will school close tomorrow? what do you think!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was the one who said that barring more snow they should be able to open and here is why. It stopped snowing between 10-11 am, and while some parts of the County had more than a foot of snow most of it had less and the roads are clear. Sidewalks are a different issue but they can't wait to open until everyone does their own sidewalks. They are responsible for the sidewalks leading up to the school. If it stopped snowing at 11, and school opens at 7:30 am the next day, that is plenty of time to get parking lots, sidewalks and roads cleared -- the 16" part of the County would take more time, but the roads were quite good by 4 pm. Anyway, it snowed again so moot.

Roads were quite good by 4pm (Thursday)? Where do you live? My street just saw its first plow at noon Friday. Even without the extra snow, school was a definite no-go today (in fact, so obviously a no-go, that they announced it Thursday afternoon, almost unheard of for MCPS). Your definition of "most" of the county needs to be re-evaluated.

Here's what NBC4 says for snow totals in Montgomery County:
Montgomery County
Damascus- 21.3
1 S Olney- 19
1 Ese Norbeck -17.9
1 Ene Gaithersburg- 17.6
1 Nne Washington Gro -17
Hillandale - 15.8
1 Nne Fairland- 14
1 Ese Takoma Park- 10.1

Clearly "some" parts of the county had a foot and most got way way less.

[Anonymous]

My neighborhood only has a couple streets plowed still.

[Anonymous]

All fair, especially with last night's snow, closing the schools made sense. But I guess there are two things I would like to add -- the School system and many parents just seem so cavalier about closing schools. My sense is they will not make up these days leaving kids with probably something like 4-5 days short of the 180 days. There is a reason for the 180-day school limit, and missing so much school in February can adversely affect test scores, learning, studying, and all of the various related activities like daycare and meals. It also seemed entirely absurd to close the Administrative Offices and the Government, which again impacts some of the day care programs, and gives county employees/officials a four-day weekend. The Federal Govt, DC Govt, Frederick County (where there was more snow) all opened with a two-hour delay, and Howard County is open too. And try getting a teacher to answer emails over the now five-day weekend, especially if you are wondering whether assignments scheduled for Tuesday are due. Our experience has been for some teachers they are and some they are not. In the end, the kids are ultimately the ones who are hurt by so much missed school and lack of concern over it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All fair, especially with last night's snow, closing the schools made sense. But I guess there are two things I would like to add -- the School system and many parents just seem so cavalier about closing schools. My sense is they will not make up these days leaving kids with probably something like 4-5 days short of the 180 days. There is a reason for the 180-day school limit, and missing so much school in February can adversely affect test scores, learning, studying, and all of the various related activities like daycare and meals. It also seemed entirely absurd to close the Administrative Offices and the Government, which again impacts some of the day care programs, and gives county employees/officials a four-day weekend. The Federal Govt, DC Govt, Frederick County (where there was more snow) all opened with a two-hour delay, and Howard County is open too. And try getting a teacher to answer emails over the now five-day weekend, especially if you are wondering whether assignments scheduled for Tuesday are due. Our experience has been for some teachers they are and some they are not. In the end, the kids are ultimately the ones who are hurt by so much missed school and lack of concern over it.

Your concern should then be the contingency calendar. Do you think for a nano second that instruction the middle of June is as important as instruction now? Particularly in high schools, adding days in June means BUPKIS. Seniors are long graduated, and many underclassmen, along with the departed seniors, have already taken the AP and IB exams.

[Anonymous]

funny - We are past Olney but got about 19 inches. Our roads were plowed.

Mom, who lives in Colesville/SS, hasn't seen a plow since yesterday. Her roads are a mess. I tried to help her shovel but couldn't find a place to park my car, as not even the elementary school down the road was plowed!

