School Closing and Alerts

Spring Lake Park Schools, MN - District 16

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School Closing/Alerts

From the Superintendent

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School Closing and Alerts

Plan Ahead

Winter has truly arrived, and with it an increased chance of a weather-related school closing, late start, or early dismissal. Read below to find out what you'll want to know in advance.

Why would the district consider closing school or a shortened school day?

The most typical reasons for closing school, delaying the start of school, or shortening the school day in Minnesota are related to snow and cold. Students must be able to safely arrive at school, whether by bus, car, or walking. Amount of snow, temperature, wind chill, passable roads, buses that start are among the many factors that are considered.

We are conditioned to follow news about an approaching snowstorm or bitter wind chill factors, and therefore tune into the local media and school district communications for word about whether or not school will be held. However, there are other factors that may cause a school or schools to be closed.

A loss of electricity, loss of heat, or a break in a water line could lead to the closing of a school at an unexpected time. At times like these, reaching families by our automated email and phone alert system is the most effective means of notifying our parents and students in the shortest amount of time.

For this reason, it is extremely important for the school district to have up-to-date parent/guardian contact information (home phone, cell phone, email addresses). If you don't think your information is current, contact your child’s school, or email Jo Ann Lattery at jlatte@district16.org.

Information Sources
If winter storms or other emergency situations cause us to close school for the day, delay the start of school, or close school early, we will notify our community through:

The District Website
Go to the district website homepage for announcements. This is usually the quickest way to get a weather-related or emergency announcement.

Recorded Messages on District and School Offices Phones
A taped message on status of schools and programs will be on the schools’ main office phone lines.

An "alert" message sent to your home phone, cell phone, work phone, e-mail
In the case of school closings, late starts, or early releases, messages are sent to your home phone, cell phone, work phone, or e-mail address, based upon information provided by each family. Update Your Contact Information

Twin Cities News Media
The following typically report school closings and late starts: WCCO TV (Channel 4), KSTP TV (Channel 5), WCCO Radio (830 AM), KMSP TV (Channel 9), KARE TV (Channel 11)

When to look for announcements
An announcement for school closings or a delayed start is usually made by 5:30 a.m.

When school is cancelled for the day
When the Spring Lake Park School District is closed, the following will typically take place:

All schools are closed
All daytime programs are cancelled
Early Childhood Family Education programs, Learn & Play Preschool are cancelled
Kids Club, Panther Planet, Discovery Days are cancelled
Before- and after-school programs and classes are cancelled
Community Education programs for youth and adults are cancelled
After-school or evening athletic/activities practices or contests may or may not take place. Each is at the discretion of the district, the activities director, or individual coaches/advisors. Continue to check the district website homepage or the Activities Hotline (763-785-5585) for updates
School facilities may or may not be open for evening community rentals. Check the district website homepage for further updates

When there is a two-hour late start
If the start of school is delayed for two hours, the following usually occur:

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
Kids Club, Preschool, Early Childhood Family Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Discovery Days, and Panther Planet will be open at their regular starting times. It would be helpful to call your Kids' Club, Discovery Days, or Panther Planet site before bringing children to be certain staff has 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
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 cancelled
Early Childhood Family Education programs, Learn & Play Preschool classes that have not started by this time will be cancelled
Afternoon Kids’ Club and Panther Planet will not reopen for care. Children who are at school when it is cancelled need to follow the family’s emergency care procedures. Kindergarten students still in our care will have parents notified for pick-up within two hours. Discovery Days children will have parents notified for pick-up within two hours
Achievers/STARS and Afterschool Adventures classes will be cancelled
After-school or evening athletic/activities practices or contests may or may not take place. Each is at the discretion of the district, the activities director, or individual coaches/advisors. Continue to check the district website or the Activities Hotline (763-785-5585) for updates