We can only miss one more day. As you may know, the Virginia Department of Education requires that schools fulfill a set number of instructional hours each school year. We have one day remaining that schools can be closed before we fall below the VDOE required number of instructional hours. Unfortunately, the forecast is showing a chance for more winter weather next week. Here’s what will happen if we miss additional days of school this school year.
If we miss one more day: No schedule changes are necessary.
If a second day is missed: March 21 and May 29 will be made full school days. On the current calendar, both of those days are scheduled to be early dismissal days.
If a third day is missed: We will apply for a waiver from VDOE so we do not have to add days to the calendar. If the waiver is not approved, an additional school day, June 2, will be added to the school calendar.
If more than three days are missed: Additional days will be added to the school calendar as needed if a waiver is not approved by VDOE.
While our student calendar was built with a buffer to handle emergency closings, this winter brought more snow and ice than anticipated. School systems across Virginia set their own calendars and make decisions about emergency closings based on the conditions within their locality. Some have asked why CCPS has not incorporated asynchronous learning on days that we are closed for snow. As VDOE most recently reminded school divisions on Jan. 15, 2025, there are several VDOE requirements that must be in place to use asynchronous days. Those requirements, in part, include necessary utilities, such as power and internet, and meal services for students. In the case of this week’s weather event, those requirements could not be met due to power outages across the county.