For students across Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, what began as a typical winter storm has turned into an unexpectedly extended break from the classroom. The aftermath of Winter Storm Fern and an unrelenting cold snap have left school districts scrambling, parents juggling last-minute childcare, and entire communities banding together to dig out from layers of ice and snow. By Monday, February 2, 2026, the region remained in the grip of lingering hazards, with closures, delays, and remote learning stretching into a second week for many.
In Maryland and Virginia, the situation has been nothing short of disruptive. According to reporting from The Daily Voice, as of January 29, 2026, some school districts were marking a fifth consecutive day of closure on Friday, January 30. While a snow day might feel like an unexpected vacation for students, for parents it’s been a logistical puzzle—burned PTO, rearranged work schedules, and a scramble for childcare have become the norm. District leaders have cited lingering ice, treacherous side roads, and ongoing safety concerns for both students and staff as the primary reasons for keeping schools shut. Even as crews worked around the clock to clear the widespread freeze left by the storm, uncertainty lingered. Additional closures or schedule changes were possible as conditions continued to be monitored, and several colleges in the region also announced class cancellations.
Arlington Public Schools (APS) in Virginia became a focal point of the ongoing disruption. After being closed all of the previous week, APS announced around 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 1, that schools would remain closed on Monday, February 2. In a message to families, APS explained, “Due to persistent freezing temperatures and unsafe conditions, APS will remain closed on Mon, Feb 2, and we plan to open two-hours late on Tuesday.” The accumulation of ice had made sidewalks, bus stops, and side streets unsafe, with some cleared areas even refreezing or being covered again by street plowing. APS urged the community to help prepare for a safe return by clearing sidewalks and bus stops, planning routes carefully, walking students to bus stops, sharing rides, and exercising patience as bus drivers navigated narrow, icy streets. All 12-month staff were expected to report on time Monday, though telework-eligible staff could work remotely with supervisor approval.
The gratitude toward those working in the trenches was palpable. On its website, APS thanked employees who had labored through the weekend and in frigid conditions to clear snow and ice. “The Facilities and Operations team worked tirelessly this week to remove snow and ice from our sidewalks, parking lots and outdoor areas. We are grateful for their dedication and hard work,” the school system stated. The disruption extended beyond the classroom; trash collection in Arlington County was set to resume on a limited basis on Monday, February 2, with only trash and recycling carts being collected due to post-storm conditions. Organics, brush, e-waste, and scrap metal collection were suspended.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) faced similar challenges. Hopes that classes would resume after a week off were dashed on Sunday, February 1, when FCPS announced another day of closure. “Due to the continued concerns about safe travel for students and staff to and from school, Fairfax County Public Schools will not have classes tomorrow, Monday, February 2, 2026,” the district declared. The decision came after officials, including Superintendent Michelle Reid, personally inspected conditions throughout the weekend. “Our transportation team and other leaders (including me 🙂) have been driving around the community all weekend to check on conditions,” Reid said. “The challenge continues to be snow piles and ice on sidewalks and bus stops (we have 45,000 bus stops!) that have proven difficult to remove.”
While classes were canceled, FCPS ensured some services remained available. School Age Child Care and Beyond the Bell centers were set to open on time, providing some relief for parents of younger children. School buildings and offices opened for full-time staff, but school grounds and all extracurricular activities, including field trips and after-school programs, were canceled. More than 1,000 staff members had worked throughout the week to clear snow and ice, but the sheer scale of the task—especially clearing sidewalks and bus stops—proved daunting. Community members were encouraged to help out, carpool, and offer rides to students who would otherwise walk. FCPS hoped to reopen with a two-hour delay on Tuesday, February 3, but promised to update families as conditions evolved.
Elsewhere in the region, the story was much the same. According to WXII 12 News, multiple school systems in North Carolina and Virginia announced closures, delays, or remote learning for Monday, February 2, 2026, due to ongoing inclement weather. In North Carolina, districts such as Alamance-Burlington, Asheboro City, Mount Airy City, Randolph County, and Rockingham County opted for remote learning days. Others—including Danville City, Davie County, Guilford County, Lexington City, Montgomery County, Surry County, Stokes County, Thomasville City, and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County—closed schools entirely. Winston-Salem State University suspended operations through 7 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4.
Virginia’s school systems were also impacted. Patrick County, Carroll County, Grayson County, Pittsylvania County, Fairfax County, Arlington Public Schools, and Loudoun County Public Schools were all included in the wave of closures or delays. The breadth of the disruption made it clear: this wasn’t just a local inconvenience, but a regional event affecting families, educators, and support staff on a massive scale.
Throughout this ordeal, community spirit has been a silver lining. School districts, local governments, and news outlets have repeatedly called on residents to help clear sidewalks, bus stops, and neighborhood paths. The message was consistent: everyone’s efforts are needed to return to normalcy. APS and FCPS both emphasized the importance of patience, planning, and looking out for one another—especially as some students and families faced the prospect of walking in the street due to uncleared sidewalks.
For parents, the extended closures have been a test of endurance. With remote learning, delayed openings, and sudden cancellations, families have had to stay nimble. For students, it’s been a break from routine—one that may have started with excitement but has likely worn thin for some. For school staff and maintenance crews, the past week has been a marathon of long hours and tough conditions, with gratitude pouring in from district leaders and the broader community alike.
As the region looks ahead, the hope is that warming temperatures and a collective effort will finally allow schools to reopen safely. Until then, the story of this winter storm serves as a reminder of the challenges—and the resilience—that come with living through a season of snow and ice.