From CMS to Rowan-Salisbury Schools, several districts are making judgment calls.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Students in the Rowan-Salisbury Schools district won’t be heading back to class as expected because of the possible impacts of Tropical Storm Debby.
In a notice shared with parents and posted online, the district said the first day of school originally slated for Thursday, August 8 will be canceled. The message said projected rain and winds are expected to bring flooding, make trees fall, and cause power outages.
District leaders said a decision about returning to school on Friday, August 9 would be made by 3 p.m. Thursday. Leaders also said they would consult with local experts and emergency outlets to see how the storms would impact buildings and roads.
The full message follows in English. El mensaje completo sigue en español:
Good afternoon, Rowan-Salisbury students, families, and staff:
After collaborating with local weather experts and emergency outlets, the first day of school is canceled for students on Thursday, August 8. The projected rain and winds are expected to cause flooding, fallen trees, and possible power outages. We want to keep our students and staff safe and off the roads in the event that any of these conditions occur.
We understand that many of you will be disappointed to delay the excitement of the first day. Please know that we can’t wait to welcome everyone back into our buildings when we feel the travel conditions are safe. For that reason, we will wait to make a decision about school for Friday, August 9 until tomorrow. We will let you know by 3 p.m. on Thursday about our plans for Friday. We will continue to consult our local experts and emergency outlets as we look at the storm’s impact on our roads and buildings.
Thank you for your patience as we make these difficult decisions. Let your students know we are ready and excited for a safe return to school.
We will share this information and upcoming announcements on our Facebook and Instagram, school and district web pages, and with local news outlets.
Buenas tardes, estudiantes, familias y personal de Rowan-Salisbury:
Después de colaborar con expertos locales en meteorología y agencias de emergencia, el primer día de clases se cancela para los estudiantes el jueves 8 de agosto. Se espera que la lluvia y los vientos proyectados causen inundaciones, caídas de árboles y posibles cortes de energía. Queremos mantener a nuestros estudiantes y al personal seguros y alejados de las carreteras en caso de que se presenten algunas de estas condiciones.
Entendemos que muchos de ustedes estarán decepcionados por retrasar la emoción del primer día. Por favor, sepan que no podemos esperar para darles la bienvenida nuevamente a nuestros edificios cuando consideremos que las condiciones de viaje sean seguras. Por esa razón, esperaremos para tomar una decisión sobre la escuela para el viernes 9 de agosto hasta mañana. Les informaremos a las 3 p.m. del jueves sobre nuestros planes para el viernes. Continuaremos consultando a nuestros expertos locales y agencias de emergencia mientras evaluamos el impacto de la tormenta en nuestras carreteras y edificios.
Gracias por su paciencia mientras tomamos estas difíciles decisiones. Hagan saber a sus estudiantes que estamos listos y emocionados por un regreso seguro a la escuela.
Compartiremos esta información y anuncios futuros en nuestro Facebook e Instagram, en las páginas web de la escuela y del distrito, y con los medios de comunicación locales.
R-SS would not be the only Charlotte-area district to make that choice. In a similar announcement shared on social media, Stanly County Schools said it would not hold class on Thursday or Friday. The first day of class has been rescheduled to Monday, August 12.
Union County Public Schools also said all school district facilities would be closed Thursday, and that all events including driver’s education and athletic events are canceled. While students don’t return to class until August 26, the district is keeping facilities closed as a precaution.
A full statement follows:
Full UCPS statement from their website: UCPS senior leaders have been in contact with emergency management teams to receive updates on weather and road conditions. It is expected that Tropical Storm Debby will bring flooding and severe weather conditions to our area on Thursday, August 8.
In addition, the Union County Board of Commissioners issued a State of Emergency that will go into effect tonight at 8 p.m.
As a safety precaution, all Union County Public Schools facilities will be closed for students and staff on Thursday, August 8.
• Employees will telework or take an annual leave day on August 8. All UCPS facilities will be closed. Please work with your supervisor if you have questions about your work schedule.
• August 8 will be an optional teacher workday for Wolfe School and Union County Early College staff. These employees may telework or use an annual leave day.
• All district, school, after-school, driver’s education and athletic events are cancelled on August 8.
Senior leaders will continue to receive updates from emergency management and law enforcement officials all day tomorrow and through Thursday evening. Information about Friday’s schedule will be announced Thursday night.
Similarly, Cabarrus County Schools shared the district would be closed Thursday for Early College Students and those at the Mary Frances Wall Center. There won’t be a make-up day for Early College Students because of additional hours built into the calendar. Further, KIDS:PLUS won’t operate, all athletic or extracurricular activities are canceled, and elementary school open houses are postponed to Monday, August 12 from 3-6 p.m.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools also confirmed it would move early and middle colleges to asynchronous learning Thursday, canceling extracurricular activities and sorts. Following is the statement shared by CMS online:
Due to severe weather alerts for Thursday, August 8, 2024, all Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools early and middle colleges will move to asynchronous learning for the day. There will be no extracurricular activities or sports.
Confidence continues to increase for the heaviest rainfall amounts to occur along and/or east of I-77. A Flood Watch has been issued along and east of I-77 with 4” to 8” of rain expected thru Friday afternoon, with locally higher amounts possible in areas across Mecklenburg County. This weather report can lead to safety concerns for our early/middle college students and families.
As always, the safety and well-being of our students and staff are of the utmost importance. We appreciate your cooperation and patience. Remember schools will be closed for early and middle college students, and they will be provided learning asynchronously. If you have difficulty accessing the asynchronous learning, please contact your school.
In South Carolina, the Chesterfield County School District let students out early Tuesday and had remote learning on Wednesday. Thursday would be another remote learning day as well.
The Clover School District, however, said it would operate on a normal schedule for Thursday. District leaders encouraged parents and student drivers to leave a little earlier for school than usual and watch for standing water on roadways. Students waiting for buses were also advised to use umbrellas in the morning.
