Greenville County Schools will operate on a three-hour delay Thursday due to forecasts for extremely cold temperatures and a wind chill advisory. Special education half-day programs for three-year-old children are cancelled.
Spartanburg County and District Five schools will operate on a 2-hour delay.
The National Weather Service calls for temperatures hovering around 12 degrees between 6-8 a.m. with wind chills down to zero to minus 5 degrees. No precipitation is forecast.
Residents and businesses are reminded unprotected water pipes are likely to freeze.
Schools will open at their regular times to receive students and will provide educational activities for students arriving at school before the delayed start time. Breakfast will be available to students until 10 a.m. and lunch will be served during normal serving times.
Parents are also advised to ensure their children are dressed in layers. Employees should report Thursday morning at their regular time. Meetings will be held at regular times unless attendees are notified otherwise.
The delay, according to the Greenville County's schools website, was decided after considering the impact of extreme cold temperatures on bus riders and the needs of families who transport their children to school. The decision is based on the National Weather Service’s forecast for low temperatures and a wind chill advisory at the times that students will be picked up at bus stops.