How the decision process works
Whenever severe weather is in the forecast, the district leadership follows an established process based on benchmarking best practices. Weather conditions outside this school district generally are not included in the decision-making process (i.e., a neighboring school district is closed) as conditions may not be the same.

All decisions are based on safety
For emergency closings and late starts, coordination starts as early as 4:30 a.m. of the applicable school day. Normally no later than 5 a.m., a recommendation is forwarded to the superintendent. If the superintendent elects to keep schools open, no public communications are made. If a decision is made to close schools, normally by 5:30 a.m. the news media are called, the ParentLink and Campus Messenger systems are activated and all websites, and social media outlets are updated.

We recognize that some parents/guardians would appreciate calls at different hours, but we do not have a system to accomplish such. Every attempt will be made to have the entire notification system initiated by 5:30 a.m. and completed by 6 a.m. Whenever news media has or is airing upcoming or current weather warnings, we recommend parents/guardians always check any of the different methods our district is or will use to communicate regarding school delayed starts or closings.

During the course of a school day, if the weather becomes a significant safety issue, district officials will consult with outside safety experts, Vision Transportation, schools and programs. Should a decision be made to have an early dismissal, the notification systems described above will be immediately implemented. Announcements normally are only made if a decision is made for a late start, early dismissal or closure.

It is important to note that the school district assumes legal responsibility for students once they arrive on school grounds or embark on a district contracted bus or transportation option. Parents and guardians are reminded that it is vitally important and their responsibility to ensure their student(s) are properly dressed for extreme weather conditions going to and coming from school.

If inclement weather forces ISD 728 to close, start late or dismiss early, one of the following announcements will be made using the media sources listed below.

School delay, closing and early dismissal communication
There may be times when adverse weather or an emergency will result in school delays, closings or early dismissals. The district will communicate with you using the following methods:

• Websites, district and school 
• Social media sites:
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/isd728 
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/isd728
• ParentLink automated telephone notifications
• Email notifications
• News media notifications (TV channels 4, 5, 9 & 11)
  
  

School closings

• All K-12 schools will be closed for the entire day.
• All K-12 activities and athletics will be canceled for the day.
• All Early Childhood and Family Education (ECFE) screening and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) classes will be cancelled for the day.
• All daytime and evening Community Ed activities are canceled, including EdVenture Club and community groups/rentals; buildings are closed.
  
  

School is delayed (typically a two-hour late start)

• All K-12 schools will open two hours later than regular start times.
• All K-12 activities and athletics will be held.
• All morning Early Childhood screenings, ECFE and ECSE classes will be canceled.
• All community ed morning activities are canceled. EdVenture Club will be delayed with the same late start.
• All after school and evening Community Ed activities will meet, including community groups/rentals.
  
  

School is dismissed early

• All K-12 schools will close early and students will be sent home.
• All K-12 activities and athletics are cancelled for the remainder of the day.
• All Early Childhood screenings, ECFE and ECSE classes will be canceled for the remainder of the day.
• All after school and evening Community Ed activities are cancelled, including EdVenture Club and community groups/rentals.

Weather emergency when school is not in session

• On days when K-12 schools are not in session and there are community education programs scheduled, check the Community Ed Weather Hotline at (612) 253-5109 for closure information.
• Alerts will also be posted on district websites and social media.

eLearning Days

eLearning Days are intended to provide access to learning on days when there are school cancellations due to inclement weather. While these days cannot replace the face-to-face time students have with their teachers, it can provide continuous learning when school is cancelled. eLearning Days also eliminate the need for makeup days at the end of the school year, helping families plan summer activities.  

On an eLearning Day, students in Early Childhood through 5th Grade will choose 1 activity in each of the subject areas listed. Upon completion, the parent/caregiver and child will sign the Choice Board and return it to school. 

In order to access the eLearning Choice Boards and learn more Click Here.  If you have questions about the eLearning activities, please contact your classroom teacher..

Providing Meals
If students are required to participate in e-learning learning due to inclement weather, meal service is not provided.

School-Age Care
ISD 728 does not generally provide school-aged care for children, including those of critical workers, if a school is closed due to inclement weather.

However, school-aged care is provided for children in Grades K-5 who are enrolled in the preregistration Inclement Weather Care program. The program is offered from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Hassan, Parker and Zimmerman Elementary Schools. Pre-registration is required.

To enroll or get more information, please visit www.isd728.org/Inclement-Weather.

Note:  Regular EdVenture Club is not open on days school is cancelled.