Delaware school closings

Summer vacations for Delaware students have been extended, thanks to Hurricane Irene.  Two of Delaware’s major Univerisities will open later than planned.

NEW SUNDAY UPDATE: The University of Delaware will begin classes on Thursday, September 1.  New students can move into dormitories beginning Tuesday.  University inpsection teams  found leaks in some campus buildings after the storm, but have given the ok to get the campus up and running. 

From Friday: The Colonial School District announced it’s cancelling all classes Monday, August 29, 2011, what was supposed to be the first day of school. Additionally, Colonial has postponed all weekend sports and school activities.

“The safety of our students, their families, and our employees is our top priority. Predicted mass power outages, storm damage clean ups and the possibility of communication problems, even with cell phones, has prompted us to take precautions now,” said Superintendent Dr. Dorothy Linn.

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William Penn High School, located at 713 East Basin Road, will be used as a Red Cross evacuation center.

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Red Clay School District is also postponing the start of school.  Parents are being told the start of school will be Tuesday August 30th instead of Monday.  “Based on the Governor’s announcement that there may be evacuations in parts of New Castle County, including low-lying areas within Red Clay boundaries; we believe the safety of students, parents and staff is the #1 priority,” a statement on their website read.

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Delaware college students are also being told to stay home. Delaware State University has postponed all welcome activities for freshmen, originally scheduled for the weekend, and announced precautions in light of Hurricane Irene.

DSU encouraged students who have not left yet, to postpone moving into residential halls until Monday. Students will not be permitted to move into dorms on Saturday or Sunday. DSU also moved the official start of classes from Monday to Tuesday, Aug. 30th.

A DSU Hurricane Hotline has been established at 302-857-6311.

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The University of Delaware released this statement Friday:

“As Hurricane Irene approaches the East Coast, University of Delaware officials are evaluating its possible impact on its campuses throughout the state.

The safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors is the University’s top priority, and it has delayed opening weekend activities to reduce the number of people on its campuses.

More than 2,000 students have dropped off belongings in residence halls and many of them have returned home. At this time, approximately 800 students are on campus. Services for those students, including dining options and health services, will be provided throughout the weekend.

Officials are monitoring the weather situation and will be making decisions about rescheduling the beginning of the semester once the effects of Hurricane Irene can be evaluated.

All members of the University community have been encouraged to update their emergency contact information so they can receive text messages, email and phone calls with any breaking news. They also have been advised to check the University’s home page at www.udel.edu for information updates as they become available.”

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