Emergency School Closings

All unscheduled school closing, late start, or early release information will be communicated in the following ways:

Automated voicemail
E-mail
Text
District and school websites
Mobile App
Postings on district social media channels
Local Television Outlets - WCCO (Channel 4), KSTP (Channel 5), KMSP/FOX (Channel 9), and KARE (Channel 11)

NOTE: Cancellations of other programs and events will also be announced.

Every effort is made to make a decision the evening before a weather event as we understand the impact on families and staff.
Sometimes the unpredictable Minnesota weather makes an early decision not possible. We will announce a change to the school schedule as soon as we are able.

In accordance with Board Policy 807, all school closings and/or schedule changes are decided by the Superintendent or their designee.

The most compelling reason for closing schools will be the safety of students and employees.Decisions to cancel or shorten the regular school day and after school activities shall be made by the superintendent or their designee in consultation with other staff, and may include consultation with local city personnel and neighboring school districts, as appropriate. The Director of Business Services and the Supervisor of Transportation will consult with the Superintendent to ensure facilities are able to receive students and busses are able to run routes. Decisions on school closings and late starts will be made as early as possible – either the night before or as early in the morning as possible.

	1st Snow Day	2nd Snow Day	Learning Platform	Learning Format
Grades K-2	No Instruction	eLearning Day	Seesaw	Asynchronous
Grades 3-5	No Instruction	eLearning Day	Schoology	Asynchronous
Grades 6-12	eLearning Day	eLearning Day	Schoology	Asynchronous

School Closings: Frequently Asked Questions

Why would the district consider closing or delaying the school day?

The decision may be the result of inclement weather, loss of power, water main break and/or other emergency situations that may occur within the district. In cases of inclement weather, the Superintendent works with the Director of Business Services to verify the conditions of the roads and the ability for all buses to start and drivers to be able to arrive in time for routes to run.

When are decisions made to cancel school?

How will staff/families be notified?

How will the district determine Late Starts and Early Dismissals?

Late starts and early dismissals are inherently difficult for many programs and families. With this in mind, administration will do their best to keep these to a minimum. Early dismissals will be determined as conditions dictate. All families should have a contingency plan for their children in the event of school closings.

In the event of a late start, morning Early Learning programs and classes (including preschool, ECSE, ECFE, home visits and child care), School Age Care, and morning adult Community Education classes and programs, are cancelled. Programs resume at noon.

What about After School and Evening Activities?

What about Community Education and the Success Center?

When school is cancelled, the following programs are also cancelled:
- School Age Care
- Adult and youth enrichment classes
- Success Center
When a Late Start is called, the following are cancelled:
- Morning School Age Care
- Adult and youth enrichment morning classes held before noon.
- Morning Success Center
When an Early Dismissal is called, the following are cancelled:
- Adult and youth enrichment classes held after school and in the evening
- Afternoon School Age Care
- Afternoon Success Center

What about Early Learning Center activities?

When school is cancelled, the following programs are also cancelled:
- Early Learning Center classes, activities and extended learning (child care).
When a Late Start is called, the following are cancelled:
- Morning Early Learning Center classes and programs (preschool, family education, early childhood and ECSE): Classes resume at noon.
- Extended and all-day pre-k, and extended learning (child care) are cancelled for the entire day.
When an Early Dismissal is called, the following are cancelled:
- Early Learning Center afternoon classes and programs

What about Weekend Events and/or Facility Rentals?

The plan to implement e-Learning Days has been in place since Fall 2019. In 2017, State Legislation amended the Length of School Year; Hours of Instruction (Minn. Stat. § 120A.41) to include the option of e-Learning Days due to inclement weather. The School Board approved the District’s e-Learning Day plan in July 2019.

e-Learning Days: Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need e-Learning Days?

Continuity of learning is important for our students to succeed. In order to do this, we feel that learning needs to continue even when we have an unplanned cancellation of a school day. Students will be expected to participate in their courses in Seesaw/Schoology or through activities that they can do around their home.

All Schools in Minnesota have a required amount of time for which students must attend. In the event that we have a school cancellation due to inclement weather, e-Learning Days help us meet our attendance requirements.

What are e-Learning Days?

How do e-Learning Days work?

Families will be receive an automated message notifying them of a school cancellation. Messages will also be distributed on the district website, social media, and appear on local television stations.
Students will log on to their courses in Seesaw/Schoology to connect with their teachers and work on their assignments.
Teachers will check email and voicemail periodically during the school day to answer questions and provide guidance.
The due dates for e-Learning Day assignments will be determined by each teacher, but attendance will be taken for that day.
Students with special needs may face unique challenges while performing academic tasks independently. Provisions will be made for the particular needs of each student by their teachers.

Grade Level Staff	Responsibilities
K-1 Classroom Staff	Update Seesaw page with activity. Use Seesaw to share journals for parents to view. Communicate via Seesaw and/or email.
Grades 2-5 Classroom Staff	Create an E-Learning day folder at the top of the page in Seesaw/Schoology. Have an attendance-based activity included in the folder.
Grades 6-12 Classroom Staff	Create an assignment in Schoology at the top of the course with the instructions. The title should include the name of the assignment, e-Learning Day, and the date. All files needed for students should be attached to the assignment. This could take the form of a Calendar Event with links to a unit guide, a Schoology assignment, discussion, or assessment to be completed. The item should be due by 11:59 p.m. for attendance to be counted for that class period.

How will the district ensure access to e-Learning materials for all students?

Access to technology is critical for learning at Edina Public Schools. Therefore, access to technology and internet access is critical for day-to-day learning regardless of e-learning or normal instruction.

In addition, during our e-Learning Days, the expectation is that a telephone can be used to provide assistance to our students. The plan is to utilize voicemail systems to leave messages, which then go directly to email. We would assist teachers to leverage talking points for two-way parent communication.

Edina Public Schools K-5 students are assigned an individual device. With notice of potential inclement weather, devices will be sent home with students for access. Hotspots can be provided to students in grades 2-12 who do not have adequate internet access. Building principals will work with media specialists, deans, and social workers to verify need.

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