Schools across the state will extend their spring break by at least one week.
Gov. Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency for Mississippi and requested that districts cancel school next week.
Pillow Academy and Carroll Academy both made the announcement that school would be canceled next week on Saturday after the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools made the recommendation.
The Greenwood Leflore Consolidated School District announced Friday it had canceled school for the upcoming week.
The Mississippi Department of Education said in a tweet, “State law gives the Mississippi State Board of Education the flexibility to waive the requirement that schools operate for 180 days,” when the governor or U.S. president declares a state of emergency.
"The most recent information and advice from health officials and the medical community indicates that the best course of action to slow the spread of the coronavirus is that we close school from March 16 through March 20," Pillow Academy said in a statement on its website.
Carroll Academy made an announcement on its Facebook page. "CA will be closed next week due to the recommendation from the MAIS. This will be monitored on a week-to-week basis."
Beginning Monday, all MAIS activities and athletic events will be canceled and reconsidered on a week-to-week basis.
Pillow Academy said all school-related practices, games, senior play practice and any gathering for students on campus are also canceled until further notice.
"We are planning for school to resume on Monday, March 23, but please know that this plan could change based on new information and recommendations," Pillow said.
MAIS said beginning March 23 it will utilize a week-to-week approach when considering additional school closures.
The Greenwood Leflore Consolidated School District said, to ensure that students receive meals while schools are closed, it will offer free grab-and-go lunches at 10 school sites.
Meals will be provided between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday to children age 18 and under. Each child must be present to receive the meal. The sites include the cafeterias of Claudine Brown Elementary School, Threadgill Primary School, Bankston Elementary School, Davis Elementary School, East Elementary School, Threadgill Elementary School, Greenwood Middle School, Amanda Elzy Junior High School, Amanda Elzy High School, and Leflore County High School.
For extreme transportation needs, call Talece Hudson at 299-5521.
