KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Several organizations, including cities and school districts across the Kansas City area, have announced closures and postponements ahead of inclement winter weather that is expected to arrive early Thursday morning.
Olathe Public Schools and the Shawnee Mission School District both made the call Wednesday afternoon to cancel class for Thursday.
"Due to inclement weather forecasted for tomorrow, Olathe Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 17. Stay safe and warm!" a district spokesperson for Olathe said.
SMSD declared Thursday a "Plan A" day via social media. That means no students or staff will be asked to come to school and all district offices and buildings will be closed.
The Independence School District also announced it would close due to weather.
"School is canceled in the ISD for Thursday, February 17th, 2022. Early Education will also be closed," the district said on social media. "Kids' Safari will be open at combined sites."
Belton School District also announced that classes would be canceled.
The Raymore-Peculiar School District will hold class, but virtually, as will the Park Hill Schools.
More information about Park Hill's closing can be found here.
The University of Missouri-Kansas City announced it would move to remote operations Thursday. All UMKC classes will "follow their prearranged remote alternative."
The city of Blue Springs, Missouri, has delayed its State of the City address, which was originally scheduled to be delivered by Blue Springs Mayor Carson Ross on Thursday. The address is now slated to be delivered on March 17.
At Kansas City, Kansas, Community College, all classes and events are canceled, the college announced.
The University of Kansas announced that its Lawrence, Edwards and Leavenworth campuses will be closed Thursday and all classes are canceled.
The University of Kansas Medical Center School announced that its Kansas City campus will be closed Thursday due to anticipated weather. Students and employees are asked to consult their emails for more information from the university regarding remote work and learning.
University of Central Missouri Warrensburg and UCM-Lee's Summit announced classes will not be held in person and offices will be closed Thursday. Additionally, the UCM shuttle service will not be in operation.
In Kansas City, Kansas, trash and recycling will not be collected Thursday. Instead, if a residential area's trash pick up day is normally Thursday, it will be picked up Friday. Those with their usual trash pick up day on Friday can expect their trash to be collected on Saturday.
The Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center in Kansas City, Missouri, will be closed Thursday, and will not be offering COVID-19 clinic testing according to the KCMO Health Department. The department says anyone looking for a COVID test can schedule one for Friday here.
County offices and facilities in Jackson County will have a delayed opening Thursday due to weather, and will open their doors at 10 a.m.
In Independence, the Palmer Senior Center, Truman Memorial Building, National Frontier Trails Museum and George Owens Nature Park will all be closed Thursday.
Classes and programs at the Sermon Center have been canceled, and the building will be used as a warming center from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday.
This story will be updated as more closures and postponements are announced.
