Students will be staying home from school on Thursday due to the threat of tropical weather passing through Northwest Georgia overnight and into the morning hours.

The Polk School District posted on Facebook and sent out a One Call notice to parents that the school day will be Distance Learning for students on Thursday, with second grade through 12th expected to get online for their assignments. Students in Kindergarten and First Grade are being sent home with information.

“We apologize for the inconvenience but the safety of our students and staff remains our number one priority,” the post said. “Thank you for your continued partnership.”

Classes are expected to return to a normal schedule on Friday unless otherwise noted, Superintendent Laurie Atkins reported.

The main concern is that the storm will be passing overhead in the morning hours while buses would be taking students to campuses across Polk County, and encounter difficulties due to the weather.

Edit: The PSD added the following in their posting: Should students not have power or internet, they will be able to get their assignments when they return to school on Friday.