School Closings & Alerts

School District 197 makes every possible effort to keep schools open in most weather conditions if bus travel is safe. Unless we announce otherwise, assume school is in session.

School District 197 makes decisions to close school by looking at a number of factors. Buses must be able to start and run dependably. Local road conditions must be safe and passable. Wind chills must be safe, especially during bus pick-up and drop-off times. (For example, when there are sustained wind chills of 40 to 45 degrees below zero during critical travel times, conditions are not safe for students.) The National Weather Service is our source for weather information.

Due to the often unpredictable winter weather in Minnesota, in most cases we wait until early morning before notifying families. However, there may be rare instances when we make a decision the night before.

For any snowy or cold conditions, please be sure children are dressed for the weather and particularly if they are traveling by bus or walking to school. With winter weather, please also allow for the occasional delay with bus pick-up and delivery times.

Decisions for Schools to Remain Open or to Close

Schools are Open

On cold or snowy days when weather conditions may not be ideal but bus routes are safe, the district will keep schools open. We realize that weather or traffic conditions could cause some buses to run late or present challenges for some walkers if sidewalks still need to be shoveled.

Parents make the final decision about whether to send their children to school if they believe weather conditions present a safety issue. No school credit is lost and the absence is excused if a parent decides to keep a child home because of the weather.

If you do not receive a phone call, text, or email from the school district, find a message on our website, or see a posting on local media channels, school is in session.

Schools are Closed

School District 197 will close school if it is unsafe for students to arrive at school or if buses would have difficulty traveling their routes.

The amount of snow, temperature, wind chill, passable roads, and at times the possibility of buses not starting are among the many factors that are considered.

If schools are closed, we alert our families by phone, text, and/or email using the information and preferences we have on file for emergency communications; publish an alert on our website; and post information on local media channels.

Potential Scenarios for Winter Weather Closings

Weather-related Excused Absences

Communication

An alert notification will be sent to you by phone, text, and e-mail based upon information on file with the school district and any preferences you have selected for notification in cases of emergency.
An "pop up" Alert Message will be posted on each district and school homepage.
We will post a message on the School District 197 Facebook and Instagram social media pages.
We will share information via school closing messages on WCCO (Channel 4), KSTP (Channel 5), KMSP (Channel 9), KARE (Channel 11), and WCCO radio (830 AM).

Updating Family Contact Information

When school is closed, released early, has a delayed start, or a flexible learning day is called, our automated e-mail, phone, and text alert system is our most effective means of notifying parents and families in the shortest amount of time. In these cases, it is important that we have the most up-to-date parent/guardian contact information (home phone, cell phone, e-mail addresses).

To update your contact information, including phone numbers or email addresses, please login to Parent Portal.

If you need assistance with this process, if you need login information, or if you need to set up your Campus Portal account, please contact the Technology Help Desk at 651-403-8400.

Two-hour Delayed Start

If the start of school is delayed for two hours, the following would usually occur:

When there is a delay in opening schools, the school start time will always be delayed at least two (2) hours.
Buses will run two hours later than usual.
School-Age Care: SAC will be two hours late (opening at 8:30 a.m. with normal afternoon hours).
Preschool/ECFE/Extended Day: All morning preschool and ECFE classes/programs will be cancelled. Morning extended day will be two hours late, starting at 9 a.m. All-day preschool classes will start at 11:15 a.m. Afternoon classes will start at the normal time of 1:00 p.m. Afternoon extended day will have normal hours.
Activities: Before-school activities will be cancelled. After-school activities will have normal operations.
Community Education: Before-school classes will be cancelled. After-school classes will have normal operations.
Facility Rentals: Normal operations

Consulting with Other School Districts

Sometimes. Snowfall-related cancellations can affect metro areas very differently whereas cold weather impacts each of the metro districts in a similar way. Although each school district makes its own decision, communication and consultation among school districts is very common and necessary. Because we share services with neighboring districts, it's always important for bordering districts to talk to each other before making their decisions.

E-Learning Definition & Procedures

Through e-Learning, teachers can deliver instruction and support through electronic or virtual means when the weather does not allow for staff and students to safely travel to school. As part of our Emergency School Closing Procedures, we move to e-Learning on the fourth school cancellation of the school year.

When there is an e-Learning day, students are expected to learn remotely, either with an electronic device or with pre-arranged materials/activities. While e-Learning cannot replace face-to-face instruction, it provides better continuity of learning when school is interrupted and avoids having to add school days to the end of the school year.

The decision to move to e-Learning will be announced no later than 5:30 a.m. on the day of an e-Learning day. Announcements will be made using the same communication methods we use for school cancellations (phone, text, website, media reports, etc.)

Please ensure that your family’s contact information is updated by contacting your school office.

e-Learning Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Will there be any live instruction on e-Learning Days?

A: No. To accommodate the varying needs of our families, students will not be required to log in to live instruction on an e-Learning day. Instead teachers will provide activities for students to do independently. Teachers will however be available for questions throughout the day.

Q: Will teachers be available on e-Learning Days?

A: Yes! Teachers will be available to answer questions by school email during typical school hours. Elementary school teachers will also be available for two, 1-hour time periods via Google Meet. Elementary teachers will communicate when and how to connect in their e-Learning message. Middle and high school teachers will also be available from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. via Google meet. Directions on how to connect with teachers will be provided in Canvas.

Q: What if I need help with Seesaw or Canvas?

A: For help with digital tools like Seesaw and Canvas, contact your teacher. If they are not able to help you can also call 651-403-8400 and they can direct you to the tech pro for your school.

Q: How is attendance taken on e-Learning days?

A: Students are expected to engage in the work provided by their teacher. Elementary students are to complete activities as directed on their choice board. Middle school and high school students, they should log in to Canvas and check EACH of their courses for their assigned work.

Q: What if my child is sick OR cannot participate in e-Learning?

A: Just like a normal school day, if your child is sick and/or not able to participate in the e-Learning day, call the school office and report them absent. Students should make up work just like they would for a regular missed school day.

Q: When are e-Learning assignments due?

A: Teachers will communicate due dates for all e-Learning assignments.

Q: What if my child receives special education or English Language Learner services?

A: Special Education teachers and service providers will send families information needed for e-Learning days via email, SeeSaw or Talking Points.