Columbia area schools adjusting class schedule because of winter weather forecast in SC
The winter weather in Friday’s forecast for the Columbia area of South Carolina is forcing several school districts in Richland and Lexington counties to adjust their class schedules and after-school activities.
The possibility that freezing rain, sleet, snow and more rain could make road conditions hazardous later in the afternoon, has prompted Richland 1 to dismiss students early from schools on Friday, district officials said Thursday morning. The district moved up the early release times by 30 minutes Friday morning.
Elementary schools will dismiss at 10:30 a.m., high schools at 11:15 a.m., and middle schools will dismiss at 12 p.m., according to a news release from Richland 1 officials. Students will be served breakfast and lunch before they are dismissed.
Additionally, all after-school programs and activities that were scheduled for Friday, including athletics events, have been canceled. All programs and activities scheduled for Saturday also have been canceled.
The district’s Winter Career Fair that was scheduled for Saturday has been rescheduled to Jan. 25 at C.A. Johnson High School.
Other Midlands schools announce changes
Lexington 2: District schools and offices will dismiss early Friday because of forecasts of a potential wintry mix beginning that afternoon. Friday’s early dismissal times are 11:30 a.m. for elementary schools and 12:30 p.m. for both middle and high schools, Lexington 2 officials said.
All after-school activities/programs on Friday are canceled, including athletic events and practices, extracurricular activities, after-school programs, Boys and Girls Clubs, and adult education classes.
“The decision for a half-day schedule was made in an abundance of caution, with the safety of our students and employees top of mind, and in consultation with local, school and county officials,” Lexington 2 said. “The district will continue to monitor weather conditions and will communicate through our district and school channels should any further updates be necessary.”
Lexington 1: Officials said all district schools will operate on a half-day schedule on Friday due to the possibility of winter weather impacting roadways.
All Lexington 1 students will be served breakfast and lunch before dismissals at elementary schools (11:20 a.m.), middle schools (12:05 p.m.) and high schools (12:45 p.m.), officials said. There are a few exceptions, with Gilbert Middle School dismissing at 12:15 p.m. and both Pelion and Gilbert high schools dismissing at 12:25 p.m., according to officials.
All after-school activities will be suspended from dismissal on Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday, when conditions are projected to improve, officials said.
Lexington 3: District officials said that Friday will be an eLearning Day for all students and staff in the district, meaning they will not physically come to school but instead will complete assignments remotely from the safety of their home.
“Lexington 3 administrators prioritize the safety of our students, staff, and Panther families. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, students and staff will complete the school day remotely through our eLearning program on Friday.”
All after-school events including sports practices, meetings, etc. scheduled for Friday are canceled, officials said.
Lexington 4: Because of the significant chance of winter weather, district schools will operate on a half-day schedule exists to provide time for buses, students, and staff to safely complete their afternoon travel.
Lexington 4 students will be served breakfast and lunch before dismissals at the Early Childhood Center (11 a.m.), Sandhills Primary/Elementary (11:20 a.m.), Sandhills Middle School (11:30 a.m.), Swansea High Freshman Academy (12:15 p.m.), Frances Mack Intermediate (12:20 p.m.) and Swansea High (12:30 p.m.).
Additionally, all after-school activities, daycare, and athletics are canceled.
Lexington-Richland 5: Because the National Weather Service is predicting a wintry mix, including freezing rain, Lexington-Richland 5 officials said district schools will operate on an early release schedule Friday.
Students will be served lunch before dismissals at all intermediate schools (11:40 a.m.), all elementary schools (11:50 a.m.), Academy for Success (12:30 p.m.), all middle schools (12:45 p.m.), Spring Hill High School (12:50 p.m.) and all other high schools (1:05 p.m.), according to district officials.
Students in half-day preschool programs will not meet, while students with morning classes at the Center for Advanced Technical Studies will remain at their home schools for online instruction from their teachers. Afternoon classes at The Center and adult education will not meet.
In addition, all after-school activities and childcare are canceled, while Friday night athletic events are being rescheduled.
Richland 2: After initially announcing an early dismissal Thursday night, in anticipation of severe weather and unsafe travel conditions, Richland 2 officials moved Friday’s early release time up by 30 minutes on Friday morning. All school buildings and district facilities will close early, and all after-school activities, after-care programs, athletic/fine arts and other extracurricular activities, events and programs, adult education classes, etc. will be canceled.
Dismissals will be at elementary schools (10:30 a.m.), middle schools (11:15 a.m.) and high schools (12 p.m.), according to officials.
“The decision to dismiss early is based on the potential of a wintry mix of cold rain, snow and sleet (forecast) to impact our area later Friday afternoon,” Richland 2 officials said. “We want to ensure the safety of all students and district employees by keeping them off the roads during these potentially hazardous driving conditions.”
Saluda School District: Because of the potential for wintry weather and hazardous road conditions, Saluda County Schools has scheduled an eLearning Day for Friday, as all schools will be closed and students and staff will not report to school. Additionally, all after-school activities are canceled.
Orangeburg County School District: Students and staff will have an early release day on Friday to ensure everyone can be off the road ahead of predicted winter weather.
Dismissals will begin with elementary schools (11:30 a.m.), middle schools (12:30 p.m.) and high schools at 1 p.m., according to district officials. There are two exceptions, with Dover Elementary dismissing at 12:30 p.m. and Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School at 1:30 p.m.
All after-school and athletic activities have been canceled or postponed.
Sumter School District: Officials said schools will dismiss early on Friday, with elementary schools at 11 a.m., middle schools at 11:30 a.m. and high schools at 12:30 p.m. All after-school activities are canceled, according to officials.
Clarendon County School District: Officials said all district schools will dismiss early because of the chances of inclement weather. Additionally, all after-school activities and athletic events are canceled.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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This story was originally published January 9, 2025 at 10:59 AM.
