Whether we are ready for it or not, winter weather is upon us!  We would like to remind families of the protocols we follow during inclement weather.  Princeton Schools works with neighboring school districts, Mille Lacs and Sherburne counties, and Palmer Bus Company’s Transportation Manager to make decisions on school closings, delays and early dismissals.  Often, Minnesota weather is difficult to predict and our district strives to be prepared, but ultimately the safety of our children is our biggest priority.

We consider several factors when making the decision to close or delay school which may include: heavy snowfall, ice, fog, wind, and extreme cold.  Generally, extreme cold is defined as sustained air temperatures far below zero or sustained wind chills of 40 degrees or more below zero.

Safe Students / Informed Parents

In any weather emergency, the main objective is to provide protection and a safe environment for students. Once a decision has been reached, radio stations and news services will be contacted on behalf of the district, and the district will send out a Skylert message to families.  Whenever possible, we will exercise the option of implementing an e-learning day, which will be communicated in the Skylert message to families.

Emergency Closing Procedures

• Whenever possible the superintendent will announce school closings or late starts as early as the night before severe weather, if information is available.

• When an emergency closing or a late start is required, every effort will be made to reach a decision by 5:30 a.m. We will make the announcement using the following methods:

  • Our district website: www.isd477.org

  • Skylert (phone, email & SMS message)

  • Local news outlets

  • Social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter). Please note we are unable to respond to messages (“DM”) received via social media during weather emergencies.

• In the event of an early dismissal or a school closing, all student activities and practices, including Community Education classes, facility permits, Early Childhood classes, and Adult Basic Education class will be canceled. Tiger Club will close two hours after buses depart from the schools.

Skylert & Family Access

We utilize our phone, email and text alert system called Skylert to enhance communication during weather events that impact our schools.  Now is a great time to review your contact information in Skyward Family Access!  You may either update your contact information in Skyward Family Access at isd477.org/family-logins or by calling your child’s school. Additionally, we strongly recommend that you add superintendent@isd477.org and transportation @isd477.org to your email address book to ensure alert messages go to your inbox and not spam.

Radio and TV Announcements

Announcements regarding school closings, delayed openings, or early dismissals will be made on the following radio and television stations:

Station	AM/TV	Station	FM
WJON Radio	1240	BIGQ Radio	95.9
KXSS Radio	1390	WWJO Radio	98.1
KNSI Radio	1450	KMXK Radio	94.9
KASM Radio	1150	KKSR Radio	96.7
WCCO Radio	830	KLZZ Radio	103.7
KBECK Radio	1800	KCLD Radio	104.7
WCCO TV	Channel 4	KZPK Radio	98.9
KSTP TV	Channel 5	KCML Radio	99.9
KMSP TV	Channel 9	KLCI Radio	91.5
KARE 11-TV	Channel 11

In addition to these radio and television outlets, weather alerts are announced on the Union-Times website at www.unionandtimes.com and on the district website at www.isd477.org. Additionally, our district Facebook and Twitter accounts will report weather announcements.

Winter weather and emergency situations are not predictable, and they may happen at any time. The purpose of the weather-related closing plan is to assist parents/guardians and students to be better prepared to deal with emergency situations and reduce their effects.  Parents are encouraged to plan and prepare for emergency closings.

Ultimately the decision to send your child to school is yours as a parent. If we hold school and you are uncomfortable sending your child to school due to weather conditions, please contact your school and we will count the absence as excused.

We appreciate your partnership while we navigate winter weather!

Sincerely, 

Princeton Public Schools