Louisiana school closures due to winter weather

Southeast Louisiana is bracing for dangerously cold temperatures that could bring icy conditions to the area.

It is important to note that all schools are closed Monday for the Martin Luther King Day holiday. However, closures could extend to Tuesday and possibly Wednesday.

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The following schools have announced their plans to either close, or monitor the weather before making a final decision.

Orleans Parish:

NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) will be closed Tuesday in response to inclement weather.

Due to inclement weather, all NOCCA on campus instruction and rehearsals are cancelled on Tuesday, January 21st.

Students are expected to complete Asynchronous assignments in place of scheduled class activities.

Weather Update for the Coming Week:

Monday, January 20, 2025: Expect a significant drop in temperatures, with lows potentially dipping into the mid-20s. There is a possibility of light freezing rain or sleet in the evening, which could lead to icy conditions by Tuesday morning. Tuesday, January 21, 2025: Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing, increasing the risk of ice on roads and sidewalks. This could impact school operations and transportation. Wednesday, January 22, 2025: A gradual warming trend is anticipated, with temperatures expected to rise above freezing by midday, potentially alleviating some of the earlier hazards.

NOLA-PS, in collaboration with the City of New Orleans Office of Emergency Preparedness and Orleans Parish officials, will continue to monitor weather forecasts and road conditions throughout the weekend and into Monday. The primary focus is the safety and well-being of students, staff, and the school community at large.

Decision Making Process:

NOLA-PS will make an official announcement by Monday afternoon regarding any changes to the school schedule as a result of inclement weather. This announcement will be communicated through multiple channels including the district’s website, social media platforms, local news outlets, and direct notifications to families will come from their respective schools.

For more information on winter weather preparedness, please visit the City of New Orleans’ emergency preparedness page https://ready.nola.gov/home/for winter weather tips and prep guidance.

All FirstLine Schools will be closed on Tuesday, January 21st due to anticipated severe winter weather. This includes: Samuel J. Green Charter, Arthur Ashe Charter, Phillis Wheatley, and Langston Hughes Academy.

Jefferson Parish:

All Jefferson Parish schools will be closed Tuesday due to winter weather.

Due to the anticipated below freezing temperatures and therefore potentially unsafe conditions, Jefferson RISE will have async, virtual learning on Tuesday 1/21 and Wednesday 1/22.

St. Tammany Parish:

All St. Tammany Parish Schools will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 due to winter weather.

Lake Castle is also closed due to the winter weather.

St. Bernard Parish:

All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2025 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and will remain closed on Tuesday January 21st. While Tuesday is already a student holiday, the scheduled professional development day for staff has been canceled. As the potential for severe winter weather continues, we will monitor the weather system in the days to come and will provide updates

Hancock County:

No information provided at this time

Washington Parish:

Washington Parish Public Schools will be closed Tuesday.

Northshore Charter School in Bogalusa will also close.

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Tangipahoa Parish:

Dear TPSS Families, Students, and Employees,

We want to assure you that we are closely monitoring the approaching freezing weather conditions.

The safety of our employees and students is our top priority. We will communicate updates through email, text messages, and voice messages, as well as, post on our website and social media platforms.

Remember, all schools are closed on Monday, January 20th in observance of Martin Luther King Day. Should there be a need for school closures next week due to inclement weather, we will provide timely updates to keep everyone informed. Please continue to monitor social media and your email for the latest updates.

Lafourche Parish:

𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑: There is no school Monday, Jan. 20, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; however, we are closely monitoring the approaching arctic air and potential for freezing precipitation that is being forecast for next week.

We understand the importance of keeping you informed and prepared, and we want to assure you that the safety of our students and staff and their families is our top priority.

If changes to our school schedule are necessary due to freezing precipitation, icy roads or dangerous driving conditions, we will communicate the decision to all families as early as possible through employee email, Facebook and OnCourse Connect, and notifications will be sent through SchoolStatus texts, emails, and phone calls. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we navigate these potential weather challenges together.

Terrebonne Parish:

TPSD Schools and office buildings will be closed Tuesday, January 21, 2025 due to the predicted frigid temperatures and strong possibility of dangerous wintry-mix weather. We will make a determination about Wednesday, January 22, 2025 no later than Monday, January 20, 2025. Our plans to make up this time will be announced next week.

Plaquemines Parish:

Plaquemines Parish Schools are monitoring the conditions and will provide an update on closures on Sunday.

