Information about possible school closings, early dismissal, and other interruptions to school or school activities:

General considerations:
Decisions to close school are made to protect students from the potential harm of severe weather and other hazards.

• MCA will conduct school in the normal manner if there is reasonable expectation that 85% or more of the students will be in attendance. Please realize the school draws students from a wide geographical area.
• When possible, decisions to close or delay the start of school will be made by 6:00 a.m.
• Once school is in session MCA will not dismiss early. Our primary reason is the risk of sending students home to unsupervised or locked homes and the hardship presented to working parents. Parents may pick their children up or call to have them released early from school.
• MCA will work closely with public school districts, Mn/DOT, police, fire, and other appropriate offices as decisions regarding delayed starts, closing, etc. are made.
• Delayed school starts will only be considered under very unusual circumstances. A one or two hour delayed start means the express buses will be one or two hours later and the school’s start time will follow suit. Dismissal will be at the normal time.

Communications:

Communication during any emergency is critical to safety. School closing announcements and other emergency related information will be broadcast primarily via MCA Hotline, radio, TV, and websites. Early morning decisions are reported to stations by 6:00 a.m. and midday decisions by 11:00 a.m. The MCA Hotline number, radio, TV stations, and websites that will have closing information are as follows:

MCA Hotline:

• 763-315-7282 press 4
• The hotline will be updated every 12 hours with current information.

Radio:

• WCCO Radio 830 AM
• KTIS Radio 98.5 FM

TV station:

• WCCO TV Channel 4
• FOX KMSP TV- Morning News
• KSTP- TV
• KARE 11

Websites:

• www.wcco.com
• www.830wccoradio.com
• www.ktis.fm

Please do not phone the school with questions during an emergency unless you have an extremely unusual circumstance. Such phone calls only delay emergency operations, tie up phone lines needed for school wide action, and consume the time of staff when their time is needed to respond to the emergency.

Procedures for extreme cold:

Extreme wind chill can be very dangerous. Per new wind chill calculations, if the wind chill is -35 degrees or lower at 5:30 a.m. and predicted to remain that low or become worse, school may be cancelled. Usually other adverse weather conditions are necessary to cause school interruptions for wind chill. Minnesota residents should be accustomed to extreme cold and should dress children accordingly.

Procedures during snow or ice storms:

If a storm occurs or continues during the night, we will drive critical roads, consult with snow removal officials if we can, and follow radio weather reports. A decision will be made by 6:00 a.m. whether school can be started with reasonable safety. If a storm occurs or worsens during a school day, the same procedures will be followed with a decision by 11:00 a.m. for extra-curricular activities. CARE Club will not be cancelled if school is in session. While snowstorms in excess of 10 inches of snow with high winds can cause school to be cancelled, most heavy snows or cold will not result in school closure.

Procedures for other emergencies:

It is not possible to outline all hazards and conditions that can cause dismissal or disruption of the school day. Most hazards rarely occur. Parents should be assured that MCA will cooperate fully with other agencies and officials whenever dangers due to fire, tornadoes, power failure, gas leaks, or other emergencies occur. Whether the danger affects a single building or both campuses, we will do everything within our power to protect the health and safety of the children.

Makeup days:

MCA’'s policy requires at least 171 days of classes each year. The school calendar provides for student contact days as well as several parent/student conference days as identified in the school’s calendar. There is enough leeway in the school’s calendar to allow for school closings.

Other considerations:

Given the unpredictable nature of weather and potential for extreme conditions, MCA bases its decisions about closings and late starts on the best information it has at the time.

Obligation of parents:

Parents should be certain that their children are appropriately clothed, instructed, and otherwise prepared for emergencies, particularly weather emergencies. Parents should listen to the radio reports during times of severe weather. If parents disagree with a decision to hold school on a day when they feel the weather is hazardous, they are encouraged to keep their children home.

Other things you should know:

• When school is cancelled, all school related activities will be cancelled i.e. extracurricular activities, athletic events, clubs, and CARE Club.
• The school has prepared an Emergency Plan to deal with crisis situations.
• Buses will not be loaded if there is a bad storm, or if one is imminent.
• State law requires schools to have five fire drills per school year. Every effort is made to hold fire drills when the weather is good. Five lockdown drills and one tornado drill will also be held per school year.
• All buses are equipped with cell phones.