The New Orleans area is facing a severe weather threat on Monday, January 8, 2024, as a strong cold front moves across the region. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch, a flash flood watch, and a wind advisory for most of southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi.
To ensure the safety of students and staff, many schools in the area have announced closures or early dismissals for Monday. According to NOLA.com, the following schools and districts have made changes to their schedules:
- NOLA Public Schools: All schools and district offices will close at noon. All after-school activities, including athletic events and NOLA-PS sponsored community events, are canceled.
- Jefferson Parish Public Schools: All schools and district offices will close at 11 a.m. All after-school activities are canceled.
- St. Tammany Parish Public Schools: All schools and district offices will close at 11 a.m. All after-school activities are canceled.
- St. Charles Parish Public Schools: All schools and district offices will close at 10:30 a.m. All after-school activities are canceled.
- St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools: All schools and district offices will close at 10 a.m. All after-school activities are canceled.
- Plaquemines Parish Public Schools: All schools and district offices will close at 10 a.m. All after-school activities are canceled.
- St. Bernard Parish Public Schools: All schools and district offices will close at 10 a.m. All after-school activities are canceled.
- Orleans Parish School Board: All schools and district offices will close at noon. All after-school activities are canceled.
- Archdiocese of New Orleans: All Catholic schools in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, and Plaquemines parishes will close at noon. All after-school activities are canceled.
- University of New Orleans: All classes and activities are canceled for Monday. The campus will close at noon.
- Delgado Community College: All classes and activities are canceled for Monday. The campus will close at 11 a.m.
- Loyola University New Orleans: All classes and activities are canceled for Monday. The campus will close at noon.
- Tulane University: All classes and activities are canceled for Monday. The campus will close at noon.
- Xavier University of Louisiana: All classes and activities are canceled for Monday. The campus will close at noon.
- Dillard University: All classes and activities are canceled for Monday. The campus will close at noon.
- Southern University at New Orleans: All classes and activities are canceled for Monday. The campus will close at noon.
Parents and Guardians Advised to Monitor Weather Conditions and School Updates
Parents and guardians are advised to monitor the weather conditions and school updates throughout the day. The National Weather Service warns that the severe weather could produce damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and isolated tornadoes. The worst of the weather is expected to occur between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m..
Parents and guardians are also advised to make arrangements for the early pickup of their children from school and to follow the safety guidelines issued by the authorities. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development urges drivers to avoid unnecessary travel and to exercise caution on the roads. The department also reminds drivers to never drive through flooded areas and to turn around if they encounter water on the road.
Schools Hope to Resume Normal Operations on Tuesday
Schools hope to resume normal operations on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, depending on the weather conditions and the recovery efforts. Schools will communicate with parents and guardians through their official channels, such as websites, social media, phone calls, and emails, about any changes to their schedules or plans.
Schools also hope that the severe weather will not affect the academic performance of their students, especially as they prepare for the upcoming state assessments. According to The Lens, the state released the school performance scores for the 2023-2024 school year on November 13, 2023, showing that the NOLA Public Schools district received a C letter grade overall, the same as last year. The district also had five charter schools that received an F letter grade, placing them in danger of losing their charter contracts and closing at the end of the school year.