As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, local school districts and colleges have started to announce their operating plans.
TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide
St. Lucie Public Schools
The St. Lucie County Public Schools will be closed Tuesday, Oct. 8 through Friday, Oct. 11 due to Hurricane Milton, the district announced Monday afternoon in a post on Facebook. Monday is a prescheduled Teacher Workshop Day, so students are scheduled to return Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Palm Beach County School District
Palm Beach County Schools will remain open Tuesday, but will close Wednesday and Thursday, the district announced in an eblast. All after-school events, club meetings, athletics, facility leases, and adult education programs are canceled Tuesday. Schools and offices are expected to reopen and resume normal operations on Friday.
Martin County School District
Martin County public schools are closed through Friday. All after-school activities, with the exception of extended day services are also canceled.
Okeechobee County School District
Okeechobee County Schools announced Sunday afternoon schools will be closed Tuesday, Oct. 8 through Thursday, Oct. 10.
In a message posted to the district's Facebook page, Okeechobee County Schools said some school sites may be required to serve as shelter locations on Tuesday and Wednesday, and sites will need to be restored to pre-storm conditions on Thursday.
Additionally, on Monday, Oct. 7, all middle and high school campus activities will end at 5 p.m. and all elementary schools will operate as usual until 6 p.m. when aftercare services end.
All athletic and extracurricular activities scheduled to take place Monday evening have been canceled.
Indian River County School District
The School District of Indian River County announced that schools will be closed from Tuesday, Oct. 8 to Friday, Oct. 11. All afterschool and extended day activities will continue as normal on Monday, Oct. 7.
Officials anticipate reopening schools on Friday.
American Heritage Schools
American Heritage Schools at Palm Beach and Broward county campuses will be closed on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Virtual classes will be held for grades 4-12, while all in-person classes are canceled, the school announced Tuesday morning. Additionally, all after-school programs, sports, school meetings, and on-campus activities are also canceled. A decision regarding the resumption of in-person classes on Thursday, Oct. 10 will be made Wednesday afternoon.
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Palm Beach Atlantic University's West Palm Beach campus will remain closed through Thursday, Oct.10. The school's Orlando campus will remain closed through Friday, Oct. 11. All academic instruction will continue remotely for the remainder of the week. A thorough assessment will be done following the storm before reopening.
Palm Beach State College
All Palm Beach State College campuses will be closed Wed., Oct. 9 to Thurs., Oct. 10. All in-person and online classes are canceled.
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University is suspending operations and classes, including online classes, on all campuses at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 through Thursday, Oct. 10. A decision about Friday operations and classes will be made later.
Indian River State College
Indian River State College is suspending operations from 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, through Thursday, Oct. 10.
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida will suspend campus operations and all classes Tuesday, Oct. 8 through Thursday, Oct. 10.
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida canceled all classes and all campuses will be closed Tuesday, Oct. 8 through Thursday, Oct. 10. A decision about reopening campuses and resuming classes for Thursday will be made at a later time.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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