The following policies and procedures are in place in the event that the Northfield Public Schools must be closed due to inclement weather. In addition to sharing the news with media outlets, a gold alert will be placed across the entirety of the Northfield Public Schools website.
Weather Related Disruptions and School Closings
- Weather Related School Closing Procedures
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PLC Wednesday Schedule and Winter Weather
If a two-hour late start weather delay occurs on a Wednesday, district PLC meetings for staff members will not take place and school will begin at the following times:
- Bridgewater: 10:25 a.m.
- Greenvale Park: 10:20 a.m.
- Spring Creek: 10:20 a.m.
- Middle School: 9:57 a.m.
- High School: 9:50 a.m.
- Area Learning Center: 10:10 a.m.
Note: Morning buses will pick students up two hours later than their regular (non-Wednesday) pick-up times. Afternoon buses will run at their regular times. Also, there will be no morning preschool programs.
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Skylert/School Messenger System
Northfield Public Schools utilizes this communication system for general announcements, meal account updates, and emergency messages. Skylert/School Messenger System uses the information you have in Family Access for these communications. View our guide for registering and configuring Skylert in English / Spanish.
To utilize the text messaging system you must opt-in. From your cell text Y or Yes to 67587.
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e-Learning Day Plan
e-Learning days provide online learning opportunities intended to counter the loss of curriculum momentum resulting from school cancellations due to Minnesota’s winter weather. e-Learning days cannot replace the face-to-face time students have with their teachers but it can provide better continuity when school is interrupted. e-Learning days also negate the need for makeup school days in June, helping families more effectively plan summer activities.
***If a parent does not wish to have their student participate in a weather-related e-Learning day, they have that option. Please call the attendance line at your school and let them know. That absence will be excused.***
» You can access the latest version of the e-Learning plan here.
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Winter Weather and Elementary Recess
Outside play is an important part of our elementary students’ day. Our goal is to ensure that children have an opportunity to be outside and engage in fun activities on a daily basis. However, in some circumstances, winter weather prohibits us from allowing students to go outside. Our students will have recess when the air temperature is warmer than 0º F and the wind chill is warmer than -10º F. Please make sure your children have dressed appropriately for the weather to enjoy playing outside during recess!
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Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidelines
Regular physical activity promotes health and fitness, and we encourage outdoor play for our students. There may be instances when we need to modify outdoor physical activity based on the Air Quality Index in order to protect the health of all children, including teenagers, who are more sensitive than adults to air pollution.
This document provides guidance for schools when making these decisions.
- Students who develops cough, chest tightness, wheezing, or shortness of breath should not exercise outside when the air quality is bad.
- Students with asthma should move indoors for an AQI of 100 or above.
- Moving indoors when the AQI is above 150 is recommended.
- When the AQI is greater than 200, all outdoor activities should be moved indoors, postponed, or cancelled.
Air Quality Index Resources
You can check the air quality daily at www.airnow.gov.
Air Quality Forecast: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/air-quality-forecast Additional Air Quality Resources: http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi -
Extreme Heat Guidelines
Regular physical activity promotes health and fitness, and we encourage outdoor play for our students. There may be instances when we need to modify outdoor physical activity based on the outdoor temperature in order to protect the health of all students.
The district will use the Minnesota State High School League guidance (pp.3-5) regarding outdoor school activities, practices, and competitions during extreme heat. The decision to adjust outdoor activities, practices and/or competitions is made in collaboration with the superintendent, activities director, coaches and other personnel or districts as needed, and within the guidelines provided by the MSHSL.