TAMPA, Fla — As parents and guardians of students in the Tampa Bay area are watching Tropical Storm Eta, questions are popping up about the status of their student's school.
Will classes be canceled? And if so when, and for how long?
Here’s a list of what schools will be closed across the Tampa Bay area:
Citrus County:
Schools in Citrus County will be closed Thursday, Nov. 12, but remote learning will be ongoing. The district says students will use Canvas to complete their school work.
Extra-curricular activities are canceled Wednesday and Thursday. There also will be no YMCA daycare for Thursday. Curbside meal service has been rescheduled to Friday, with the same times and locations.
All campuses and district offices will reopen Friday, Nov. 13. That includes extracurricular activities, athletic games and practices.
Hernando County:
District schools are closed Wednesday in observance of Veterans Day. Just before 11 a.m., school leaders announced schools will also be closed Thursday, Nov. 12.
All activities scheduled Wednesday night and Thursday night are canceled.
The district's Enrichment Center will be prepared as a shelter and transportation staff will be on call to transport anyone without a car who live in low lying areas.
Highlands County:
Highlands County leaders have not given an update on school closures at this time.
Hillsborough County:
District schools are closed Wednesday for Veterans Day. School leaders have announced schools will remain closed both Thursday, Nov. 12 and Friday, Nov. 13.
School buildings will be utilized as shelters as needed.
All students will be transitioning to remote learning for Thursday and Friday.
Sarasota County:
At 9 a.m., school leaders announced the district will be releasing students 2 hours early Wednesday, Nov. 11. Buses will run.
All after school activities, including aftercare, are canceled.
School leaders say they will re-open as normal on Thursday.
Hardee County:
During the district's 8 a.m. meeting Wednesday, school leaders have decided to release students two hours earlier than schools would normally let out.
The district will be open on Thursday, Nov. 12.
DeSoto County:
DeSoto County School leaders have not given an update on school closures at this time.
Manatee County:
Schools across the district are closed Wednesday in observance of Veterans Day.
During a special meeting, Manatee County leaders announced all schools will remain closed Thursday, Nov. 12 and Friday, Nov. 13. All students will continue classes online for those days.
Pasco County:
Schools will be closed Thursday, Nov. 12, as well as district offices.
Schools will reopen Friday as planned. And, the district said there have been no reports of significant damage related to Tropical Storm Eta.
Pinellas County:
Pinellas County Schools will have an early dismissal Wednesday. Nov. 11.
Schools will be closed Thursday, Nov. 12.
Here are the early dismissal times for Wednesday:
- High Schools: 10:00 a.m.
- Elementary Schools: 11:00 a.m.
- Middle Schools: 12 noon
Polk County:
Polk County Public Schools said it will be closed on Thursday due to Hurricane Eta. Schools and offices are expected to reopen on Friday.
"The decision to close schools and offices is being made out of an abundance of caution, to ensure the safety of our students, parents and employees," the district wrote in a release.