Taylor "No Snow Delay" Apology Email

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

Child care workers would have to get there even earlier. Why cannot you figure it out? You figure it out over the summer, holidays and school breaks? You are ok risking the people who care for your kids lives? Sad. If they get in an accident or die, they cannot take care of your kids and its hard to find child care workers willing to work part time for low pay.

Do the math! At 8:30 there are HS teachers in their building ready for students as those students are walking to bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

At 9:30 there were MS teachers already in their building ready to receive students who were walking to school or bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

Lastly, MCPS wasted a lot of our time communicated their color coded system only to NOT even follow their system! Code yellow clearly stated that childcare and morning care may open ON TIME.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

Child care workers would have to get there even earlier. Why cannot you figure it out? You figure it out over the summer, holidays and school breaks? You are ok risking the people who care for your kids lives? Sad. If they get in an accident or die, they cannot take care of your kids and its hard to find child care workers willing to work part time for low pay.

Do the math! At 8:30 there are HS teachers in their building ready for students as those students are walking to bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

At 9:30 there were MS teachers already in their building ready to receive students who were walking to school or bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

Lastly, MCPS wasted a lot of our time communicated their color coded system only to NOT even follow their system! Code yellow clearly stated that childcare and morning care may open ON TIME.

BUt how many of those childcaare workers are reliant on buses that may not have een operating normally? WHat if you had showed up to drop your kid off and there weren't enough workers to meet required ratios?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

Child care workers would have to get there even earlier. Why cannot you figure it out? You figure it out over the summer, holidays and school breaks? You are ok risking the people who care for your kids lives? Sad. If they get in an accident or die, they cannot take care of your kids and its hard to find child care workers willing to work part time for low pay.

Do the math! At 8:30 there are HS teachers in their building ready for students as those students are walking to bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

At 9:30 there were MS teachers already in their building ready to receive students who were walking to school or bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

Lastly, MCPS wasted a lot of our time communicated their color coded system only to NOT even follow their system! Code yellow clearly stated that childcare and morning care may open ON TIME.

That's a good point. What's the point of having a standardized set of scenarios if they don't follow them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

Child care workers would have to get there even earlier. Why cannot you figure it out? You figure it out over the summer, holidays and school breaks? You are ok risking the people who care for your kids lives? Sad. If they get in an accident or die, they cannot take care of your kids and its hard to find child care workers willing to work part time for low pay.

Do the math! At 8:30 there are HS teachers in their building ready for students as those students are walking to bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

At 9:30 there were MS teachers already in their building ready to receive students who were walking to school or bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

Lastly, MCPS wasted a lot of our time communicated their color coded system only to NOT even follow their system! Code yellow clearly stated that childcare and morning care may open ON TIME.

BUt how many of those childcaare workers are reliant on buses that may not have een operating normally? WHat if you had showed up to drop your kid off and there weren't enough workers to meet required ratios?

What buses weren’t operating normally this week?

And regardless that is a call for the provider to make, not MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

Child care workers would have to get there even earlier. Why cannot you figure it out? You figure it out over the summer, holidays and school breaks? You are ok risking the people who care for your kids lives? Sad. If they get in an accident or die, they cannot take care of your kids and its hard to find child care workers willing to work part time for low pay.

Do the math! At 8:30 there are HS teachers in their building ready for students as those students are walking to bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

At 9:30 there were MS teachers already in their building ready to receive students who were walking to school or bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

Lastly, MCPS wasted a lot of our time communicated their color coded system only to NOT even follow their system! Code yellow clearly stated that childcare and morning care may open ON TIME.

BUt how many of those childcaare workers are reliant on buses that may not have een operating normally? WHat if you had showed up to drop your kid off and there weren't enough workers to meet required ratios?

What buses weren’t operating normally this week?

And regardless that is a call for the provider to make, not MCPS.

