Good afternoon students, families, and staff. Due to the predicted snowfall from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday morning, MTCS in person schools will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday February 22-24, 2023. Students will engage in E-Learning on February 22 and 23. School will be canceled on February 24. Schools impacted by this message are Banaadir Academy, Banaadir Elementary, MTS Elementary, MTS Secondary, and PEASE Academy. MN Virtual Schools and MN Connections Academy will operate as usual.

Snow conditions Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning are expected to total between 6 and 8 inches of snow. This snowfall will impact the morning commute making for dangerous but not impossible driving conditions. The second wave of snow, expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon and last through Thursday morning, will impact both commutes and is predicted to total between 12 and 18 inches of snow. This snowfall will make driving conditions hazardous and near impossible for large school buses. With snow not ending until Thursday afternoon, it is not expected that Minneapolis streets will be clear for the safe travel of students on Friday.

Due to the number of school days that have been impacted by weather events this school year, MTCS will have exhausted its E-Learning days as of February 23rd. With the school closing on February 24th, MTCS will have exhausted the “snow” days built into the approved calendar. Further weather related cancellations in the 2022-2023 school year will result in changes to the published school calendar.

The primary concern of MTCS is the safety of its students, families, and staff. I understand that this extended school closure creates undue stress on your families and has an impact on your student’s education. I hope that sending this message early and with a plan for the remainder of the week helps to ease some of that stress. Please look to your individual school for instructions for E-Learning.

Stay safe and warm!

Shawn Fondow

Executive Director