Inclement Weather School Closing Codes and Procedures
SCHOOL CLOSING CODES
Code 0 – All Day Closing (All Schools and Offices Closed)
Announcement: “All Spotsylvania County Schools are closed today; 12-month employees are Code 0.”
Decision made by 5:30 a.m.
- All schools are closed.
- All school and non-school activities, day and evening, are canceled.
- School division office and all support offices are closed.
- No employees should report to work.
Code R – All Day Closing (All Schools and Offices Closed)
Announcement: “All Spotsylvania County Schools are closed today; 12-month employees are Code R.”
Decision made by 5:30 a.m.
- All schools are closed.
- All school and non-school activities, day and evening, are canceled.
- 12-month employees report at regular time.
Code 2 – Two-Hour Delay (All Schools and Offices)
Announcement: “All Spotsylvania County Schools will open two hours late; 12-month employees are Code 2. Weather conditions will continue to be monitored.”
Decision made by 5:30 a.m.
- All school openings will be delayed two hours – alternate breakfast will be served.
- All non-essential employees report two hours late.
- 12-month employees report two hours late, essential employees report on time.
Code E – Essential employees report regular time, if possible.
In some cases, Code E may be added to Code 0. (Essential employees are considered custodial staff, maintenance staff, transportation mechanics, director of transportation, principals, assistant superintendents, executive director of instruction, director of public information, and the superintendent.)
PROCEDURES
Spotsylvania County School Board Policy EBCD states, “The Superintendent or his/her designee may order the closing, a delay in opening, or the early dismissal of any or all schools in order to protect the safety and welfare of the students and staff.”
Making the decision to close schools or delay school openings involves many staff members and community organizations. On mornings when inclement weather such as snow or ice is expected or is a possibility, Spotsylvania County Schools’ Inclement Weather Team takes action.
The county has been divided into six regions for observation. Prior to 4:30 a.m., representatives for each region begin checking weather reports and road conditions. The Inclement Weather Team remains in constant contact during road and school parking lot checks. The superintendent is informed about the weather conditions and a decision is made by 5:30 a.m. At that time, the decision to close or delay opening of schools is relayed to designated radio and television stations, and posted on the division’s website, ETV, SchoolsOut.com, and SpotsyAlert.
If the decision is to delay the opening of schools, the Inclement Weather Team continues to check the road conditions and monitors weather forecasts. Reports received from VDOT, the sheriff’s department and surrounding school divisions will continue to be monitored. Based on those reports, it may be determined to change the two hour delay to a closing depending on weather conditions.
WHERE TO FIND SCHOOL CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Division Website/Social Media:
www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us
http://twitter.com/spotsyschools
FM Stations:
WBQB 101.5
WGRQ 95.9
WGRX 104.5
WASH 97.1
HOT 99.5
WCVE 88.9
WCNV 89.1
WMVE 90.1
WTOP 103.5
WFLS 93.3
WYSK 99.3
WWUZ 96.9
WJMA 96.7
AM Stations:
WFVA 1230
WTOP 820
Television Stations:
WJLA CH 7 ABC
WRC CH 4 NBC
WUSA CH 9 CBS
WTTG CH 5 FOX
WTVR CH 6 CBS
WRIC CH 8 ABC
WWBT CH 12 NBC
Cable Stations:
Comcast Channel 18
Alert Systems:
www.schoolsout.com
www.spotsyalert.com
Both alert systems require you to register to receive notifications; visit the website to register.
Missed Days:
Full instructional days missed due to inclement weather will be made up in the following order:
February 10
February 20
March 23
March 26
April 6
2011-2012 School Year Closings and Delays Due to Inclement Weather:
August 24, 2011 (Earthquake Assessment) – Make-up day February 10, 2012
Student safety is our priority – should your student drive during inclement weather?
Due to their inexperience, many students do not know how to drive during hazardous road conditions. Please consider the safety of your child when making the decision whether he/she drives to school or takes the bus. Our school bus drivers are experienced drivers and their safety record is extremely good. Parents are urged to encourage your student to ride the bus when the school operates on a delayed opening. Bus stop information can be found on the division’s