UPDATED at 9:45 a.m.: National Weather Service is now predicting snow accumulations between 4 and 6 inches.
Original Story: Prince William County Schools opened today despite snowfalls that are expected to continue until noon with accumulations of 2-4 inches according to the National Weather Service. However, PWCS is advising parents keep their children home if they feel it is unsafe for them to travel.
Communications Director for Phil Kavits reminds parents that they can choose to keep their children home or send them to school late, and the students will not be penalized.
“Please remind parents to that they always have the right to send students late or not at all if they have any safety concerns. We always put safety first, and students are not penalized if parents determine that safety dictates an absence or delay,” Kavits said.
Gainesville School Board Alyson Satterwhite representative posted on her Friends of Alyson Satterwhite Facebook page the following message to parents.
Folks, I know it is a mess out there this morning. There is already an inch of snow at my house. My son has been sending me updates from the bus and is not at school yet. As parents, if you don't feel that it is safe to send your children to school then keep them home or bring them in late if you feel conditions warrant. A note from you on their return to school will be an excused absence. Please, stay safe and use caution if you are on the roads.
School Board Chairman Milt Johns posted a similar message on Bristow Beat’s Facebook page, letting parents know they have the choice to keep their children home in cases of inclement weather.
“Don't send your kids to school - As I have said in public many times, if you believe is not safe for your students, do not send them to school. Send them in with the note and the absence will be excused.”
Prince William County Police reported on their Facebook page that they responded to numerous car accidents throughout the county. Police spokesperson Officer Jonathan Perok, said officers responded to 69 crashes between 5 and 8 a.m. Three of those accidents involved school buses.
Kavits said he will keep Bristow Beat updated as to school bus accidents as he receives that information.
VDOT said plows are out in areas where there is 2 inches of snow or more. They caution motorists to leave space between their automobiles and the snow plows.
Residents took to social media warning their friends about the weather, some advising parents to keep their children home from school. Facebook ran multiple posts from local drivers reporting the poor road conditions in the area and the road accidents they had witnessed. Some detailed vehicles in ditches and accidents right outside schools. Many reported an unusually long commute time from home to their neighborhood schools.
At schools, absentee rates were high and some teachers were also absent or late due to weather, causing teachers who were present to cover others classes. School employees complained that they also felt it unsafe to drive in to work.
Many commented that PWCS did not consider the western end of the county, but even residents on the eastern side of the county messaged that roads were messy and they too witnessed accidents.
On Twitter and Facebook, Fairfax residents also complained that their public schools are open.
Motorists also reported unusually long commutes to work, and VDOT said I-66 East is slower than usual with accidents creating traffic congestion.
Read also the 2013 article PWCS Explains Systems for Closing and Delays.
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