About the Virtual Inclement Weather Day Plan Process in English Spanish Haitian Creole

Question: If Wicomico Schools needs another snow day, could there be virtual instruction instead of the school day being canceled and then made up?

Answer: This may be an option in the near future. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) only recently provided school systems with guidance for the 2021-2022 school year on turning what would be inclement weather closure days into virtual instruction days.

Prior to doing so, the school system must complete three steps:

• Present the Virtual Inclement Weather Day Plan at a public Board meeting. The plan will be presented at the Feb. 8 Board meeting. (MSDE’s guidance came on Jan. 14, after the most recent Board of Education meeting on Jan. 11.)
• Post the Virtual Inclement Weather Day Plan on its website. Wicomico will post a Virtual Inclement Weather Day Plan on its website (wcboe.org) once it has been presented at the Board meeting.
• Provide the plan to MSDE for review and approval. This will take place following the other two steps.

Only after completing all three steps could Wicomico County Public Schools have the option to announce a 2021-2022 virtual instruction day for a day when school cannot safely be held in person due to inclement weather.

Updates regarding Wicomico’s Virtual Inclement Weather Day Plan will be shared through SchoolMessenger with all school families and staff, and will be posted on the website.