Article Text

McLean students returned to class on a two-hour delay Tuesday, Feb. 3, after a powerful winter storm shut down Fairfax County Public Schools for a full week.

The storm began Sunday, Jan. 25, and continued into Monday morning, leaving 16 to 18 inches of snow. Temperatures remained below freezing, raising concerns about black ice and unsafe travel for students and staff.

“I’m used to the weather overestimating how much snow we’re going to get, so it was surprising when it kept falling,” sophomore Jordyn Nowinski said.

Driving remained difficult even for students with vehicles equipped for winter conditions.

“I had to be super careful driving around,” junior Mia Jander said. “My car can drive well on ice and snow, but it was still scary.”

FCPS canceled classes and on-campus activities throughout the week. The delayed opening on Feb. 3 gave road crews additional time to clear snow and address icy streets.

Students had mixed feelings about returning, with slippery sidewalks adding to their frustration.

“It’s tough having to come back after being home a whole week,” freshman Saira Naik said. “This felt like a second winter break.”

The two-hour delay shortened class periods as students and teachers began catching up on missed work. The extended closure also disrupted the end of the second quarter and pushed back grading schedules.

“I wasn’t sure when we were going to come back to school, so I had to keep reviewing for my test just in case,” Nowinski said.

Additional delays remained possible as crews worked to improve road conditions. Although temperatures were expected to rise, students were advised to monitor FCPS announcements and weather alerts.

“I’ll keep watching out for updates, so I can be ready for whatever happens with the weather,” Nowinski said.