Winter storm to keep many Acadiana kids out of school for another day

Many students in Acadiana will be home another day this week, as the winter storm left schools with low water pressure, standing ice and hazardous road conditions.

Acadia, Lafayette and St. Landry parish school systems canceled classes for Thursday, making it the second day out due to inclement weather during Mardi Gras week.

Vermilion Parish has canceled school for the rest of the week, and other district officials said decisions regarding Friday operations would be announced Thursday.

Vermilion Superintendent Tommy Byler said local officials there was not guarantee they could have water pressure back at their schools Friday, and the forecast calls for another round of extremely low temperatures that likely would mean more ice on campuses.

"So we're press the restart button and we'll be back in school on Monday," Byler said.

He added that it'll give students and employees a nine-day window without close contact amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many schools in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette already had the whole week off due to Mardi Gras, but others that weren't planning on the week also have canceled classes for Thursday. Carencro Catholic School announced it would remain closed through Thursday "due to continued weather concerns."

Lafayette Christian Academy will be closed Thursday and Friday due to a boil water advisory and the campus having extremly low water pressure. Both issues are not expected to be resolved before the weekend, according to the school. Its ACT workshop will be postponed to a future date.

Acadiana Renaissance Charter Academy in Youngsville also is closed Thursday.

Lafayette Parish's Magnet Academies lottery was scheduled for Thursday but is postponed. Updates will follow regarding school status for Friday, according to a release.

While all schools and offices are closed to the public, the following personnel are to report to work: Central Office essential personnel, school administrators, and district and school custodians. Employees unable to safely report to work are to contact their immediate supervisor, according to the district.

Contact children's issues reporter Leigh Guidry at lguidry@theadvertiser.com or on Twitter @LeighGGuidry.