Inclement Weather Guidelines
In the event of inclement weather, Roanoke City Public Schools will prioritize student and staff safety, as well as quality instruction. If closures or delays are necessary, every effort will be made to notify parents/guardians and staff by 5:30 a.m. Announcements will be made utilizing the following:
- Mass notification system (please make sure the school has your current phone/mobile number)
- Local News Media (Roanoke Times, WDBJ7, WSLS, WSET, WFXR, Wheeler Broadcasting Radio Stations)
- Division Website
- Facebook: Roanoke City Public Schools
- Instagram (@RoanokeSchools)
If you have a question regarding inclement weather protocols, please contact your school.
Employee Information
If schools are closed due to inclement weather, school-based employees* and all building administrators do not report for work unless otherwise instructed. This will permit crews to clear the walkways and parking lots as needed. All building administrators are on call when schools are closed, and the Superintendent and her designees reserve the right to call meetings with principals.
Staff located at the William B. Robertson Administration Building (WBR) and the Community Empowerment Center at Booker T. Washington (CEC) will report for work as soon as possible, pending safe travel conditions, unless otherwise instructed. Employees unable to report to work must notify their supervisor and take a vacation day.
*Employees in Maintenance and Building Operations must report to work and arrive as soon as possible, pending safe travel conditions, in accordance with Standard Operating Procedure OPS 3.11, or unless otherwise instructed by the Superintendent or her designee.
Important: The Division reserves the right to re-evaluate the Inclement Weather Guidelines and alter the school day and/ or the school calendar, if needed, to meet VDOE's required minimum instructional hours.
Delayed Openings
If a decision is made to open schools late, every effort will be made to make the announcement by 5:30 a.m., utilizing the same methods mentioned above.
If a decision is made to delay the opening of schools by one hour because of inclement weather, school employees* are to report to work one hour after their normally scheduled time. The same method applies to a two-hour delayed opening.
Important: Principals are to report to work on time for delayed openings, pending safe travel conditions. Principals are responsible for planning minimal coverage to receive students who may be dropped off early by their parents/guardians.
*Employees who are required to maintain essential or emergency services (including staff located a the WBR and CEC) will report to work on time and/or arrive as soon as possible in accordance with Standard Operating Procedure OPS 3.11, depending on safe travel conditions, or unless otherwise instructed by the Superintendent or her designee.
Early Closings
If a decision is made to close schools early because of inclement weather, the announcement will be made utilizing the same methods detailed above.
If a decision is made to close schools early because of inclement weather, school-based personnel* may leave 15 minutes after students depart. Principals are to wait until they receive the "All Clear" on transportation before leaving the building.
*12-month employees in Maintenance and Building Operations and staff located at the WBR and the CEC should remain at their work site for the normal workday, unless specific instructions are provided from the Superintendent or her designee concerning an earlier dismissal time.
Remote Learning Days
RCPS believes in snow days whenever possible. To ensure student learning remains on track, however, RCPS may use Remote Learning Days if extended closures are expected due to inclement weather or other emergencies. Remote Learning Days are asynchronous, which means that students will complete offline activities at their own pace.