News Summary
Schools across Middle Tennessee are facing closures and delays due to a severe winter storm resulting in dangerously cold weather conditions. Cheatham County and Robertson County Schools have announced closures, while multiple districts also deal with widespread illness among students and staff. A Cold Weather Advisory has been issued, and ongoing weather threats raise safety concerns for school operations. Parents and guardians are encouraged to stay informed as authorities monitor the situation closely.
Multiple Middle Tennessee School Districts Closed or Delayed Due to Severe Weather and Cold Temperatures
Maryville, TN — Several school districts across Middle Tennessee have announced closures or delays on Thursday, February 20, as a result of dangerous cold weather conditions following a winter storm that impacted the region. The National Weather Service has issued a Cold Weather Advisory for Middle Tennessee, anticipating wind chill values between zero and 7 degrees on Friday morning, prompting safety concerns for students and staff.
School Closures and Delays Announced
Cheatham County Schools and Robertson County Schools confirmed closures on Thursday afternoon as a precaution against the extreme cold. Cheatham County Schools will also operate an extended daytime program on Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., requiring students to bring their own lunch. However, all extra-curricular activities and community use of school facilities in the county will be suspended on that day.
Similarly, schools in Robertson County, including local daycare centers, will be closed on Friday, as confirmed by Schools Director Danny Weeks. Parents and guardians were advised of closures as part of efforts to protect children from hazardous weather conditions.
Additional Closures Due to Illness and Staffing Issues
Beyond the cold weather closures, multiple districts are also contending with widespread illness among students and staff. Houston County Schools are officially closed from Wednesday, February 5, through Friday, February 7, due to high absenteeism caused by illness. Lincoln County Schools announced closures for Thursday and Friday, February 6-7, with deficits in staffing stemming from the increase in student and staff health issues.
Lebanon Special Schools District is also closed through the end of the week, citing the same concerns related to illness. These ongoing health-related closures further impact the school calendar and logistical planning for the districts involved.
Flood Watch and Ongoing Severe Weather Threats
In addition to the cold temperatures, a flood watch has been issued for parts of Middle Tennessee, in effect through 7 a.m. on Sunday. The ongoing severe weather threats pose additional safety risks, particularly increasing the likelihood of flooding in vulnerable areas, which may influence future decisions regarding school operations and safety measures.
Community and Parental Notifications
School district officials have been communicating with parents and guardians regarding the rising number of absences caused by illness and weather-related closures. Authorities continue to monitor the weather situation closely and will provide updates if additional closures or changes to schedules are necessary. The safety of students, staff, and the community remains the primary concern guiding district decisions.
Summary of Affected Districts
- Cheatham County Schools: Closed Thursday; extended daycare operational on Friday from 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; no extracurricular activities or community use on Friday.
- Robertson County Schools: Closed Friday; daycare closures also confirmed.
- Houston County Schools: Closed Wednesday through Friday due to widespread illness.
- Lincoln County Schools: Closed Thursday and Friday due to staffing shortages caused by illness.
- Lebanon Special Schools District: Closed through the end of the week for health reasons.
Looking Ahead
Officials warn that weather conditions may change, and further closures or delays could be announced as new updates develop. Local residents and families are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and exercise caution during the ongoing severe weather period.
The situation continues to be actively monitored, and districts will provide additional information as necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff across Middle Tennessee.
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Additional Resources
- Tennessean: Nashville School Closures
- WSMV: Tennessee School Closings
- FOX17: Nashville Schools Closed for Illness
- Tennessean: Nashville Area School Closings
- WSMV: Midstate Schools Announce Closures
- Wikipedia: Nashville
- Google Search: Nashville School Closures
- Google Scholar: Nashville School Closings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Nashville
- Google News: Nashville School Closures
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RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
