MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — All Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will remain closed on Monday, February 2, as the county continues to recover from the recent winter storm that blanketed the area in snow and sleet.
While school buildings will be closed, district offices will operate on a normal schedule, and staff are expected to report as they would on a typical non-instructional day, according to a notice from the district issued on Sunday.
“Our schools are prepared and eager to welcome students back; however, we must remain closed to students for now,” the announcement stated.
District officials noted that the removal of snow and ice from this winter weather event has progressed slowly, with Monday marking the first day in nine days that temperatures are expected to rise above freezing.
“MCPS crews have been diligently working throughout the week, and our facilities are ready to reopen. While conditions may not be ideal immediately, many streets and sidewalks remain impassable for buses and unsafe for students walking,” the schools explained. “Piles of snow left after plowing are creating visibility issues for our buses and obstructing access to turning lanes. Additionally, many major roadways still have blockages that limit lane availability, complicating safe travel during peak hours.”
Reasons for School Closure:
- Numerous neighborhood streets are too narrow and icy for safe bus travel, with many barely accessible even for cars, while school buses are significantly wider.
- Sidewalks in many areas are impassable, forcing students who walk—approximately 20% of our student population—to navigate busy roads instead of safe pathways.
- Students with disabilities often require door-to-door transportation as outlined in their individualized education plans, which is not feasible in certain areas due to poor street conditions.
Community use of school facilities can continue as planned.
“We aim to reopen schools on Tuesday, but we need your assistance. Please help by clearing vehicles from the streets and sidewalks in your vicinity,” the district urged. “This is a collective effort, and we all need to work together to ensure a safe return to school.”
How Residents Can Assist:
- Remove your vehicle from the street to create wider plow paths and improve access for buses (and encourage your neighbors to do the same).
- Clear the sidewalk in front of your home (and encourage your neighbors to do this as well).
- Report any streets or roadways that still require snow and ice removal to Montgomery County’s 311 service.
For more weather-related updates:
The County’s 311 call center will be available during regular hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
You can reach MC311 by calling 3-1-1 or 240-777-0311. Residents can also find more information online at MC311.com.
