Delayed Opening Canceled For Montgomery Co. Schools

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Plans for a two-hour delay on Thursday, Jan. 23, have been scrapped and classes will begin as normal after work to clear Montgomery County Public Schools made good progress, the district said Wednesday.

"Thanks to better-than-expected road conditions and the outstanding efforts of MCPS staff to treat and clear ice from our school sites, we’re excited to announce that Montgomery County Public Schools will operate on a Code Green schedule with normal operations on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025," the district posted. "Please exercise caution in your travels and dress appropriately for the cold temperatures."

All MCPS school-sponsored activities, including athletics and community use of schools, will also proceed as scheduled Wednesday evening, Jan. 22.

"While this reversal of our decision may cause some confusion, this is truly an MCPS Moment of Joy, as we look forward to returning to the energy and excitement of full-time teaching and learning," the announcement said.

The high temperature on Thursday should be 31, after an overnight low of 9 degrees.

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