Wicomico Co. Public Schools announce updates to inclement weather plans for remainder of school year

SALISBURY, Md. – Wicomico County Public Schools have announced an update to its inclement weather school status changes for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.

We’re told there will not be any delayed openings for schools for the remainder of the year. If conditions would have previously caused a delay, instruction will shift to virtual. In addition, there will not be any days when the school system is fully closed unless extreme weather conditioners or other circumstances would make it impossible to have virtual instruction and remote work.

The following are possible school status announcements depending on conditions (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays):

• Virtual Instruction, Buildings Open: Students will have virtual instruction beginning on time. Staff will begin work on time. Buildings will remain open, and meal bundles will be available at schools.
• Virtual Instruction, Central Office/School Offices Open: Students and school-based instructional staff will have virtual instruction beginning on time. Central office/school office staff to report as conditions allow. No meal bundles.
• Virtual Instruction, Buildings Closed: Students/teachers have virtual instruction, beginning on time. Buildings closed, only designated essential personnel should report as directed by supervisor. No meal bundles.
• No School Day: Due to inclement weather or other circumstances, this is a fully closed day for schools. No virtual instruction, no meal bundle service, and no remote work for employees. Only designated essential personnel report. This is a missed day of instruction and will have to be made up.

Officials say announcements would be different on Wednesdays, which are already asynchronous instruction days where students are all virtual. Those announcements would be as follows:

• Asynchronous Instruction, Buildings Open: Students have asynchronous instruction as usual and follow their established Wednesday routine. No in-person small groups. Meal bundles available at schools, and school offices open.
• Asynchronous Instruction, Central Office/School Offices Open: Students have asynchronous instruction as usual and follow their established Wednesday routine. No in-person small groups. No meal bundles. Central office and school office staff should report as conditions allow.
• Asynchronous Instruction, Buildings Closed: Students have asynchronous instruction as usual and follow their established Wednesday routine. No in-person small groups. No meal bundles, buildings closed.
• No School Day: Due to inclement weather or other circumstances, this is a fully closed day for schools. No asynchronous instruction and no meal bundle service. This is a missed day of instruction and will have to be made up.

Other school status announcements would include no after school or evening activities, and early dismissals as needed.