October 13, 2023

ISD 748 families: We will be testing our Skylert notification system on Wednesday, October 25. Families may update their email, phone, and text preferences in Skyward Family Access by selecting "Skylert" on the left menu.

Skylert: Notifications via Email, Text, and Phone
Skylert is used to communicate school delays/cancellations with families and community members. Information is also shared on our website, social media, and local television/radio stations. 

• Families should make sure their Skyward Family Access account is updated to receive Skylert notifications according to your preferences. For a Skylert overview, please click here.
• Community members interested in receiving District emails/texts/phone calls for severe weather closings/delays are invited to create an account with Skylert, our emergency notification service. For instructions to help set up your account in the Skylert Community Portal, please view this handout.

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Updates for 2023-2024
In any weather emergency, the main objective is to provide protection and a safe environment for students. Sartell-St. Stephen, Sauk Rapids-Rice, and the St. Cloud Area School Districts follow a coordinated weather-related emergency plan. The superintendents consult with a variety of experts including, but not limited to, city, county, and transportation officials. School officials continually monitor the forecast from various sites, including the National Weather Service and St. Cloud State University.

In the event of weather-related emergencies, notifications will be:

• Sent directly to families through the District’s Skylert notification system*
• Posted on the District website at www.isd748.org and social media
• Sent to media outlets (T.V., newspaper, and radio)

*Families can update their notification preferences for Skylert using Skyward Family Access. Click on "Skylert" on the left menu to modify your preferences for texts, emails, and phone calls.

Unless otherwise specified, the following will be closed/cancelled for snow days:

• All buildings
• Athletics/Activities
• Classes and programs at all PreK-12 schools
• Community Education Classes
• Field Trips
• KIDSTOP/KIDSTART
• School Events

Due to weather or unforeseeable events, each semester will have one school closing day that will not be made up. The remaining closings (due to weather or unforeseeable events) will be eLearning days (up to 5 per year).

After the first school closing of the semester, students and educators may utilize developmentally-appropriate eLearning experiences related to current classroom curriculum goals and skills. 

December 1, 2023: Message from Interim Superintendent Lee
Our students' and staff's health and safety continue to be top priorities. Minnesota weather can be difficult to predict; it is essential that parents/guardians anticipate and prepare for school closings, delayed openings, early dismissals, and eLearning. eLearning days are intended to counter the loss of academic momentum in the event in-person learning is canceled due to inclement weather or other unforeseeable events.

As a reminder, on days when school is canceled due to inclement weather or other unforeseeable events, we will have one traditional “snow day” within the semester per semester, if needed. 

If there are additional days within the semester (up to five for the year), students and educators will utilize eLearning experiences related to current instructional goals and skills. The District will continue to use Skylert notifications to communicate with families about any change in schedule - including eLearning. 

PreK-5 Students and Families
Choice Boards are developmentally appropriate learning opportunities for ORELC, PMPS, and RIS students. The first two will be sent home with students on Friday, December 1 (today) and will also be available at www.isd748.org/eLearning. Note: Please be sure to keep the hard copy Choice Boards accessible and in a known location. 

On an eLearning Day:

• By 9a: teachers will post a copy of the day’s Choice Board to students’ Seesaw and/or Schoology pages.
• Throughout the day: Students complete a learning activity in each column on the assigned Choice Board. 
• Within three (3) in-person school days: Students return their Choice Board, signed by their parent/guardian, to their classroom teacher.

6-12 Students and Families
The eLearning experiences and coursework will be a continuation of the learning that has taken place at school.

On an eLearning Day:

• By 9a: Learning content will be posted to Schoology. 
• Students can access Schoology via:
  • school-issued device
  • “Sartell-St. Stephen Schools” mobile app
  • “6-12 Schoology Login Link” at www.isd748.org/eLearning
  • Schoology icon at the bottom of the District webpages 
• Within three (3) in-person school days: Students will complete and submit their eLearning coursework to their teacher(s).

Thank you for your continued partnership. 

Questions?

• Skyward Family Access: Sue Fibranz
• Skylert: Sarah Kleppe

Minnesota weather can be difficult to predict; it is essential that parents/guardians anticipate and prepare for school closings, delayed openings, and early dismissals.  

Sartell-St. Stephen ISD 748, St. Cloud Area Schools, and Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools will work together this winter on weather-related emergencies.

In a renewed effort to gather weather information, the school districts will continue to receive forecast details from the National Weather Service, an agency within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), St. Cloud State University (SCSU) meteorologists and professors who localize forecasts; additionally, road condition information will continue to be provided by both city and county officials. 

The three public school districts will follow a coordinated plan to better ensure the safety of our students. The National Weather Service and other forecasting agencies issue various winter weather statements, watches, and warnings. We use these statements, coupled with the information provided by St. Cloud State University, city and county road services, and our district transportation partners, to determine if weather conditions may cause a late start, full day cancellation or an early dismissal from school.

Heavy snowfall, ice storms, extreme cold, and strong winds are not the only contributors to an emergency weather situation.  Fog can be equally dangerous.  While the sun may be shining in one area, visibility may be reduced to a few feet in another location, creating a potential hazard.

In any weather emergency, the main objective is to provide protection and a safe environment for students.  St. Cloud Area Schools, Sauk Rapids-Rice, and Sartell-St. Stephen Public Schools will use a coordinated, weather-related emergency-closing plan.  This means that public schools in all three districts will close (or remain open) according to the same winter emergency schedule.  Radio stations and news services will be contacted on behalf of each district, but area residents should recognize that the three districts are working together on these weather-related decisions.

Communications deadlines when possible:

• 9p: Superintendents will make every effort to announce school closings or late starts by 9p the night before the anticipated severe weather and/or as soon as information becomes available.

• 5:30a: When a morning emergency closing or a late start is necessary, every effort will be made to make and communicate the decision by 5:30a.