Lakeland School System (LSS) officials announced that Lakeland Elementary School (LES) and Lakeland Preparatory School (LPS) will be closed on Thursday, February 5, due to lingering hazardous conditions following recent winter weather.
While conditions have improved across the area, district leaders cited concerns over unsafe travel routes, building access issues, and the high likelihood of overnight refreezing as reasons for the continued closure.
Because the winter weather has already forced the district to use all of its stockpiled inclement weather days for the 2025–2026 school year, LSS will transition to a remote learning day on Thursday. District officials noted that this approach may also be used for any future weather-related closures this school year.
According to LSS, students have missed eight instructional days since the start of the school year due to severe weather. Wednesday, February 4, marked the final inclement weather day available without impacting the academic calendar. By implementing remote learning, the district aims to avoid using scheduled teacher professional development days or other alternative calendar adjustments to make up lost instructional time.
While the Tennessee Department of Education may grant a waiver for instructional day requirements, LSS officials said the decision to move forward with remote learning helps maintain continuity of learning for students. If a waiver is approved, remote learning days would still count toward instructional requirements in the event of additional winter weather later this year.
For Thursday’s remote learning day, teachers will provide assignments by 9 a.m. Students at LPS will receive assignments through Schoology or their regular learning platform, while LES students will receive assignments via email. Teachers will not conduct live instruction, but all students are expected to complete the assigned work.
Assignments will be ungraded and formative in nature, and students will have up to five days to submit their work. District officials emphasized that students who experience technical difficulties or other challenges will not be penalized and will be given support to catch up once in-person classes resume.
Parents with questions are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher directly.
Lakeland School System officials thanked families for their continued flexibility and understanding as the district navigates ongoing weather-related challenges.
