UPDATE 1/21 4pm - School Closures and Warming Centers in the Rio Grande Valley Due to Cold Weather
As the Rio Grande Valley braces for an incoming Arctic blast, schools and local communities are adjusting schedules and opening warming shelters to help residents stay safe. Below is a comprehensive list of school closures, schedule changes, and warming shelters available across the region. This list will be updated as new information becomes available, so be sure to check back for the latest updates. If you have any additional information to share, please contact me directly.
School Closures and Delays
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
UTRGV announced all classes for Tuesday, Jan. 21 have been canceled.
The university added they plan to reopen on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
All STC campuses will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
STC will also have a delayed opening at 10 a.m. for all students, faculty and staff for Wednesday, Jan. 22.
TSTC will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
The campus will reopen at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Online classes will continue as scheduled. Employees will work remote before the campus reopens.
Be sure to monitor TSTC's website, social media and email for updates
Texas Southmost College will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
The college will have a delayed start on Wednesday, Jan. 22 with campus resuming normal operations at 10 a.m.
CAMERON COUNTY
Brownsville ISD announced all classes and district operations for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 are canceled.
A two-hour delay will be implemented to the start of the school day for Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. Morning bus routes will pick up students two hours later than their regularly scheduled times.
Elementary classes will start at 10 a.m., middle school classes will start at 9:40 a.m., and high school classes will start at 10:45 a.m.
All staff should report to their designated campus or department on Wednesday with a one-hour delay from their regular start time.
Harmony Public Schools announced their Brownsville campuses will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
Regular schedule should resume on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Premier High School Brownsville
Premier High School announced their Brownsville campus will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
The school will have a delayed scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 22.
The students scheduled to go in at 8 a.m., will be starting at 10 a.m. The rest of the schedules will stay the same.
La Feria ISD announced school has been canceled for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
All extracurricular activities for the day have been canceled as well.
The start of the school day has been delayed until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. Bus routes and parent drop-offs will begin at 8 a.m.
Los Fresnos CISD suspended all district operations that were scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
The district says they will have a two-hour delayed start on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Elementary schools will being classes at 9:50 a.m., middle schools at 10:20 a.m. and high schools at 10:30 a.m.
Point Isabel ISD announced school and district operations are cancelled for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
The district will have a three-hour delay on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. Classes will begin at 10:30 a.m. and schools and facilities will open at 10 a.m.
Bus routes will have a three-hour delay from their normal pickup times.
San Benito CISD announced all district campuses will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
All extracurricular activities for the day have been canceled as well.
School will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 on a delayed start time. All elementary classes will begin at 9 a.m., and middle and high school classes will have a start time of 9:45 a.m.
All buses will run 90 minutes later than regular time. The school day release time remains the same, and lunch and breakfast will be provided.
HIDALGO COUNTY
Donna ISD announced all their schools will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, Donna ISD will delay the start of classes for all students to 10 a.m.
Bus pickup time for middle and high school students will start at 8:15 a.m., and pickup time for all elementary students begins at 9 a.m.
All extracurricular activities for Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22 are canceled.
Edcouch-Elsa ISD announced school have been canceled for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
The district will have a delayed start to the school day on Wednesday, Jan. 22. All classes will start at 9 a.m., and all district teachers and staff are expected to report to work 30 minutes later than the normal time in order to help receive students.
Buses will be running at 7:30 a.m. for elementary schools and 8:30 a.m, for secondary schools.
Dismissal times for both students and staff will follow the regular schedule.
Edinburg CISD announced school have been cancelled for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
The district will have a delayed start on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Elementary schools will begin at 10 a.m., middle schools will begin at 10:30 a.m. and high schools will begin at 11 a.m. All staff will report to work at 9 a.m.
Elementary schools will open their doors at 7:30 a.m. and secondary schools will open their doors at 8:30 a.m. Students are encouraged to dress in layers and can wear warm-ups, beanies and scarves.
The district said there will be updates shared through their website and social media.
Hidalgo ISD will be canceling classes and closing all administrative offices and campuses on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
The district said they will provide updates regarding a delayed start time for Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.
There will be no school for La Joya ISD on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, there will be a two-hour delay for all students.
McAllen ISD announced classes for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 are cancelled.
Classes will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 on a delayed start time.
Elementary classes will begin at 10 a.m. Middle school classes will start at 10:15 a.m., and high school classes are being delayed until 10:30 a.m.
Campus administrators will report at their regular times and campus staff will report at 9 a.m.
The schools will be open at regular times in case parents want to drop their children off earlier. Buses will pick up students two hours later than normal.
All Mercedes ISD schools and offices will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. A delayed start is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.
