calendar. If we have to cancel school, those weather makeup days are built in, and we won’t have to add on to the calendar at the end of the year. If we don’t have cancellations, those days become days off for students and staff. We also recognize that families and staff need to be able to plan around days off from school, so we will notify you through our social media and other messaging tools one week ahead of the scheduled day as to whether it is a day off or a make-up day. The first of those weather make-up days is scheduled for January 22, 2024; we will post notice on January 16 (due to the holiday). The second scheduled make up day is March 1, so notice will be posted February 23. The final day is April 12, so expect a post by April 5.
If we use all of the weather makeup days and we have additional storms that make it unsafe to travel, we will schedule it an e-learning day. Staff and students will be learning and working from home on an e-learning day. Staff will be available on line, by email or phone to provide instruction and assistance with lessons between 9:15 and 12:00 and 12:30 – 3:00. Each building has its own specific e-learning process, so please check on the website specific to your student’s building. Students will have two days following an e-learning day to submit assignments. In the event of a multiple day weather event, we will only use two e-learning days in a row and would plan to make up any days beyond the two.
We believe it is important for school to stay on schedule. If we can safely transport students, we will have school. Our communication plans have improved this year between drivers, the transportation director and superintendent so that we are getting real-time feedback from our drivers. We also monitor conditions via the Grand Forks National Weather Service Office and the Duluth National Weather Service Office. We will attempt to communicate decisions by 6:00 a.m.
Here is some other winter weather information:
- Calling off school is a complicated decision that we take seriously. It not only affects the learning of children, but also the work schedules and daycare situations for many parents and children. If we believe we can safely get children to school, we will hold school on time.
- Dressing your children appropriately is important, all winter long. Hats, mittens, boots and a warm coat are all part of winter in Northern Minnesota.
- If a parent does not think the weather conditions are safe, it is their right to keep their child home. If this is the case, parents should call into the school and indicate their decision. This is recorded as an excused absence.
- Weather can vary greatly between one area of the district and another. It is not uncommon for there to be a 5-10-degree difference in temperature, differences in wind speeds, and to see dramatically different snowfall accumulations within our district.
- “Cold” is not easy to reduce down to a single number; wind chill and temperature both play a part in the decision. Temperatures reported by official weather stations are used.
- Timing also plays a part. We pay the most attention to what the conditions are going to be like between the hours of 5:30 and 7:30 a.m. When we delay the start of school during bitterly cold days, it is to give our drivers the best chance of making their full route safely. Once the sun is up, drivers can see the road and are less likely to get stuck.
- School closing and delay notifications to families can be found or heard on the following sites: Instant messaging alert system via our website/phone/text/push notifications, the district Facebook page, Radio Stations: Paul Bunyan Broadcasting’s KB101 and 95.5, KPRM, KOJB, and television stations: KARE11, WCCO/KCCO AND KSTP.