Inclement Weather Guidelines

Updated 11/24/21

At the J, the safety of our members, guests, and staff is our first priority. For that reason, in the event of severe inclement weather, the published hours of operation may have to be modified. The decision to close the facility, delay openings, or close early is based on the weather forecast, current unstable weather, and projected unsafe driving conditions. Because our organization is complex, inclement weather may affect each department and service differently. We endeavor to provide whatever programs and services are possible, given the specific requirements of the program and the effect severe weather can have on the facility, accessibility, and staff availability. To that end, the standard policies for each department are listed below and are subject to change as necessary.

Basic delayed openings and closings are announced:

• On the inclement weather hotline
• On the crawl at the top of the Pozez JCC website
• Via text to the membership database (if you would like to opt in to this service, please contact Membership@theJ.org 
• Via eblast to the community database
• on WTOP at www.WTOP.com or by listening to 103.5FM or 820AM (WTOP Radio).

Best Practice: Please call the J’s inclement weather hotline for the most up-to-date information at 703.425.3763 or visit theJ.org and watch the news crawl at the top for the scheduling alert. Make sure to check for updates before proceeding to your designated program.

Morning Delays and Cancellations

Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC)

Early Childhood Services operates under the following inclement weather policy:

• When Fairfax County Schools are delayed, ECLC operates on regularly scheduled hours from 8:00am-5:00pm for all families. All staff are required to work their regularly scheduled hours.

When Fairfax County Schools are closed, ECLC operates from 9:00am-5:00pm for families enrolled in the Infant, Toddler and Full-time Preschool programs. All staff are required to work their regular number of hours or take vacation leave due to the inability to arrive to work safely.

The Pozez JCC will look to the weather-related decisions of Fairfax County Public Schools, and those of the Federal Government as guides in its own decision making around weather-related closures, delayed openings, or early closures. In addition, the Pozez JCC will consider internal operational factors in the decision-making process.  Safety of staff and children regarding arrival and departure, as well as the number of staff able to arrive for work, will contribute to the decision being made regarding opening. Staff will be notified via text message and email of any closures by 6:30am (or earlier). If an early closure is necessary, families will be notified via text message and email.  

J-Fit Health Club 

Health, Fitness, and Aquatics 

The Pozez JCC Health, Fitness and Aquatics team will strive to offer classes and services on inclement weather days depending on instructor availability.  Should a class need to be cancelled due to weather, that information will be posted on the Pozez JCC website on the Fitness Classes page (click here) and at the front desk. Please check for updates before proceeding to your designated class or activity.

• Private lessons and personal training sessions will be held as determined by the participant and the instructor/trainer.
• Rentals run as scheduled unless the organization decides to cancel. 

For questions regarding group exercise classes or scheduling, please contact Jeff Tauriello or Sophie Borchers at Fitness@theJ.org. 

Inclusion & Disability Services

The Pozez JCC’s Inclusion & Disability Services Department bases weather-related decisions on both internal and external operational and safety factors.  Program participants and families will be notified via email as soon as possible regarding a weather-related closure for any in-person programs taking place inside or outside the building.  Virtual programs will not be affected with inclement weather and will continue to operate as normal, so long as the programmer does not have a power outage.