The District is building an emergency messenger system to be in place for the 2013-2014 school year that will be used to contact families via phone and email. Before fall, you will be asked if the phone numbers we have on file are accurate. In the interim, please check Twin Cities news media—TV and radio—for school closing and late start announcements. Announcements are typically broadcast by 6:00 a.m. Information is also posted at www.isd12.org and on the District’s message line at 763-792-6030.
Information on Emergency School Closings, Delayed Starts, Early Dismissals
The most typical reasons for closing school, delaying the start of school, or shortening the school day are related to snow and cold. Students must be able to safely arrive at school, whether by bus, car, or walking. The amount of snow, temperature, wind chill and passable roads are among the many factors considered. The choice to cancel school is never easy or taken lightly.
Parents always have the right to excuse their child from school if they feel conditions are unsafe. If you choose to keep your child at home, please call the attendance line to report the absence; it will be an excused absence for the day. Students who stay home on severe weather days will be responsible for checking teacher websites and/or referring to class syllabi for class assignments and due dates.
How the community is notified:
An announcement of a school closing or a delayed start is usually posted by 6:00 a.m. The community is notified via:
- Twin Cities news media – radio and television.
- The district website - www.isd12.org.
- By calling the District’s message line at 763 792 6030 and school office phones.
- Effective fall 2013, an "alert notification" will be sent to you by telephone and e-mail through our Campus Messenger system. A message will be sent to your home phone, cell phone, work phone, and e-mail address, based upon information provided by each family.
What’s closed or canceled?
- All schools are closed.
- All daytime programs are canceled including:
- Early Childhood Family/Special Education Programs
- School Readiness Preschool
- Kids Club
- KC Preschool
- Kindergarten Plus
- Before- and after-school programs and classes are canceled including Community Education programs for youth and adults.
- School facilities will not be open for evening community rentals.
- After-school or evening athletic or activities practices or contests may or may not take place. Each is at the discretion of the district and the activities director.
When there is a two-hour delayed start If the start of school is delayed for two hours, the following usually occurs:
- All schools will start exactly two hours later than usual.
- Buses will run two hours later than usual.
- There will be no morning half-day kindergarten.
- Kindergarten Plus will have a two hour delayed start.
- Mid-morning (after 10:30 a.m.) classes will be in session for:
- Early Childhood Family Education
- School Readiness Preschool
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Kids Club, including K Time and KC Preschool will be open at their regular starting times, if at all possible. It is suggested that you call your Kids Club site before bringing children in to be certain that staff have arrived.
- Continue to monitor the district website for updates and changes.
- All district staff should report as close as possible to their usual starting times.
When school is dismissed early due to an emergency
If inclement weather (or broken water main or other facilities problem) causes a school or schools to be dismissed early, the following typically occurs:
- Afternoon Kindergarten (if it hasn't begun by this time) will be canceled.
- Early Childhood Family Education programs that have not started by this time will be canceled.
- School Readiness Preschool classes that have not started by this time will be canceled.
- Afternoon K Time will close. Parents will be contacted and asked to pick up children within two hours after notification of the closing.
- Afternoon School Readiness Preschool will close. Parents will be contacted and asked to pick up children within two hours after notification of the closing.
- Afternoon Kids Club will not open for care of students. The Early Closing plan you have specified on your child’s Emergency Form will be followed.
- After-school and evening programs and classes will be canceled including Community Education programs for youth and adults.
- School facilities will not be open for evening community rentals.
- After-school or evening athletic or activities practices or contests may or may not take place. Each is at the discretion of the district and the activities director.
Your child’s early closing plan
In the event of an early closing, staff will refer to your child’s “Early Closing Plan.” If you have specified “home,” your child will be sent to your home address. If you have specified another location, your child will be sent to that location.
Updated March 8, 2013
