Attendance letters will be sent home when absences or tardies
become excessive so families can take corrective action and ad-
dress the issue.
If a student will not be attending school due to cold weather or
other concerns, a parent or guardian must call the school to
report the absence or the student will be counted as absent.
Absence due to weather or other concerns will be excused if
reported by a parent or guardian.
Release of students:
late arrival/leaving early
Students will only be released to persons other than legal par-
ents or guardians if a note is received from the parent/guardian
and a valid photo ID is presented - verbal requests and phone
calls cannot be honored. If a student arrives late or leaves
early, parents/guardians must sign their students in or out at
the office. Please check in at the office when picking up your
child – do not go directly to your child’s classroom.
Also see “Policy regarding parental contact with students during
the school day” on page 46.
Dropping off items
If you are dropping off an item such as lunch, homework or
textbooks, go to the office and a school staff member will deliver
the item to the classroom, or call the child to the office at an
appropriate time.
UNUSUAL HAPPENINGS
Cancellation of school
School is canceled only in extraordinary circumstances such as
extreme winter weather, equipment failure or public crisis.
School staff, district administration and the School Board are
aware of the difficulties created by an abrupt cancellation of
school. The district will post information about school
closings/delayed start times through a variety of communication
vehicles. In the list below, the first six communication vehicles
are the quickest ways to receive such information.
• District and school websites.
• District and school social media pages (Facebook and Twitter).
• Backpack Online e-newsletter.
• Text message from AHlert system.
• Dial the district office at 763-506-1000 or any other
Anoka-Hennepin phone number to hear a recording.
• Media outlets including WCCO, KSTP, Fox 9, Kare 11,
Northwest Community TV, WCCO radio and Star Tribune
newspaper.
2019-20 School Handbook
ahschools.us/policies
Cold weather questions and answers
The following questions and answers have been developed in
response to common questions about the operation of school on
cold days.
How cold does it have to be to close school?
The safety of all our students is our first priority when determining
if schools should stay open in extreme winter weather. In making
this decision, district officials use the National Weather Service’s
warning system.
If the National Weather Service issues a “wind chill warning”
stating that exposed skin can become frostbitten in less than 15
minutes, then the district will likely make a decision to close. If a
"wind chill advisory" is in effect, students who are properly
dressed for the weather should be able to walk to school or wait
for the bus without risking frostbite.
The decision to close school is a serious one, and it affects many
working families who would have to take a day off of work or find
day care on short notice. Some families do not have these op-
tions and their children may be left home alone. Often, children
are more at risk when we close school. As the largest school
district in Minnesota, with more than 240,000 residents and
38,000 students, many families and businesses are affected
when Anoka-Hennepin closes school.
What if I am concerned about the weather and school
is in session?
In cases of extreme winter weather, parents and guardians have
the final decision on whether to send their children to school. If
school is open, students are expected to attend. However, if
parents and guardians feel their children would be in danger,
they may choose to keep them home. The absence will be
excused if the parent or guardian calls to report it prior to the
start of school. If the school is not contacted, the student will
not receive an excused absence. Students who are already in
school will not be excused if they choose to go home.
Does the district lose money if school is closed?
No. The district does not lose state aid if school closes for
weather or other emergencies. State revenue is based on the
number of students enrolled in school, not on the number of
days in school.
Will elementary students be allowed outside for
recess when it is 25 below zero?
No. The guideline for keeping children inside for recess is 0
degree temperature or 10 degrees below zero wind chill.
Accommodations for children with special medical needs can
be made with the Health Services office; written documentation
from a doctor will be required.
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