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Patch is compiling a list of school closures or event updates as they are reported in Georgia amid Hurricane Helene predictions.

GEORGIA — Some Georgia colleges and school districts are closing schools or canceling events amid forecasts Hurricane Helene could become a life-threatening storm for Georgia and the Southeast.

The National Hurricane Center, at its 10 a.m. update, reported Helene had become a hurricane that could generate life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and flooding in parts of the southeastern region.

Aside from school closures, high-school football games are also being impacted by storm predictions. Some school systems, such as the Cobb County School District, are on fall break this week.

Patch is compiling a list of closures as they are reported.

University of Georgia

The University of Georgia's main campus will be closed on Thursday and Friday, which includes the cancelation of all classes, campus events and activities.

"Faculty members are strongly encouraged to consider alternative ways to maintain continuity of instruction at their discretion," university officials said.

Residence halls and dining halls will remain open, UGA said. Campus transit will operate normally until weather conditions become unsafe to do so, UGA said.

Designated employees must report to work unless conditions are not suitable for safe travel, UGA said.

University officials said they will provide an update Friday afternoon regarding weekend campus services. Staff, faculty and students at UGA's extended campuses are being directed to follow local instructions for their locations.

Georgia State University

Georgia State is shifting to digital learning days on Thursday and Friday, university officials said.

With expectations Hurricane Helene will pass by Friday afternoon, university officials said all weekend events will continue as planned. This includes Family Weekend and the GSU football showdown against Georgia Southern College at Center Parc Stadium.

GSU officials asked faculty to be flexible with students. Critical staff members will either work remotely or in-person, university officials said. More details will come from supervisors.

Students should make sure the necessary resources are accessible to them for online instruction, university officials said.

"Please be safe and remain off the roadways to the greatest extent possible," GSU said in an advisory.

Gwinnett County Public Schools

Gwinnett County students will have a digital learning day Thursday, and after-school activities are canceled, school officials said. Staff members must report to their locations, school officials said.

On Friday, schools will be closed, and after-school activities will be canceled. Staff members who are 12-month employees will work from home.

Public school activities and events planned for Saturday are canceled, school officials said.

"School and activities will resume on Monday, September 30. Please stay safe as we prepare for the inclement weather," school officials said.

Fulton County Public Schools

Fulton County school officials canceled after-school activities Thursday and said schools and central offices will close Friday.

Parents with students in after-school programs should prepare to pick up their students by the regular dismissal time or make other arrangements on Thursday, school officials said.

On Friday, cancelations include all after-school activities.

"Students should not report to school. While there is no expectation of remote learning for students, this is a good time for homework completion and recovering missing work," school officials said in an advisory.

Staff members who work in schools and the central office do not have to physically report to work on Friday, excluding those designated for operations, security or recovery, school officials said. Employees in the latter group will be contacted by their supervisors.

As for if weekend activities will go on as scheduled, school officials said an update will be forthcoming by 4 p.m. Friday.

"Fulton County Schools is committed to the safety and well-being of our students, staff and families. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in our students’ education," school officials said in the advisory.

DeKalb County Public Schools

DeKalb County is closing schools Thursday and Friday, school officials said. Additionally, all extracurricular and athletic activities are canceled.

“Given the severity of the weather conditions expected from Hurricane Helene, closing schools and canceling all activities is the most responsible course of action to protect our community,” School Superintendent Dr. Devon Q. Horton said in a news release. “We thank everyone for their understanding and cooperation during this time of uncertainty.”

Employees who are 12-month staffers will work remotely, school officials said.

Forsyth County Public Schools

Forsyth County school officials said indoor and outdoor athletics, practices and activities are canceled Thursday and Friday.

Officials did not say if schools will close.

Paulding County Public Schools

Extracurricular activities in the Paulding County School District are canceled both Thursday and Friday, school officials said. All district offices, schools and facilities will close on both days.

It is unknown if the Hiram High School football game against Dalton High School will go on as scheduled.

Valdosta State University

Valdosta State will close its campus Thursday and Friday, university officials said. VSU noted students and staff members can receive updates through their campus email.

Georgia Highlands College

All Georgia Highlands campuses will close Thursday and Friday, college officials said.

Atlanta Public Schools

Atlanta public schools will close Thursday and Friday, school officials said. Staffers with the district office will work remotely.

School officials said they would provide an update Friday afternoon regarding activities planned for Saturday.

Clarke County Public Schools

Clarke County schools will regularly open on Thursday, but school officials said all after-school activities will be canceled.

In an update, school officials said schools will also be closed Friday, and after-school activities will be canceled.

"Please understand that these plans are fluid, and we will provide regular updates as necessary should we need to change course," school officials said in an earlier advisory.

Cherokee County Public Schools

Schools in Cherokee County, where there is a tropical storm watch Wednesday, will be closed Thursday and Friday. School officials said no digital learning days will be held on these days.

All after-school and evening activities are canceled for the remainder of the work week. School officials said extracurricular events planned for Saturday will be evaluated.

Hall County Public Schools

Students in Hall County will have school from Thursday and Friday, Hall County school officials said Wednesday.

Staff members who are 12-month employees are to go to work at their designated areas on Thursday unless their managers contact them. All extracurricular activities originally scheduled for the remainder of the work week are canceled or postponed, school officials said.

Clayton County Public Schools

All athletic events scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday are canceled or postponed, Clayton County school officials said.

"Please remain weather aware and stay safe," school officials said in a news release.

Updates on High-School Football Games

Gainesville at Johns Creek: rescheduled to 6 p.m. Wednesday. Homecoming court announcements will be made at a pep rally Friday.

Varsity Cross Keys, Towers and Stone Mountain: rescheduled to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Varsity Lakeside and Tucker: rescheduled to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Bainbridge vs. Cairo: rescheduled to 6 p.m. Wednesday.

This story may be updated. Refresh for updates.

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