NewsLocal NewsIn Your Parish

Actions

UPDATE: Extended school closures

UL in the snow .jpg
Posted
and last updated

UPDATE: Acadiana's school systems and schools are sending out updates for school closures for FRIDAY.

Here are the latest as of Thursday morning, arranged by parish:

The Quad will be open tomorrow! Sessions resume Friday, January 24th at 9:00 a.m.Regularly scheduled sessions9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. NO HAPPY HOURS THIS FRIDAY 1/24. Reminder that all members are welcome to make up any missed sessions, so we hope to see everyone tomorrow!

LSU EUNICE:
After accessing the campus and local area and with freezing temperatures expected to continue at night throughout south Louisiana to create icy road conditions, the LSU Eunice campus will be closed on Friday, January 24. This closure affects LSUE’s satellite campuses in Lafayette and Alexandria. Students should be advised that because of the closure, all late registration, financial clearance, final date to add/change and 100% refund for dropping a course by 11:59PM deadlines will be delayed from Tuesday, January 21 to Monday, January 27. The LSU Eunice campus is expected to re-open for normal business and instruction hours beginning Monday, January 27. It is important during these days of campus closure that the LSUE community monitors their e-mail. LSUE students should also check myCourses on myLSUE to review any coursework and/or notes from your professors. LSU Eunice officials will continue to monitor the forecasts and local conditions with any updates being announced through e-mail, social media, and www.lsue.edu [lsue.edu].

SOWELA Technical Community College will resume normal operations tomorrow at all locations in Lake Charles, Jennings, Leesville and Oakdale, LA. Friday classes will be held as a scheduled.

ACADIA PARISH
Acadia Parish School System will be closed on Friday, January 24, 2025 for all students and personnel except for school principals, custodians, Central Office Supervisors, and maintenance staff. While this decision was not made lightly, the safety of our students, their families, and our employees is prioritized. The additional day will allow for roads conditions to improve, as well as allow the district to continue to assess and repair damages experienced during this unprecedented weather event. We also recognize that some water system issues still are not fully resolved throughout the parish. We ask that the selected personnel report from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm, or until released by the Superintendent. Acadia Parish School System appreciates the patience and understanding of the community as we continue to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Any updates will be provided through our website, our Facebook page and local media outlets.

IBERIA PARISH
Acadiana Christian School in New Iberia will be closed on Friday, January 24, 2025. They plan to reopen Monday.

In light of the ongoing effects of the recent winter storm, the Iberia Parish School District has made the decision to remain closed Friday, January 24, 2025. The closure is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families. Several factors have contributed to this decision:

  1. While we have made significant progress, icy patches remain on roadways, and these hazardous conditions present a risk for travel.  
  2. In addition to icy roads, certain areas on school grounds remain covered in ice, making it unsafe for students and staff to move around campus.
  3. We are also currently facing an unpredictable water supply situation, including many campuses reporting water pressure issues. Additionally, all campuses are now included under a Boil Water Advisory, which will disrupt daily operations.

The district is actively monitoring these conditions and will continue to work with local authorities to assess the situation. We will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available. Campus supervisors, district level department directors, and essential district staff will report at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 24, 2025 for continued campus assessments and preparations for re-opening. All school sites and offices will remain closed to the public. Further updates will be shared through our district website, Facebook page, and JCAMPUS Robo Text System.
EVANGELINE PARISH
Based upon information from Evangeline Parish 911/OEP and conversations with other parish officials, all Evangeline Parish campuses will remain closed Friday, January 24, 2025, for all students and personnel, except campus administrators, secretaries, and custodial staff. With an extra day, most parish roads should be back to normal, campus driveways and walkways should be thawed, and water system issues throughout this parish should be improved. All EPSB campus administrators, school secretaries, custodians, and 12-month employees at district offices are asked to report to work tomorrow (1-24-2025) from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM , or until released by the Superintendent.

LAFAYETTE PARISH:
LCA will remain closed Friday, January 24. School will resume on Monday, January 27.

