Inclement Weather Emergencies

How are families notified about weather alerts and emergency notifications?

Emergency notifications and weather alerts are first posted on the ACPS website. If they pertain to a specific school, an alert is posted on that individual school’s website, sometimes both.

Depending on the nature and timeliness of the situation, we may also send an email, text message and/or robocall. Notifications may also be made on or through: 

• ParentSquare
• ACPS Social Media in English: Twitter | Facebook and Spanish: Twitter | Facebook
• ACPS Hotline: 703-866-5300
• City of Alexandria eNews: Families need to subscribe to this email announcement list via the City of Alexandria website
• Local television and radio stations

You will only receive emergency messages directly from ACPS if your information is up-to-date in PowerSchool.

Why am I not receiving weather alerts and emergency notifications from ACPS?

The system that we use to communicate with families in weather and emergency situations pulls contact information from PowerSchool. If your information is not complete or correct in PowerSchool, you will not receive our alerts.

Parents and guardians are responsible for making sure their school(s) has current contact information. At the start of each school year, families receive a welcome packet for each student that includes the information that is in PowerSchool. Parents and guardians are asked to correct that information, if necessary, and return the forms to their school or update their information online. That information is then entered into the database by the school’s registrar.

If you are not receiving messages from ACPS, please check your contact information by logging into PowerSchool and using the “Returning Student Registration” link at the bottom of the left-hand navigation. Or contact your school registrar today.

You will begin receiving messages from ACPS within 24 hours of your information being updated in PowerSchool

I accidentally opted out of receiving robo calls and text messages from ACPS. How do I opt back in?

To opt back in to phone calls, please call the Opt-Out Hotline at 1-855-502-7867. To opt back in for text messages, text the message START ACPSALL to 23177.

Why is there sometimes a delay in receiving notifications?

In an urgent or emergency situation, our number one priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of our students. This might involve evacuating students and consulting with emergency personnel, such as the fire department. Once our students are safe and secure, we initiate communications.

There are some situations for which the process follows a scripted plan, such as a school closing due to bad weather. Those communications can be executed quickly.

For unscripted situations, such as a building or facilities issue, the process is more complex and takes more time to execute. The process typically includes:

• receiving initial notification
• gathering information
• determining the extent and impact of the situation in consultation with school administration, facilities, transportation and sometimes the city, neighboring jurisdictions and experts, as needed
• deciding the immediate next steps and/or resolution (Superintendent)
• formulating the communication plan
• executing the communication plan

Translating messages into other languages can also affect the process. ACPS sends emergency messages in English, and where possible, in Spanish, Arabic and Amharic.

Depending on the nature of the situation, sometimes we are able to communicate an initial message while we continue to work the situation and then follow up with additional messaging as information becomes available. If action is required by parents and guardians, such as picking up students early, time is needed to work through the logistics. There is always a balance between ensuring the information is complete and getting it out quickly.

Although there may be similarities, every situation is different and requires some degree of flexibility and adaptation. Situations that involve an early dismissal or school closure, for instance, involve complex logistics and coordination among different entities before details can be fully communicated. In these cases, you may not get all the information in the first message. We will update you as the plan evolves.

Other school divisions around us have a delayed opening or are closed, or vice versa. Why not us?

When deciding whether or not to delay opening or close schools, we consult with our director of transportation, who is out in the wee hours checking our buses, streets, sidewalks, bus stops and school parking lots; our director of operations, who is checking the status of our school buildings and facilities; and the Alexandria transportation staff, along with those of neighboring jurisdictions regarding their assessments of conditions.