EMERGENCY CLOSINGS, DELAYED STARTS, AND EARLY RELEASE

Severe Weather Procedures

Generally, you can expect that school will be held, even in severe weather.

If school is held on a day you believe the weather is hazardous, you may keep your child home. Please call your school’s absence line to report the absence. The absence will be excused.

SCHOOL CANCELLATION AND EARLY DISMISSAL

School Cancellation

District administrators consider the combined effects of snow, ice, and wind chill when determining if school will be held. If the National Weather Service predicts the wind chill to remain at or drop below -35°F (below zero), school may be canceled. We attempt to make the decision by 5:30 a.m. after surveying conditions, monitoring weather reports, and consulting with transportation vendors.

Early Dismissal

Early dismissal is unlikely, due to the complexity of student transportation. However, if a storm worsens during the day, the superintendent may decide to close school early. Staff would attempt to make such a decision by 11 a.m.

• Mid-day dismissal: Lunch may be served and schools will be released in normal order, so older siblings are home first to await younger brothers/sisters.

• Tornado warning or other severe weather: Buses will not be loaded and students will remain at school.

Late Starts

Due to the complexity of student transportation (e.g., students coming from other districts for magnet schools, homeless student transportation, and transportation to out-of-district special education programs), Osseo Area Schools currently does not offer late starts. At the time this handbook was published, however, the district was studying the feasibility of weather-related two-hour late starts. Families will be updated if late starts become an option.

Programs, Activities, Events

When schools close, all after-school and evening activities and programs are generally cancelled, as well, including extra-curricular activities and community education programs (youth/adult classes; preschool and Kidstop programs; adult basic education; early childhood). Privately sponsored activities scheduled through the school district’s facilities reservation department are also cancelled. The Kidstop Family Handbook describes pick-up procedures related to early dismissals.

COMMUNICATIONS

If school is canceled or dismissed early, we inform families as follows:

• Telephone/email: We will call and/or email you using an automated messaging system. Please be sure to submit or update your contact information through your child’s school.

• Online: Whenever possible, emergency information will be posted on the district’s website—www.district279.org—and the district’s Facebook page—www.facebook.com/OsseoSchools.

• Broadcast: Information will be submitted to major radio and TV stations as “Osseo District 279.”

Please do not call your child’s school with questions during an emergency. The phone lines must remain open for emergency communications. If you need assistance, call the main district phone number: 763.391.7000.

Family Support during Extreme Weather and Other Emergencies

Make sure your family has an emergency plan and that your children know what to do if schools close early.

Make sure that your emergency contact information at your child’s school is current. This includes daytime phone numbers for parents and names of individuals who are authorized to pick up your children if they must be released early. Students will only be released to their parents or individuals authorized on the student’s emergency card. It is the parents’ responsibility to make sure their child is picked up by an authorized person or can get into their house safely is school closes early.

Ensure your children are appropriately clothed with mittens, hats, boots, and coats suitable for cold, snowy weather.

DISTRICT 279'S EMERGENCY PLAN

ISD 279 - Osseo Area Schools has developed a comprehensive emergency plan with the help of local law enforcement, emergency management, and public health officials.

The district’s emergency plan is based on an “all-hazard” approach that incorporates five Universal Response Actions. Universal Response Actions are clear, standardized directives that can be implemented quickly in a variety of emergency situations. When an emergency happens, the school principal or district administrator will implement one of the following response actions:

• EVACUATION – All students and staff will exit the building. If the school grounds are not safe, students may be relocated to another site.

• SEVERE WEATHER SHELTER – All students and staff will be moved to designated shelter areas within the building. If severe weather strikes during dismissal, buses may be delayed.

• SHELTER IN PLACE – All students and staff will move inside the building. Exterior doors will be locked. Windows will be closed and ventilation systems will be temporarily disabled to keep out contaminants.

• LOCKDOWN – All students and staff will secure their area by locking doors and windows. Public access to the school will be temporarily suspended.

Emergency drills are routinely held in all schools to prepare students and staff. Please note that during a Reverse Evacuation or Lockdown, access to the building will be restricted to the public, including parents. After the emergency response action is lifted, you will be allowed to enter the building.

In the event of an emergency, we may need to contact you. It is extremely important to make sure that the emergency contact information on file at your school is current. This includes daytime phone numbers for parents and names of individuals who are authorized to pick up your children if they must be release early. Children will be released only to their parents or individuals authorized on the student’s emergency card.

While emergency events are rare, parents/guardians can be assured that the district works closely with emergency partners including police, fire and medical, to be prepared. All of our plans are focused on protecting the health and safety of our students.

Canine Searches

As one of many tools we use to keep our school safe, the schools are working in conjunction with local law enforcement to have trained dogs randomly search our parking lot, student lockers, and the school building during and after school hours. If a dog identifies a vehicle and/or locker as having a prohibited item, the vehicle, locker and the person they belong to will be searched as will his or her personal item.

Fire Drills

According to Minnesota State Law, schools must have fire drills. It is therefore important that students follow the fire drill guidelines each time that the alarm goes off. The guidelines are:

1. Leave the building immediately according to the directions posted in each area.

2. Once out of the building, remain at least 100 feet from the building until the all-clear bell rings.

3. If the alarm rings during lunch time, leave the cafeteria immediately and leave the trays on the table. When returning to the cafeteria, finish lunch, and bus the tray.

Tip Line

The district has established an anonymous Tip Line for students, staff, and parents to report bullying, weapons, drugs, and violence. If you have information regarding something that may happen or an incident that has already occurred, please call 763-391-8660 to report it. You may also complete an anonymous Tip Line form on the district website. All messages will be forwarded to the principal or appropriate administrator.

Tornadoes

In the event of a tornado warning while students are in school, all students will stay at the school until the tornado warning is over, unless parents/guardians come to school to pick up the student(s).

BUILDING ACCESS & SECURITY

For the safety of our students and staff, all exterior doors will remain locked during the school day, except for the main entrance. Visitors must sign in at the main office. Children will only be released to their parents/guardians or individuals authorized on the student’s emergency card or in Synergy. Proof of identification may be required.

According to Minnesota Statute 609.605, subdivision 4, “It is a misdemeanor for a person to enter or be found in a public or non-public elementary, middle, or secondary school building unless the person;

• is an enrolled student in, a parent or guardian of an enrolled student in, or an employee of the school or school district,

• has permission or an invitation from a school official to be in the building,

• is attending a school event, class, or meeting to which the person, the public, or a student’s family is invited or,

• has reported the person’s presence in the school building in the manner required for visitors to the school.

It is also a misdemeanor for a person to enter or be found on school property within one year after being told by the school principal or the principal’s designee to leave the property and not to return, unless the principal or the principal’s designee has given the person permission to return to the property.