School's out for thousands of Texas pupils as Hurricane Beryl barrels towards the Lone Star State.
Dozens of school districts have canceled classes and instructed students to stay home amid safety fears due to the fierce winds and lashing rain the storm is forecast to bring on Monday.
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Beryl's force before it made U.S. landfall saw it previously achieve hurricane status, with winds reaching 165 mph and causing at least 12 deaths across the Caribbean. It was later downgraded from hurricane status to a "tropical storm" before being upgraded to a hurricane again, and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of a "life-threatening" surge that could bring water up to 6 feet above ground level in some parts of Texas. Around a dozen states in the U.S. will be affected as the weather system moves through the Midwest, meteorologists say.
Numerous school districts across Texas have shuttered their sites for the day in a bid to keep their students and staff safe. They include:
Aldine Independent School District (ISD)
A statement on the ISD's website, uploaded on Sunday morning, read: "Due to the anticipated inclement weather resulting from the impact of Hurricane Beryl, and for the safety and well-being of our students and staff, all Aldine ISD facilities, including campuses and district offices, will be closed on Monday, 7/8/24. Employees scheduled to work should plan to do so remotely.
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"The closure will result in the cancellation of summer school classes and camps, athletic and fine-arts activities...
"We urge staff and families to stay safe and prepare for the incoming weather event, and to exercise extreme caution while traveling on the roadways.
"We will continue to monitor weather conditions for any possible impacts it may have on our community and will communicate updates via the district website, social media, text, phone and local news."
Alief ISD
It's a similar story at Alief ISD, which has a pop-up message on its website saying: "Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of our staff and students, we have made the decision to close the district tomorrow, July 8th." It concluded "Stay safe and dry."
Brazosport ISD
A statement on the district's website read: "Due to the potential impact from Hurricane Beryl, Brazosport ISD will be closed and all activities, including the BISD Book Bus and Meals on the Move are canceled for Monday, July 8 and Tuesday, July 9, 2024. We will provide an update for Wednesday after we have more information."
Clear Creek ISD
Schools across the district will also be closed due to the storm.
Cleveland ISD
The district said: "Out of an abundance of caution due to the forecasted weather conditions for the greater Houston area, all Cleveland ISD campuses and facilities will be CLOSED on Monday, July 8th. This includes all summer activities, training, workshops, and professional development events."
Conroe ISD
Storm Beryl has also lead to closures in the Conroe Independent School District.
Crosby ISD
The district told staff and families that "Crosby ISD will be closed on Monday, July 8 due to the concern over the landfall of Hurricane Beryl. In addition, the 21st Century Summer Program and all other summer student activities are canceled for Monday, July 8. We ask all our families to please be safe and remain weather aware in the coming days."
Cy-Fair ISD
Schools across the district will also be closed due to the storm.
Dickinson ISD
"Out of an abundance of caution, Dickinson ISD will be closing the district on Monday, July 8 due to the potential inclement weather expected," officials said. "This includes any summer employees on duty as well as all planned student activities, such as Camp Invention and Athletics Strength and Conditioning Camp. Please monitor the district website and social media for any weather updates regarding plans for Tuesday. Please stay safe as we navigate the next couple of days of inclement weather."
Fort Bend ISD
Schools across the district will also be closed due to the storm.
Friendswood ISD
The school district's officials said all facilities and operations will be closed on Monday, July 8.
Galena Park ISD
This school district will also be closed due to the storm.
Galveston ISD
Schools across the district will be temporarily shut down due to Beryl on Monday.
Hitchcock ISD
Schools across this district will be also be shuttered as a result of the weather.
Houston ISD
The district warned it will be "closing all campuses and buildings" on Monday and Tuesday due to Beryl "and its potential impacts to our region. All summer classes and activities are canceled, and all District activities and events – including professional development and recruiting sessions – are canceled."
Humble ISD
Schools across the district will also be closed due to the storm.
Katy ISD
"All Katy ISD campuses and facilities will be closed on Monday, July 8 due to projected hazardous weather conditions," the district said in a statement. "Exempt employees currently on contract will work remotely tomorrow, unless previously scheduled for personal time off. Non-exempt hourly employees will be contacted by their supervisor for any essential personnel needs. Katy ISD anticipates resuming districtwide operations on Tuesday, July 9."
Lamar Consolidated ISD
Schools across the district will also be closed due to the storm on both Monday and Tuesday.
Montgomery ISD
Schools across the district will also be closed on Monday.
Pearland ISD
The weather will see schools across this district closed too.
Royal ISD
Schools across the district will also be closed due to the storm.
Santa Fe ISD
Storm Beryl has sparked school closures across the ISD on Monday.
Spring ISD
"Please be advised that all Spring ISD schools and offices will be closed Monday, July 8, due to the threat of hazardous weather," the district said, adding: "There will be no summer school classes on Monday. We are making this decision based on the latest forecast and recommendations by weather authorities that Houston-area communities should prepare for worsening weather conditions and the high potential of heavy rains, flooding and power outages throughout the area."
Spring Branch ISD
Schools across the district will also be closed due to the storm.
Texas City ISD
The district "is canceling all work and student activities for Monday, July 8," according to a statement that added: "As conditions are expected to improve by Monday afternoon and evening, our current plan is for employees to return on Tuesday, and student activities to resume on Wednesday."
Tomball ISD
The district will be closed on Monday, with the news including "all schools and facilities, summer school, camps, and activities." Tomball ISD is expected to reopen on Tuesday.
Waller ISD
All Waller ISD schools and offices will also be closed on Monday, officials said.
Texas residents should keep an eye on their local school district websites for further information about closures. They should also monitor their local weather reports for the most up-to-date information about the storm and safety advice.
About the writer
Get in touch with Chloe Mayer by emailing c.mayer@newsweek.com
