School Closing Details in Prince William County

WOODBRIDGE, VA- It’s that time of year to dust off the winter coats and make sure those snow boots still fit the kids. It’s also time to review the Prince William County School’s school closing policy.

“Decisions are made based on countywide conditions and weather forecasts,” Superintendent Steven Walts stressed in a letter to parents earlier this school year. “Conditions may not always be the same where you live, but we are focused on ensuring the safety of all students, staff, and residents across more than 350 square miles.”

School staff drive major and remote roads in the county to determine safety, and consider reports from law enforcement, Virginia Department of Transportation and the latest forecasts.

Decisions are typically made between 5 and 5:30 a.m., and information is shared through:

• An e-mail or text message to parents who have subscribed for alerts.
• At pwcs.edu.
• Messages on PWCS accounts on Facebook or Twitter.
• Lists from local radio and TV stations, including messages on Comcast channel 18 and Verizon channel 36.
• At the PWCS information line at 703-791-2776 (option 3).

Important tips from the school system:

• Do not bring students to school early during a delayed opening; staff may also be late.
• Have a plan so children know what to do if they arrive home before anyone is there to meet them. Middle and high school students also need plans to ensure their safety.
• Do not call your child’s school or PWCS offices during weather emergencies. The telephone system is needed for operational and emergency matters.
• Keep your neighborhood sidewalks, walking paths, and bus stops clear so students will have a safe place to walk and wait, and so buses will have a clear route to safely pick up and drop off children.

If schools are open, but local conditions are unsafe, parents can choose to keep their children home. Students will receive an excused absence and will not be penalized academically, though they are expected to make up all assignments, according to the PWCS.

Photo: ecksunderscore, flickr.com