Emergency Announcement for Fairfax County Public Schools

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There are no emergency messages at this time.

When Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has a schedule change (closing or delay) due to inclement weather or other emergencies, the information is communicated as soon as the decision is made in these ways: 

• Posted here.
• Posted on TV Channel 21 (Cox Communications, Reston Comcast, and Verizon cable customers only).
• Recorded on the FCPS hot line, 800-839-FCPS (3277), in English, Korean, and Spanish.
• Called in to area radio and television stations.
• Employee hotline is updated, staff is encouraged to call 1-888-270-0011.
• Sent via e-mail to subscribers to the Keep in Touch (KIT) e-mail notification system. In the event of a weather emergency (e.g., a snowstorm), a Keep in Touch message may take as many as five hours to be delivered to some subscribers, while other subscribers will receive theirs fairly quickly. Because many subscribers will receive their e-mails quickly, FCPS has decided to continue using Keep in Touch while we are working to contract with a new vendor who will improve the service (solicitations are now closed). Fairfax County Public Schools' Keep in Touch (KIT) system is operated by RDG (MediaNext) -- a company with which FCPS has contracted to provide KIT services to our subscribers. Media Next is having problems properly supporting our subscribers. FCPS is working at an accelerated pace to contract with a new vendor. We apologize for the inconvenience.
  

Inclement Weather Situations

• FCPS does not make an announcement when schools are open or when sports and other after-school events are being held according to schedule.
• FCPS inclement weather plans outline of the timing of decisions, the three schedule plan options, and the impact on specific student programs.
• Inclement weather and emergency announcements guide (PDF document) in English, Arabic, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese
• Decision making process
• Questions raised most often about weather-related closings and delays.
• School year calendars provide information on makeup days.
• Fairfax County Park Authority policy on weather cancellations lists conditions for closing parks and other recreation facilities.
• Cold Weather Fact Sheet

Video: Inclement Weather Closing Decisions
Examines how FCPS administrators make the decision to delay or close schools during inclement weather.
Play (02:23)

Go to The Source
Find out about FCPS schedule changes and news through e-mail, web, hotline and cable television.
Play (00:30)

Emergency Preparedness

• FCPS emergency preparedness and support plans ensure the safety of students and staff members.
• Be Ready. Make a Plan (Disaster Readiness Campaign for Virginia, Maryland and D.C.).