Upcoming Planned Day Off Now a Regular School Day for Lafayette Parish Schools

Lafayette Parish students will now attend classes on Wednesday, September 18, following an announcement from the Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) regarding a schedule adjustment. Originally planned as a professional development day for teachers with no student classes, the day has been changed to a regular instructional day. This decision comes in response to instructional time lost due to precautionary closures related to Hurricane Francine and adjustments following Labor Day.

LPSS stated that the change serves two main purposes: preserving one of the district’s allocated emergency days and ensuring uninterrupted instruction. The school calendar includes seven emergency days set aside for unexpected events like severe weather. By converting September 18 into a regular school day, LPSS aims to retain this buffer for any future disruptions, particularly during the unpredictable weather of hurricane season and the winter and spring months.

Superintendent Francis Touchet, Jr. and his team at LPSS took plenty of caution ahead of Francine to give parents ample time to prepare. While the closures were necessary for preparations, LPSS also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a stable academic schedule. After two shortened weeks, it's crucial to provide students with a full week of instruction to support their learning continuity. Preserving emergency days is essential for LPSS so they can be prepared for any challenges that may arise in the future.

Parents are asked to adjust their plans accordingly and ensure students attend school on September 18. The district appreciates the community’s flexibility and cooperation as it does its best to balance academic needs with weather-related precautions.