School districts closing early, canceling sports Tuesday ahead of severe weather
Local schools and colleges are beginning to announce early releases and canceling evening classes in expectation of severe weather with possible tornadoes and flooding Tuesday afternoon.
Central Ohioans should expect excessive runoff resulting in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations as severe weather is expected to move through the area in the afternoon and evening, The Dispatch previously reported.
The National Weather Service issued the flood warning along Scioto River, which will go into effect at 7 p.m. Tuesday and last through 1 p.m. Wednesday. A flood watch also remains in effect, as does a flood advisory for the Olentangy River near Worthington.
More: Severe weather forecasted for Columbus includes heavy rain, flooding, tornado watch
As a result of severe weather, these districts and education institutions have modified their plans:
Early releases, program changes:
Big Walnut Local Schools: High school, middle school, and intermediate school students will be released at 1:00 p.m., elementary Schools will be released at 2:15 p.m., and afternoon ELC and kindergarten is canceled.All after-school high school and middle school activities are postponed or canceled.
Bishop Ready High School: The school postponed its baseball game against Worthington Christian, softball game against Westland, boys tennis match against Worthington Christian and track meet at Franklin Heights. No practices or weightlifting will be held.
Buckeye Valley Local Schools: Students will be dismissed one hour early. All after-school activities are canceled.
Columbus Academy: All athletic practices have been canceled and all contests are postponed or canceled. The school will begin to dismiss at 2:30 p.m.
Columbus State Community College: Classes starting at 4 p.m. or later Tuesday are canceled, and in-person student services will also close at 4 p.m. due to anticipated severe weather.
Danville Local Schools: All competitions, practices and other after-school activities are canceled. Students were advised to go directly home after school.
Fairbanks Local Schools: All athletic events are postponed or canceled.
Gahanna-Jefferson Local Schools: All after-school activities are canceled Tuesday.
Grandview Heights City Schools: All after-school practices and contests have been canceled.
Hamilton Township Schools: All afternoon and evening activities are canceled. This includes all athletic practices and competitions.
Hilliard City Schools: All after-school activities are canceled Tuesday.
Marysville Exempted Village Schools: All activities are postponed or canceled.
Mount Vernon City Schools: All games and practices are postponed or canceled.
Newark City Schools: All after-school activities are canceled. This includes workouts, practices, conditioning and games.
North Fork Local Schools: The district will be dismissing middle school and high school at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and elementary schools at approximately 1:30 p.m. Sporting events are also canceled for the evening.
Olentangy Local School District: the district is releasing students 90 minutes early Tuesday, and will be canceling after-school activities as well as afternoon preschool, a district official said.
Pickerington Local Schools: All after-school activities are postponed or canceled. Students were encouraged to go home immediately after school.
Pickerington Public Library: Both branches are closing at 4 p.m.
South-Western City Schools: All after-school athletics have been canceled or postponed.
St. Charles Preparatory School: All home athletic events have been canceled.
Teays Valley Local Schools: All home and away athletic events have been postponed or canceled. All practices will end by 3 p.m.
Tree of Life Christian Schools: All baseball and softball games have been postponed. Makeup date(s) to be determined.
Westerville City Schools: All after-school activities including all athletics, are canceled.
Worthington City Schools: All after-school activities (games and practices) have been canceled. Athletes were asked to check with coaches regarding events for the rest of this week.
This article will be updated as schools update their release plans.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Severe weather threat Tuesday causing early releases for districts