LARC will remain closed Friday, January 24.

All locations of Sugar ‘n Spice Children’s Academy and Vacation Station will remain closed on Friday, January 24th.

All Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) sites will remain closed on Friday, January 24, due to continued impacts of this week’s extreme cold weather. Several key factors contributed to this decision:

  • Water Conservation Requests: Lafayette Utilities System (LUS) and other providers have requested that customers conserve water while temperatures remain below freezing at night.
  • Boil Advisories: Boil water advisories have been issued for several areas, affecting a number of LPSS schools.
  • Campus Inspections: The LPSS Facilities team, along with custodians and administrators, must inspect approximately 50 sites across Lafayette Parish. Ensuring their safety while traveling and providing sufficient time for thorough assessments is a top priority.
  • Roadway Conditions: Water left on roads may refreeze Thursday night, creating unsafe travel conditions for buses and staff vehicles. Local officials have cautioned that travel on neighborhood roads will likely still be dangerous.

Any necessary updates will be provided through the LPSS website, social media, and the J-Campus app.
-Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy/High will remain closed on Friday, January 24th. Classes will resume on Monday, January 27th.

-Acadiana Renaissance Charter Academy/High will remained closed on Friday, January 24th. Classes will resume on Monday, January 27th.

ST. LANDRY PARISH:
Due to icy roads and hazardous conditions throughout our parish, SLP schools will remain closed tomorrow, Friday, January 24th. All 12-month employees will report to work from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, weather permitting. Thank you for your support as we prioritize safety.

ST. MARTIN PARISH:
St. Martin Parish Schools will remain closed on Friday, January 24, 2025. This decision was made due to several factors:

  • Potential for Unsafe Transportation: The potential for early morning weather conditions to present challenges for safe and reliable student transportation.
  • Continued Impacts of Extreme Cold: The ongoing effects of this week's harsh cold weather continue to affect some households and facilities.
  • Thorough Facility Assessments: This closure allows district personnel to continue comprehensive inspections of all schools and buildings for any heating issues or freeze-related damage.

Extracurricular Activities CancelledAll extracurricular activities, field trips, and athletic events are also canceled until schools reopen.

Return to School Planned for Monday
The district plans to resume normal school operations on Monday, January 27, 2025.

Communication Updates
St. Martin Parish Schools will continue to provide updates regarding school closures through its communication systems, district website, social media channels, and local news outlets.

ST MARY PARISH:

VERMILION PARISH:
All Vermilion Parish Schools and central offices will be closed tomorrow, Friday, January 24th.  As our crews continue to assess the condition of our schools, we have determined widespread low water pressure, iced driveways and walkways, busted pipes, as well as, boil advisories for seven of our schools.  After school activities will continue to be cancelled until further notice.  Our crews will continue to work to ensure a safe return on Monday, January 27th.

CALCASIEU PARISH:
All SOWELA Technical Community College locations will remain closed tomorrow, Thursday, January 23. However, we will hold classes online and students should check Canvas for course updates and contact their instructors with questions. We anticipate returning to campus with normal instruction on Friday, January 24.

LAFAYETTE PARISH:
UL Upward Bound math and science Saturday enrichment event for student participants will not take place on Saturday. Has been postponed to February 1.

UL: Instruction and Campus Operations
Please note the following regarding instruction and campus operations:

  • The University of Louisiana at Lafayette will maintain remote instruction and operations through Friday, Jan. 24.
  • On-campus operations, including Bourgeois Hall, the Edith Garland Dupré Library, and the Student Union, will resume on Saturday, Jan. 25, pending campus assessment.
  • In-person instruction will resume on Monday, Jan. 27.
  • The add/drop date for full-term classes is being extended to Tuesday, Jan. 28. 

Students who are unable to participate in classes remotely should contact their professors. If a student needs further assistance, they can contact the Office of the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@louisiana.edu.
Faculty and staff members who are unable to work remotely should contact their immediate supervisors.