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Anatomy of a winter closing: What goes into canceling classes

By  and , Daily Memphian; , Special to The Daily Memphian Updated: January 10, 2025 10:09 AM CT | Published: January 10, 2025 4:00 AM CT

As students, teachers and parents peered through the clouds looking for enough snowflakes to cancel classes Friday, Jan. 10, teams of school leaders across Shelby County — both public and private — had been discussing the question for days.

Any decision to close schools for inclement weather involves more than just a look out the window. Whether there are powdered-covered streets, icy sidewalks or just a dusting of snow barely covering the brown winter blades of grass, the verdict involves dozens of factors.

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Subscriber Only winter weather School Closings

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Abigail Warren

Abigail Warren

Abigail Warren is an award-winning reporter and covers Collierville and Germantown for The Daily Memphian. She was raised in the Memphis suburbs, attended Westminster Academy and studied journalism at the University of Memphis. She has been with The Daily Memphian since 2018.

Jody Callahan

Jody Callahan graduated with degrees in journalism and economics from what is now known as the University of Memphis. He has covered news in Memphis for more than 25 years.

Michael Waddell

Michael Waddell is a native Memphian with more than 20 years of professional writing and editorial experience, working most recently with The Daily News and High Ground News.


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