Arlington Public Schools are opening on a two hour delay today.
“There will be no elementary early release and all morning field trips are canceled,” the school system said in an email. “The Extended Day program will also open two hours late. All administrative offices and the pools will open on time.”
Less than an inch of snow fell overnight, but this morning’s wind chill temperature was below zero.
After a five-day weekend, Arlington public school students will be going back to class Thursday, albeit on a two hour delay.
“All Arlington Public Schools will open two hours late on Thursday,” according to Arlington Public Schools Director of Communication Jennifer Harris. “The Extended Day program will also open two hours late. All APS offices will open on time. Morning field trips will be cancelled.”
Schools were closed Monday for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday, on Tuesday for a teacher work day, and on Wednesday due to snow-covered streets and the frigid temperatures.
Arlington Public Schools will open on a two hour delay Tuesday morning due to the extreme cold.
APS sent the following email to families Monday evening.
Dear APS Families:
The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning of possible high winds and low wind chill temperatures across parts of Northern Virginia today through Tuesday night. As a result, Arlington Public Schools will open two hours late on Tuesday, January 7. The Extended Day Program will also open two hours late, and morning field trips will be cancelled. The Community Centers located in schools and the Pools will open at their regular times.
The Arlington County Department of Public Health encourages everyone to protect themselves against serious health problems that can result from prolonged exposure to the cold. When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced, causing cold-weather health problems such as frostbite and hypothermia.
What can you do?
- Wear cold weather appropriate clothing like gloves/mittens, hats, scarves and snow boots. Dress in several layers of loose-fitting clothing and cover your face and mouth if possible.
- Be aware of the wind chill factor. Wind can cause body-heat loss.
- Stay dry, and if you become wet, remove any wet clothing immediately.
- Limit your time outdoors.
- Do not ignore shivering. It’s an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.
Additional information on dealing with extreme cold is available from the Arlington County Public Health Department webpage at http://www.arlingtonva.us/
departments/HumanServices/ PublicHealth/page91183.aspx; from the Virginia Department of Health at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/ weather/ColdWeatherSafety.htm; and from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/ disasters/winter/guide.asp.
