School closings/early releases for Friday (Houston, Austin: daycare, house, preschool)

[S&AMOM]

Seriously? Is this really necessary? I hope my daughter's preschool does not cancel school since they follow the public school calender.

This seems excessive.

[love roses]

We're having early release tomorrow, but they say it's because they are using the schools as shelters for evacuees.

[neddy]

Lots of schools are shelters and they don't want guests and kids to mingle. Also since we are so flood prone in this area that is the last thing you want a bus driverto have to deal with.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Are they expecting high winds that soon in your area? If so I would rather NOT Have my child in a school or on a bus coming home.

I know in my area, they also use the schools as shelters and have to make preperations. I should imagine alot of people coming from closer to the coast will be in your area and need a place to stay. I hear they are evacuating alot of people from The Valley, there are alot of elderly down there who have special needs and are on medication. Lets hope there isn't a repeat of the bus fire that happened last time. That broke my heart.

[centralaustinite]

My kids private school and daycare are also closing early. They follow AISD in matters of weather, the goal is to get everyone home and off the roads to reduce crowding and congestion. I understand that all AISD middle schools will be shelters. FEMA has already set up shop in the old JC Penney's space in Highland Mall. I live central and certainly with Rita, the Houston folks were very evident, I imagine this will be even more intense.

Already went grocery shopping today!

[S&AMOM]

I didn't think about needing the schools for evacuation sites. That makes more sense. I was so surprised because I was thinking Austin wasn't going to see much from this.

[HappyTexan]

Residents from the coast are going north. Even Houston is prone to flooding as it's only 50 ft above sea level. Evacuees will work their way north looking for a place to stay.

I read that this storm is wide and can pose water dangers.

[Southern Phoenician]

LISD hasn't made a decision yet; my son came home with his nap blanket (he's in kindergarten) which is normally sent home on Friday. My guess is he will not be attending school due to evacuees.

My son wasn't in school during Rita- how long did we house evacuees in schools? Is it only for the storm period? Just curious if we'll be business as normal on Monday.

[centralaustinite]

I'm guessing that we'll be back to normal on Monday, I know that the Harris County (Houston) courts are planning to be back open Monday. They open more shelters on the basis of need, like a branching tree, and then reverse the process when they close them. So there might be a few shelters still open on Monday but hopefully, if the storm isn't too bad, most folks will be headed home by Monday.

Check out the Houston Chronicle site on-line to follow the storm.
Houston news, entertainment, search and shopping | chron.com - Houston Chronicle

[southdown]

This is the email we got around 5.20pm today....



All campuses in Round Rock ISD will be released early on Friday, September 12, in order to alleviate the traffic congestion that is anticipated due to the arrival of evacuees from Hurricane Ike. The early release will also allow families to prepare for any possible severe weather conditions which may occur due to the hurricane.
The announcement was made after consultation with the National Weather Service and with the District's partners in the Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center.
The dismissal schedule for Round Rock ISD is as follows:
· 12:45 p.m. - Elementary Schools
· 1:30 p.m. - Middle Schools
· 2 p.m. - High Schools
Breakfast and lunch will be available for students before dismissal.