Heatwave forces St. Paul Public Schools to close for remainder of school year

St. Paul Public Schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year, and students will not be switching to distance learning. 

The district on Tuesday announced all schools would be closed from Wednesday, June 9, through Friday, June 11, saying doing so is "in the best interest of the health and safety of our students and staff."

St. Paul schools made this decision a day after Minneapolis Public Schools said 15 schools in the district would switch to distance learning this week due to the record-setting extreme heat. 

St. Paul students won't be doing any form of distance learning, effectively making Tuesday, June 8, the last day of school for students. This marks an abrupt end to an abnormal and challenging school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"We are very sorry to have to end the school year in this way. We know how much students and staff look forward to this time of year," St. Paul Public Schools said. "This is not how any of us wanted this school year to end. We know our families and staff have been through so much and appreciate all of your support this year."

Students will still be able to turn in assignments. The district says buildings will be open this week and on Monday, June 14, for students to pick up and drop off materials. And school staff will be at buildings to "receive assignments and complete end-of-year procedures."

This decision will not impact athletic events nor graduation ceremonies, which will continue as planned. 

Meanwhile, meal boxes will be available to pick up at schools and those who were scheduled to get meal delivery on Friday will receive it as normal. And Discovery Club families can get care at Rondo, Horace Mann and Expo from June 9-11, but they must register online here. 

For those who need to escape the heat, here is a map of cooling centers in Ramsey County.