Sumter School District schools to dismiss early Thursday ahead of Hurricane Ian; Friday will be eLearning day

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Due to the probability of heavy wind and rain from Hurricane Ian, all Sumter School District schools will dismiss early on Thursday and Friday will be an eLearning day for all students.

On Thursday, elementary schools will dismiss at 11 a.m., followed by middle schools at 11:30 a.m. and high schools at 12:30 p.m., according to an announcement Tuesday afternoon from a district spokeswoman. For Friday’s eLearning day, all schools and office buildings will be closed and any scheduled activities, including field trips, are canceled.

All afterschool activities both days, including athletic events, have been cancelled, according to Shelly Galloway, the district’s executive director of communication and community engagement.

Since the district is an approved eLearning district in South Carolina, Friday will not have to be made up, and lessons and assignments will be posted in Schoology, she added. Students will complete eLearning assignments later if they are unable to participate due to power outages, lack of internet service or other barriers.

To ensure the safety of students and staff, the district works in conjunction with emergency management and law enforcement officials when making decisions regarding inclement weather in the community, the release added.