Schools In Prince William County Change Schedule For Thursday, Jan. 20

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — Prince William County Schools will observe a Code Orange on Thursday, Jan. 20, the school system announced. Buildings will be closed, and learning will take place virtually and asynchronously.

More winter weather is forecasted for the Prince William County region, and the area is under a winter weather advisory throughout the middle of the day on Thursday.

Read more: Snow To Hit DC, NoVA, With More Possible Early Saturday

Code Orange days, which are new for the 2021-2022 school year, consist of asynchronous virtual learning. Teachers will not host traditional classes, but they will host live office hours over Zoom. Students are encouraged to use the day to complete asynchronous work on their own.

In the past, Thursday may have been a 2 hour delay for the school system. However, with a shortage of bus drivers, the 2 hour delay schedule is considered untenable for the time being.

"Code Orange is also used in lieu of days that in previous years were delayed openings. Due to the ongoing national shortage of bus drivers, PWCS continues to have a number of double and triple bus runs," the school system said in an announcement. "These runs make it logistically impracticable to have delayed openings."

The school system provided the following details about Code Orange days:

• School buildings and office buildings are closed.
• Buses will not operate.
• In-person and live virtual classes will not occur. Students enrolled in Virtual Virginia should follow their schedule.
• Students should use the day to work asynchronously on assignments related to curriculum previously taught.
• Teachers will hold live office hours via Zoom. Please refer to your school for the schedule.
• The School Age Child Care (SACC) program will not open.
• All in-person school activities (day and evening) are canceled including field trips, team practices, club meetings, interscholastic contests, and athletic contests.
• Remote (virtual) activities may occur.
• All non-school activities (day and evening) are canceled including Adult Education, night school classes, community use including recreational programs scheduled in school buildings.
• Visit the Aquatics Center website for operation schedule during inclement weather.