SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — San Diego Unified School District has canceled in-person classes and activities for Monday, Aug. 21 to mitigate potential impacts from Hilary.
"Postponing the first day will allow the district to assess any impact to sites and offices and ensure they are prepared to welcome students and families to the new school year," according to a news release from the SDUSD.
Forecasters expect the region to experience the heaviest rainfall and winds Saturday afternoon into Monday. Hilary could produce 2 to 3 inches of rain in the coastal areas and 2 to 4 inches across the inland valleys.
The announcement was posted Sunday afternoon on The San Diego County Office of Education website.
The San Diego Unified School District announced today that it will postpone the start of its school year by one day, with schools being closed to students on Monday, Aug. 21.
In conjunction with public safety partners, school districts, charter schools, and private schools are continuing to monitor weather and road conditions. Most school districts in the county have already begun the 2023-24 school year and, conditions permitting, will operate as usual on Aug. 21 to ensure students have a safe place to go and learn.
The San Diego County Office of Education will update this webpage with any additional closures, schedule changes, and additional updates as they are available. Follow @SanDiegoCOE for real-time updates.
Borrego Springs Unified School District has also postponed classes on Monday.
The following charter district schools will be closed:
- Albert Einstein Academies
- America's Finest Charter School
- Darnall Charter School
- Empower Language Academy
- Leonardo da Vinci Health Sciences Charter School
- Harriet Tubman Village Charter School
- Magnolia Science Academy
- School for Entrepreneurship and Technology
- The O’Farrell Charter Schools
The following private schools are closed Monday:
- The Winston School of San Diego
All campuses and facilities of the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) will be closed on Monday.
All classes at San Diego City, Mesa, Miramar, and Continuing Education colleges are canceled. The district anticipates a full reopening Tuesday, August 22.
“The health and safety of our students and employees is our highest priority,” said Smith. “While we have received no reports of damage to any district facilities, we believe it best for the community to keep as many people as possible off local roads and highways," says SDCCD Acting Chancellor Gregory Smith.
Palomar Community College District said it will also cancel in-person and virtual classes for Monday.
“Our district serves 2,500 square miles of northern San Diego County, including some of the most rural areas of our region. Closing our main campus and educa�on centers was not an easy decision, as our students and employees were looking forward to the first day of the fall semester,” said Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey, Superintendent/President of Palomar College.
The uncertainly of the impact of the storm and the fact that many students use public transportation was a consideration for the college's decision.
According to San Diego State University, Monday's classes on the main and Imperial Valley campuses will be done virtually, and employees are being asked to work remotely, if possible. The main library will be closed, save for the 24/7 study area, which is only open for SDSU affiliates.
"Service areas and hours may be further affected if staffing is unavailable," the library website said.
See the university's announcement here.
As of 8 p.m. Sunday, schools in the South Bay area will remain open on Monday.
"Our families rely heavily on our schools to provide a safe place for students during the work day, therefore we are committed to staying open as long as conditions allow," Dr. Eduardo Reyes, Chula Vista Elementary School District Superintendent, wrote in an email to parents.
Reyes also said in his email that the South Bay school districts are working together to make decisions. The districts will continue to monitor weather conditions Sunday evening.