+1000

[Anonymous]

“Code Yellow” description on MCPS website has now been updated.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/closings/#codeyellow

New language includes:
— All-day childcare programs will operate on a two-hour delay.
— Morning and After-school childcare programs may operate as scheduled, families are encouraged to contact their childcare provider

As of yesterday 12/3 it still said
— Morning childcare is canceled.
— All-day childcare programs will operate on a two hour delay.

Hope they stick to this revision going forward!

[Anonymous]

lol... glad they made the change back but what a mess.

[Anonymous]

Well, looks like we'll have a chance to see what happens tomorrow morning. Seems like we will (at least) have a delay. Will extended-day providers be allowed to operate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Code Yellow” description on MCPS website has now been updated.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/closings/#codeyellow

New language includes:
— All-day childcare programs will operate on a two-hour delay.
— Morning and After-school childcare programs may operate as scheduled, families are encouraged to contact their childcare provider

As of yesterday 12/3 it still said
— Morning childcare is canceled.
— All-day childcare programs will operate on a two hour delay.

Hope they stick to this revision going forward!

Under Code Yellow I am currently seeing this language: "Morning, all-day and After-school childcare programs may operate as scheduled, families are encouraged to contact their childcare provider"
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/closings/#codeyellow

The other question is if there is a big snowstorm, how long will they keep MCPS offices (and therefore, childcare) closed after other workplaces (e.g. County Government) have opened? Last year it was a couple of days of no childcare, no school, but workplaces expected folks to show up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Code Yellow” description on MCPS website has now been updated.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/closings/#codeyellow

New language includes:
— All-day childcare programs will operate on a two-hour delay.
— Morning and After-school childcare programs may operate as scheduled, families are encouraged to contact their childcare provider

As of yesterday 12/3 it still said
— Morning childcare is canceled.
— All-day childcare programs will operate on a two hour delay.

Hope they stick to this revision going forward!

Under Code Yellow I am currently seeing this language: "Morning, all-day and After-school childcare programs may operate as scheduled, families are encouraged to contact their childcare provider"
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/closings/#codeyellow

The other question is if there is a big snowstorm, how long will they keep MCPS offices (and therefore, childcare) closed after other workplaces (e.g. County Government) have opened? Last year it was a couple of days of no childcare, no school, but workplaces expected folks to show up.

Before last year, extended-day providers generally were able to be open for snow days, unless it was really bad -- like the first day of a snowstorm when the school needed to plow the lot and shovel sidewalks. But last year, things changed. I would not hold my breath that the Taylor administration has changed its mind and will allow providers to operate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, looks like we'll have a chance to see what happens tomorrow morning. Seems like we will (at least) have a delay. Will extended-day providers be allowed to operate?

A delay would be silly. If there's precipitation, it will come down as a small amount of snow. It will be cold enough to either stay as snow or melt due to salt. Those are both fine. If it melts, it will be warm enough later in the day to stay melted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Code Yellow” description on MCPS website has now been updated.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/closings/#codeyellow

New language includes:
— All-day childcare programs will operate on a two-hour delay.
— Morning and After-school childcare programs may operate as scheduled, families are encouraged to contact their childcare provider

As of yesterday 12/3 it still said
— Morning childcare is canceled.
— All-day childcare programs will operate on a two hour delay.

Hope they stick to this revision going forward!

Under Code Yellow I am currently seeing this language: "Morning, all-day and After-school childcare programs may operate as scheduled, families are encouraged to contact their childcare provider"
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/closings/#codeyellow

The other question is if there is a big snowstorm, how long will they keep MCPS offices (and therefore, childcare) closed after other workplaces (e.g. County Government) have opened? Last year it was a couple of days of no childcare, no school, but workplaces expected folks to show up.

Before last year, extended-day providers generally were able to be open for snow days, unless it was really bad -- like the first day of a snowstorm when the school needed to plow the lot and shovel sidewalks. But last year, things changed. I would not hold my breath that the Taylor administration has changed its mind and will allow providers to operate.

Are workplaces paying when childcare workers are injured driving to work in bad conditions?

