City of Pickens Sees Widespread School Closures and Adjustments Due to Power Outages
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, schools across the region, including the City of Pickens, are announcing significant changes to their schedules. This is primarily due to ongoing power outages and hazardous road conditions that have made it unsafe for students and staff to commute.
Pickens County Schools: eLearning Day Announced
On Thursday, the School District of Pickens County declared that Friday, October 4, will be an eLearning day. Approximately 15% of the county continues to face power outages, while many roads have been assessed as unsafe for school buses and regular traffic. Officials are optimistic about returning to normal operations by Monday, October 7.
On eLearning days, the district allows for learning to continue without extending the school calendar. However, considering the difficulties many families are experiencing, the district plans to be flexible with assignment deadlines and collection of student work.
Greenville County Schools Suspend Activities
Greenville County Schools announced that all activities, including athletics, are cancelled through Sunday, October 6. The decision was made due to unsafe transportation routes and insufficient power supply. The intention is to reduce traffic for utility crews and first responders who are working tirelessly to restore services.
USC Upstate Cancels Classes
USC Upstate has chosen to cancel all classes for the remainder of the week. The university closed its doors on Thursday and essential staff are working remotely. Students are urged to monitor their university email and social media for any updates.
Oconee County Schools Reminders
In Oconee County, all students are reminded to return their Chromebooks and chargers with them to school. This is a reminder to ensure students have the necessary resources for digital learning as conditions improve.
Bob Jones University and Others Resume Operations
Bob Jones University has resumed full operations and classes as of Wednesday, October 2. Tri-County Technical College opened all campuses on the same day, continuing both in-person and online classes as scheduled.
Holidays for Several Schools
In Anderson County, all school districts have declared a suspension of normal operations through the remainder of the week, with October 7 and 8 already scheduled as student holidays. Information is being disseminated via individual district social media pages.
Clemson University has also closed its campus, canceling classes across all statewide locations as part of the precautionary measures during this period.
Continued Cancellations at Various Institutions
Several other institutions, like Lander University and Spartanburg Community College, have also closed their doors, calling off classes temporarily while they assess conditions. Ongoing updates regarding class resumption will be provided as conditions improve.
Conclusion and Community Support
As the community continues to cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, schools are working diligently to ensure safety and continuity of education. Many districts are providing meals and charging stations for devices to support families facing disruptions.
Authorities encourage families to stay informed by checking district websites and local updates regularly. Safety remains a priority, and schools hope to resume normal operations soon.