On Wednesday, elementary schools will begin at 9:30 a.m. Middle schools will start at 9:45 a.m. and high schools will start at 10 a.m.
The morning bus route will begin at 8 a.m., and school dropoff for Wednesday will begin at 9 a.m.
Dismissal times remain normal.
All after school programs from Monday, Jan. 20, through Wednesday, Jan. 22 are canceled.
Classes will be cancelled Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. A delayed start of two hours is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.
On Wednesday, elementary schools will begin at 9:30 a.m. Middle schools will start at 10 a.m. and high schools will start at 10:15 a.m.
Buses will run on a two-hour delay.
All district staff members are to report at 9 a.m., campus administrators will report at their regular start time.
PSJA ISD announced school will be cancelled on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Classes will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 22 with a delay. Elementary classes will start at 9:15 a.m. Classes for all middle school campuses will start at 8:45 a.m., and high school classes swill start at 9:40 a.m.
The district says there will be updates shared through their website, social media outlets and their mass notification system.
South Texas ISD announced all district campuses and offices will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
A delayed start to all their campuses will be in effect for Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.
Students will report to class at 10 a.m. and staff will need to report to their designated campuses and offices by 9 a.m.
Breakfast will be served in class at 10 a.m. and all after-school activities and athletic practices are cancelled through Wednesday.
Sharyland ISD announced school will be cancelled on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
All school and district activities, including after school care, will be canceled for that day.
Classes will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 22 with a two-hour delay. Instruction will begin at 10 a.m. The cafeteria will open at 9 a.m. and breakfast will be served from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. that day.
Bus routes will run on a two-hour delay. Elementary after school care will remain open with standard hours. Check with your child's coach or sponsor for the status of after school extracurriculars.
Valley View ISD will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Due to the cold weather, Valley View ISD will have a delayed start on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.
Vanguard Academy will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21. All school and district activities will be canceled for that day.
Classes will have a delayd start on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Schools will open at 9:30 a.m. Pre-kinder 3 will have a modified schedule of 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 12:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Bus routes will have a one-hour delay. Routes will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Weslaco ISD announced all classes for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 are cancelled.
A delayed start time will be in effect for the district on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Elementary school classes will begin at 9:45 a.m., middle school classes will begin at 10 a.m. and high school classes will start at 10:15 a.m.
The bus pick up start time for Wednesday will be at 8:15 a.m. for elementary schools, and 9 a.m. for high schools and middle schools.
STARR COUNTY
Rio Grande City Grulla ISD announced classes for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 are cancelled.
The district will have a two-hour delayed start on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Elementary schools will begin at 9:30 a.m., middle schools will begin at 9:45 a.m. and high schools will begin at 10:45 a.m.
All staff are expected to report to work at their regular scheduled time.
Campus will open at their regular times and staff will be available to accommodate early student drop-offs.
School buses will follow a two-hour delayed schedule. All routes and pickups will occur two hours later than usual.
The district is encouraging students to dress warmly and are permitted to wear non-uniform clothing as needed.
Roma ISD announced all classes and afterschool activities have been canceled for Tuesday, Jan. 21.
The district will have a three-hour delay on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
All Roma ISD staff will arrive at their designated campuses at 10 a.m.
Elementary schools will begin at 10:30 a.m., middle schools will begin at 10:55 a.m. and Roma High School, the I&G Center, the Gladiator LIFE Center and the RHS Road to Recovery Center will start at 11:30 a.m.
Morning buses will run with the three-hour delay and afternoon buses will run on normal time.
Parents who need to get to work early, a team of administrators will be at campuses at 7:30 a.m. to accept students who must be dropped off earlier.
WILLACY COUNTY
Lasara ISD announced a delayed start time for Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Classes will begin at 9:30 a.m. that day. Buses will run an hour and 30 minutes behind their regular schedule on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
The district will have a regular schedule Monday, Jan. 20 and Tuesday, Jan. 21.
All after school programs will be cancelled on Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Lyford CISD announced all schools will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
While schools remain closed, the Lyford Elementary Gymnasium will be open to students in grades PK3 through 12th as a warming center from 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
All district schools will have a delayed start on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Breakfast will be served at 9:30 a.m., and classes will begin at 10 a.m.
Extracurricular activities will resume regular schedule, and bus routes will be delayed by two hours.
Classes will begin at 9:30 a.m. that day. Buses will run an hour and 30 minutes behind their regular schedule on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
The district will have a regular schedule Monday, Jan. 20 and Tuesday, Jan. 21.
All after school programs will be cancelled on Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22.
All classes for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 are cancelled.
