More than two weeks after a heavy late-January snowstorm, several Baltimore City public schools are still wrestling with burst pipes, lingering power issues and a carousel of early dismissals that keeps throwing off lessons and family routines. Parents say the sudden closures and last-minute pivots to virtual learning have working adults scrambling to line up childcare and transportation, while school leaders hustle to keep instruction going in the middle of the mess.
The district released a list of affected campuses to WBAL-TV 11 News, including Calvin M. Rodwell Elementary/Middle, Beechfield Elementary/Middle, Forest Park High School, Dr. Nathan A. Pitts-Ashburton Elementary/Middle, Liberty Elementary, Arlington Elementary, Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School (Mervo), Fallstaff Elementary/Middle and the Baltimore School for the Arts. In a statement to the outlet, City Schools said it is responding to “weather-related impacts,” such as burst pipes and spotty power, that have led to early dismissals, short closures and short-term shifts to virtual learning. Officials said they are updating families and staff while they inspect building systems and line up repairs.
Parents Want Earlier Alerts
“They mentioned something about the electricity,” said James Hill, whose child attends Calvin M. Rodwell, describing an early dismissal that sent him scrambling at the last second to find childcare, according to WBAL-TV 11 News. Hill said he eventually found help but worries about families who do not have that kind of backup. PTA members and community advocates say that clearer, earlier alerts could go a long way toward easing the chaos for working households.
City Activates Emergency Response
As the City of Baltimore detailed in a Jan. 23 press release, Mayor Brandon M. Scott declared a state of emergency and activated the emergency operations center to coordinate snow removal and utility repairs. The city urged residents to sign up for BMORE Alerts and warned that bitter cold and strong winds increase the odds of frozen pipes and power outages. Officials said crews are prioritizing routes serving hospitals and schools while working around the clock to clear streets and restore service.
How Schools Are Responding
Baltimore City Public Schools has asked families to keep their contact information current and to rely on the district’s official channels for any schedule changes. The district has posted virtual-learning schedules and meal pickup locations for students while buildings are checked out. School leaders say safety is the top concern and that repairs to boilers, pipes and electrical systems are in progress before students and staff return to normal routines. Families are urged to review robocalls, text messages and the district website for the latest updates.
District officials say the repair work will continue until every affected campus is cleared and that parents will be notified as conditions shift. Many families, however, say the last few weeks have laid bare the need for faster, more predictable alerts. For now, parents and school staff are navigating a patchwork of in-person days, early releases and virtual classes while crews finish repairs and work to restore full service. We will update this story as the district and the city release new information.
