Power outages derail back to school plans

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. – Elkhart High School is just one of many schools that have been affected by the severe storms that rolled on Wednesday. Even other buildings from Elkhart Community Schools have been impacted by the power outage, leaving officials to push back the school start date, which was supposed to be tomorrow to Friday. And the parents we spoke with say they understand.  

 “It shouldn’t delay their learning at all. It's one day out of the year,” Elkhart City resident Christopher Horoky said. 

Elkhart Community Schools was set to start in-person learning Thursday, but the storms left multiple school buildings without power, the school posted to their Facebook page. It said all Elkhart Community Schools will be closed on what was supposed to be the first day as officials evaluate the conditions and post updates.

But, schools in Elkhart weren’t the only ones with power issues, several schools in Mishawaka lost power during the first day back. This left students from Mishawaka High School to leave school early.

“I was kind of excited, I was like alright, no school. We were just chilling in class, we basically got a free day. It was really hot though,” two students from Mishawaka High School said. 

 Students at Plymouth Community Schools also had an interesting first day school when the power went out while students were in class too. But, unlike Mishawaka High School, students at Plymouth were able to finish up the day. 

"We communicated that dismissal was on track with the severe weather today we were fortunate that it was condensed and it was in the middle of the day and it cleared up beautifully and it enabled us to be able to take care of what we needed to do,” Plymouth Community Schools Assistant Superintendent Jill Vandriesscag said. 

 Plymouth Community Schools will resume classes Thursday as usual. But, all Elkhart Community Schools will be closed Thursday, Aug. 12. The first day back for students is Friday, Aug. 13.