DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ANNOUNCES SCHOOL DISTRICT CLOSURES

Baton Rouge, LA, August 29, 2008— The Louisiana Department of Education released the list of school districts that have announced school closures due to the approach of Hurricane Gustav.

As of 5:00 p.m. Friday, the following school districts indicated closures for the week of September 1st. Most schools had already planned to observe the Labor Day holiday on Monday.
Acadia – Tuesday
Allen – Tuesday
Assumption – Tuesday
Bogalusa City – Tuesday
Cameron – Tuesday & Wednesday
Iberia – Tuesday
Jefferson Davis – Tuesday & Wednesday
Lafayette – Tuesday
Lafourche – Tuesday
Orleans – Tuesday & Wednesday
Plaquemines – Tuesday
Pointe Coupee - Tuesday
Recovery School District – Tuesday & Wednesday
St. Charles – Tuesday & Wednesday
St. Helena – Tuesday
St. John – Tuesday & Wednesday
St. Martin – Tuesday
St. Mary – Tuesday
St. James – Monday & Tuesday
St. Tammany – Tuesday
Terrebonne – Tuesday
Vermilion – Tuesday
Washington – Tuesday
Louisiana School for the Deaf – Monday & Tuesday
Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired – Monday & Tuesday

To provide timely and accurate information to the public, the Department has also created a link to emergency information on its website at www.louisianaschools.net. The link will provide the latest information, as well as a blog for sending and receiving the latest updates. A similar emergency link has been established for the Recovery School District, which can also be accessed through the www.louisianaschools.net website.

“Our decisions are first and foremost guided by safety concerns for our students and employees, their families and school communities across the state,” said State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek. “We have worked and will continue to make adjustments to our communications program to ensure we provide accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date information to the public to a variety of access points.”

The Department’s toll free number, 877-453-2721, which is staffed during regular office hours, can also serve as an information tool during emergency situations if conditions are feasible for staffing. Otherwise, callers will hear a recorded message outlining basic information. Visit www.getagameplan.org for preparedness information and information related to Hurricane Gustav.