By PSA Newsroom Staff
Safety-driven decisions range from eLearning days to continued monitoring as ice threats vary by county
As a winter weather system threatens parts of South Carolina, several school districts across the Midlands and Pee Dee are taking proactive but differing approaches ahead of Monday, January 26, prioritizing student and staff safety while monitoring evolving forecasts.
Sumter School District Moves to eLearning
Sumter School District has already announced that Monday, January 26, will be an eLearning day for all students and staff. District officials cited forecast projections showing between 0.10 and 0.25 inches of ice across Sumter County, with some northern areas potentially seeing up to half an inch.
The district emphasized that ice accumulation could create significant travel hazards and lead to utility disruptions, particularly affecting bus routes and staff commutes. All schools and office buildings will be closed, and athletic events, activities, and field trips are canceled. As an approved eLearning district, the day will not need to be made up. Lessons and assignments will be posted through Schoology, with flexibility for students experiencing power or internet outages.
Clarendon County Monitoring, Decision Pending
Clarendon County School District has not yet finalized its plans but confirmed it is closely monitoring local weather conditions. District leaders indicated a decision regarding possible eLearning, delays, or closures would be made Sunday afternoon.
Families have been encouraged to review the district’s eLearning expectations in advance to ensure a smooth transition if needed. The district stressed that communication with families will be timely should any schedule changes occur.
Orangeburg County Continues Normal Operations for Now
Orangeburg County School District reported that, at this time, normal operations remain in place. The district is coordinating with the National Weather Service and local officials and urged families to continue monitoring district communication channels and local media in case conditions worsen.
Lee County Designates eLearning Day
Lee County School District has designated Monday, January 26, as an eLearning day due to the potential for freezing rain, sleet, and below-freezing temperatures. All afterschool programs, field trips, and extracurricular activities are canceled.
District officials noted that assignments will be posted in virtual classrooms and that students unable to participate due to outages or limited connectivity will be allowed to complete work later. The decision was made in coordination with county emergency management and law enforcement, focusing on road conditions and safety.
Calhoun County Schools Closed
Calhoun County ISD announced a full school closure for Monday, January 26. All extracurricular activities and practices are canceled, with classes currently scheduled to resume Tuesday, January 27. Families were encouraged to remain home and monitor official district channels for any updates.
Williamsburg County Preparing for Possible eLearning
Williamsburg County School District is preparing for the possibility of eLearning days. Instructional packets for grades K–2 and electronic devices for grades 3–12 are being sent home in advance. District officials said families will be notified promptly of any changes to the regular schedule.
Bottom Line
While forecasts vary by location, the common thread across districts is a cautious, safety-first approach as the potential for ice increases. Families are encouraged to stay alert, monitor official district communications, and prepare for possible shifts to eLearning or closures as conditions develop.
