Prince George's County Schools Schedule Make-Up Day After Weather Closures

Prince George's County Public Schools held a make-up school day Thursday, requiring all students and staff to report on a regular schedule as the district worked through a backlog of weather closures that has reshaped the academic calendar well into the spring and early summer.

The district lost seven days to snow and ice this winter, exceeding the five built-in make-up days embedded in the school calendar. A separate weather-related closure in December pushed the total number of days needing recovery to eight, according to reporting by WJLA's Kellye Lynn. "Our allotted snow days have been used, and winter isn't over yet," PGCPS wrote in its February 2 newsletter to families.

To absorb the losses, the district is using all five of its built-in make-up days: March 20, May 27, and June 15 through 17. The school board has also approved adding June 18 as an additional make-up day at the end of the school year. April 6 remains a possibility as well, though the district has not finalized that date. "We are preparing a modified school calendar, pending state guidance on flexibility," PGCPS stated in its official communications.

One earlier option fell off the table before it was ever official. PGCPS had advised families to be prepared for schools to open on President's Day, February 16, and noted it might request a state waiver to do so alongside other Maryland districts. The district later reversed course, confirming schools would remain closed that day.

The winter's relentless schedule disruptions also forced a significant policy reversal on virtual learning. PGCPS had told 7News last month that virtual instruction would not be used during weather events this school year. That position changed sharply at an emergency school board meeting on February 4, where system leaders discussed state requirements for virtual learning during severe weather. The board approved a new Virtual Education Day plan that can be used both during and after storms. The district said it is "working with unions on a thoughtful virtual learning plan if severe weather continues" and that a finalized plan would be shared with the Board of Education.

Families seeking real-time updates can text Y or YES to 67587 to receive PGCPS emergency alerts directly.

Thursday's make-up session falls one day before March 20, the first of the district's five formally scheduled make-up dates, meaning the stretch of recovery days for Prince George's County students is now fully underway with several more still ahead before the school year closes on June 18.