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Inclement Weather Virtual Learning

Why Are We Implementing a Virtual Instruction Day?

Pursuant to guidance issued by the Maryland State Department of Education and as authorized under Maryland Code, Education § 7-103.2, local school systems are permitted to implement virtual instruction during severe weather conditions under specific statutory requirements. These requirements establish clear expectations for governance, instruction, access, and accountability. Key provisions include the following:

  • Board Authorization: A local board of education may approve the use of virtual instructional days during severe weather conditions. Such authorization must occur through an open meeting of the Board, with an affirmative vote granting the Superintendent the authority to implement virtual instruction when conditions warrant.
  • Public Availability: The approved virtual instructional day plan must be made publicly available by posting it on the school system’s website.
  • Synchronous Instruction: The Superintendent may implement a virtual instructional day only after all calendar-designated inclement weather closure days have been used. Each virtual instructional day must include a minimum of four (4) hours of synchronous instruction.
  • Attendance and Accountability: Attendance for both students and staff must be documented. Students must also be provided opportunities to complete or make up work associated with virtual instructional days upon returning to in-person learning.
  • Equitable Access: The school system must ensure that all students have access to the necessary technology and connectivity to participate in virtual learning or are provided with an alternative means to complete required work without academic penalty.

This plan provides Montgomery County Public Schools with the ability to transition to virtual instruction—consisting of a minimum of four (4) hours of synchronous learning supplemented by asynchronous opportunities—when school buildings are closed due to inclement weather or other emergency conditions. These circumstances occur when it is unsafe to transport students or require students and staff to report to school buildings in person.

Virtual instructional days count toward the 180 instructional days required under Maryland law and are implemented systemwide at the direction of the Superintendent of Schools. The intent of this plan is to ensure that MCPS schools, staff, students, and families are prepared with the structures, resources, and supports necessary to maintain continuity of learning when operational conditions require a shift from in-person instruction.

Note: Not all inclement weather events will result in the activation of MCPS’s virtual instructional day plan. MCPS’s Division of Communications and Community Engagement maintains established procedures for notifying students, staff, and the community of operational status changes and will clearly communicate the type of inclement weather day being implemented.

For additional information regarding Maryland’s virtual education legislation, families and staff are encouraged to review guidance provided by MSDE here.

Decision Making

The safety and well-being of Montgomery County Public Schools students and employees is the district’s highest priority. When inclement weather or other emergency conditions disrupt normal school operations, MCPS evaluates multiple options for maintaining continuity of learning while prioritizing safety. Depending on the circumstances, these options may include modified operations such as delayed openings or early dismissals, full school closures, or the implementation of virtual instruction.

In making operational decisions, MCPS considers a range of factors, including current and forecasted weather conditions provided by the National Weather Service, road and transportation safety, building conditions, and readiness to safely resume in-person instruction. Traditional inclement weather closure days remain an option. In accordance with Maryland law, all calendar-designated make-up days must be used before MCPS may implement a virtual instructional day.

A transition to virtual learning may be considered when the following conditions are met:

  • All built-in calendar make-up days have been exhausted
  • The timing and impact of the event are predictable based on reliable weather forecasting
  • The event is expected to span multiple days (e.g., significant snowstorms, ice events, or similar emergencies)
  • Adequate advance preparation and communication with staff, students, and families have occurred

Decisions to close schools or implement a systemwide virtual instructional day due to weather or other widespread safety concerns are made at the district level and apply to all schools. Maintaining a consistent, systemwide approach allows MCPS to respond efficiently to emergency conditions while safeguarding students and staff across public and nonpublic schools that rely on MCPS transportation services.

Preparing For Virtual Instruction
on Inclement Weather Days

For Students/Families

Students: 

  • Bring materials provided by schools home in preparation for the virtual day of instruction. 
    • Materials may include: chromebook, charger, books, handouts. 

Parents/Caretakers: 

  • Ensure that you  have access to ParentVue and ParentSquare to review student schedules and updates
  • Verify and update contact information so they can receive timely communications
  • Support students in practicing access to district-approved digital learning platforms used for instruction and coursework

Notify the school if their student lacks reliable internet access or requires additional support to participate in virtual learning

For Schools/Staff

School staff: 

  • Schools will link their school’s virtual day schedule to this main document no later than September 25, 2026.

Review with students how virtual instruction will run by describing and/or modeling the following:

  • Navigation to Canvas course that will be used
  • Location of resources that need to be used within Canvas course
  • Location and use of instructional applications that may need to be used to participate in virtual instruction (Google Docs, Slides, Drive, etc…)

Remind students what devices and materials they should take home and have available for use during virtual instruction:

  • Backpack for Chromebook and Charger
  • Label Charger with School and Student Names
  • Follow your school’s Check in/out process

Inform students what their schedule for instruction during the snow day will be

Schools and teachers will confirm instructional readiness and communicate expectations with students and families.

Educators may engage students in a virtual learning readiness activity to ensure access to digital platforms and familiarity with virtual learning routines.

Schools will distribute devices and chargers to students who have requested technology for home use.

During Virtual Instruction
on Inclement Weather Day

For Students/Families

Students (and/or parents/guardians) should check their ParentSquare and myMCPS Classroom/Canvas inbox for instructions from the teacher(s) before the start of the inclement weather day.

Check myMCPS Classroom/Canvas inbox for instructions from your teacher before the start of the instructional day.

  • Log into myMCPS Classroom using your MCPS username and password (same as what you log into your Chromebook with).
  • From your dashboard, click on your class tile.
  • (Elementary) Your Zoom link to class will either be found on the home page of your course or at the Zoom tab on the left side of the screen.
  • (Secondary) Your Zoom link to class will either be found on the home page of your course, at the Zoom tab on the left side of the screen, or within an announcement.

Log into your class’ Zoom meeting (from myMCPS Classroom or a link provided through other means of teacher communication).

Zoom for Student Guide

Devices Needed:

Student Chromebook

Chromebook charging cord

Optional Devices:

MiFi Device Support Guide (for students needing internet access, Contact the school principal to request a Mifi device for your household if needed)

For Schools/Staff

Send a reminder via ParentSquare and through Canvas to students (parents for ES/MS) with all important links needed for the day.

Use Canvas to share zoom links, post assignments, quizzes, and materials.

Record live instruction sessions and upload any additional instructional content/screencasts for student access.

Use Canvas Studio to host your Zoom recordings.

Follow Up to Virtual Instruction
on Inclement Weather Days

For Students/Families

Review and confirm all assignments/tasks have been submitted as instructed by your teacher.

Follow teacher directions for accessing any recorded sessions.

Communicate any difficulties with applications to your teacher.

  • Charge and bring your devices back to school
  • Inform the school of any issues with devices
  • Reach out to school to request a Mifi if needed

If you were not able to attend the virtual instruction, follow up with the teacher for access to the Zoom recorded link and missing assignments upon return to school.

For Schools/Staff

Continue to keep your Canvas course updated with course materials for student access.

If needed, upload Zoom recordings of lessons/screencasts for students to access.

Use Canvas Studio to host your Zoom recordings.

Charge and return devices to school.

Technical for Families

Parent/Guardians can access:

Parents and Guardians can reset the student passwords by using the Student Password Manager: https://spm3.mcpsmd.org/Logon.aspx.  They must be registered in ParentVue before accessing this tool.