School Closings, Delayed Starts, Early Dismissals

Notification sources if school is canceled
  • An alert notification about school closing will be sent to you by telephone and e-mail. A message will be sent to your primary phone, cell phone, or work phone and e-mail address -- based upon information/preferences provided by each family. To update your records or see your contact preferences, login into Campus Portal on the district website. You can also contact your child's school for assistance.
  • An easy-to-find Alert Message will be posted on the top of each page on district and school websites: SpringLakeParkSchools.org
  • Recorded messages will be on district and school office phones
  • Twin Cities news radio and television stations will be contacted

The district makes every possible effort to keep schools open, in most weather conditions, if bus travel is safe. Unless we announce otherwise, assume that school will be in session.  In the case of snowy or cold conditions, be sure to dress your kids warmly for the possibility of longer walk times or waits at the bus stop, and allow for the occasional delay with pick-up times.  As always, it is the parent's decision about whether or not to have their child go to school.  A student who remains at home or arrives late will be excused.  Students take a break from playing in the snow.

Schools are Open

If the school district determines that its buses can run dependably and bus travel is deemed safe, schools will be open.

Cold/Snowy Weather: Schools are Open
On cold or snowy days when weather conditions are not ideal but bus routes are safe, the district will keep schools open. We realize that weather or traffic conditions could cause some buses to run late or present challenges for some walkers if sidewalks still need to be shoveled.

On days such as this, it is up to each parent whether or not to send their child to school if they believe weather conditions make it unsafe to arrive at school by bus, car, or walking. A student who remains at home or arrives late would be responsible for class assignments, and we ask that parents report what would be an excused absence to the school.

Schools are Closed
The school district would close school if it is unsafe for students and staff to arrive at school or if buses would have difficulty traveling their routes. The amount of snow, temperature, wind chill, passable roads, and buses that do not start are among the factors that are considered. A power outage or broken water pipe could result in a school closing. We would alert our families on the website, by phone, and email, and local media.

When to look for announcements

If winter storms or other emergency situation cause us to close school for the day or delay the start of school, a decision will be made as soon as possible.

Keep your contact information updated

When school is closed, begins late, or closes early, our automated e-mail and phone alert system is our most effective means of notifying parents and families in the shortest amount of time.  In these cases it is important that we have the most up-to-date parent/guardian contact information (home phone, cell phone, e-mail addresses). If your contact information is not current, or if you're not sure, please visit Campus Portal on district website.

If you need assistance with this process, if you need login information, or if you need to set up your Campus Portal account, please contact the Technology Help Desk at 763-785-5555 or email portal@district16.org.

When the Spring Lake Park School District is closed, the following will typically take place:

When school is canceled for the day

  • All schools are closed
  • All daytime programs are canceled
  • Early Childhood Family Education programs, Learn & Play Preschool are canceled
  • Learning Ventures and Discovery Days are canceled
  • Before- and after-school programs and classes are canceled
  • Community Education programs for youth and adults are canceled
  • After-school or evening athletic or activities practices or contests may or may not take place. Each is at the discretion of the district, the activities director, or individual coaches or advisors. The Spring Lake Park page of the North Suburban Conference website (nsconference.org) will also be updated.
  • School facilities may or may not be open for evening community rentals. Check the district website homepage for further updates

When there is a two-hour delayed start

If the start of school is delayed for two hours, the following would usually occur:

  • All schools will start exactly two hours later than usual
  • Buses will run two hours later than usual
  • There will be no morning half-day kindergarten
  • Kindergarten Plus will have a two-hour delayed start
  • Learning Ventures, Discovery Days, Preschool, Early Childhood Family Education, and Early Childhood Special Education will be open at their regular starting times. It would be helpful to call your Learning Ventures or Discovery Days site before bringing children to be certain staff has arrived
  • Continue to monitor the district website for updates and changes
  • All district staff should report as close as possible to their usual starting times

When school is dismissed early

If inclement weather (or broken water main or other facilities problem) causes a school or schools to be dismissed early, the following typically occurs:

  • Afternoon Kindergarten (if it hasn't begun by this time) will be canceled
    Early Childhood Family Education programs, Learn & Play Preschool classes that have not started by this time will be canceled
  • Afternoon Learning Ventures will not reopen for care.
  • Children who are at school when it is canceled need to follow the family’s emergency care procedures.
  • Kindergarten students still in our care will have parents notified for pick-up within two hours.
  • Discovery Days children will have parents notified for pick-up within two hours.
  • Achievers/STARS and After-school Adventures classes will be canceled.
  • After-school or evening athletic or activities practices or contests may or may not take place. Each is at the discretion of the district, the activities director, or individual coaches/advisors. The Spring Lake Park page of the North Suburban Conference website (nsconference.org) will be continually updated.