Chicagoland Area Schools Adjust Operations Due to Severe Winter Weather

News Summary

Schools and organizations across the Chicagoland area are announcing closures and delays due to severe winter weather threats. Superintendents are prioritizing student safety and opting for remote learning. Institutions like Horry-Georgetown Technical College and Robeson Community College are halting classes while various K-12 districts adjust their schedules to accommodate changing weather conditions. Local authorities are also modifying operations, reflecting the widespread impact of the winter storm.

City: Chicagoland Area

Due to severe winter weather threats, numerous schools and organizations across the Chicagoland area are announcing closures and delays. As schools prioritize student safety, local superintendents, often in consultation with transportation supervisors, are making decisions to suspend normal operations in response to anticipated adverse weather conditions. Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) and Robeson Community College are among the institutions halting classes, while many K-12 districts are shifting to remote learning schedules.

Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) will cease regular operations on Wednesday, canceling all classes, clinics, and activities. Similarly, Robeson Community College will initiate remote learning starting at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, with a complete closure planned for Wednesday. Scotland County Schools has also announced a remote learning day on Wednesday, highlighting a trend among educational institutions prioritizing online education during inclement weather.

In Horry County, schools plan to close early at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, adjusting extracurricular activities as needed and scheduling an eLearning day for Wednesday. Marion County School District has also opted to cancel extracurricular activities on Tuesday and close schools entirely on Wednesday. The Florence Darlington Technical College (FDTC) will close on Wednesday following a 5 p.m. closure on the previous day, while the Georgetown County School District is set to operate on a half-day schedule on Tuesday before closing fully on Wednesday.

Other districts are also making changes: the Florence School District 3 will start students with a two-hour delay on Tuesday and close for the entire day on Wednesday, with a make-up day to be announced. Lee County School District will dismiss elementary students early on Tuesday and transition to an eLearning schedule the following day. Dillon School District 4, along with Latta Schools in Dillon District 3, will implement eLearning days on Wednesday, while Darlington County will follow suit, closing all schools on that day.

Coastal Carolina University is moving to online instruction beginning Tuesday at 4 p.m. and extending through Wednesday, while Chesterfield County Schools have declared an eLearning Day for Wednesday as well. Various community services, including Myrtle Beach facilities, will either close early or remain shut for the day on Wednesday. Adjustments are also being made to hospitals and healthcare services, with some outpatient services experiencing delays.

Local government offices, libraries, and collection services in various locations across the region are altering their hours or announcing closures, reflecting the widespread impact of the inclement weather. Ongoing assessments of road conditions and communication with local highway departments and transportation agencies are crucial for making informed decisions about reopening schools, offices, and various services.

School officials typically start monitoring weather forecasts at least a day in advance, and collaboration among nearby districts helps ensure consistency in responses to severe weather threats. Community comfort levels regarding having school during these conditions are also a factor—an inch of snow may pose significant challenges in Virginia compared to regions like Maine, where residents are more accustomed to harsher winter conditions.

The Emergency Closing Center (ECC) serves as a vital resource for up-to-date information regarding the status of schools, businesses, and daycare centers in the area, reflecting the ongoing impact of winter weather on daily life in the Chicagoland region. As weather patterns evolve, continued monitoring and communication will remain essential as educational institutions and organizations navigate the challenges posed by winter storms.

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Additional Resources

• ABC7 Chicago: School Closings List
• Wikipedia: School Closing
• WPDE: School Closings and Delays
• Google Search: Winter School Closings
• WDAM: List of School Closures
• Encyclopedia Britannica: School
• AccessWDUN: School Closings List
• Google News: School Closures Weather
• MyNews4: Winter Weather Prompts School Closures