Maybe workplaces should operate their own emergency childcare centers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Code Yellow” description on MCPS website has now been updated.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/closings/#codeyellow

New language includes:
— All-day childcare programs will operate on a two-hour delay.
— Morning and After-school childcare programs may operate as scheduled, families are encouraged to contact their childcare provider

As of yesterday 12/3 it still said
— Morning childcare is canceled.
— All-day childcare programs will operate on a two hour delay.

Hope they stick to this revision going forward!

Under Code Yellow I am currently seeing this language: "Morning, all-day and After-school childcare programs may operate as scheduled, families are encouraged to contact their childcare provider"
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/closings/#codeyellow

The other question is if there is a big snowstorm, how long will they keep MCPS offices (and therefore, childcare) closed after other workplaces (e.g. County Government) have opened? Last year it was a couple of days of no childcare, no school, but workplaces expected folks to show up.

Before last year, extended-day providers generally were able to be open for snow days, unless it was really bad -- like the first day of a snowstorm when the school needed to plow the lot and shovel sidewalks. But last year, things changed. I would not hold my breath that the Taylor administration has changed its mind and will allow providers to operate.

Are workplaces paying when childcare workers are injured driving to work in bad conditions?

Maybe workplaces should operate their own emergency childcare centers.

Why won't you tell us why it was safe to open high schools but not before-care at the same time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Code Yellow” description on MCPS website has now been updated.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/closings/#codeyellow

New language includes:
— All-day childcare programs will operate on a two-hour delay.
— Morning and After-school childcare programs may operate as scheduled, families are encouraged to contact their childcare provider

As of yesterday 12/3 it still said
— Morning childcare is canceled.
— All-day childcare programs will operate on a two hour delay.

Hope they stick to this revision going forward!

Under Code Yellow I am currently seeing this language: "Morning, all-day and After-school childcare programs may operate as scheduled, families are encouraged to contact their childcare provider"
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/closings/#codeyellow

The other question is if there is a big snowstorm, how long will they keep MCPS offices (and therefore, childcare) closed after other workplaces (e.g. County Government) have opened? Last year it was a couple of days of no childcare, no school, but workplaces expected folks to show up.

Before last year, extended-day providers generally were able to be open for snow days, unless it was really bad -- like the first day of a snowstorm when the school needed to plow the lot and shovel sidewalks. But last year, things changed. I would not hold my breath that the Taylor administration has changed its mind and will allow providers to operate.

Are workplaces paying when childcare workers are injured driving to work in bad conditions?

Maybe workplaces should operate their own emergency childcare centers.

Why won't you tell us why it was safe to open high schools but not before-care at the same time?

Because PP is a troll disconnected from reality

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Code Yellow” description on MCPS website has now been updated.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/closings/#codeyellow

New language includes:
— All-day childcare programs will operate on a two-hour delay.
— Morning and After-school childcare programs may operate as scheduled, families are encouraged to contact their childcare provider

As of yesterday 12/3 it still said
— Morning childcare is canceled.
— All-day childcare programs will operate on a two hour delay.

Hope they stick to this revision going forward!

Under Code Yellow I am currently seeing this language: "Morning, all-day and After-school childcare programs may operate as scheduled, families are encouraged to contact their childcare provider"
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/closings/#codeyellow

The other question is if there is a big snowstorm, how long will they keep MCPS offices (and therefore, childcare) closed after other workplaces (e.g. County Government) have opened? Last year it was a couple of days of no childcare, no school, but workplaces expected folks to show up.

Before last year, extended-day providers generally were able to be open for snow days, unless it was really bad -- like the first day of a snowstorm when the school needed to plow the lot and shovel sidewalks. But last year, things changed. I would not hold my breath that the Taylor administration has changed its mind and will allow providers to operate.

Are workplaces paying when childcare workers are injured driving to work in bad conditions?

Maybe workplaces should operate their own emergency childcare centers.

Why won't you tell us why it was safe to open high schools but not before-care at the same time?

That’s exactly why they sent the “apology”. /error message.