January 16, 2025 Staff and Community Update: Cold Weather Preparedness Information for Team BCPS
Team BCPS—
Weather forecasts are indicating that our region will experience extremely cold temperatures early next week, with temperatures forecast to be below 10ºF with sub-zero wind chills. To prepare for this extreme cold, BCPS is:
- Urging parents/caregivers, students and staff to wear multiple layers of tightly woven clothing and cover heads, hands, and faces to minimize the amount of skin that is exposed.
- Children are at greater risk for cold injuries like frostbite and frostnip because their skin cools quicker than adults. Student walkers are urged to take extra precautions.
- Be sure that clothing isn’t too tight. Tight gloves and shoes can restrict blood flow and cause a person to cool more quickly.
- Preparing staff to minimize student exposure to outdoor activities by moving recess, physical education, athletic practices indoors, and any other outdoor activity or class.
- Watching actual and forecasted temperatures and winds to determine if delayed school openings or closures may be needed. Plans for delayed openings or closures will be communicated in accordance with Superintendent’s Rule 6303. As a reminder, BCPS has had two inclement weather closures this school year. Once we have the third full-day closure, we will transition to virtual learning. Students should plan to take their devices home on Friday, January 17 as schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Cold Weather Preparedness
BCPS Emergency Notifications, School Closings and Delays
MSDE Child Care Weather Watch