MADISON COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – Officials with the Madison County School District said students in the Velma Jackson Zone will move to distance learning on Thursday, January 18.

According to officials, there is a continued presence of ice on the roads in northeastern Madison County.

Principals of schools in the zone, including at Camden Elementary, Luther Branson Elementary, Shirley Simmons Middle School, and Velma Jackson High School, will communicate directly with their school families the specifics of the distance learning schedule.

Students in the Germantown, Madison, and Ridgeland Zones of Madison County Schools will be back in class for a regular day of school on Thursday.

Officials with the Rankin County School District said there will be a delayed start on Thursday, January 18.

Elementary schools will begin at 10:00 a.m., and middle and high schools will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Bus routes will begin at 9:00 a.m. Elementary car riders will begin drop off at 9:30 a.m., and middle/high schools at 10:00 a.m.

The Jackson Public School District (JPS) will resume virtual learning on Thursday, January 18 due to reports of low water pressure and heating challenges in 21 schools.

Virtual instruction will commence at the following times for each division:

• Elementary I & II – 7:30 a.m.
• Middle – 8:00 a.m.
• High – 8:50 a.m.

JPS schools will share virtual links with their respective students and families. Additionally, Nutrition on the Go meals will be available for pickup at every active school site from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Families are encouraged to visit their nearest school for meal pickup. 

In the Hinds County School District, Gary Road Elementary and Gary Road Intermediate will be virtual Thursday, January 18, due to water pressure issues. All other schools in the district will have a delayed start due to road conditions.

Reimagine Prep, Smilow Prep, Smilow Collegiate, and Revive Collegiate (RePublic Schools) will remain closed on Thursday, January 18.