A top priority for our district is student and staff safety. The decision to close school is based upon the safety of road conditions and weather forecast. Outside air temperature or wind chill may also impact school operations (-25 air temperature or -40 wind chill). When determining whether to close or delay school due to weather conditions, we will examine each weather event on a case-by-case basis.

In the morning, if weather causes school to be canceled or delayed, the decision will be made by 5:30 a.m. Communication starts to staff, students and families as soon as the decision is made and includes our transportation partner, Palmer Bus Services, and childcare partner, River Valley YMCA. Please ensure your contact information in Infinite Campus is updated.

In the event of an emergency during school hours, or in cases of weather-related changes to the school day, it’s important to know where to find accurate and up-to-date information. 

• Automated phone calls and email notifications: School closings or delays are communicated through an automated phone calling service, email and text message. 
• District and school websites: The notice of a school closure, late start or early dismissal will appear on the Shakopee Public Schools home page as well as individual school websites (homepage) as soon as the decision is made. 
• District social media: Twitter and Facebook
• News Station of Record: For weather-related changes to the school day, messages will appear on WCCO, the district's news stations of record. We provide information immediately after the decision is made, but have no control over when the message airs. Shakopee Valley News, the district newspaper of record, will also be notified.

Important Reminders:

• Connected Learning Days (CoLD): This is an opportunity to extend learning beyond the classroom. In the event we have a school cancellation due to inclement weather or an unforeseen emergency, CoLD help us meet our instructional hour requirements. More information will be provided in the delay/closure notification if the adjustment will be considered CoLD or a non-school day. A student's teacher provides direct instruction on CoLD packets or activities during the beginning of the school year.
• Activities & Athletics: Students and families should look for communication from their coaches and the Activities office on whether practices/activities will be canceled or delayed. The Activities office will also post updates on its social media sites, website and, if in school, on its office windows. Emails may also be sent.
• Community Education: When severe weather affects the regular school day, daytime Community Education activities or classes that meet immediately after school will also be canceled. Evening activities may be held if there is significant improvement in weather conditions. In that situation, participants will be contacted by Community Education regarding class status.

If a parent or guardian's assessment of the weather situation differs from the district, simply notify the child's home school attendance line should the child stay home. If a student is already in school, standard pick up procedures apply. 

In the event of a weather-related school change, please look for communication from the YMCA on information related to delays and/or cancelations. Please see the outline below on general winter weather schedule adjustments for the 2022/23 school year.