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School Closing Information

INCLEMENT WEATHER

The decision to cancel school for the day, start late, or close early because of inclement weather is complicated and based on many factors. First and foremost is the safety of students and employees on the road and at bus stops. Other factors include current and forecaster weather conditions, road conditions, and the parking lot and sidewalk conditions at school sites. To help make the best decision possible, school system staff consult with the St. Mary’s County Highway Division, State Highway Administration,  local law enforcement, St. Mary’s County emergency operations staff, and surrounding county school systems. When conditions warrant, we deploy school system staff to travel roads in various areas of the county to further assess the situation.When inclement weather may cause the schools to delay the regular opening time or close for the day, the information will be posted on the St. Mary’s County Public Schools website and social media, and a system-wide “phone out” will be made to all student households. Radio and television stations will be notified before 6:00 a.m. so that this information may be broadcast as early as possible.When schools must be unexpectedly dismissed early, information will be posted on the St. Mary’s County Public Schools website and social media, and a system-based “phone out” will be made to all student households. Radio and television stations will be notified. A decision on early dismissal of students is generally made by 10:00 a.m. unless weather or emergency conditions dictate otherwise.

DELAYED OPENINGS

In the event that the opening of schools is delayed two hours to permit buses to run their routes under safer conditions, the following will apply: All buses will run their routes two hours later than their usual times. Dismissal in each school will follow the regular schedule. Lunch will be served in each school. If there is a two-hour delayed opening, morning (AM) Prekindergarten, morning (AM) Head Start, and the first session at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center (Forrest Center), will be canceled, unless otherwise announced.

EMERGENCY EARLY DISMISSAL

In the event that schools must close early, buses will run their afternoon routes in the same order as on the regular school day. All afternoon and evening meetings and activities are automatically canceled. Any exceptions to this rule must be approved by the Superintendent of Schools. All afternoon (PM) prekindergarten classes, afternoon (PM) Head Start classes, and third session Forrest Center classes are canceled. All morning (AM) prekindergarten and morning (AM) Head Start students will be dismissed at 11:00 a.m. or as close to that time as possible. Lunch will be served in each school, unless not feasible by the time of dismissal.

List of Radio Stations

Radio Stations

  • WMDM FM 97.7 (St. Mary's County)
  • WSMD FM 98.3 Star FM and WKIK 102.9 FM (St. Mary's County)

List of Television stations

  • WRC-TV Channel 4
  • WTTG-TV Channel 5
  • WJLA-TV Channel 7
  • WUSA-TV Channel 9
  • Educational TV Ch. 96 (in St. Mary's County)