You'd think that streets by an elementary school would be hit first. We're 10 miles away from my daughter's school and we're pretty clear.

ridiculous - But . . . considering where we live, I'd say that we benefit from those who have the money!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was the one who said that barring more snow they should be able to open and here is why. It stopped snowing between 10-11 am, and while some parts of the County had more than a foot of snow most of it had less and the roads are clear. Sidewalks are a different issue but they can't wait to open until everyone does their own sidewalks. They are responsible for the sidewalks leading up to the school. If it stopped snowing at 11, and school opens at 7:30 am the next day, that is plenty of time to get parking lots, sidewalks and roads cleared -- the 16" part of the County would take more time, but the roads were quite good by 4 pm. Anyway, it snowed again so moot.

Roads were quite good by 4pm (Thursday)? Where do you live? My street just saw its first plow at noon Friday. Even without the extra snow, school was a definite no-go today (in fact, so obviously a no-go, that they announced it Thursday afternoon, almost unheard of for MCPS). Your definition of "most" of the county needs to be re-evaluated.

Here's what NBC4 says for snow totals in Montgomery County:
Montgomery County
Damascus- 21.3
1 S Olney- 19
1 Ese Norbeck -17.9
1 Ene Gaithersburg- 17.6
1 Nne Washington Gro -17
Hillandale - 15.8
1 Nne Fairland- 14
1 Ese Takoma Park- 10.1

Clearly "some" parts of the county had a foot and most got way way less.

[Anonymous]

In past years apparently they divided Montgomery County county east/west, for purposes of weather closures and delays. It was logistically nightmarish, so this division was discontinued, but I'm hoping they can reconsider the idea. At least the people making the weather judgment calls will be closer to where we live and not looking at rural areas (we are in an urban area). I agree that the kids have lost a lot of school hours and days and I doubt the days will be made up (the school/s will request a waiver from the 180-day requirement). Sigh.

[Anonymous]

'Clearly "some" parts of the county had a foot and most got way way less.'

How many parts were missing from that list? We got a foot in Rockville..

[Anonymous]

more snow for Monday night into Tuesday

[Anonymous]

They used to divide east and west? Why not north and south?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:'Clearly "some" parts of the county had a foot and most got way way less.'

How many parts were missing from that list? We got a foot in Rockville..

Another poster had claimed that only "some" parts of the county got a foot, but that most has less. That list showed only one measurement of less than 14 inches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They used to divide east and west? Why not north and south?

Why not north and south and east and west?

In fact, why not a policy that if the roads seem ok when I look out my window, my kid's school is open?

[Anonymous]

So what's the cut off then?

10 inches?
5 inches?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So what's the cut off then?

10 inches?
5 inches?

Look, it's quite simple really.

If the Powers That Be determine that dangerous conditions exist (potential or actual), they will err on the side of safety and close or delay.

Your perspective may be different than theirs, but your view is limited by where you live and what you see in your limited travels. They do spot runs all over the County.

You don't like it? Too freaking bad. It's something called the Common Good. Try it out some time!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what's the cut off then?

10 inches?
5 inches?

Look, it's quite simple really.

If the Powers That Be determine that dangerous conditions exist (potential or actual), they will err on the side of safety and close or delay.

Your perspective may be different than theirs, but your view is limited by where you live and what you see in your limited travels. They do spot runs all over the County.

You don't like it? Too freaking bad. It's something called the Common Good. Try it out some time!

WTF is YOUR problem?

I'm a teacher. I've been home with my kids since Thursday. I'm not complaining. I have no childcare issues. And if we're closed again on Tuesday, then oh well.

BTW, I AM the common good, asshole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what's the cut off then?

10 inches?
5 inches?

Look, it's quite simple really.

If the Powers That Be determine that dangerous conditions exist (potential or actual), they will err on the side of safety and close or delay.

Your perspective may be different than theirs, but your view is limited by where you live and what you see in your limited travels. They do spot runs all over the County.

You don't like it? Too freaking bad. It's something called the Common Good. Try it out some time!

WTF is YOUR problem?

I'm a teacher. I've been home with my kids since Thursday. I'm not complaining. I have no childcare issues. And if we're closed again on Tuesday, then oh well.

BTW, I AM the common good, asshole.

NP here. With that attitude you have, I really, really hope that you don't teach my children.