Translated Weather Information
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Information about the weather is gathered from many sources, including The National Weather Service, Accu-Weather, the news media and by actual inspection of roads, school driveways, and sidewalks throughout the county. Information from these various sources is factored into the decision.

Weather, unlike a power outage or water main break, is not confined to a single area and can spread to different parts of the county. Therefore, the most severe weather conditions within the county are used as the basis for the decision-making criteria. A uniform procedure to close all schools is maintained so that the school system can respond quickly to emergency weather conditions and protect the safety and well being of students and staff.

The decision to close schools because of weather is always for the entire system. MCPS busses transport 96,000 students every day, and of these, 16,000 students are transported to schools beyond their home school attendance area. To close by cluster or zone would mean students living in a less affected area might be unable to attend their school and vice-versa. This creates unequal access to the instructional programs and making sure each student receives 180 state required days of school becomes difficult. School must be accessible for all students to be given the ability to participate in instructional programs. It is illegal to deny transportation to special education students living in a closed zone to their school in an open zone.

School closing announcements are made on:

• The MCPS Web site home page
  http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org
• Cable channel 34
• The weather line, 301-279-3673
• QuickNotes e-mail news service

For early morning decisions, road inspection begins at 3 a.m. so that a decision can be forwarded to media in time for the 5 a.m. broadcasts. The decision will also be available online by 5 a.m. In case of an early dismissal, all announcements will be made by 11 a.m.

After school activity cancellations will be announced in the same manner as regular school closings. The county's Interagency Coordinating Board for the use of public facilities makes weekend closing decisions. They can be contacted at 240-777-2706, or see Community Use of Schools (ICB).