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Winter Weather Practices

Winter Weather Practices

With the first snowfall in the books, we wanted to remind families of our winter weather information. Minnesota winters seem to create the potential for severe weather warranting school closings or delays nearly daily. We take the responsibility for each weather call very seriously despite the decisions being far from straightforward.


Our goal is to make the “right” call when it comes to closings and delays. Many variables are considered when attempting to best ensure the safety of students and staff as we attempt to accommodate all of the families in the District. Weather-related decisions in a District with a land-area of nearly 165 square miles with varying land features from Chisago City to Taylors Falls will not always seem perfect. The status of neighboring districts may even be different. Keep in mind, we will do what we deem to be best for Chisago Lakes. Ultimately, a student’s attendance at school is a parent or guardian’s decision. If parents and guardians feel it is unsafe for their child to travel to school, the absence will be excused.


Our Considerations:

  1. Can students get safely to school and safely home? Not only are students bused to school, but many students drive. We will take into consideration both modes of transportation when making our school closing and delay decisions.

  2. Weather forecasting. We’ll do our best to understand cold, wind, road conditions and visibility. Keep in mind those 165 varying square miles in our District. We will utilize “spotters” (school employees, plow truck drivers and law enforcement) throughout the District to provide us guidance when possible.

  3. Keeping routines for families and the school. We all want students in school. School staff want to keep the learning going and parents wish to minimize disruptions to daily routines. However, inclement weather may trump those goals. Parents and guardians; ultimately you will make what you deem to be the “right” call for your student(s). It should be noted however, that schools must meet state requirements for attendance and if cancellations exceed what is allowed in our calendar, make-up days may be required.


We appreciate your patience and flexibility this winter regarding Closings and Delays at the Chisago Lakes Schools. Please plan accordingly and, as always, do what you feel is best for your students and family. Here’s to a safe winter season!

Snow Days & E-Learning Days

Last year, Chisago Lakes School District added e-learning days as another tool we can use for inclement weather. We will continue to have three traditional snow days with no school and no academic expectations. We would implement e-learning days as needed for any inclement weather days beyond the three snow days.


E-learning will continue that day at home through activities and assignments provided by each student’s teacher. This learning can take place through online tools or using offline printed materials. Implementing e-learning days allows the learning to continue and better protects our calendars from the need to make up snow days at the end of a school year or during spring break. While e-learning days can not replace the face-to-face time students have with their teachers, it can help us maintain student learning due to unforeseen circumstances.


E-learning days will be announced using the same communications methods we use for school cancellations - phone calls, website alerts, social media and news outlets.


Information on what an e-learning day looks like, student expectations and attendance can all be found by clicking here. Additional information on grade specifics will be sent through building principal weekly communications.


We will send out reminder emails once we are closer to utilizing e-learning days.

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Where can I get information regarding school closings and delays due to the weather?

Please ensure your contact information is accurate in ParentVue as a direct school message is the most accurate source of information. If you need help updating your information, please contact your school office. The decision to close or delay school will be made as early as possible so families and staff will have time to react. Parents will be notified through the automated School Messenger system via phone call, text and email regarding late starts or cancellations. Additionally, announcements will be made on TV Channels 4, 5, 9 and 11 and the District website at www.isd2144.org.


What time does my child’s school start when there is a two-hour delay?

  • Chisago Lakes High School - 9:50 a.m.
  • Chisago Lakes Middle School - 9:40 a.m.
  • Taylors Falls Elementary - 11:00 a.m.
  • Lakeside Elementary - 11:05 a.m.
  • Chisago Lakes Primary - 11:15 a.m.
  • Chisago Lakes Education Center (CLEC): Pathways to Change (PTC)/SOAR - 9:40 a.m.
  • Early Childhood: No AM Preschool or ECFE classes
  • Kids Club: 8:00 a.m.


In terms of bus pick-up times, add two hours to your child’s normal pickup time. If the normal pickup time is 6:45 a.m. it will be at 8:45 a.m. on a two-hour late start day.


Will we still have snow days with the implementation of e-learning?

Yes, we will still have 3 traditional snow days with no academic expectations. We would implement e-learning days as needed for any inclement weather days beyond the three snow days.


What if the weather worsens during the day?

There are times when an early dismissal is unavoidable. We are asking parents and guardians to consider this scenario and have a plan in place should we dismiss school early. We realize this is a tough situation for families, so it is critical we have complete and accurate contact information in ParentView for parents, guardians and emergency contacts. In the event that the weather worsens and schools remain open, parents and guardians still have the option to pick up their child early by following normal office procedures.


How will I know if other programs, activities, field trips or Community Education events are canceled?

When school is closed, it doesn’t necessarily mean all other activities are canceled. Please refer to our district website, www.isd2144.org, for information on closing and delays for all school activities.


Will the Wildcat Community Center be open?

Whenever appropriate, the Wildcat Community Center will do its best to remain open even when our schools are closed. However, often times school is closed with the safety of our students and staff in mind. Please understand, we will not place our staff in harms way in an effort to remain open normal hours of operation. Therefore, on school closure dates, snow hours will be as follows:


  • 7:00am to 11:00am and
  • 5:00pm to 8:00pm


We reserve the right to close, however, depending on the severity of the storm. All messaging will be done via social media, district communications, local signage and our direct email lists.

Update Your Contact Information In ParentVue

Now is a great time to update your contact information in ParentVUE for weather-related school messages!


As a parent or guardian, you can update your contact information online thorough ParentVUE or by calling your child’s school. Early Childhood contact information can only be updated by phone. You only need to update your information once for all of your children.


How to update your contact information online in ParentVUE (0:41 video)


To update your contact information by phone, please call the school’s main phone line or number listed below.


Chisago Lakes School District
Engage - Empower - Educate
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