MSCS cancels after-school care and events, dismisses early Friday for severe storms

The logo of the Memphis Shelby County Schools district
Memphis-Shelby County Schools students will head home early Friday because of the weather. (Ariel Cobbert for Chalkbeat)

Due to forecasted storms, Memphis-Shelby County Schools students will head home early Friday. All after-school care and events are canceled, the district announced

The announcement came as the National Weather Service upgraded weather risks to the Memphis area to the highest severity: Forecasted storms are expected to include high-speed winds and possible tornadoes. 

Storms could start at 2 p.m. Friday and continue through the afternoon, evening and overnight until 2 a.m., according to the weather service. 

The dismissal schedule, based on school bell times, is below: 

  • Schools starting at 7:15 a.m. will dismiss at 12:15 p.m.
  • Schools starting at 8:15 a.m. will dismiss at 1 p.m. 
  • Schools starting at 9:15 a.m. will dismiss at 1:45 p.m. 

MSCS’ district offices will also close early at 1:45 p.m. 

Laura Testino covers Memphis-Shelby County Schools for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Reach Laura at LTestino@chalkbeat.org.

The Latest

The Denver school board approved a two-year, $3.5 million contract with TeachStart to provide year-long substitute teachers for certain schools.

A Chalkbeat analysis suggests that the district’s joint initiative with its teachers union hasn’t yet given its 20 pilot schools an edge over other high-poverty campuses when it comes to academics and school climate.

A Chalkbeat analysis found that staff turnover, unspent dollars, and community partner tensions have been key challenges for the 7-year-old program.

Superintendent Nikolai Vitti says the law punishes districts for system inequities that contribute to chronic absenteeism.

State lawmakers will consider creating a new agency to oversee IPS schools and charters. Here’s a look at the history and powerful advocates behind that push for unified control over city schools.

The majority of low-income Tennessee students did not receive help paying for summer meals in 2025 for the first time in years. Now, local officials want the state to bring back federal aid for 2026.