- The NPAS’ Severe Weather Team’s goal is to minimize the loss of instructional time while being mindful of student and staff safety. In general, we will remain open. To cancel, delay or close schools early poses significant issues for families with transportation and child-care arrangements.
- Staff, students and families should always assume school is in session unless we communicate otherwise. IF we decide to cancel school for the day, the decision will be communicated to staff and families no later than 5:30 a.m. or as soon as possible for early release or cold-weather cancellations.
- Winter weather is extremely unpredictable and conditions can moderate or worsen very quickly. As a result, we constantly monitor the weather and conditions by relying on the following sources:
- National Weather Service and regional meteorologists provide us frequent updates as it pertains to our communities
- Area public works and police departments for road conditions, plowing schedule and related impacts;
- MN State Patrol for interstate and outlying road conditions; and
- Neighboring school districts to compare weather assessments and local decisions.
- While there is always pressure when surrounding districts cancel, delay or close schools early, each school system considers its own unique conditions first. It’s good to know what surrounding districts are doing, but no other school district has the exact combination of roads or highways.
We realize not everyone will agree with our decision. However, we are deliberate and thorough in our process and decision-making as it impacts not only your child, but EVERY child in the school district. Caretakers are encouraged to use their judgment to determine what is best for their children. In the end, we make a final decision based on safety and the ability of our school buses to get students to and from school safely.