All Polk County Public Schools Will Be Closed Until Tuesday, October 4

UPDATE: Polk County Public Schools will reopen on Tuesday, October 4. Students should be prepared to resume their normal class schedules at that time, according to school officials.

At the urging of County emergency officials and the National Weather Service, Polk County Public Schools are to activate some schools that will be serving as storm shelters for those evacuating their homes, creating the need to close the schools for classes effective and the end of today.

According to a notice issues at 1:00 Monday, "The district must close schools, so district staff have time to work with emergency personnel to prepare schools serving as shelters The district is closing schools and suspending all after-school programs and sport activities (including games and practices) on Tuesday (Sept. 27) and Wednesday (Sept. 28)."

Charter and private schools, including the Lake Wales Charter School System, will make their own determination as to closing.

"At this time, no decision has been made regarding whether additional closures will be needed beyond Tuesday (Sept. 27) and Wednesday (Sept. 28)," the statement said. "Polk County Public Schools Will be Closed Due to Hurricane Ian on Tuesday (Sept. 27) and Wednesday (Sept. 28).

County emergency officials will be sharing shelter information with the public as it becomes available. Any official announcements regarding additional school closures will be communicated via PCPS SchoolMessenger calls and emails, as well as PCPS website and social media accounts. Local media will also be notified, and LakeWalesNews.net will share announcements as they are issued..

Specific school information may be found on the sites listed below.

• PCPS website: polkschoolsfl.com

• Facebook: facebook.com/polkcountypublicschools

• Twitter: twitter.com/polkschoolsnews

• Instagram: Instagram.com/polkcountypublicschools

*Important links*

• PCPS website: polkschoolsfl.com

• Facebook: facebook.com/polkcountypublicschools

• Twitter: twitter.com/polkschoolsnews

• Instagram: Instagram.com/polkcountypublicschools