School Closings
Inclement weather or other safety conditions may require us to close or have a delayed opening. This decision involves careful evaluations of a variety of factors in a compressed time period. Decisions are made as early as possible for morning closings and delays.
The General Rule
As a general rule, MSD-Frederick follows Frederick County Public Schools and MSD-Columbia follows Howard County Public Schools. Exceptions to the rule do happen.
Delayed Openings
If Frederick County Public Schools open 2 hours late, only MSD-Frederick Campus will open 2 hours late. If Howard County Public Schools open 2 hours late, only MSD-Columbia Campus will open 2 hours late.
Closures
Although we tend to follow the county's lead, there are circumstances when we make an independent decision.
We Are One School
Every once in a while Frederick County Public Schools or Howard County Public Schools will close while the other remains open. In that rare situation, as MSD is a single school, both campuses will be closed. In the case of delayed openings, one campus can open late while the other opens on time.
How to Find Out
The best way to know whether or not MSD-Frederick and/or MSD-Columbia is closed or opening late due to inclement weather is to check:
One Call Now: email and text
MSD Website: www.msd.edu
Social Media sites:
Facebook: /MarylandSchoolfortheDeaf
Instagram: @MSDOrioles
Twitter: @MSDOrioles
Local News Stations:
Columbia: WJZ-TV 13, WMAR 2, WBAL-TV 11, WBFF Fox 45
Frederick: WTOP, NBC 4, WJLA-ABC 7, WUSA 9, WTTG-Fox 5, WDVM-NBC, KEY 103.1, WFRE 99.9, WFMD 930
Parents Can Decide
Student safety is paramount. Parents reserve the right to keep their child home on days when weather makes travel hazardous. The absence will be treated as an excused absence.
Sending Students Home
If a significant storm is predicted, MSD will send home all day students and the residential students who have daily transportation available to them to ensure that they are being transported in safe conditions and are home with their families rather than snowbound at school.
After School Events
Please know that anytime school is closed due to inclement weather, all school activities including athletic events, practices, and rehearsals are cancelled as well.
County Buses
If schools in specific counties are closed, those county buses will not run to MSD even if we are open. This will be counted as an excused absence for any student without bus transportation. This can be complex; here is a chart to address possible scenarios.
If Other County Schools | And MSD | Then Buses to MSD |
Are On Time | Is Delayed | Will be Delayed |
Are Delayed | Is On Time | Will be Delayed |
Are Delayed | Is Closed | There will be no transportation |
Are Closed | Is Delayed | There will be no transportation |
Have Early Dismissal | Has Normal Schedule | Will have Early Dismissal |
Have Normal Schedule | Has Early Dismissal | Will have Early Dismissal |
One Call Now
To receive text messages from One Call Now, please text #ConnectMSD to 22300.