MCPS closing early tomorrw

Just announced early release 3/16

Important Message: 3/15/2026 at 6:40 PM -- Refresh page to update message
UPDATE: CODE BLUE – The Weather Forecast Is Getting More Serious!

EARLY DISMISSAL for Monday, March 16

The National Weather Service is expressing increasing concern about the probability of severe weather on Monday. This is projected to be more significant than originally thought. Our area should be prepared for significant thunderstorms, high winds, hail and the potential for damaging tornadoes.

The timing of the most severe weather is projected to coincide with our normal school dismissal schedule, bus routes across the county and the start of many after-school activities, including athletics and practices.

Additionally, we are cancelling all local field trips planned for tomorrow to allow for swift and efficient dismissal of all students.

Therefore, out of an abundance of caution for the safety of students and staff, we are transitioning our status for Monday, March 16, to Code Blue–Early Dismissal.

High Schools will dismiss at 12:00 pm (Northwood HS at 11:40)
Middle Schools will dismiss at 12:30 pm
Elementary Schools that begin at 9:00 am will dismiss at 12:55 pm
Elementary Schools that begin at 9:25 am will dismiss at 1:20 pm

Baltimore County and Frederick County are closing three hours early.

Anonymous wrote:They’re not going to revert Friday because they already tried that and the Muslim community went nuts because it’s their holiday (Eid). So instead all kids get to miss out. That’s what we get from equity — if it creates a disadvantage for even a small group, everyone misses out.

I’m making plans now to pick my kid up instead of having them take the bus. Not that I really want to drive in whatever this storm will be but what will be will be….

People of lots of religions stood in solidarity with the Muslim community because we knew that it wasn’t fair.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What will OPM do?

Trump’s OPM? Probably pretend nothing happens

Trump’s OPM will blame it on Biden and Venezuelan gangs.

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Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe how uninformed and glib the parents are here. Look at what happened in the Midwest. This is a derecho. There will be no ability to get your kids after it passes because the streets will be closed. Obviously, schools must at least close early and the office doesn’t need parents randomly getting kids.

I really want it to swing completely around us. My school seems to be made out of papier mache and hope. We have damage from the end of January storm. In addition, the building is just falling apart. On one of the 80 deg days last week, I tried to open a classroom window and it came out of the frame on one side. Almost hit a student sitting nearby. I jammed my forefinger catching it. A derecho would probably destroy the entire second floor.

DP. We have windows galore, including in hallways. I’m not sure where we would even place students if things get bad.

Every school has a severe weather section if you can get to it in time. The last derecho (2012) didn’t give much warning.

It was also at 10pm on a Friday. No one was at school.

It was also in mid-summer, but no one said anyone didn’t make it to the weather shelter in a school last time. Only that not much warning was given. Surely, you see how that could apply in a situation in which kids are being dismissed and walking or lining up for buses or cars, but quickly need to rounded up and brought into the designated hallway.

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Anonymous wrote:This is an area that I wish the state would make the decision. For events related to hurricanes, tornadoes, derechos and the like, the state should make the call as they are the ones who will have to deal with the aftermath of it all.

Could the governor call a preemptive state of emergency? That could make it easier for schools to justify being cautious and closing/closing early.

You need to get your anxiety under control. What do you do when there are thunderstorms every couple of weeks in the spring and summer?

These really aren't normal thunderstorm predictions.

-Widespread severe storms are anticipated on Monday across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic States.
-Tornadoes, some strong, and particularly damaging winds are most likely from parts of South Carolina to Maryland during the afternoon.

There are explanations to why the forecast of severe weather is so high. The question is what is safest for students and all staff tomorrow.

The safest thing would be keeping the kids and staff at the school overnight until the storm passes. Schools will take the hit of a tornado better than a house or some apartments.

That being said, the issue isn't what is safest, it is what is most appropriate.

The risks tomorrow are very similar to other spring/summer thunderstorms. What's unique is that they're able to forecast those predictions earlier than the past. And that they're reporting things that wouldn't have been reported before.

If teachers are stuck at schools with students into the evening tomorrow, I don’t want to hear another word about making up missed days in June. Not a single word. We as a society put way to much on teachers.

teachers won't be stuck at school into evening. If the storm is really, MCPS will definitely call an early dismissal.
The last dismissal is late elementary schools at 1:20. Teachers and students can be home by 2 or 2:30.

If someone is really concerned, just keep your kids at home. It will be too crazy to announce a school closure right now.

1) you have more faith in MCPS than I do.
2) Lots of teachers live outside of the county. My coworker is taking tomorrow off so that she can pick up her own kids in a neighboring district no matter what MCPS does.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe how uninformed and glib the parents are here. Look at what happened in the Midwest. This is a derecho. There will be no ability to get your kids after it passes because the streets will be closed. Obviously, schools must at least close early and the office doesn’t need parents randomly getting kids.

I really want it to swing completely around us. My school seems to be made out of papier mache and hope. We have damage from the end of January storm. In addition, the building is just falling apart. On one of the 80 deg days last week, I tried to open a classroom window and it came out of the frame on one side. Almost hit a student sitting nearby. I jammed my forefinger catching it. A derecho would probably destroy the entire second floor.

DP. We have windows galore, including in hallways. I’m not sure where we would even place students if things get bad.

Every school has a severe weather section if you can get to it in time. The last derecho (2012) didn’t give much warning.

It was also at 10pm on a Friday. No one was at school.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Yesss make Monday the professional day and Friday a regular day

There is a zero chance this will happen. Union would have to approve. Union would like both days off. And last day of marking period is Thursday so teachers ned Friday to finish grading.

Which marking period ends on Thursday? I know at the school I teach at our MP3 doesn’t end until mid April.

Stop spreading nonsense

Thank you.

I don’t know if it’s a clueless parent or a Russian troll.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe how uninformed and glib the parents are here. Look at what happened in the Midwest. This is a derecho. There will be no ability to get your kids after it passes because the streets will be closed. Obviously, schools must at least close early and the office doesn’t need parents randomly getting kids.

I really want it to swing completely around us. My school seems to be made out of papier mache and hope. We have damage from the end of January storm. In addition, the building is just falling apart. On one of the 80 deg days last week, I tried to open a classroom window and it came out of the frame on one side. Almost hit a student sitting nearby. I jammed my forefinger catching it. A derecho would probably destroy the entire second floor.

DP. We have windows galore, including in hallways. I’m not sure where we would even place students if things get bad.

Every school has a severe weather section if you can get to it in time. The last derecho (2012) didn’t give much warning.

I think 2 hours early makes sense. No, they won't get everyone home, but the vast majority will be home before the major storms hit.

Even with a 2 hr MCPS early dismissal, staff won’t be home by 3:00. Bus drivers will still be doing runs and then need to get their busses to the depot before heading home. Once again, MCPS does not prioritize the safety of their staff.

Part of me hopes the tornado warnings start early and continue throughout the day. It would serve MCPS right to have instruction all messed up for the entire day. It’s not like all the weather people haven’t been warning us of this potential severe weather.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Richmond schools are closing

Richmond Public Schools students will work virtually on an asynchronous basis.

That sounds good… until the power goes out.

Anonymous wrote:Now weather reports are saying tornados starting at 10:00 am….anyone else see that?

Earlier this morning I made a post on here about seeing a weather person talking about this coming in 2 waves. Both are capable of producing tornadoes, high winds, and hail. First wave is 10-3 and second wave is 3:00 and after.