This closure marks our eighth day impacted by severe weather. We want to be transparent about our current limitations and equally clear about our forward-looking plan to ensure students remain academically engaged while safety remains our top priority.

Safety as Our #1 Priority

Decisions regarding school operations are guided by one unwavering obligation: ensuring that no student, staff member, or family member is placed in harm’s way. Today, PGCPS leadership joined County officials for an aerial assessment of conditions across the region. While our facilities teams have worked tirelessly to clear school parking lots and entrances, the aerial review confirmed significant safety concerns.

Prince George’s County is expansive, with many schools embedded in neighborhoods with narrow roads and tight turns. While the County government has provided extraordinary support, it is not feasible to clear every sidewalk across our more than 500-square-mile district.

With more than 40,000 students who walk to school and more than 1,000 buses operating daily, persistent icing on neighborhood streets and sidewalks continues to pose a serious safety risk.

Bridging to Virtual Learning

This unprecedented weather event requires us to consider virtual instruction to maintain instructional continuity. Under Maryland regulations, formal virtual learning requires a minimum of four hours of daily synchronous (live) instruction.

We are currently finalizing a formal virtual learning plan that meets all state requirements and addresses technology access for all students. State law requires this plan to be presented publicly, and we will do so at an Emergency Board of Education Meeting on Wednesday, February 4.

In the meantime, here is how we will support families and keep students engaged during closures while the formal plan is finalized:

Academic Engagement: Beginning Tuesday, February 3, grade-level instructional materials will be available for K–12 students to use at home. While this does not yet constitute formal virtual learning, it ensures continued learning and academic engagement. Families will receive instructions via email on how to access these materials, and students may use personal devices to log in.

Ensuring Equity: The district is currently assessing the need for PGCPS Chromebooks that families may sign out for temporary use during virtual learning. Parents and guardians can submit a request if a device is needed.

Food Distribution: If schools remain closed, grab-and-go meal service will resume on Wednesday, February 4, at select school sites to support students who rely on school meals for daily nutrition.

We deeply appreciate the patience, flexibility, and trust you have shown during this difficult period. Our goal is to return students to safe, welcoming school environments as soon as conditions allow. Until then, we remain committed to providing high-quality virtual learning as a bridge back to in-person instruction.

Our decision was based on widespread and persistent icing, unsafe conditions for student walkers, building and infrastructure issues including water main breaks, and concerns related to transportation and staffing readiness. These conditions posed serious safety risks, particularly in communities facing the greatest infrastructure challenges.

PGCPS is working closely with Prince George's County Government and our labor partners to continue assessing conditions, clearing roads and sidewalks, and preparing school buildings. Emergency personnel and administrators are returning today to ensure schools are fully ready for staff and students.

We will continue to monitor conditions and will provide an update later this evening regarding reopening on Tuesday, February 3.

Thank you for your patience and partnership as we work together to bring students and staff back to school safely.