Weather impacts school schedules in several NC counties

NORTH CAROLINA — The weather will impact school schedules in several counties in North Carolina on Tuesday.

Avery County Schools will have a remote learning day due to weather conditions, while Caldwell County Schools will operate on a 3-hour delay.

Avery County Schools staff will report to work on a 2-hour delay due to weather conditions.

Caldwell County Schools announced the delay to prioritize the safety of students and staff, citing recent precipitation, low temperatures, and varied elevations that could lead to slick or icy roads.

Bus routes for Caldwell County Schools will run on a 3-hour delay, accommodating the adjusted schedule. WrapAround services in Caldwell County will open at 9 a.m., providing support for families during the delay.

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Hickory City Schools will operate on a two-hour delay to allow time for road conditions to improve and ensure the safe travel of buses, due to potential black ice and below-freezing temperatures.

“We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we prioritize the safety of our students and staff,” stated the Hickory City Schools announcement.

Watauga County Schools will be closed for students due to continued snowfall and predicted accumulation, with an Optional Teacher Workday scheduled.

The Holiday/Snow Day Program at Hardin Park School in Watauga County is scheduled to open at 9 a.m., providing an option for childcare during the school closure.

Cleveland County Schools will start two hours later than usual, with bus pickups also delayed by two hours. This decision was made due to light precipitation and freezing temperatures expected to create black ice.

Kannapolis City Schools will also open late. They will operate on a two-hour delay.

Iredell-Statesville Schools have issued a two-hour delay, advising staff to refer to Inclement Weather Call #5 and promising to monitor road conditions for possible updates by 6:30 a.m.

Cabarrus County Schools will also operate on a two-hour delay, including Kids:Plus, and have advised staff to travel when safe.

Rowan-Salisbury Schools have delayed opening by two hours to allow time for conditions to improve, with the possibility of a full closure if temperatures remain below freezing and icy areas do not thaw.

Gaston County Schools cited light rain and below-freezing temperatures overnight as reasons for the 2-hour delay, emphasizing safety for students and employees.

Schools in Kannapolis and Alexander County will also be operating on a 2-hour delay.

CMS announced that school start times and bus pickup times will be delayed by two hours, while before-school programs are canceled and after-school programs will continue as scheduled.

If further adjustments to the schedule are necessary, CMS will communicate changes through ParentSquare, cmsk12.org, and CMS social media platforms.

In Ashe County, all public schools will have a remote learning day on Dec. 9, with Zoom sessions starting at 10 a.m., according to Dr. Eisa Cox.

The delays across these counties highlight the importance of safety in adverse weather conditions, with schools taking precautions to prevent accidents due to icy roads.

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