Campus Closure Notice from Dr. Steve Horton

Read Dr. Steve Horton's message to students concerning the weather-related closure of campus, Jan. 23-31.
 
Dear Eagles and Eagle Parents,
 
Out of an abundance of caution, and in response to the winter weather forecast for our region beginning Friday night and continuing through Saturday, Sunday, and into Monday, LSMSA will close campus this Friday at 12:00 p.m. (noon).
 
This decision has been made in collaboration with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, Northwestern State University, and the Natchitoches Parish School District. All agencies share serious concerns about the risks associated with the approaching storm, and we are unified in prioritizing the safety of students, families, faculty, and staff.
 
Several significant risks prevent us from safely keeping students on campus through the weekend:
  • Potential loss of power, which would disable our boilers and compromise our ability to heat the campus, most importantly, the LLC.
  • Possible disruptions to the municipal water supply, including the risk of low pressure or loss of service. If a pipe were to burst in the city or on the NSU/LSMSA campus, we could lose water pressure for an undetermined amount of time, affecting our ability to maintain plumbing, sanitation, and our HVAC system.
  • Possible impacts to food service, as disruptions to water or electrical utilities would directly affect our ability to prepare meals safely and consistently.
  • Forecasted closures of parish roads and bridges across North and Central Louisiana, which may create dangerous travel conditions.
Given these risks, keeping students on campus would be unsafe. This decision has been made with careful consideration for our students, faculty, and staff, and the entire LSMSA community. We would far rather yield to caution than risk putting anyone in harm’s way.
We are facing conditions similar to those experienced during the January 2021 winter storm that significantly impacted the city, NSU, and LSMSA. In light of that history, proactive closure is the most responsible course of action.
 
Additionally, the campus will remain closed throughout the following week (January 26-31), which includes the already scheduled Extended Weekend (January 29–31). The Living Learning Community (LLC) will reopen on Sunday, February 1, at 3:00 p.m.
 
If parents wish to pick up their students on Thursday, that is completely acceptable. Please coordinate pickup with your child and their SLA.  We will utilize the departure time in REACH to excuse students from any classes they miss on Thursday after they depart from campus. Classes on Friday will be cancelled.
 
Student Transportation Information
Eagle Bus Service will provide transportation this Friday at 11 a.m., replacing the originally planned departure for the Extended Weekend next Thursday. The return trip on Sunday, February 1, will remain as scheduled. Please note that seating for the Friday departure is limited. Students who previously made reservations for Thursday’s bus ride will automatically be moved to the Friday at 11 a.m. departure. If any parents need to adjust their child's reservations for either the Friday “going” trip or the February 1 “return” trip, please get in touch with Mrs. Karen Townsend at ktownsend@lsmsa.edu as soon as possible.
 
All classes and campus activities scheduled for Friday and throughout next week are canceled. Residential Life staff will work with students to ensure an orderly checkout process before noon on Friday.
 
For your planning, you may follow the updated National Weather Service weekend forecast for our area at the link below:
🔗 NWS Forecast: 7-Day Forecast 31.76N 93.08W
 
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to keep everyone safe.
 
Stay warm and safe,
 
Dr. Steve Horton
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Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) is the preeminent state-supported residential high school with competitive admissions for Louisiana's high-achieving, highly-motivated sophomores, juniors, and seniors. As a public school, there is no tuition to attend, and assistance from the LSMSA Foundation ensures the program is available to all qualifying students regardless of family financial need.
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