These Columbus area schools changed operations in advance of predicted storms
These Columbus area school districts, private schools and colleges have announced changes to their operations in advance of the predicted severe storms for Thursday:
Muscogee County
The Muscogee County School District will conduct virtual classes for all students Thursday.
“All students should login to their assigned classes at the regularly scheduled times,” the district announced in a news release. “We encourage parents to notify each student’s teacher and/or administrators of any absences caused by severe weather patterns (e.g. power outages, flooding, etc.).
“Meals will be available for curbside pickup at each school location, starting at 12:30 p.m., March 18, 2021. Meals are free for all students through June 30, 2021. All athletic and extracurricular activities will continue as scheduled for March 18, 2021.
Harris County
Harris County School District start times and bus pickup times will be delayed by two hours Thursday.
All after-school activities are expected to continue as originally scheduled, HCSD assistant superintendent for business services and technology Justin Finney said in a news release.
Chattahoochee County
Thursday will be a virtual learning day for all Chattahoochee County School District students and staff.
Phenix City
Phenix City Schools will conduct a virtual learning day for all students Thursday, superintendent Randy Wilkes told the Ledger-Enquirer.
“Beginning at 8:15 AM, all K-7 students should login to their assigned classes,” he said in an email. “Students will adhere to their normal schedules virtually for the remainder of the school day.
“Beginning at 9:15 AM, all students in grades 8-12 should login to their assigned classes. Students will adhere to their normal schedules virtually for the remainder of the school day.
“Thursday meals will be available for curbside pickup at each school at 12:30 PM. . . . Weather permitting, afternoon co-curricular and extracurricular activities will continue as scheduled.
“Weather permitting, K4-7 employees should report to work at 8 AM; employees of schools with grades 8-12 should report at 9 AM.”
Russell County
The Russell County School District will conduct remote instruction Thursday. No students or teachers will be on campus.
“On Friday, March 19, 2021, we will resume our regular schedule whereas all employees and face-to-face students will return to the building,” the news release says.
Lee County
Lee County Schools will close all facilities for Thursday.
“Due to the high confidence the weather service has communicated for severe storms between the hours of 1:00 PM and 7:00 AM in our area, we feel it is in the best interest of all Lee County Schools families to remain at home or in your safe designation,” LCS says on its website. “Governor Ivey has declared a state of emergency and urged all Alabamians to take precautions ahead of the predicted storms. Securing a safe environment for your family is top priority.
“If no further update is provided, then Lee County Schools will resume normal operations Friday, March 19.”
Brookstone
Brookstone School will have a delayed opening Thursday. Faculty should arrive at 8:30 a.m., followed by students at 9 a.m.
St. Anne-Pacelli
St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School will conduct virtual classes for all students Thursday.
“Parents of students in preschool through 5th grades will receive instructions on virtual learning from their students’ teachers via email; students in grades 6-12 will access virtual learning assignments in Google Classroom,” the news release says. “Since weather is expected to be clear after 2 p.m., after-school sports practices and games will take place as originally scheduled on Thursday, March 18th. On-campus learning will resume on Friday, March 19th. Please join us in praying for the safety of everyone in the path of the predicted storms.”
St. Luke
St. Luke School will delay the start of Thursday’s classes until 10 a.m.
Glenwood
Glenwood School will have a delayed opening Thursday, starting at 10 a.m.
Columbus State
Columbus State University will modify operations for Thursday morning. This includes, according to CSU’s news release:
- The opening of campus, in-person classes and campus events are delayed until 11 a.m.
- All classes scheduled to begin before 11 a.m. will transition to virtual instruction where possible. Students are expected to attend classes virtually where that option is provided.
- CSU is trying to ensure the availability of dining services at their regularly scheduled times.
- Shuttle service will be delayed until campus reopens at 11 a.m.
“All campus functions and class meetings should resume their normal operations at 11 a.m.,” the news release says. “Students and employees are advised to use their best judgment after that time if travel risks linger. In those situations, employees should contact their supervisors and students should contact their instructors for guidance on reporting to work or for classes.”
Columbus Tech
Columbus Technical College will delay opening until 10 a.m. Thursday.
CVCC
Chattahoochee Valley Community College will conduct online-only instruction and remote office Thursday and plans to resume normal operations Friday.
Troy-Phenix City
Troy University canceled classes for all of its Alabama campuses starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday. No announcement has been made about Thursday’s classes.
This story will be updated if other local school districts adjust their operations due to weather conditions.
This story was originally published March 17, 2021 at 2:32 PM.
