CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) – School districts across the Lowcountry are closely monitoring weather conditions following Hurricane Helene and announcing changes to their class schedules.

Tropical storm warnings have been issued for the Lowcountry ahead of Hurricane Helene approaching the Big Bend region of Florida’s northwest coast, which is expected to make landfall as early as Thursday evening.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Allendale, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Jasper, Orangeburg and Williamsburg counties.

Below is a summary of the schedule changes announced by the districts:

School Districts

Charleston County School District

Charleston County School District is moving to an eLearning day for Friday. School and district buildings are closed.

Kaleidoscope and all other extracurricular activities and after-school programs scheduled for tomorrow have been canceled. However, the high school sports games on Friday night will still be held.

Dorchester Ward 4

Dorchester District 4 canceled all after-school activities for Thursday and will switch to an eLearning day on Friday. District leaders say they made the decision based on forecasted rainfall overnight, as well as persistent winds and possible gusts in the early morning hours.

Beaufort County School District

Beaufort County School District officials report that school hours remain normal for the remainder of the week, but all after-school activities have been canceled on Thursday and Friday.

On Wednesday evening, families received the following information:

We are closely monitoring the development of Tropical Storm Helene in consultation with Emergency Management. Based on current forecasts, schools will operate on a normal schedule on Thursday, September 26 and Friday, September 27. All after-school activities will be Activities (including EPIC employee childcare) are cancelled for tomorrow, Thursday, September 26.

Colleton County School District

The Colleton County School District is going home early on Thursday.

• Black Street Early Childhood Care Centre
  • Students: 10:40 am
  • Staff: 12:00 noon
• All Elementary Schools in Colleton County
  • Students: 11:00 am
  • Staff: 12:20 pm
• All High Schools in Colleton County
  • Students: 12:15 pm
  • Staff: 1:35 PM
• All High Schools in Colleton County
  • Students: 12:30 pm
  • Staff: 1:50 PM

The Colleton County School District has a delayed start scheduled for Friday.

• Black Street Early Childhood Care
  • Arrival 9.00 am
  • The class starts at 9:30 am
  • Day ends at 1:55pm
• All Elementary Schools in Colleton County
  • Arrival 9.00 am
  • The class starts at 9:30 am
  • Day ends at 2:15pm
• All High Schools in Colleton County
  • Arrival 10:15 am
  • The class starts at 10:45 am
  • Day ends at 3:30pm
• All High Schools in Colleton County
  • Arrival 10:15 am
  • The class starts at 10:45 am
  • Day ends at 3:45pm

Orangeburg County School District

Orangeburg County schools will operate on a normal schedule Thursday, but all after-school programs have been canceled. School officials said weather conditions are being assessed before a decision is made for Friday.

Other organizations

In addition to the school districts, the following events have been postponed or canceled:

• Charleston Market: The Charleston City Market Night Market kickoff, which recognizes more than 30 businesses with the “Handmade in Charleston” designation, originally scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed. A new date will be announced.
• Charleston County Public Library: The West Ashley branch of the Charleston County Public Library will close at 3 p.m. on Thursday. All other branches and offices will close at 6 p.m. Book drop-offs and automated material drop-offs will also be closed during this time. Patrons are asked not to leave items outside of book drop-offs.
• Board of Trustees of the Charleston County Public Library:The Charleston County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting, previously scheduled for Thursday, will now be held on October 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Library.
• Unveiling of the Marion Square Fountain Sculpture: The Rotary Club of Charleston’s unveiling of bronze artist Scott Penegar’s final Marion Square Fountain sculpture, originally scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed until Oct. 3 at 4 p.m.
• North Charleston Police Department: The free Narcan distribution event “Save-a-Life Day” at Seacoast Church in West Ashley, scheduled for Thursday, has been canceled. The event will be rescheduled for a future date.
• South Carolina Highway Patrol: The graduation ceremony for the South Carolina Highway Patrol Training Class 126, scheduled for Friday, has been canceled.

This is a developing story. Check back later for details.

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