Midlands schools cancel classes during first week because of Tropical Storm Debby

Midlands school districts are adjusting their plans and have canceled classes because of Tropical Storm Debby.

Thursday was supposed to be the first day of school for Lexington-Richland 5 and Richland 1, but the districts announced that schools will be closed, as the National Weather Service predicts more rain and potential flooding in the Columbia area.

“We are looking forward to starting this new school year, but the safety of our students and staff is always School District Five’s highest priority,” LR5 officials said Wednesday afternoon in a news release.

In addition to the schools, all LR5 offices will be closed, and the FIVE virtual program and all afterschool activities also have been canceled, officials in the Irmo-Chapin district said.

Making Thursday an e-learning day was not an option for the first day of school, according to LR5 officials.

Now, plans have shifted to make Friday the first day of classes at LR5 schools, and Oct. 11 will be used as a severe weather make-up day to compensate for Thursday, officials said.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding. Any changes to normal school operations will be made using the school district’s automated telephone system, the district website, social media and local media outlets,” officials said.

Richland 1 also will close all of its schools and offices, and all afterschool activities and events have been canceled, officials said. Richland 1 includes downtown Columbia, Lower Richland and the St. Andrews area.

Additionally, officials said that all Richland 1 schools will operate on a two-hour delay start Friday, which will now be the first day of classes.

Richland 2 in northeast Richland County has also canceled afterschool activities, events and programs including child care, adult education classes and other extracurriculars.

“We will continue to monitor the weather and offer updates as we learn more about Tropical Storm Debby,” Richland 2 spokesperson Ishmael Tate said in a news release.

Changes for other school districts

Some other Midlands school districts have also adjusted their plans for Thursday.

▪ Lexington 4 in the Gaston-Swansea area, which held its first day of classes Tuesday, will close schools on Thursday because of the severe weather predicted in the forecast.

“Additional rain combined with saturated soils and moderate winds has increased the potential for hazardous travel conditions,” Lexington 4 officials said Wednesday.

Thursday’s scheduled school day will be moved to an e-learning day later in the year, and all other activities are also canceled, according to the district.

▪ Lexington 3 in Batesburg-Leesville, which is in its second week of classes, said it is also shifting to an e-learning day on Thursday.

Concerns about the storm causing dangerous driving conditions were the determining factor in the switch.

▪ Lexington 1, which held its first day of classes Wednesday, said all schools and offices will be closed on Thursday, and all afterschool activities and sports are also canceled.

“We hope everyone had a great first day of school! While we would love to see your smiling faces tomorrow, safety comes first,” Lexington 1 officials said. “Major concerns (for Thursday) include downed trees, downed power lines and flooded roads, causing rural road conditions to deteriorate and become unsafe for our buses and families to travel.”

Shifting to an e-learning is not an option for Thursday, and Lexington 1 said no decision has been made yet for Friday.

▪ Lexington 2 officials said that the decision has been made to close all schools and offices in the Cayce-West Columbia district and cancel all afterschool activities on Thursday.

“We are making daily decisions about school schedules for Thursday and Friday ... given Tropical Storm Debby’s path and potential impacts for our area,” Lexington 2 officials said. “We expect to communicate the school schedule for (Friday’s classes) on Thursday afternoon.”

▪ Orangeburg County School District officials said Thursday would be another e-learning day for its students. After holding the first day of classes Monday, the past two days have been e-learning days for Orangeburg County students.

All afterschool programs and athletic events, including practices and games, are canceled, according to Orangeburg County officials.

“These decisions are made with the utmost concern for the safety of our students, employees, community, and our novice student drivers,” Orangeburg County officials said.

▪ Sumter School District is also switching to an e-learning day on Thursday.

On e-learning days, Sumter officials said all schools and office buildings are closed, and all activities, including athletic events and field trips, are canceled.

Because Sumter schools are an approved e-learning district, these days will not have to be made up, officials said.