Lafayette, LA – As temperatures dip close to freezing, the Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) is taking extra precautions to ensure students stay warm and safe when they return to school on Tuesday, January 7.
With the new year starting in the midst of a cold snap, LPSS is prioritizing student comfort and safety, particularly for the approximately 20,000 students who rely on school buses to get to and from class. Tracy Wirtz, a spokesperson for the school system, shared that the district has made significant strides in preparing for the cold weather, particularly when it comes to transportation.
“We are proud to say that all of our buses are now officially equipped with climate control,” said Wirtz. “This means that, in addition to air conditioning—which we know is crucial in South Louisiana—we now have heating to ensure students are warm on their way to school.”
In light of the chilly conditions, the district has also made adjustments to recess plans, particularly for younger students. Elementary school students will likely remain indoors during recess, a decision made to protect them from the dangerous effects of wind chill.
“We certainly don’t want them to be victims of any kind of wind chill,” Wirtz explained. “We’ve encouraged faculty and staff to assess the situation and keep students inside if the temperatures are too low to be outdoors safely.”
LPSS is also making sure that the school dress code is flexible during the cold snap. While students are still expected to follow standard uniform guidelines, they are being encouraged to wear jackets, coats, gloves, and hats—regardless of color or pattern—to ensure they stay warm.
“We just want them to be warm,” Wirtz said, emphasizing that the district is prioritizing comfort and safety during the cold weather.
With the winter chill expected to last for the next several days, LPSS is working to keep its students safe and comfortable, making sure that they can focus on their studies, not the cold.