Snow days go virtual

If extreme weather causes the district to close school buildings, learning would continue uninterrupted as all students and staff would shift to an e-Learning Day. This means any students in the Hybrid Learning Model who were scheduled to have an in-school learning day, would instead learn virtually for that day. All other students scheduled for virtual learning in the Hybrid or EVA models would continue their learning as planned.

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.

Notification of a weather related e-Learning Day would happen in the same way that school closures/snow days have been announced in the past: email, voicemail and text messages to families; a website alert; postings on social media channels; and announcements on all local television channels. If buildings are closed, Tier 1 childcare would also be closed for that day. Cancellations of other programs or events would be announced at that time.

The plan to implement e-Learning Days has been in place since fall 2019, although no “snow days” were necessary last year. 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.