Weather, School Closings & eLearning

Providing protection. Keeping students safe.

We envision on days when school is canceled due to inclement weather or other unforeseeable events, students and teachers will utilize developmentally appropriate resources to communicate and engage in learning experiences that are related to current classroom curriculum goals and skills.

Weather Related School Closures, Late Starts, and Early Dismissals

In any weather emergency, the main objective is to provide protection and a safe environment for staff, students, and families.

3 Area District’s Will Make Weather Related Schedule Changes Together

Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools, St. Cloud Area Schools and Sartell-St. Stephen Public Schools will collectively determine weather related school closures and/or schedule changes.
It is important that the three districts coordinate closures or schedule changes due to our close proximity to one another.
Community members, families and district staff may live and/or work in surrounding communities, which are different districts than their children attend school.

It is our hope that collaborating about weather related school closures or delays will alleviate some scheduling issues for families.

How Will You Know?

In the event there is a weather related emergency, district leadership will make every effort when possible to communicate school closure or delay information by
- 9:00 p.m. the evening before, or
- 5:30 a.m. in the event a decision must be made in the morning.
Communication will be sent in email, text and voice format via the district’s notification system to district families and staff,
Weather related schedule change information may also be found on the following stations (as well as online).
- Radio Stations:
  88.1 FM, 91.5 FM, 92.9 FM, 98.1 FM, 98.9 FM, 99.9 FM, 101.7 FM, 104.7 FM, 105.5 FM
  830 AM, 660 AM, 1150 AM, 1240 AM, 1450 AM
- Television Stations:
  KMSP (Channel 9); KARE (Channel 11), KTSP (Channel 5), WCCO (Channel 4)
- Other: St. Cloud Times Online

How Are The Decisions Made?

The districts will use forecast details and weather information from the Weather Channel app and the National Weather Service (NWS)/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The district’s also rely on information provided by city and county road services and transportation partners to determine if weather conditions may cause a late start, full day cancellation or an early dismissal from school.
The cold weather threshold is 35-below zero windchill or air temperature as forecasted by NWS for the St. Cloud Metro area.

What Is Your Family's Plan B?

Boy student on the playgroup at PVES wearing winter had and jacket

e-Learning Expectations and Choice Boards

Starting in the 2022–2023 school year, the district will utilize eLearning days for full day closures for all students P–12+.

The first day closure, students and staff will not have school and there will be no eLearning.
The second through the sixth full day closures will be eLearning days and staff and students will follow the eLearning plan.

Below are the eLearning expectations for students, staff, and families:

Expectations for Teachers

Expectations for Students

On an eLearning day, students will:

Locate and complete Choice Board per the teacher’s directions.
Sign and return Choice Board to their teacher within three school days.

In advance, students will:

Be prepared to complete eLearning day Choice Boards.

Links to eLearning materials and information for your school:

Expectations for Families

On an eLearning day, families will:

Monitor, sign, and return Choice Board with the student to school within three school days.
Communicate questions for teachers via email or other digital mediums.

In advance, students will:

Be prepared to complete eLearning day Choice Boards. Choice Boards can be found on the building's website and will be sent home with students ahead of time.

Links to eLearning materials and information for your school:

Choice Boards

eLearning Days Activities will:

Be due within three school days; completion will count towards attendance.
Consist of activities that are best suited to the resources that are available for students when at home.
Be sent home with students in advance of the dates of eLearning days.

NOTE: Students will not lose school day privileges, such as recess, if activities are not complete.

Male and female at table with female students doing home work, focused