St. John Parish:

Out of an abundance of caution, all schools and office buildings will be closed Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Due to the winter weather affecting our area on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, we will transition to an asynchronous learning day. All athletic events and extracurricular activities have been canceled for this day as well. Learning packets and/or TEAMS digital lessons were distributed to your child on Friday, January 17, 2025.
We will continue to monitor the weather forecast and provide updates regarding any potential school closures or delayed starts for Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

St. Charles Parish:

In coordination with the St. Charles Parish Emergency Operations Center, St. Charles Parish Public Schools will continue to monitor the winter weather forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday (January 21-22, 2025). The school system is proactively implementing freeze precautions to help protect facilities and prepare for potential impacts.

Safety is our first priority when making decisions regarding the opening or closing of schools. At the same time, we strive to strike a balance between prioritizing the well-being of our students and employees and fulfilling our responsibilities to their families and the community.

An update will be communicated by 6 PM on Sunday evening via email, phone, and text, as well as the school system’s website and social media channels.

As a reminder, all schools and the School Board Office will be closed Monday, January 20, 2025, in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to make the best decisions for everyone’s safety and well-being.

St. James Parish:

Due to the forecasted freezing temperatures and severe winter weather, all St. James Parish schools and school offices will be closed on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. We appreciate your understanding as we prioritize the safety of our students and staff. Our dedicated maintenance and transportation teams will work diligently to assess and address any potential hazards associated with the winter weather conditions. We will communicate any additional information regarding school operations for Wednesday, Jan. 22, through our official channels, including our website, social media platforms, and messaging system. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Catholic Schools:

St. Paul’s and Mount Carmel Academy will be closed Tuesday.

The following statement was provided by the Archdiocese:

As of now we have asked our school leaders to prepare their school communities for the possibility of school campus closures due to the winter weather situation. All schools are being asked to make necessary preparations for possible virtual or asynchronous learning for students next week. Final decisions and announcements regarding school campus closures will be made on Monday with the most up-to-date forecast.

Please understand that the archdiocesan Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation will act in the best interest of students and faculty and will not make decisions that will endanger ANY member of our school communities. We think that at this time, given the varying aspects of forecasting it is too soon to make final decisions on whether to ultimately close campuses while we encourage all to be prepared for that ultimate decision.

Universities:

University of Louisiana:

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette will transition to remote instruction and operations on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and Wednesday, Jan. 22, in anticipation of the cold weather and precipitation expected early next week. University-sponsored events on these dates are postponed. Updates on Wednesday’s Ragin’ Cajuns basketball game are forthcoming.

The campus is set to resume in-person activity on Thursday, Jan. 23. Facilities Management and University administration will inspect campus to assess water and heating systems as well as pathways and roads.

The University will continue to monitor weather and road conditions. A follow-up message will be sent next Wednesday.

Residents will receive an additional email with information about dining and other campus services.

Employees should prepare for remote work by bringing home necessary equipment. University phones must still be answered during this period. If you need to log in to the University’s VPN via UConnect while working remotely, multi-factor authentication is required with your Microsoft 365 credentials. View instructions for accessing the VPN.

The drop and add period will be extended to Friday, Jan. 24.

Students who are unable to participate in classes remotely should contact their professors. If a student needs further assistance, they can contact the Office of the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@louisiana.edu.

Faculty and staff members who are unable to work remotely should contact their immediate supervisors.

For official updates, follow the University’s website and official social media accounts and check your University email.

If you have not signed up to receive alerts via the University’s emergency notification system, please do so. To view instructions for adding or confirming your ENS information, log in to ULinkand search for the Safety & Emergency Notification System card. There, you can view instructions and update your ENS email address, phone number and address. You can also download the UL Shield safety app, if you have not done so already.

Southern University Baton Rouge campus:

Due to the forecast of inclement weather, Southern University campuses on the Baton Rouge landmass will be closed on Tuesday, January 21. Classes and offices will shift to remote operations. This includes Southern University and A&M College, Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, and Southern University Law Center. Normal operations are slated to resume on Wednesday, January 22.

Nunez:

Due to the potential for severe winter weather, Nunez Community College will operate remotely on Tuesday, Jan. 21st. Students and employees who require additional accommodations are encouraged to contact their instructors or supervisors, respectively.

The college will be closed Monday, Jan. 20th, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Please monitor Nunez.edu and official Nunez social media accounts for potential updates.

University of Holy Cross:

Due to next week’s impending Winter Storm, the University of Holy Cross has decided to pivot to virtual classes and operations on Tuesday, January 21. The physical campus will be closed, but all classes and services will continue remotely.

All students should check their UHC email accounts for more instructions. Employees should coordinate directly with their immediate supervisor.

Note: If your school is not listed, contact your school administration office for more information on plans for the winter weather.