Inclement Weather Codes
When bad weather or emergency conditions occur, Fauquier County Public Schools (FCPS1) may announce schedule changes or closures to protect the safety of students, staff and families. FCPS1 shares announcements by email, text message, the FCPS1 website, social media and local media outlets.
Each operational code below explains what families, students and employees should expect.
Code Red: Schools and Administrative Offices Closed
Announcement:
"All Fauquier County Public Schools and administrative offices are closed today, [DATE]. Code Red is in effect."
Division Operations
- All schools and administrative offices are closed.
- Fauquier Community Child Care (FCCC) will not open.
- All school-sponsored and non-school activities (day and evening), including field trips, team practices, contests and community events, are canceled.
Family Guidance
- Buildings and school grounds are closed. Please do not access school grounds or facilities.
Employees
- Employees report only if designated as division- or building-specific essential personnel by their supervisor.
- Members of building-specific Snow Response Teams report at times specified to assist with maintaining or resuming division operations.
- All professional development activities are canceled.
- Refer to School Board Policy 4-2.8 for essential personnel guidance and compensation details.
*Snow Response Teams are designated employees identified by school or department leadership to support operational readiness during inclement weather.
Code Orange: Schools Closed for Students and Teachers; Administrative Offices Open at 10 a.m.
Announcement:
"All Fauquier County Public Schools are closed today, [DATE]. Code Orange is in effect."
Division Operations
- Schools are closed.
- Administrative offices open at 10 a.m.
- FCCC will notify families of their operational status.
- All school-sponsored and non-school activities (day and evening), including field trips, contests and community events, are canceled.
- Athletic activities scheduled before 11 a.m. are canceled.
- Athletic activities scheduled after 11 a.m. will be determined individually based on road and facility conditions.
Family Guidance
- School buildings and facilities are closed to students and visitors. Please do not access school grounds or facilities.
Employees
- Employees on the teacher salary scale and non-12-month employees do not report.
- All 12-month employees and all school-based and central office administrators report at 10 a.m. unless otherwise directed.
- Building-specific Snow Response Teams report at 9 a.m. or as scheduled by their supervisor.
- Eligible employees may use liberal leave if they determine travel conditions are unsafe.
- Professional development activities are canceled.
- The superintendent may adjust reporting times as conditions warrant.
- Refer to School Board Policy 4-2.8 for essential personnel guidance and compensation details.
*Snow Response Teams are designated employees identified by school or department leadership to support operational readiness during inclement weather.
Two-Hour Delayed Opening
Announcement:
"All Fauquier County Public Schools will open two hours late today, [DATE]."
Division Operations
- Schools open two hours late; check www.fcps1.org for specific bell times.
- Morning bus routes operate two hours late.
- Administrative offices open on time unless otherwise directed.
- FCCC will open at 8:30 a.m. unless otherwise directed.
- A simplified breakfast will be served; lunch will be served as usual.
- Field trips scheduled before 11 a.m. are canceled.
- Field trips scheduled after 11 a.m. will be determined individually based on road and facility conditions.
Family Guidance
- Families should not drop students off early, as staff may also be delayed.
Employees
- Essential personnel and custodians report on time.
- School Nutrition employees report on time unless otherwise directed.
- Bus drivers, bus attendants and dispatchers report one hour late.
- All other employees report two hours late.
- Eligible employees may use liberal leave if they determine travel conditions are unsafe.
- Professional development activities may be canceled; check with the sponsoring school or department.
Early Closing
One-Hour Early Closing
Announcement:
"All Fauquier County Public Schools will close one hour early today, [DATE]."
Division Operations
- Dismissal will occur one hour early; check www.fcps1.org for specific bell times.
- Students will be dismissed according to instructions parents or guardians provided during annual registration.
- Transportation for specialized programs (e.g., preschool) may be altered.
- Lunch will be served.
- The after-school FCCC program will not open.
- All school-sponsored and non-school activities, including team practices, contests, field trips, late activity bus runs, extracurricular events and community events, are canceled.
Employees
- Teachers, instructional assistants, library media assistants, interpreters and nurses may be excused at the principal's discretion.
- Administrative and 12-month employees remain on their normal schedule unless otherwise directed by the superintendent.
Two-Hour Early Closing
Announcement:
"All Fauquier County Public Schools will close two hours early today, [DATE]."
Division Operations
- Dismissal will occur two hours early; check www.fcps1.org for specific bell times.
- Students will be dismissed according to instructions parents or guardians provided during annual registration.
- Transportation for specialized programs (e.g., preschool) may be altered.
- The after-school FCCC program will not open.
- All school-sponsored and non-school activities, including team practices, contests, field trips, late activity bus runs, extracurricular events and community events, are canceled.
Employees
- School administrators remain until all buses have completed their routes.
- School-based employees whose primary responsibility is direct student support may be excused at the principal's discretion.
- Administrative and 12-month employees remain on their normal schedule unless otherwise directed by the superintendent.
- Employees who cannot remain due to worsening weather should contact their supervisor.
Cancellation of After-School Activities and Evening Programs
Announcement:
"All activities scheduled in Fauquier County Public Schools or on school grounds for this afternoon and evening are canceled."
Division Operations
- The after-school FCCC program will not open.
- All school-sponsored and non-school activities, including team practices, contests and community events are canceled.
Cancellation of Weekend Activities
Announcement:
"All activities scheduled in Fauquier County Public Schools or on school grounds for this weekend are canceled due to expected inclement weather conditions."
Division Operations
- All school-sponsored and non-school activities, including team practices, contests and community events are canceled.
- Rescheduling decisions will be made as conditions allow.