Living in Minnesota, we can expect weather challenges during the year, and occasionally these result in disruption to school. We know adjustments to the school day can cause challenges for our families and staff, and we make school closure decisions with high care and consideration. 

Due to the collaborative partnerships we have with our member school districts - Cannon Falls, Goodhue, Kenyon-Wanamingo, Lake City, Red Wing and Zumbrota-Mazeppa - and their students that attend the River Bluff Education Center, we consult with each of those members concerning school closure decisions. When school closures occur, our district and our member school districts have plans for at-home learning and make-up days depending on school district policies and resources. 

The Goodhue County Education District (GCED) will rely on the National Weather Service/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association meteorologists for weather forecasts, and both transportation teams and county officials for information related to road conditions. The following factors are considered:

• safety and well-being of students and staff,

• severity of the weather (extreme cold, flooding, heat, etc.),

• timing of the weather (overnight, during the school day, etc.) and 

• ability of buses and cars to travel safely. 

Cold-weather closures will occur at temperatures of 35 degrees below zero (either base or wind chill). The city of Red Wing will be the location of the temperature determination. If a temperature is predicted to rise above -35° by 9:30 a.m., a two-hour late start may be considered.

The Goodhue County Education District uses Flex Learning Days so that students can still engage in learning during emergency closing days.  On a Flex Learning Day, students in grades K-12 will continue learning from home, with support from their teachers, instead of going to school. Teachers will share curriculum-aligned assignments and be accessible through ReachMyTeach, our communication system and through email during regular school hours in order to provide learning support to students.

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Flex Learning Days are intended to counter the loss of curriculum momentum resulting from school cancellations which can include Minnesota's winter weather conditions. Flex Learning Days cannot replace the face-to-face time students have with their teachers, but they can provide better learning continuity when school is interrupted. Flex Learning Days also negate the need for makeup school days in June, helping families more effectively plan summer activities.

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Families will be informed by an automated message that the GCED is activating a Flex Learning Day for the River Bluff Education Center (RBEC) programs.  5RiversOnline continues with their regular schedule.  Parents/Guardians will receive an automated phone call, email and/or text via the ReachMyTeach service based on information provided by each family indicating school will be closed. Students should not report to school, but should engage in flexible learning activities as assigned. 

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When a school is closed or moves to Flex Learning, the River Bluff Education Center is closed to the public.

5RiversOnline will have learning as scheduled and is not subject to weather/other related closures.