Emergency Notifications
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Saint Paul Public Schools uses Blackboard Connect to communicate with families during emergency situations, including severe weather, that may affect the school day. Contact information for Blackboard Connect is synced with the district's student information system, Infinite Campus.
SPPS uses a variety of methods to inform families, staff and the community about school closures and cancellations including spps.org, local media, social media, and direct communication through email, text messages and phone calls.
- Families should make sure their contact information is up-to-date through Campus Parent.
- Staff should make sure their contact information is up-to-date through Employee Self-Service.
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WINTER WEATHER GUIDELINES
Before deciding to hold an e-learning day due to extreme winter weather conditions, Saint Paul Public Schools Superintendent Joe Gothard consults with a variety of experts both inside and outside of the district. Our commitment is to keep families, staff and the community informed of weather-related school closings and cancellations. As a district, it is our goal to make decisions on “cold weather” closings with enough time for families to make arrangements for their student(s) to be home for an e-learning day.
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Closure Guidelines
SPPS follows state education guidelines that allow districts to offer e-learning days due to inclement weather. The district may call an “e-learning day” if:
- Wind chills are forecasted to be -35 or colder at 6 a.m. OR
- Snow makes it too difficult for our students and staff to get to school
The superintendent also reserves the right to close school due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, if necessary. Students should take their iPads and chargers home every day to be prepared for the possibility of an e-learning day due to weather conditions.
Please note that delayed start times are not logistically possible in Saint Paul Public Schools.
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e-Learning Guidelines
As a district, it is our goal to make decisions on winter weather closings with enough time for families to make arrangements for their student(s) to be home for an e-learning day.
- On an e-learning day, students are learning online with their teachers and classmates on their district iPads.
- Students can expect to meet with their teachers and other students throughout an e-learning day and complete assignments via Seesaw/Schoology.
- Students should take their iPads and chargers home every day to be prepared for the possibility of an e-learning day due to weather conditions.
On e-learning days, Discovery Club will be closed. Varsity athletics games and practices will be decided on a case-by-case basis. All other athletic events and after-school activities will be canceled, with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis.
Other cancelations include:
- After-school programs and extra-curricular activities (Flipside, Extended Day for Learning (EDL), etc.)
- After-school events (field trips, open houses, conferences, etc.)
- Family engagement activities (Parent Academy, Parent Advisory Council meetings, etc.)
- Community Education in-person classes. Online classes will continue as usual.
- Permits held by outside organizations (YMCA, Girl Scouts, tutoring, etc.) for meetings and activities in an SPPS building are canceled. Contact the organizer with questions.
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After-school Cancellations
Varsity athletics games and practices will be decided on a case-by-case basis. All other athletic events and after-school activities will be canceled, with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis.
Other after-school cancelations include:
- After-school programs and extra-curricular activities (Flipside, Extended Day for Learning (EDL), etc.)
- After-school events (field trips, open houses, conferences, etc.)
- Family engagement activities (Parent Academy, Parent Advisory Council meetings, etc.)
- Community Education in-person classes. Online classes will continue as usual.
- Permits held by outside organizations (YMCA, Girl Scouts, tutoring, etc.) for meetings and activities in an SPPS building are canceled. Contact the organizer with questions.
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Snow Day Cancellations
Snow day closures and cancellations:
- Classes and programs at all PreK-12 schools
- Discovery Club
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Early Childhood Family Education
- After-school programs and extra-curricular activities (Extended Day for Learning (EDL), Flipside, field trips, school events, etc.)
- Family Engagement activities (Parent Academy, open house, conferences, etc.)
- Community Education cancellations are decided on an individual basis. Contact your specific program or visit spps.org/commed.
- Permits held by outside organizations (YMCA, Girl Scouts, tutoring, etc.) for meetings and activities in a school building are canceled. Contact the organizer with questions.
Varsity athletics games and practices will be decided on a case-by-case basis. All other athletic events and after-school activities will be canceled, with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis.
