School & Agency Closings - January 15th - [Your City/Region] Weather Alert (2026)

Winter Storm Forces Widespread Closures: Is Your Community Affected? A major winter storm is bearing down, and numerous schools, agencies, and businesses throughout the region have already announced closures for Thursday, January 15th. The question is, are you prepared for the potential disruptions?

Here's a breakdown of the institutions that have proactively decided to close their doors, either fully or partially, to ensure the safety of their students, employees, and clients:

SCHOOLS:

A significant number of educational institutions are taking precautions. This includes a wide range of schools, from charter schools to private institutions and public school districts. The following schools have announced closures:

• Academy of Health Sciences Charter School
• Albion Central School District
• Aquinas Institute
• Archangel School
• Bay Knoll SDA
• Bishop Kearney High School
• BOCES 2 (Board of Cooperative Educational Services)
• Brockport Central School District
• Churchville Chili Central School District
• Daystar for Medically Fragile Children
• Exploration Elementary Charter School
• Fairport Central School District
• Gates Chili Central School District (Note: While schools are closed, snow removal staff will still be reporting for duty. No PM activities will be held)
• Greece Central School District (Closure applies to all schools within the district.)
• Harley School
• Hilton Central School District
• Holy Childhood
• Hope Christian Pre-School
• Imagination Childcare Academy
• Innova Girls Academy Charter School
• Mary Cariola Center (Administration will report)
• McQuaid Jesuit High School
• Medina Central School District
• Nazareth Elementary School
• Northstar Christian Daycare
• Penfield Central School District
• Renaissance Academy Charter School
• Rochester Academy Charter School
• Rochester City School District
• Rush-Henrietta Central School District
• School for the Deaf
• Spencerport Central School District (Again, no PM activities will be held.)
• St. Joseph – Penfield
• St. Paul’s Child Care Center
• St. Rita’s School
• Trinity Montessori
• University Prep Charter School (All afternoon and evening activities are canceled - this is a partial closure.)
• Vertus High School
• West Irondequoit Central School District
• Wheatland Chili Central School District

AGENCIES/BUSINESSES:

It's not just schools that are affected. Several agencies and businesses are also adjusting their operations due to the weather.

• Action for a Better Community: Head Start (Head Start staff will not be reporting to work.)
• FLDDSO Bemar Park (Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Services Office)
• FLDDSO East Henrietta
• FLDDSO Metro Park (Staff are instructed to report to snow homes instead of their regular locations.)
• Jess Kamens Photography Workshop (All photography workshops and studio sessions are canceled.)

This widespread closure highlights the severity of the expected weather conditions. It also prompts an interesting question: Should all businesses close during such severe weather events, even if it means potential economic losses? Some argue that the safety of employees should always be the top priority, while others believe businesses have a responsibility to remain open to provide essential services. But here's where it gets controversial... is there a middle ground? Could businesses offer remote work options or staggered shifts to minimize risk while still maintaining operations?

What do you think? Should there be mandatory closures during severe weather, or should it be left to individual businesses and organizations to decide? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Let's discuss how we can best balance safety and economic needs during these challenging weather events. And this is the part most people miss...Remember to check with your specific local authorities for the most up-to-date information and safety advisories. Your safety is paramount!