Schools to close for storm

No classes on Thursday, Friday in three counties

Schools in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties will close Thursday and Friday to allow families to prepare for Hurricane Irma.

Florida Atlantic University has canceled classes beginning today; dorms and dining halls will remain open. Schools in Monroe County also will close today for the remainder of the week.

Broward schools will proceed as normal today, although afternoon activities could be curtailed, depending on the weather forecast, Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie said.

Schools in the Archdiocese of Miami, which includes Miami-Dade and Broward, also will close Thursday and Friday.

Classes and activities at St. Thomas University are canceled from Thursday through the weekend.

The Palm Beach County School District canceled afterschool activities for today, although aftercare programs will remain open through 6 p.m. today.

Palm Beach State College will announce today whether it will close for the hurricane.

Among other schools closing on Thursday and Friday: American Heritage School, with campuses in Plantation and Delray Beach; Palm Beach Day School, West Palm Beach; Gulliver Schools, Miami; Miami-Dade College and the Scheck Hillel Community School, North Miami Beach.

Lsolomon@sunsentinel.com