Reminder: No School on Monday, plus Information from Dr. Gurley about Weather Delays or Closures

Posted Date: 1/04/25 (1:02 PM)

View of snow on fields, mountains, tree through a window framed by curtains and icicles.

A Letter from Dr. Gurley

Dear CCS Families and Staff,

Happy New Year! I hope this message finds you well as we begin 2025 with optimism and renewed energy.

I’m writing with two important reminders:

Monday, January 6 is a teacher work day as our staff closes out the first semester. Students are scheduled to return on Tuesday, January 7.
In light of forecasted rain/ice/snow on Sunday and Monday with freezing temperatures throughout the week, we’re sharing information about how we make decisions to close or delay school.

School closures and delays are never easy decisions. We know that time in the classroom is invaluable for learning and growth. We also understand that delays or closures can pose challenges for families, particularly when it comes to childcare needs. At the same time, we always prioritize the safety of our students and staff.

To make informed decisions, we carefully consider several factors, including:

Collaboration with Charlottesville’s Public Services and a professional weather service to monitor conditions.
Assessments of road and sidewalk conditions in cooperation with Charlottesville’s Pupil Transportation Department to determine whether streets and sidewalks are safe for students, staff, and buses.
Evaluations of road conditions in the surrounding areas, recognizing that many CCS teachers and staff commute from outside Charlottesville.

It bears repeating: Ultimately, these decisions are made with the safety of our students and staff as our top priority.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate winter weather together. Below, we are sharing some Frequently Asked Questions about winter delays and closings. Please make a plan for your family now in case winter weather (or power outages, or more) might cause a schedule change at school.

Wishing you and your families a happy and safe start to the new year!

Warm regards,

Royal A. Gurley, Jr.

Superintendent

Charlottesville City Schools

Thanks to Vincent Beling, Buford, Grade 7 for the wintry art!

More about Weather-Related Closures or Delays

When do we make weather decisions?

Morning announcements will be made by 5:30 a.m. whenever possible. Sometimes we can announce a decision the evening before.
Early-release decisions will be made by 10:30 a.m. whenever possible.

Where do we announce school schedule changes?

Via email, text, or phone using ParentSquare. All staff, families, and CHS students automatically receive notifications. Community members can also sign up (see below).
CCS homepage: charlottesvilleschools.org.
CCS social media: Facebook (Facebook.com/CvilleSchools) and X / Twitter (twitter.com/CvilleSchools)
Through local TV and radio stations and their websites.

How can community members who are not part of Cville Schools receive announcements of schedule changes?

Community members, partners, or local organizations who wish to receive weather-related announcements can join a ParentSquare community group.

What happens when schools are closed for the day:

All school activities are canceled unless otherwise indicated.

What happens when schools open late:

School buses run on the same delay as school. (If schools are opening on a 2-hour delay, then buses will run their usual routes 2 hours later.)
Early-morning (zero period) classes at Buford and CHS are canceled.
Morning field trips are canceled.

What happens when schools dismiss early:

Students will be fed lunch before being put on buses, if possible.
All school activities are canceled unless otherwise indicated.