Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has announced the closure of all schools and offices on Tuesday, January 7, following hazardous winter weather, which delivered up to six inches of snow across the area. This marks the second consecutive snow day for the district after heavy snowfall created unsafe travel conditions.
According to MCPS officials, safety remains the top priority. The decision allows emergency crews to address the accumulated snow and ice on roads, sidewalks, and school grounds. All school-based activities, including field trips, athletic practices, and childcare programs, are canceled. Virtual learning will not be available during this closure.
MCPS expressed gratitude for families' flexibility and adjustments necessitated by the closures. The district also noted its awareness of the impact on childcare and work plans for parents. "Safety remains our top priority, and this decision allows emergency crews to address hazards and ensures safe travel," stated MCPS.
Montgomery County experienced substantial snowfall, with the National Weather Service reporting snowfall ranging between four to six inches as of Monday morning. A forecast of additional snow expected to arrive late Monday is predicted to add another one to three inches, complicate travel, and cause extended disruptions.
Given the recent winter storms, Montgomery County schools have now utilized both built-in snow days allocated for the 2024-2025 school calendar. MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor recently released playful announcement videos, creatively conveying the news to students and parents. One particularly memorable video features Taylor singing a parody of Bobby McFerrin's 'Don’t Worry, Be Happy' with altered lyrics including, 'Don’t worry it’s a snow day,' bringing humor and excitement to the announcement.
Emergency food service sites for community assistance are being established, and families will receive updates on locations for these services early Tuesday morning. MCPS plans to announce decisions about school operations for Wednesday, January 8, once more information becomes available.
Usually, MCPS evaluates the need for closures based on forecasts from the National Weather Service and inspections of local roads and sidewalks. The district will make closure decisions by 7 p.m. the evening prior or, if necessary, by 5 a.m. on the morning of snow events.
Across the D.C. region, snow days have prompted various responses from school administrations. While MCPS is closing schools for snow, neighboring school districts have taken different approaches. For example, the D.C. Public Schools did not set aside any snow days within their original school calendar. Therefore, any snow days will result in adjustments starting June 18. Comparatively, Fairfax County has allocated ten snow days, whereas Prince George’s County has only included three.
Over the past years, Montgomery County has faced debates around snow day policies, especially after the district had to implement asynchronous learning days during the previous academic term after heavy snow accumulations. Last year’s extended periods of remote learning due to the pandemic influenced administrators' views on maintaining traditional snow days to preserve the importance of physical school experiences.
Superintendent Taylor’s humorous announcements have served to lighten the spirits of families during these wintery challenges. He emphasized the goal to make school feel fun, stating, "Our intention is to be a little on the goofy side and not take ourselves too seriously... I think far too much in this world is taken too seriously." This light-hearted engagement has drawn positive reactions from Montgomery County families, fostering community joy even amid inclement weather.
With both snow days now utilized, MCPS has options listed for potential makeup days should school closures extend beyond two days. Possible makeup days include January 29, March 31, or various options stretching from June 6 to June 23, 2025. The last day of school is currently scheduled for June 13, barring any additional snow-related interruptions.
Students and parents alike are waiting to hear about the next steps as the district navigates winter weather-induced disruptions. MCPS’s commitment to keeping safety as the foremost consideration remains clear as severe weather impacts the community.