SOUTH CAROLINA — School districts across South Carolina announced closures, remote learning days, and schedule changes for Monday as a severe weather system expected to bring strong storms, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall moves across the state.
Many districts opted to shift to eLearning days, allowing students to complete assignments remotely while school buildings remain closed.
Districts Implement eLearning Days
Several school systems announced remote instruction for Monday due to the forecast.
Aiken County Public Schools will operate on an eLearning Day, with employees working remotely. Students will have until March 27 to complete assigned work.
Calhoun County Public Schools will also conduct an eLearning Day Monday due to the expected severe weather.
Kershaw County School District announced that all schools, district offices, and after-school activities will be closed while students complete assignments remotely. Middle and high school students will receive work through Canvas by 11 a.m., while elementary assignments will be distributed Tuesday. Students will have five school days to finish the work.
Lee County School District designated Monday as an eLearning Day as well. District officials cited the threat of severe thunderstorms, high winds, and heavy rainfall. Staff members are expected to remain available during normal work hours.
Lexington County School District One will also move to eLearning. All campuses will be closed and after-school activities canceled, with employees working from home. Students will have five days to complete their assignments.
Lexington County School District Three will also shift to eLearning. Students will not complete assignments Monday but will receive make-up eLearning work Tuesday, with a due date of April 2.
Orangeburg County School District will operate on an eLearning schedule as well, with all after-school programs, extracurricular activities, and athletic events canceled.
Sumter School District also designated Monday as an eLearning Day. Schools and offices will be closed, and the instructional day will not need to be made up. Lessons will be posted on Schoology, and students unable to complete work due to power or internet issues will be allowed additional time.
Additionally, Dillon School District Four announced it will conduct an e-learning day.
Districts Closing Schools
Some districts chose to close schools entirely rather than move to remote instruction.
Fairfield County School District will be closed Monday with no eLearning. The missed instructional day will be made up on May 25.
Lexington County School District Two announced all schools and district offices will be closed Monday, with all after-school and evening activities canceled.
The School District of Newberry County also announced all schools and offices will be closed Monday due to the forecast.
In neighboring North Carolina counties, Public Schools of Robeson County and Scotland County Schools also announced full closures Monday due to severe weather concerns.
Districts Monitoring the Forecast
Some school systems have not changed their schedules but continue to monitor weather conditions.
Clarendon County School District reported that it is monitoring the forecast and has not made any changes to the school schedule. District officials said families will be notified if conditions change.
Richland School District One also reported no changes to its schedule but canceled field trips and pre-kindergarten classes for students with developmental delays as a precaution. Afterschool programs remain scheduled unless weather conditions worsen.
Richland School District Two plans to operate on a normal schedule but has canceled all off-campus field trips Monday.
Saluda County Schools are also monitoring weather conditions but have not made any schedule adjustments.
Other Schedule Changes
Horry County Schools announced an early dismissal Monday, releasing students approximately two and a half hours earlier than usual.
Florence County School District Three canceled all after-school activities Monday, with the exception of programs at J.C. Lynch Elementary School and Scranton Elementary School.
Meanwhile, Lexington County School District Four was already scheduled to be closed Monday for a previously planned day off, though employees who were expected to work will now work remotely due to the weather forecast.
Officials Urge Families to Stay Updated
District leaders across South Carolina encouraged families to closely monitor school communication systems and district websites for updates as the weather situation develops. Officials emphasized that schedule changes were made out of caution to ensure the safety of students and staff during potentially dangerous storms.
