News Summary
As winter weather approaches Columbia, South Carolina, various school districts are implementing early dismissals and eLearning days to ensure student safety. Richland 1, Lexington 2, and other districts have canceled after-school activities and adjusted their schedules due to icy conditions and potential snow accumulation. With hazardous road conditions expected, schools are taking proactive steps to prioritize the well-being of students and staff. The recent weather advisory warns of icy patches and further snowfall, prompting safety precautions across the region.
Winter Weather Shenanigans: South Carolina Schools Prepped for Major Schedule Changes
Columbia, South Carolina is gearing up for a spell of winter weather that has the whole city buzzing – and school districts are not taking any chances. With icy roads and a chance of some snow, many districts are adjusting their school schedules to ensure everyone’s safety.
Early Dismissals on the Agenda
In a proactive move, Richland 1 will send its students home early: elementary kids will be out by 11 a.m., followed closely by high schoolers at 11:45 a.m. and middle school students at 12:30 p.m. But don’t worry, breakfast and lunch will still be served before they head out! All after-school programs, sporting events, and activities are off the agenda, along with a Saturday Winter Career Fair that’s been pushed back to January 25.
Not far behind, Lexington 2 has also decided to get the kiddos home early, with elementary schools dismissing at 11:30 a.m. and middle and high schools at 12:30 p.m. And just like Richland 1, all after-school activities, including classes for adults, are canceled.
Half-Day for Lexington 1
Lexington 1 schools will operate on a half-day schedule with the early exits as follows: elementary schools will release at 11:20 a.m., followed by middle schools at 12:05 p.m. and high schools at 12:45 p.m.. Special shout-out to Gilbert Middle School, which will send students home at 12:15 p.m. and Pelion/Gilbert High Schools at 12:25 p.m. Meanwhile, all after-school activities in Lexington 1 are put on pause until 10 a.m. Saturday.
eLearning Takes the Stage
If you were counting on a full day of learning at Lexington 3, you might be a bit disappointed as Friday has been designated an eLearning Day. Students will complete their lessons remotely. Additionally, all after-school events, including sports practices, have been nixed.
Lexington 4 is sticking to its own half-day plan as well. Their early dismissal schedule looks like this: the Early Childhood Center sends little ones home at 11 a.m., Sandhills Primary and Elementary at 11:20 a.m., and Swansea High School at 12:30 p.m.. Just like the others, after-school activities and daycare services are canceled.
More Early Releases Across Districts
Lexington-Richland 5 is getting in on the early release action with intermediate schools letting out at 11:40 a.m. and other high schools at 1:05 p.m.. No after-school programs will run either. Richland 2 schools also opted for an early dismissal, similar to Richland 1’s schedule.
Finally, Saluda County Schools will close completely for an eLearning Day and all their after-school activities are off. Over in Orangeburg County, elementary schools will release at 11:30 a.m., middle schools at 12:30 p.m., and high schools at 1 p.m.. The Sumter School District is dismissing early too, with elementary students let out at 11 a.m., middle schools at 11:30 a.m., and high school students at 12:30 p.m.. Clarendon County schools are following suit with early dismissals as well, putting a halt to after-school fun.
Weather Advisory Remains in Effect
With the threat of hazardous road conditions looming, it’s clear that these early dismissals are for the safety of students and staff alike. Reports of snow accumulation in Columbia have shown nearly an inch at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport and up to four inches in nearby Orangeburg County.
As we brace for continuing cold temperatures, the National Weather Service advises everyone to exercise caution on the roads. With the risk of icy patches and the possibility of more snow and sleet in the week ahead, it’s better to stay cozy at home than to venture out into the winter wonderland!
So, grab a warm drink and keep an eye on the latest updates – after all, winter in South Carolina is always full of surprises!
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Additional Resources
- The State: Winter Weather News
- Wikipedia: Winter Storm
- WIS TV: Travel Midlands Hazardous After Snow
- Google Search: Winter Weather South Carolina
- WBTV: South Carolina State Emergency
- Google Scholar: Winter Weather Impact
- Weather.com: Winter Storm Live Blog
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Winter Storm
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
