Inclement Weather Plan for Orono Schools – 2021-22

The safety of students and staff is our number-one priority

In the event of inclement weather and based on information provided by the National Weather Service, the Superintendent may need to (1) close school, (1) delay the start of school or (3) dismiss school early. Orono Schools will make every effort to notify families and staff as soon as possible. We appreciate your understanding and patience in these weather situations.  The safety of students and staff is our number-one priority.

School closing. If Orono Schools is closed all day, then ECFE programs, full-day Preschool, Discovery Kids and Spartan Kids programs will also be closed. 

Late start. If Orono Schools announces a late start, buses will follow regular pick-up routes based on the late-start schedule. Spartan Kids will also adjust opening times to accommodate the late start schedule (e.g., with a two-hour late start, Schumann Elementary and Intermediate School will begin at 11:10 a.m. Spartan Kids will open at 9 a.m. rather than 7 a.m.) In the event of a late start, morning ECFE and Preschool programs will be canceled. 

Early dismissal. If the Superintendent announces an early dismissal, buses will follow regular return routes. Students will either ride the bus home or wait for a designated adult to pick them up. Community Education will communicate separately with Spartan Kids and Discovery Kids families with additional pick-up instructions. Please discuss your family plan if school is dismissed early.

After school and evening events and activities. Decisions to cancel after school and evening activities will be made by 3 p.m. and will not necessarily be tied to a school closing. This decision will be made by the Superintendent in consultation with the Executive Director of Business Services, Community Education Director, Athletic Director and Orono Activities Center Manager.

Communication. Family members will receive a phone call, email and text message (message and data rates may apply) through the district’s School Messenger parent/guardian notification system. Announcements will also be posted on the district website home page, Facebook and Twitter accounts, and shared with the following local media: KSTP-TV, Channel 5; WCCO-TV, Channel 4; KARE-TV, Channel 11; and KMSP-TV, Channel 9. These media outlets post School Closings on their respective websites. 

Important action item: Please review/update your contact information. To ensure that the district has accurate parent/guardian/emergency contact information for your family, please log in to ParentVUE. To update parent/guardian email and telephone information, select the “My Account” tab. To add/verify/update Emergency contacts, select your student, click the “Student Info” tab, click “Edit Information” then enter your details. Click “Save Changes” to confirm. Thank you for taking this important step.

Thank you for reviewing this important safety information.