Bus routes and class times will be delayed by two hours on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. Classes will begin at 10 a.m.
San Perlita ISD announced all school operations will be cancelled on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
A delayed start is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 at 10 a.m. with buses operating at 9 a.m.
Warming Centers Open Across the Valley
CAMERON COUNTY
Harlingen
Loaves and fishes
514 South E Street
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 956-423-1014
The shelter will be opened for overnight accommodations beginning Monday, January 20. All individuals must be screened by the Community Health Nurse at the shelter's front office. Items to bring include medications, water, a pillow and blanket. Shelter accommodations are on a day-to-day basis.
HIDALGO COUNTY
City of Alamo
Jesus "Jesse" Vela Jr. Middle School
1819 US-83 BUS, Alamo, B Gym
Shelter will open on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 at 5 p.m. through Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.
Meals will be provided, pets on leashes are welcome. All individuals seeking shelter are encouraged to bring their own blankets, pillows, medications and toiletries.
City of Donna
Donna Recreation Center
307 Miller Avenue
Valley Metro contact: 1-800-574-8322
The Donna warming shelter will open on Monday, January 20 through Wednesday, January 22. Intake will be from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and shelter operations will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Valley Metro will be providing transportation to the shelter through Route 32 for residents who need it. Service date and time are listed below:
Monday: After 5 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
City of Edinburg
Michael Sekula Memorial Library
1906 S. Closner Blvd.
The warming center will open on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 at 6 p.m. and close on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 at 8 a.m. It will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 at 6 p.m. and close again on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 at 8 a.m. Patrons are encouraged to bring essential items, including a pillow, blanket, non-perishable food and snacks and any necessary medication. Pets will not be allowed.
Weslaco
First Baptist Church
600 South Kansas Avenue
Phone: 956-968-9585
The church will open as a warming shelter on Monday, January 20 through Friday, January 24. Shelter operations will be from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. and intake hours will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Mission
Mission Parks and Recreation
721 North Bryan Road
Phone: 956-580-8760
The shelter will open on Monday, January 20 at 6 p.m. and close on Wednesday, January 22 at 9 a.m.
Mercedes
Mercedes Recreation Center
1202 North Vermont
The center will open its doors on Monday, January 20 from 6 p.m. to midnight. The shelter will remain open throughout the night if residents take advantage of the space, otherwise will close if no one arrives. The shelter will remain open on Tuesday, January 21 at 8 a.m. and officially close on Wednesday, January 22, at noon.
Residents are encouraged to bring their own blanket, pillows, food, snack and other necessities. Pets are not allowed unless they are service animals.
City of Pharr
Jaime Escalante Middle School
6123 S. Cage Blvd.
Gym A
Shelter will open on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 at 5 p.m. through Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.
Meals will be provided, pets on leashes are welcome. All individuals seeking shelter are encouraged to bring their own blankets, pillows, medications and toiletries.
City of San Juan
Dr. Daniel P. King PSJA College & University Center, U Building.
704 W. Ridge Road, entrance via Veterans & Bears Trail
Shelter will open on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 at 5 p.m. through Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.
Meals will be provided, pets on leashes are welcome. All individuals seeking shelter are encouraged to bring their own blankets, pillows, medications and toiletries.
STARR COUNTY
Rio Grande City
RGC Public Safety Building
650 North FM 755
Phone: 956-487-8892
The warming center will be open overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Monday, January 20 through Thursday, January 23. Residents are asked to bring hygiene products, blankets, pillows, towels and any necessary medications. Pets are not allowed at the center.
Roma
Roma Fire Department
901 East Grant Street
Hours: The fire department will open their doors beginning Sunday night through Wednesday night.
Individuals are asked to bring blankets and pillows, along with their own hygiene products and medications.
WILLACY COUNTY
Willacy County Sheriff's Office
1371 Industrial Drive, Raymondville
Phone: 956-689-5576
The sheriff's office will open their doors on Sunday, January 19 at 5 p.m. and close on Wendesday, January 22 at 12 p.m.
Individuals who need transportation to the warming shelter should call their 24-hour dispatch and also bring any medications they are taking.
Raymondville
Raymondville Community Center (next to the Raymondville Police Department)
523 West Hidalgo Avenue
Hours: The center will be open 24 hours beginning Sunday, January 19 at 5 p.m. through Friday, January 24 at 12 p.m.
All individuals must register at the Raymondville Police Department before entering the center. Items to bring include medication, blankets, food and pillows.
If you know of any additional school closures or warming shelters, please contact me directly so I can keep this list updated and help our community stay informed and prepared.
For more updates on local events and real estate in the Rio Grande Valley, stay connected with me.