Fairfax County School Closings

Update: 1:44 p.m.

All Northern Virginia Community College classes after 3 p.m. are canceled.

Update: 12:09 p.m.

Dean Tistadt, FCPS Chief Operating Officer for Facilities and Transportation Services said Thursday that the decision to close early was made after careful consideration of the forecast and consultation with other school districts, such as Montgomery County.

Parents often criticize FCPS for decisions to close early or cancel school altogether. In Thursday's case, it appeared to be the right call as roads became quite slippery by mid-morning.

"I got up at 2 a.m. and talked to the National Weather Service," Tistadt said. "They had a fairly high certainty of when the snow was set to move through Fairfax County. Then we made the decision to close early. We checked VDOT's mobilization plans, and decided it was well suited to close early today."

Tistadt joked that last year's record snowfall in February - which resulted in schools being closed or delayed for more than week - was one of the few times he didn't face criticism from parents.

"It is the little snowfalls that I get it," he said.

Tistadt said he understands how early closings and all-day closings put many family's schedules - particularly with two working parents - into turmoil.

"People have to understand - we know it is traumatizing for people who don't have the means for anyone to watch their children when this happens," he said.

Reporting by Karen Goff

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All Fairfax County public schools will close two hours early today according to the FCPS website. 

Although offices are still on a regular schedule, the following activities are canceled:

• extracurricular activities
• interscholastic contests
• team practices
• field trips
• middle school after-school programs
• professional learning and training courses
• all adult and community education classes
• recreation programs

Due to the snow, the following are also canceled:

• Afternoon (half-day) kindergarten is canceled.
• Morning (half-day) kindergarten students will be provided lunch at no cost and will be released with other students without special kindergarten bus stops.
• Morning kindergarten students who were bused to school will be bused home with other students.
• Kindergarten students living within the normal walking boundary will not be bused.
• Makeup of canceled half-day kindergarten classes is required if schools cannot meet the 180-day state attendance requirement.
• Morning preschool and Family and Early Childhood Education classes are dismissed at approximately 11 a.m.
• Full-day preschool and Family and Early Childhood Education classes are dismissed two hours earlier than the usual time.
• Afternoon preschool and double session Family and Early Childhood Education classes are canceled.
• Extended day care and SACC will stay open until 6:15 p.m.
• All late buses are canceled.