Several school districts across Virginia are closing their doors on Monday, January 6, 2025, due to the threat of snow and ice brought by an impending winter storm. The safety of students and staff is the top priority as communities prepare for potentially hazardous weather conditions expected overnight.
Stafford County Public Schools announced the closure of all its facilities, including 33 schools serving approximately 31,000 students. "With snow & ice expected tonight, all Stafford County schools and buildings will be closed Mon., Jan. 6. All activities and events are also canceled. Safety is our priority—stay off roads if possible. We’ll reassess conditions tomorrow and share updates about the rest of the week as soon as possible," the district stated on its social media account.
Prince William County Public Schools followed suit, declaring all schools and offices will be closed under Code Red status. This closure impacts over 90,000 students across 100 schools. According to the district’s announcement, "Due to Winter Storm Warning, all Prince William County Public Schools and Offices will be closed Code Red on Monday, January 6, 2025... Weather conditions will be monitored throughout Monday and an update will be provided as needed.”
Manassas Park City Schools and Manassas City Public Schools also decided to close all their schools on the same day. The Manassas Park announcement noted, "All Manassas Park City Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 6th, due to snowy conditions. Code RED for employees," affecting around 3,000 students across four schools. Similarly, Manassas City stated, "Manassas City Public Schools will be closed Jan. 6, 2025, due to forecasted inclement weather. Code BLUE for employees," impacting approximately 7,000 students.
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) declared all classes will be conducted online on January 6, 2025, due to the storm. The college indicated, "All #NOVA campuses are operating virtually. Classes and services are online only," ensuring students remain engaged without disrupting their education amid the weather challenges.
Districts are keeping the community informed by monitoring weather situations and will provide regular updates as needed. With schools across the region taking proactive measures to prioritize student safety, families are reminded to stay off the roads and prepare for any disruptions caused by the winter storm.
Overall, the closures reflect the seriousness of the winter weather warnings issued by local authorities and the commitment of schools to protect their students and staff from unsafe conditions. Residents are encouraged to stay safe and warm as the storm approaches.