After opening two hours late and then closing two hours early on Tuesday Jan, 17 in anticipation of the winter storm bearing down on Seattle the Seattle Public Schools closed altogether on Jan, 18, joining nearly all other school systems in Western Washington (except for Pacific Beach which remained open) and chose to close down for Thursday, Jan. 19 as well the system stated in a press release Wednesday afternoon.

press release:

All Seattle Public Schools will remain closed on Thursday, January 19 because of continued winter weather, including the threat of icy roads, making student transportation potentially unsafe.

Schools were closed today, and tonight’s School Board meeting was postponed until Jan. 25. All pre- and post- school activities are also cancelled, including games, practices, events, plays, meetings, etc.

“We hoped that students and staff could return to school on Thursday, but forecasts right now are showing continued severe weather, including the potential for icy roads,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield. “We want to err on the side of caution, and also give families enough time to plan for another snow day.”
Please note that Thursday’s 4 p.m. School Board committee of the whole meeting has not been cancelled. As of now, that meeting will take place, and a decision on whether or not to cancel will be made by noon on Thursday. However, the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence will be closed on Thursday to all non-essential personnel.

As of this afternoon, Seattle Public Schools has not yet determined when and how the snow days will be made up this year. That announcement will be made early next week.

Families and staff will receive an automated phone call about the closure, and can also check for updates on the District website at www.seattleschools.org and via the Public Schools Emergency Communications System at www.SchoolReport.org. We are also posting updates on Twitter @seapubschools

For more information, please contact Lesley Rogers, Chief Communications Officer, at 206-255-2811 or larogers1@seattleschools.org