Inclement Weather Policy - Rochambeau, The French International School

In case of inclement weather (snow, ice, wind...) or school closures, the school administration usually follows the decisions of Montgomery County.

The school reserves the right to diverge from MCPS scheduling and consolidate the 5:30 PM dismissal into the 3:30 PM dismissal if an event impacts the late dismissal or if MCPS remains closed for more than three consecutive school days.

In case of a school closure, delay or early release, parents will be informed by text and email. Notifications will also be posted on the school website, on Facebook and Instagram.

We also advise that you register to receive the alerts from Montgomery County. Both campuses will be following the same decisions.

Rochambeau Inclement weather policy

Here is what you can expect during inclement weather events:

Short-Term Closures (Days 1–3)

TPS through CE1: Students will enjoy a traditional snow day.

CE2 through Terminale: Online learning on Day 1, provided the school has successfully distributed the necessary technology tools and devices to families beforehand. If an unexpected weather event occurs after dismissal and required tools have not been sent home, these grades will observe a traditional snow day instead.

Extended Closures (Beyond 3 Days) & The Re-Opening Process

If a weather event causes closures extending past three days, our internal leadership delegation will convene daily at 2:00 PM to independently evaluate our ability to reopen the Forest Road and Maplewood campuses. Reopening decisions will be entirely based on the following verified safety thresholds:

Weather Status: Precipitation has fully stopped, and no immediate refreeze is forecasted.

Campus Readiness: Parking lots, walkways, building entrances, and adjacent access roads must be completely cleared, salted, and safe for two-way traffic.

Utility Integrity: Power, water, and heat must be fully functional across all campus locations.

Route Safety: Our transportation team must successfully complete real-world route test-runs to verify driving passability.

Emergency Snow Routes

To prioritize bus safety, school buses will no longer enter narrow residential streets, unplowed neighborhoods, or cul-de-sacs during active snow routes. Instead, they will operate strictly on primary arteries and designated Emergency Snow Roads.

Parental Autonomy: Families will have the choice to transport their children to these major designated emergency stops.

Excused Absences: We respect that commute conditions vary wildly across the region. If a family, whether using the bus network or driving their child directly to campus, determines that they cannot safely complete their commute, the student's absence will be fully excused.

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Short-Term Closures (Days 1–3)

Extended Closures (Beyond 3 Days) & The Re-Opening Process

Emergency Snow Routes