Montgomery Co. Schools Change Schedule For Jan. 8

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — All Montgomery County Public Schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 8, because of the winter storm that dumped 6 to 9 inches of snow across the county. For the third day in a row, there will be no instruction for students, the district announcement of a Code Red said.

All schools and offices are closed. Emergency personnel must report on time.

All activities, field trips, and programs in schools and on school grounds are canceled, including athletic practices and events. Childcare programs and community use activities are canceled.

" If you have a vehicle parked in a school parking lot, please move it immediately," the district said. "Vehicles left in school parking lots are impeding our ability to clear ice and snow further delaying our ability to reopen."

Decisions concerning Thursday will be made when more information is available.

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"Our crews are working as quickly as possible to ready our schools for a return to learning. Important progress is being made however, snow levels and persistently cold temperatures are impacting our ability to clear school sites, parking lots and walkways of snow and ice," the district announcement said.

The county continues its efforts to remove snow and ice from public roads, sidewalks, and other critical areas to ensure safe access for everyone. These efforts are essential to address hazards, making sure that educators and staff can safely reach schools, in order to reopen and allow students to return to school.

MCPS will continue to offer emergency meal service on Wednesday. Updated locations will be posted at this link. https://mcpsmd.info/food

The district's calendar has two snow days built into the schedule; the closings on Monday and Tuesday will use those two snow days.

Virtual learning is not available for Wednesday's closure.

How does MCPS make weather-related operating status decisions?

Officials consider:

• The safety of students, staff, and families
• Current and extended weather forecast
• Road and traffic conditions

Closures and Delayed Opening:

• National Weather Service forecast
• Coordination of School System and County Response
• Evening Decision - made and announced by 7 pm
• If necessary, updates and forecast from National Weather Service by 4:30 am
• Coordination of School System and County Response
• Morning Decision - made and announced by 5 am (Unless there is an emergency that necessitates a later notification time.)

Early Release

• National Weather Service forecast
• Coordination of School System and County Response
• Early Release Decision - made and announced by 10:30 am if weather is expected to impact afternoon transportation (Unless there is an emergency that necessitates a later notification time.)
• If weather is not expected to impact afternoon transportation, but may impact evening activities, a decision and announcement will be made as early as possible in the afternoon. (Unless there is an emergency that necessitates a later notification time.)

How residents can receive MCPS Emergency Information and any changes to the Operating Status Color Codes:

• MCPS Web: Home Page
• Sign up for Alert MCPS
• Social Media (X, Facebook, Instagram)
• Ask MCPS (240)740-3000
• Your MCPS School Home Page