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Recess
Saint Paul Public Schools uses the National Weather Service (NWS) wind chill chart to determine whether recess will be held outside. Wind chill is the temperature it feels like on your skin when the wind is blowing. The stronger the wind, the colder it feels.
Schools will keep students inside if the wind chill is expected to be colder than -10 degrees below zero. Regardless of the wind chill, students who do not have the appropriate winter clothing will not be able to participate in outdoor recess.
As you can see in the chart below, if the temperature is 10 degrees above zero with winds of 15 miles per hour, the wind chill would be -7 degrees. This would allow recess to continue outside safely. However, if the temperature is 0 degrees with a 5 mph wind, the wind chill would be -11 degrees, requiring recess to be held indoors.
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Clothing Guidelines
Families are encouraged to monitor their children’s clothing selections to make sure they are appropriately dressed for cold weather. Students who do not have the appropriate winter clothing will not be able to participate in outdoor recess.
“Feels Like” Temperature
Clothing to Wear
Under 15 degrees
Dress in layers
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Long-sleeved shirt
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Sweatshirt or sweater
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Heavy winter coat
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Wool or thick socks
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Gloves
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Winter headwear and/or ear muffs
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Snow boots
15-30 degrees
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Long-sleeved shirt
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Sweatshirt or sweater
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Heavy winter coat
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Wool or thick socks
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Gloves
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Winter headwear and/or ear muffs
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Snow boots
30-40 degrees
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Long-sleeved shirt
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Winter coat or heavy jacket
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Thick socks
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Gloves
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Winter headwear and/or ear muffs
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Closed shoes or boots
41-65 degrees
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Jacket
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Closed shoes
Above 65 degrees
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Parent's choice
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Wind Chill Chart
Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) uses the National Weather Service (NWS) wind chill chart to determine whether to hold an e-learning day or make adjustments to outdoor recess. Wind chill is the temperature it feels like on your skin when the wind is blowing. The stronger the wind, the colder it feels. SPPS may move to an e-learning day if the wind chill is expected to be -35 degrees Fahrenheit at 6 a.m. the following morning.
As you can see in the chart below, if the temperature is negative 5 degrees with winds of 40 miles per hour, the wind chill would be -36 degrees which could result in an e-learning day.
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HOT WEATHER GUIDELINES
The following guidelines are based on the Heat Index and forecasts from the National Weather Service. The Heat Index is how hot it feels to the human body based on both high air temperatures and high humidity levels. The National Weather Service forecasts will guide how SPPS responds. Saint Paul Public Schools Superintendent Joe Gothard will consider canceling individual schools without air conditioning when the National Weather Service issues an Excessive Heat Warning.
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Closure Guidelines
The superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools will consider canceling an individual school without air conditioning when the National Weather Service issues an Excessive Heat Warning. Before SPPS makes the decision to cancel a school, the following will be considered:
- The ability to move students and continue school at another site or area within the building
- The safety of students who may not have the resources at home to stay safe in the heat
- Whether the school building has adequate air movement (access to windows that open, fans, ventilation system capabilities, etc.)
- Evaluation of the combination of temperature and humidity indoors
- Sites with vulnerable student populations
- Prolonged heat waves
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Heat Index
The National Weather Service uses the Heat Index to guide its issuance of heat-related watches, advisories and warnings.
Weather Terms
- Heat Index - The heat index is how hot it feels to the human body based on both high air temperatures and high humidity levels in the shade.
- Humidity - The measured amount of moisture in the air.
- An Excessive Heat Watch is generally issued by the National Weather Service within 24-72 hours or when hot weather has the potential to occur. The Heat Index could be 100 degrees with an overnight air temperature above 75 degrees. The forecast may still be uncertain.
- A Heat Advisory is generally issued by the National Weather Service within 12 hours or when hot weather is likely to occur. The Heat Index is expected to be 100 degrees or higher for at least 2 days with an overnight air temperature at or above 75 degrees.
- An Excessive Heat Warning is generally issued within 12 hours or when hot weather is certain to occur. The Heat Index will be 105 degrees or higher for at least 2 days with an overnight air temperature above 75 degrees.
