Metro Atlanta school districts to close for potential snowfall

Many metro Atlanta schools districts have canceled classes Tuesday because of a winter storm forecast that could bring snow or wintry mix to metro Atlanta.

Atlanta Public Schools, Cherokee County School District, City Schools of Decatur, Clayton County Public Schools, Cobb County Schools, DeKalb County School District, Fulton County Schools, Gwinnett County Public Schools, Paulding County School District and Marietta City Schools won’t hold classes Tuesday.

Gwinnett announced Tuesday’s closure around 5:30 p.m. Monday. The district said it would use the day as an at-home “digital learning day.”

Fulton County Schools leaders said the district would be closed Tuesday because of the winter storm watch.

“Given the risk associated with ice, the timing of a potential event, and the impact it may have on traffic, the weather team erred on the side of safety...,” the district announced.

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria Carstarphen announced the closure on Twitter around 10:30 a.m. Monday. Clayton County Public Schools announced a few minutes later.

DeKalb County School District officials announced classes will be canceled Tuesday “out of an abundance of caution” for the snow forecast.

Just after noon on Monday, Cobb County Schools announced Tuesday classes were off. The district said it will closely watch weather conditions and will provide an update regarding Wednesday's schedule on Tuesday.

Both Carstarphen and Clayton Superintendent Morcease J. Beasley cited Gov. Brian Kemp's decision to close state offices in numerous north Georgia counties, including Fulton, where one to two inches of snow is possible.

Carstarphen said the school district of roughly 52,000 students “will be in alignment” with the state and will close Tuesday.

She urged students to take home their books today so they can do homework and reading while home on Tuesday and asked families to “prepare and plan accordingly.”