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Severe Weather

It is always our hope for learning to continue unless it is unsafe to do so. We continually monitor the forecast from the National Weather Service.

In the event that conditions are hazardous:

  • A severe weather meeting is called which includes staff from Transportation, Operations, Communications, the Superintendent’s Office, Athletics, Community Education and other departments as necessary. 
  • We consult with neighboring school districts. 
  • Our transportation team monitors the road conditions, including physical checks.
  • The group makes a recommendation to the superintendent on whether or not school should be closed and determines the impact of closing schools.
  • The superintendent makes the final decision based on the following factors:
    • safety and well-being of students and staff, 
    • severity of the weather (extreme cold, flooding, heat, etc.), 
    • timing of the weather (overnight, during the school day, etc.) and 
    • ability of buses and cars to travel safely. 

Full-day school building closure decisions are made no later than 5:30 a.m. the day of the closure.

When a school is closed or moves to e-learning: 

  • Buildings are also closed to the public. 
  • After-school activities including Minneapolis Kids and athletics are also canceled. 
  • The Communications Department notifies families if schools will be closed or move to e-learning.  

Communications 

If schools will be closed or move to e-learning, notification is sent by: 

  • Robocalls, texts and emails 
  • The district website 
  • Local television news
  • Social media (Facebook and Instagram)  

It is important that schools have the most up-to-date contact information for families in Infinite Campus. If your profile is marked “private” in Infinite Campus, or if no contact is marked as guardian, you will not receive messages from MPS.

Contact your school to make updates to your Infinite Campus profile.

Food Resources

For a list of community food resources when our school buildings are closed, visit the City of Minneapolis website.

Food Resources

Severe Weather Cancellation vs. E-learning Days

For the 2024-25 school year, school will be closed and school will be cancelled in the event of severe weather. E-learning days will only be used on severe weather days for schools at risk of falling below state-required instructional hours if school is closed due to weather.

E-learning days will only be used in the following circumstances: 

  • After school has been canceled for three days (due to weather or other reason) at pre-K and kindergarten-grade 5 schools. 
  • After school has been canceled for two days (due to weather or other reason) at middle and high schools.
  • For pre-K through grade 8 schools, the pre-K through grade 5 students will have e-learning days after school has been canceled for three days and grade 6-8 students will have e-learning days after school has been canceled for two days
    • Even though the grade 6 students have the same instructional hours requirements as grades 1-5, grades 6-8 students at a pre-K through grade 8 school are on the same calendar and schedule; therefore, from an instructional model perspective, grade 6 students would have e-learning with grades 7-8 students.
  • All grades at Seward Elementary will follow the pre-K through grade 5 protocol: E-learning will be used after school has been canceled for three days.

View the MPS e-learning plan

Severe Weather Tips