This information is based on National Weather Service criteria. The National Weather Service may issue these weather watches, advisories and warnings within a +/- 2 degree difference.
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Air Quality
What is an Air Quality Index (AQI)?
Air quality is rated by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) with an air quality index (AQI) ranging from 0-500 that reflects the five major air pollutants: ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. The EPA has established national air quality standards for each pollutant to protect our health.The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern. For example, an AQI value of 50 or less reflects good air quality with little effect on health, while an AQI value over 300 is hazardous and can damage healthy lungs. An AQI value of 100 or less is considered acceptable for outdoor activities. AQI values above 100 are considered unhealthy, at first for people with respiratory or cardiac conditions, and for everyone as AQI values increase.
What should schools do?
Saint Paul Public Schools follows the EPA’s Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance for Schools. The guidance includes when and how to modify outdoor physical activity based on the Air Quality Index. This guidance can help protect the health of all children, including teenagers, who are more sensitive than adults to air pollution.Watch for Symptoms
Air pollution can make asthma symptoms worse and trigger attacks. Symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing and chest tightness. Even students who do not have asthma could experience these symptoms.If symptoms occur: The student might need to take a break, do a less intense activity, stop all activity, go indoors, or use quick-relief medicine as prescribed. If symptoms don’t improve, seek medical care.
Air Quality Index Resources
- Current Air Quality: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/current-air-quality-conditions
- 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
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Families
Here is a list of things families can do to keep students cool:
- Dress children in lightweight and light-colored clothing
- School buses are not air conditioned. You may provide a washcloth or neckband that has been cooled with water and stored in a sealable plastic bag. Students can wet the washcloth before getting on their afternoon bus
- Send your child to school with a reusable water bottle with your child’s name (students will be allowed frequent breaks to use a drinking fountain or hydration station)
- If your child has a disability or health condition that gets worse in heat, please notify the school nurse
- If your child has asthma, provide medication to the school nurse
- After school, visit a Ramsey County Cooling Center, such as a library, swimming pool or recreation center
- Parents and guardians have the right to do what’s best for their child. Absences are not automatically excused. Families must follow their school’s procedures for reporting an absence
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Schools and Programs
Although some schools do not have air conditioning, Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) takes extra precautions to help students stay cool and hydrated during hot weather.
- Schools with partial air-conditioning may identify “cooling areas” for students and staff
- Administrators will direct and deploy available fans to the hottest areas of the building, including for staff working in kitchens equipped with ovens/dishwashers.
- Administrators will use their best judgment on whether to hold recess outside depending on the play area, available shade, etc.
- Students will be allowed more frequent breaks to use drinking fountains and hydration stations (special drinking fountains that allow students and staff to fill reusable water bottles easily with chilled, filtered water)
- All staff may use available fans to provide direct air movement and fresh air as needed
- Staff will direct any child who feels ill to the nurse's office
- Staff will keep their window blinds closed during the day to avoid heat from the sun
- Staff will open windows for additional air circulation
- Community Education will take appropriate steps for individual programs, including:
- Evaluating the Heat Index indoors to determine whether to cancel a program
- Evaluating the Heat Index indoors to determine whether a program can be moved to an alternative site
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Athletics
- Athletics will ensure that athletics directors are familiar with the MSHSL Weather Guidelines for addressing the heat
- MSHSL recently updated its heat guidelines by using the WetBulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) method. This method measures heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover (solar radiation)
- You may review the current and forecasted conditions for the WBGT here
- Athletics will post delays or cancellations of practices and games at spps.org/sports
- Morning practices for both indoor and outdoor sports can continue as planned
- Practices scheduled for the midday hours will usually move to the morning or evening hours
- Teams may have less strenuous practice and physical activities will be reduced
- Games will be moved to the evening hours or postponed
- During games or matches, there will be frequent breaks for student athletes as mandated by state rules
- Athletics will ensure that athletics directors are familiar with the MSHSL Weather Guidelines for addressing the heat