In response to the impending threat of Hurricane Milton, Duval County Public Schools have announced a three-day closure from Wednesday, October 9th through Friday, October 11th. This decision comes as the hurricane, now a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 175 mph, rapidly intensifies over the southern Gulf of Mexico. This gives students a 6-day weekend since Monday the 14th is also teacher planning day.
The closure affects all schools within the district, including elementary, middle, and high schools. Additionally, all school-related activities, such as athletics and after-school programs, have been canceled for the duration of the closure1. This measure aims to ensure the safety of students, staff, and their families, as well as to accommodate the potential need for school buildings to serve as emergency shelters.
The district has also set up a hotline for parents and guardians to call with any questions or concerns regarding the school closures and the hurricane. This hotline will be operational 24/7 throughout the duration of the storm and its immediate aftermath. Additionally, updates will be posted regularly on the district’s website and social media channels to keep the community informed.
Local authorities are closely monitoring Hurricane Milton’s trajectory, which is expected to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast midweek. The storm is predicted to bring heavy rain, flooding, and high winds to Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville and surrounding areas. Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 54 counties, including Duval, to facilitate emergency response efforts.
Students and parents worry if this will affect the students learning or end-of-quarter grades since Friday is the last day of the quarter. Some even say that these days are a waste since sometimes, nothing happens. The last day that was cancelled for hurricane Helene, was sunny!
Residents are advised to stay updated through official channels and to follow any evacuation orders or safety recommendations issued by local officials. Various schools are being used as shelters. The district will provide updates on school operations for the following week once the storm has passed and recovery efforts are underway.
