Prince William County Public Schools

Aquatics Center Operations

Refer to PWCS Aquatics Center website and social media pages for information specific to its daily operation, but generally:

• PWCS-announced school closings, event cancellations, and delays apply to all activities sanctioned by the school division.
• When PWCS is closed and school activities are canceled, school swim practices, classes, and meets are canceled as well, unless a specific exception is announced.
• For early-morning activities, the Aquatics Center follows PWCS closing/delay decisions applicable to a specific day and announced prior to 5 a.m. on the day in question.
• Any early morning practices already underway at the time of a closing/delay announcement will be permitted to continue until their scheduled ending time.
• Safety permitting, the Aquatics Center may re-open when other PWCS facilities remain closed.
• We are confident that this approach will protect the safety of students, staff, and community members while maximizing the safe and enjoyable use of this unique facility.

Q and A

Is the PWCS Aquatics Center closed when PWCS announces a closing or delay?

Yes, in almost every circumstance. However, early morning practices underway at the time a closing or delay announcement is made will be permitted to continue until their scheduled ending time. On some occasions, the Aquatics Center may reopen after a weather-related closing before schools and event schedules return to normal. In these cases, the center will be open for public use.

If the Aquatics Center announces a closure or delay due to weather, does that apply to all of PWCS?

No. The Aquatics Center will maintain only its own schedule. For information on possible PWCS closings, delays, or early releases see pwcs.edu or any school website.

If PWCS is closed for the day/evening, will school swim team practices or tournaments still take place?

Generally, PWCS closing/delay/early release decisions will determine the status of school-related activities. Any exceptions to this rule will be announced on a case-by-case basis.

Why is the Aquatics Center able to operate under different rules than the rest of the school division?

The differences are few, but recognize the unique aspects of operations that are fully independent of the division. PWCS has only one Aquatics Center, so there is no expectation that its operations should be consistent with that of other locations. Non-school-related use of the facility does not require the use of buses or have to be synchronized with divisionwide class or testing schedules.

PWCS strives to ensure the safety of students, staff, and community members through all decisions involving operations during and after inclement weather. Always refer to pwcs.edu or school websites for official weather-related announcements.