Prince William school officials urge families to be prepared for school closings due to weather

With National Preparedness Month in full swing, Prince William school officials are reminding parents that during inclement weather or emergencies it is important to listen to local media reports, and to check the School Division’s Web and social media sites for any messages about changes in school or School Age Child Care (SACC) or Next Generation schedules.

When the weather causes hazardous road conditions, schools may open late, close early, or close for the entire day depending upon the severity of the weather.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by making alternate arrangements for their child-care needs in anticipation of modified school and SACC/Next Generation schedules.

After a decision is made, announcements of changes in school schedules are posted immediately on MyPWCS App and all School Division websites including pwcs.edu, facebook.com/PWCSNews, and twitter.com/pwcsnews, PWCS-TV (Comcast channel 18 and Verizon channel 36), and on the School Division’s telephone closing line, 703-791-2776.

Messages are also sent by email and text message. For subscription information or to verify your contact information, please visit “How to Receive Critical Messages from PWCS.”

Prince William County encompasses 348 square miles and stretches from the Potomac River to the Bull Run Mountains. Road and weather conditions may change, vary from one end of the county to the other, or look normal later in the morning.

The decision to delay the opening of schools is made to allow hazardous road conditions to improve and commuter traffic to clear, or to allow school officials to make a subsequent decision to close schools for the day, according to a press release.

Closing decisions may be based on conditions in some parts of the county, though other areas may look very different, the release said.

“The safety of our students and staff is always the deciding factor during inclement weather,” said Superintendent of Schools Steven L. Walts.