Howard County Schools Make Weather Call For Jan. 7

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — The Howard County Public School System opened on time Tuesday, Jan. 7 but will close three hours early due to snow predicted to fall this afternoon. The school district cited the weather and possible hazardous driving conditions in its decision.

At 9:15 a.m. the district tweeted: "Code Yellow: HCPSS to close 3 hours early today. After care/evening activities are canceled. All evening activities involving HCPSS students and staff & community-sponsored programs in HCPSS buildings are canceled."

The early dismissal comes as the National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for parts of Maryland, calling for 1 to 3 inches of snow in some parts. Officials expect snow will be the heaviest Tuesday afternoon into early evening. Snow may fall at a rate of greater than 1 inch per hour, with visibility limited to one-half mile at times.

Here's what a Code Yellow means for Howard County schools:

All Howard County public schools will close three hours early today, due to forecasted inclement weather.

All aftercare programs, sponsored by the Columbia Association and the Department of Recreation & Parks in Howard County public schools, are canceled. All evening activities involving HCPSS students and staff are canceled. In addition, all community-sponsored programs in HCPSS buildings are canceled.

Staff

• AFSCME: First shift employees may leave 1 hour early; Second shift employees may report 1 hour late.
• AMT: Emergency employees may leave as directed by their supervisors.
• AMT: Employees may leave 30 minutes after the dismissal time of the latest school. For a 3-hour early dismissal, employees may leave at 1:25 p.m. For a 90-minute early dismissal, employees may leave at 2:55 p.m.
• ESP: Emergency employees may leave as directed by their supervisors.
• ESP: School-based employees may leave 30 minutes after student dismissal. Interpreters may be dismissed with students.
• ESP: Non-school-based employees may leave 30 minutes after the dismissal time of the latest school. For a 3-hour early dismissal, employees may leave at 1:25 p.m. For a 90-minute early dismissal, employees may leave at 2:55 p.m.
• Food/Nutrition Services: Employees may leave 30 minutes after student dismissal or when all tasks related to early dismissal have been completed.
• HCAA: Principals or designated administrator shall remain on duty until:
  • All students have left school grounds.
  • There are no reports of buses unable to complete routes.
  • Non-essential staff have been dismissed.
  • Administrative tasks relative to early dismissal have been completed.
  • The principal may, at their discretion, release other administrators and AAM’s based on the situation at their school.
• HCEA 10- and 11-month: Teachers may leave [3 hours earlier/90-minutes earlier] than regular dismissal time.
• HCEA 12-month: Employees may leave 30 minutes after the dismissal time of the latest school. For a 3-hour early dismissal, employees may leave at 1:25 p.m. For a 90-minute early dismissal, employees may leave at 2:55 p.m.