LPSS Weather Update- LPSS Schools closed Tuesday, January 21st and Wednesday, January 22nd due to arctic cold weather

Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) officials have announced that all schools will be closed on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 and Wednesday, January 22, 2025 due to expected arctic cold weather and the possibility of snow and/or freezing precipitation. Superintendent Francis Touchet, Jr., emphasized the district’s focus on safety in making this decision.

“I feel confident in making this call today to allow parents to prepare for students to be home and not exposed to the bitterly cold temperatures and wind chill,” Superintendent Touchet said. “Additionally, a combination of freezing temperatures and wet weather, in whatever form, could create dangerous road conditions that would make travel by all modes, especially buses, hazardous.”

Conditions permitting, the LPSS Facilities team and school administration will inspect campuses to assess water and heating systems on Wednesday afternoon. The district will also continue to monitor weather forecasts, temperatures and road conditions to determine if schools can safely reopen on Thursday, January 23, 2025.

“Getting students back in the classroom is always the goal,” added Superintendent Touchet, “but I will only allow campuses to open if we are confident it is safe to do so.”

Parents, staff and community stakeholders are encouraged to stay informed by checking the LPSS website, following the district’s Facebook page, tuning into local media and enabling notifications on the J-Campus app for real-time updates.

15 January 2025

LPSS is actively monitoring the weather forecast for the week of January 20 in collaboration with local meteorologists and the Emergency Management Office. Forecasters are currently predicting an extended period of freezing or sub-freezing temperatures, with the possibility of frozen precipitation.

According to weather experts, confidence of a wintry mix will increase as arctic air approaches. To ensure informed decision-making, the LPSS leadership team meets on Friday mornings to review the latest updates. If the forecast becomes more certain, a decision on school closures will be made at that time.

Superintendent Francis Touchet, Jr., assures parents and the community that safety remains the district’s highest priority:

“At LPSS, safety is more than a priority – it’s a core value. Every decision we make is driven by our commitment to ensuring the well-being of our students and staff.”

Don’t worry, any necessary school closures will be announced by Sunday morning. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we navigate this weather situation. For the latest updates, please visit our website, follow us on Facebook, tune in to local radio stations or enable notifications in J-Campus.