Horry County Schools Move to eLearning Amid Snowstorm

News Summary

Horry County faced a historic snowstorm in January, leading to a weeklong closure of schools. To address the disruption, the district transitioned to eLearning, allowing students to continue their studies from home. In-person classes are set to resume on January 27, with preparations in place to ensure safety after icy conditions caused hazardous traveling. The community is learning to adapt while also looking forward to the future with new schools under construction, set to accommodate the growing number of students in the area.

Horry County Schools Transition to eLearning After Historic Snowstorm

Horry County, known for its sunny beaches and warm weather, faced an unexpected twist this January. A historic snowstorm swept through the area, turning the landscape into a winter wonderland but also wreaking havoc on local schools. With all schools closed for an entire week, students were left wondering what the plan was. The closure began with scheduled holiday breaks and was extended due to the snow and ice that arrived on January 22.

Making the Switch to eLearning

As the storm continued to impact the area, Horry County Schools made a swift decision to transition to eLearning for the remainder of the week. This meant that students could continue with their learning from the comfort of their homes, and thankfully, no make-up days were needed. Parents may have sighed in relief at the thought of avoiding extra days in June when school is usually winding down.

Back to the Classroom

Classes are set to be back in session in-person starting January 27. Just in time for students to return, Benjamin Prince, who is overseeing support services, shared that icy conditions in school parking lots were systematically addressed. The last of the ice was cleared just before the students returned, allowing a safer environment for everyone.

Winter Wonderland Turned Hazardous

Northeast South Carolina was blanketed with around 4-6 inches of snow during the storm, which brought joy for some but created perilous conditions for many others. With temperatures dropping, the thawing and refreezing overnight made the roads treacherous. Local officials urged the community to stay off the streets unless it was absolutely necessary, and the warnings were not taken lightly as ice patches lingered, especially in shaded areas and less-traveled roads, impacting school bus transportation.

County Response

The aftermath of the storm’s arrival was felt beyond just the schools. Government offices across the region closed their doors as road conditions remained less than ideal. Georgetown County and its school district are also navigating the effects of the storm, adding to the widespread disruptions. Moreover, solid waste crews in Myrtle Beach planned to ramp up services to tackle delays in trash collection caused by Mother Nature’s winter tantrum. Even local universities, like Coastal Carolina, shifted to remote learning and work to keep their staff and students safe.

New Schools on the Horizon

While current weather challenges loom, the future of education in the area is looking bright with the construction of two new elementary schools in Carolina Forest—Ten Oaks and Pine Island. Each school is designed to house approximately 1,200 students, welcoming newcomers as nearly 2,000 students in Carolina Forest will switch schools next year due to new attendance boundaries laid out last December. The budgets for these new constructions are impressive, with Pine Island Elementary costing around $65.7 million and Ten Oaks Elementary at over $62.3 million. Expected completion date? July!

A Community Adaptation

As the community recovers from the snowstorm’s aftermath, Horry County is learning to adapt. From the switch to eLearning and safety precautions on the roads to exciting developments in school construction, there’s plenty happening in this coastal paradise. With each challenge, the residents of Horry County are showing resilience and determination. Here’s hoping for sunny days and safe travels as everyone heads back to school!

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Additional Resources

• Post and Courier: Horry County Schools Closed
• Wikipedia: Horry County
• WMBF News: Closings and Delays
• Google Search: Horry County Schools weather
• WPDE: School Closures and Delays
• Google Scholar: Horry County Schools weather
• Myrtle Beach Online: Winter Weather Impacts
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Schools Weather Closures
• WBTW: School Districts Adjust Schedules
• Google News: Horry County schools snowstorm