Snow Alert: Guilford County Schools Move High Schools Online, Dismiss K-8 Early—Full Schedule & Parent Guide Inside

Parents across Guilford County are scrambling this morning after Guilford County Schools (GCS) announced sweeping schedule changes prompted by a fast-moving winter storm. District officials confirmed that all elementary and middle schools will dismiss three hours early—11:10 a.m. for elementary campuses and 12:10 p.m. for middle schools—while every high school shifts to remote learning for the day. Why the sudden decision? A Winter Weather Advisory predicts icy conditions in northern Guilford County during the typical afternoon bus run. Transportation Director Jeff Harris says the early call “keeps buses off slick secondary roads right when temperatures tumble.” The National Weather Service is forecasting wind-chill values in the upper teens by mid-afternoon, and Public Works crews began pretreating major routes before dawn. Key information families need to know today: • Meal pick-up: High-school cafeterias will offer grab-and-go breakfasts at 9 a.m. and lunches at noon. • After-school care: All on-campus programs are canceled. Check with private providers for updated hours. • Athletics: Every practice and game scheduled for Monday is postponed. • Remote expectations: High-school students should log into Canvas by 9 a.m.; attendance will be taken. Superintendent Whitney Oakley emphasized that “instructional continuity” remains the goal: students without reliable Wi-Fi can download assignments and submit them later this week without penalty. The district used a similar plan last Friday, and survey data showed 93 % of high-schoolers successfully accessed virtual lessons. Road safety tips for families: 1. Delay pickups if possible; secondary streets freeze first. 2. Keep headlights on—even during flurries—to improve visibility. 3. Clear snow from windshields and roofs before entering car lines. Looking ahead, GCS will decide this evening whether Tuesday classes return to normal. Parents are urged to sign up for text alerts through the GCSNC mobile app and follow @GCSchoolsNC on social media for real-time updates. Search interest in “Guilford County Schools early dismissal” surged overnight, and officials recognize communication is crucial. “We’d rather be accused of over-planning than risking student safety,” Oakley said. For the latest closings, road conditions, and live radar, keep checking this article; we will update as the situation evolves.