CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) -- A number of schools will be closed or delayed at least one day this week after severe weather tore through Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky, leaving six people dead and hundreds of structures damaged.
The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) decided to close all schools for the week of Monday, Dec. 11 through Friday, Dec. 15 after the weekend tornado outbreak. Classes will resume Thursday, Jan. 4.
District offices will also be closed so personnel can be available to help at schools and in other areas of the community. Below are some important notes regarding the closure:
- High school exams will be waived. A student’s highest grade from either the 1st or 2nd nine weeks will be used to replace the exam score. We ask for your patience over the coming weeks as changes are made in PowerSchool to reflect this decision.
- When classes resume after Winter Break, Thursday, Jan. 4 and Friday, Jan. 5 will be used as wrap-up days for students for the first semester. CMCSS will begin the second semester (third nine weeks) on Monday, Jan. 8.
- Decisions regarding athletics and other extracurricular activities and travel for this week and over Winter Break will be communicated tomorrow.
- CMCSS will exhaust its inclement weather stockpile days this week. However, with the state of emergency and the devastation in our community, CMCSS leadership has been in conversation with state leaders. We appreciate how supportive leadership at the governor’s office and Tennessee Department of Education have been, and we will follow up with more information about this topic in the coming weeks.
Meals that can be eaten on-site or taken to go will be served Tuesday, Dec. 12 through Thursday, Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. while supplies last at the following locations:
- Glenellen Elementary (825 Needmore Road)
- Kenwood High (251 E Pine Mountain Road)
- Northwest High (800 Lafayette Road)
Our hearts are heavy as we learn of the loss of lives and critical injuries from yesterday’s storms. Many families have completely lost their homes and others are doing what they can to make repairs. This was a devastating and tragic weather event in our community.
From emergency services and utilities crews to churches, businesses, and community volunteers, we are so grateful for everyone who has worked through the night to help their neighbors. Last night at the Northeast High shelter, there was an outpouring of support and donations from churches, restaurants, businesses, and community members. We did not want to accidentally leave anyone out by name, so we just want to say thank you to everyone who has offered support. The Clarksville-Montgomery County community is strong, and families will need our continued support, love, and prayers in the days ahead.
Clarksville-Montgomery County School System
Immaculate Conception School, a private Catholic school in Clarksville, said it will also be closed on Monday.
Just over the state line in Kentucky, the Department of Defense Education Activity Fort Campbell Community Administration announced all Fort Campbell schools will be closed Monday following the storms as a sign of solidarity with the community, teachers, and staff facing displacement. All afterschool programs and sporting activities will also be suspended for the day
"This decision has been thoughtfully made after considering the closures of neighboring community schools, the directive for essential personnel, and the foreseen challenges in staffing due to the aftermath of the storm and the hazardous travel conditions," officials said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the numerous families whom the tornadoes have directly impacted. Ensuring the safety of our students, teachers, and staff remains our utmost priority."
Back down in Middle Tennessee, Sumner County Schools announced it will be closed Monday, Dec. 11 and Tuesday, Dec. 12. Widespread power outages were reported throughout the county, but power has since been restored to all schools. Central Office and Support Services will report as scheduled. Officials added no schools sustained any significant damage, however, utility workers are still repairing utility lines and clearing debris in some areas of Hendersonville and Gallatin.
The school district added it is concerned about the impact of ongoing work on bus routes and the ability of students and employees to get to school, and also said it does not want school traffic to interfere with utility workers out in the field.
Officials said schools will reopen Wednesday, Dec. 13. Families are reminded that traffic congestion through impacted areas may affect bus routes and pick up/drop off times.
Anyone still impacted by the weekend's storms is asked to contact their school and let the school district know how it can help.
Metro Nashville Public Schools said all but one of its schools will be operating at their normal times. Bellshire Elementary School will be operating on a two-hour delay Monday because of a tornado-related power outage, but staff should report to work at their normal time, and school will dismiss will be at the normal time. Before- and after-care programs will also be canceled. Officials are preparing an alternative location just in case Nashville Electric Service cannot restore power by the time school starts.
Meanwhile, Davidson Academy, said it will be closed, along with its extended care, on Monday due to the power outages and road closures caused by the storms.
As for Robertson County, while schools will still be in their regularly scheduled session on Monday, district officials said bus drivers in Springfield will need to reroute slightly for areas impacted by the severe weather. For more information on Robertson County Schools' routes affected by the storm, click here.
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