Schools Adjust Schedules in South Carolina Following Hurricane Helene’s Impact

Empty school playground with scattered debris after storm.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Schools Adjust Schedules After Hurricane Helene

As South Carolina recovers from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, school districts in the area are announcing changes to their schedules to accommodate the ongoing recovery efforts.

Who is Affected?

The School District of Lexington announced it will return to a normal schedule on Thursday, October 3. After-school programs and activities will proceed as planned. In contrast, the School District of Newberry County decided to close schools on October 3 and October 4 due to the devastation caused by the hurricane. Schools in Saluda County will remain closed indefinitely while the community recovers.

What Changes Are Being Implemented?

While Lexington schools are resuming their regular schedules, they will operate on a one-hour delay on both October 3 and October 4. Additionally, February 17 has been designated as a makeup day for hazardous weather, although the format—either in-person or virtual—will be confirmed later.

The Midlands Technical College campuses will re-open on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. with a regular schedule commencing thereafter. Meanwhile, the Newberry County District will provide food from three locations, including Newberry High School and Mid-Carolina High School, during the closures.

Where Can Students Access Meals?

Newberry County will open food pickup sites for school-aged children at:

Newberry High School from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mid-Carolina High School from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Whitmire Community Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Food delivery via bus will also be available at several locations throughout the district, with scheduled stops for residents. These locations will have internet access and charging stations for students needing to complete assignments.

When Will Schools Operate Normally Again?

The Lexington School District will fully resume operations on Tuesday following the closing days. Bus schedules and after-school activities will also return to normal on that date. However, the Newberry County Schools will remain closed through the end of the week.

Why Are There Such Significant Changes?

The schedule adjustments come as a direct response to the ongoing power outages and damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The Newberry County District confirmed that eLearning is not feasible at this time, which has prompted them to pause any academic assignments during the closure days. Saluda County is facing a more challenging recovery, necessitating an indefinite school closure.

School officials emphasized the importance of community resilience during this difficult time, stating, “We will take this one day at a time and we will get through this together.”

For updates regarding school schedules and additional resources, the community is encouraged to stay informed through local communications. As the recovery continues, residents are advised to remain prepared and engaged with the changes affecting their education systems.