The following message was sent to all contacts on Wednesday, October 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. via email, phone call, and text message:
 

Here are a few important things to remember for the inclement weather season! HCPS utilizes the following schedule changes when needed. 

CLOSURES: 

• Can be determined the night before;  

• Can be determined morning of by 5:15 A.M.; 

• Can be determined by 6:45 A.M. if a 2-hour delay was first implemented;  

• Can be determined by 7:45 A.M. if a 3-hour delay was first implemented. 

Please note: Closures need to be made up. HCPS will utilize inclement weather days that are already built into the school year. The first 3 inclement weather days that require a closure will be made up on March 1, June 1, and April 12, 2027 (in that order). If we do not use these make up days, schools and offices will be closed. 

After the first 3 inclement weather days, HCPS may have Virtual Instruction on any additional closures due to inclement weather. The Inclement Weather Learning Plan for Systemwide Closures 2026-2027 includes more information about what students will do on Virtual Instruction days. Depending on the severity and timing of the event, HCPS may determine that a traditional closure, delayed opening, or early dismissal is more appropriate. 

DELAYS: 

• A 2-hour delay. 

• A 3-hour delay. 

Please note: 2- and 3-hour delays do not need to be made up; when schools are open, it counts towards the state mandated 180-day school year. 

With a delay, take your students' normal schedule, and add the delay time to adjust your schedule. For example, if you normally arrive at the bus stop at 6:30 a.m., on a 2-hour delay, arrive at the bus stop at 8:30 a.m. and on a 3-hour delay, arrive at the bus stop at 9:30 a.m.  

*Early Learner and Learning Together preschool programs do NOT meet when schools are delayed 2- or 3-hours for inclement weather.* 

When schools are delayed, every effort will be made to make a reassessment by 6:45 a.m. for a 2-Hour Delay, and by 7:45 a.m. for a 3-Hour Delay. Following the reassessment, communication will ONLY be made if there is another change to the operating schedule. 

The decision to dismiss early for inclement weather will be made as close to 9:30 a.m. as possible for any variation of time for an early dismissal, whether 1-, 2-, or 3-hours early.  

*If schools have an unexpected early dismissal, ALL contacts, including emergency contacts listed for each student, will be contacted to ensure an adult is aware that the student will be home early that day. 

Where will this information be posted? 

As soon as the Communications Office is made aware of operational changes due to inclement weather, written messages will be posted, followed by direct messages. Order of posts: 

1. HCPS website 

2. HCPS App push notification 

3. Phone, email, and text message (these can occur as early as 5:00 a.m.; please set your ringers accordingly!) 

4. Social media 

5. Local media outlets