Hurricane Helene causes Midlands school districts to change plans for Friday classes

With Hurricane Helene barreling north , and severe weather expected in the Midlands, several area school districts are adjusting their plans and class schedule for Friday.

Just before 10 a.m. Thursday, Richland 1 officials announced that all of their schools and administrative offices will be closed Friday, which now will be an e-learning day for students.

“Heavy rainfall and high wind gusts from Hurricane Helene are expected to impact the Columbia area Friday, posing hazardous travel conditions,” Richland 1 officials said.

In addition to shifting classes, all after-school activities and events that were scheduled for Friday have been canceled, Richland 1 officials said. That includes the College and Career Expo for Richland 1 juniors and seniors that was scheduled for Friday morning at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

Other school districts

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

▪ Lexington-Richland 5 officials said all schools and offices will close Friday and district students will switch to an e-learning day.

District officials said they will continue to monitor the impacts of Hurricane Helene to the Midlands, and further announcements are possible.

▪ Richland 2 officials said because of the anticipated severe weather from Hurricane Helene , all schools, centers and administrative offices will be closed Friday, which has shifted to an e-learning/remote work day.

Additionally, all district activities and events for Thursday have been cancelled.

▪ Lexington 4 officials said after consultation with the National Weather Service and Lexington County Emergency Management, it will transition to an e-learning day on Friday. Students will need to complete their e-Learning assignments by Oct. 3, according to officials.

Coaches and sponsors will be in contact with their students regarding after-school activities and athletics.

▪ Sumter School District officials said Friday will be an e-learning day for all students and staff as schools and office buildings will be closed. All after-school activities, including athletic events and field trips, have been canceled for Thursday and Friday.

Students who are unable to participate because of power outages, lack of internet service, or other issues will be able to complete their e-learning assignments at a later time, district officials said.

▪ Kershaw County School District officials announced they are switching to an e-learning day on Friday, saying all school buildings and offices will be closed, including childcare programs .

▪ Lexington 2 officials are making changes to Thursday’s schedule, announcing that all after-school activities will conclude no later than 5 p.m. Updates on Friday’s plan for classes are still to come, officials said.

▪ Lexington 3 officials said there will be no classes on Friday, but that’s because the district’s students were already scheduled to be out of school as part of the previously planned Enrichment Week.

Spokespeople with the Lexington 1 district told The State that they are monitoring the situation, but no decisions have been made about Friday’s classes and extracurricular events.