MCPS closing/delaying on Monday?

[Anonymous]

In Minnesota the majority of the population is familiar with driving in snow, have proper outerwear, are less litigious, have budgeted for overtime and snow removal, and are in much smaller (square miles and population) school districts.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

And neighborhoods have to be safe for buses

The roads are almost always fine after snow. MCPS makes the county and municipalities look almost competent in comparison.

Does it really just come down to the building services staff not wanting to wake up early?

Depends on where you are. If you are in a rural part of the county, the roads most certainly are not fine.

You realize many, many people, like doctors, nurses, emergency services employees, government employees, and various infrastructure services employees regularly drive on roads to get to their jobs after, or while, it snows, right? Short of a Snowmeggedon event, people suck it up and deal with with a slow drive to work.

And isn’t that a heck of a lot easier when everybody else stays off the bad roads?

I have to go to work in snow. I’m grateful m so many others stay home so I can get where I need to be.

Yes, and so you and road and building crews can go in early to get roads, parking lots and sidewalks cleared, and then let things open up. This isn't hard.

me me me me me me me. Everyone should cater to me.

This is such a strange attitude. That's the job. When I lived in Minnesota I never heard anyone that worked in road or facility management complain when they'd have to get up early after a snow storm.

Honestly, outside of schools, I don't hear many people here complain about it either, whether they're in those support roles or someone like a doctor that needs to get into work.

What is so unreasonable about expecting school facilities staff in this area to start work a few hours early so schools can open?

I’m sure it seems so easy to you, as you sit in your warm kitchen drinking coffee and looking down your nose at everybody else.

I’ve actually been at our school before opening. I’ve seen the hard work put in by the facilities staff. They work HARD, and it’s more work than I suppose you can see from the comfort of that warm kitchen. I was only there for about an hour, but it was enough to see the scope of their work: parking lots, sidewalks, roadways. There were also a frozen pipe and some problems inside the school, as well.

Sitting down? No, I'm scrambling to find child care before having to drive to the hospital to start my shift.

Not everyone gets snow days off.

Does the hospital have recommendations for emergency childcare? Workplaces that have to be operational no matter what should do that...

Lol. No, most don't. Perhaps they should, but it wouldn't logistically work. Do you understand how many people working in health care have kids? And they're all dealing with this problem when things are shut down.

DP. I'm surprised they don't have a backup care service. I work for a nonprofit and even we contract with Bright Horizons for that -- we can get a babysitter to come for $4/hour if we need it to be able to work.

Regardless, I would suggest you reach out to your neighborhood listserv and ask if there is a high school student who could watch your kid(s) if school is closed. If closed, there should be plenty of kids with the abilityt to do so.

Good luck finding care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not just roads and school parking lots. It's also about sidewalks and whether there's a safe place for kids to wait for the bus. Also, side streets, since buses need to drive through neighborhoods.

Based on recent years, the county clears the roads well before MCPS can get their act together. Getting buses out isn't the main problem.

But if MCPS is going to continue to be incompetent at responding to snow, then we need a lot more than 2 extra days built into the calendar from the start.

That's the thing. I can be understanding that it takes time to clear what needs to be cleared. But they need to include more wiggle room in the calendar reflect reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not just roads and school parking lots. It's also about sidewalks and whether there's a safe place for kids to wait for the bus. Also, side streets, since buses need to drive through neighborhoods.

Based on recent years, the county clears the roads well before MCPS can get their act together. Getting buses out isn't the main problem.

But if MCPS is going to continue to be incompetent at responding to snow, then we need a lot more than 2 extra days built into the calendar from the start.

The county does a bad job of clearing small roads and rural roads. Major roads are definitely cleared. But buses have to go all over the county, not just on major roads. And it's not just about roads -- sidewalks need to be cleared so kids can walk safely. And that definitely doesn't happen in a timely manner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not just roads and school parking lots. It's also about sidewalks and whether there's a safe place for kids to wait for the bus. Also, side streets, since buses need to drive through neighborhoods.

Based on recent years, the county clears the roads well before MCPS can get their act together. Getting buses out isn't the main problem.

But if MCPS is going to continue to be incompetent at responding to snow, then we need a lot more than 2 extra days built into the calendar from the start.

The county does a bad job of clearing small roads and rural roads. Major roads are definitely cleared. But buses have to go all over the county, not just on major roads. And it's not just about roads -- sidewalks need to be cleared so kids can walk safely. And that definitely doesn't happen in a timely manner.

I live on a tertiary street - we get cleaned after school opens. It’s tough during big storms. Everyone has at least 1 car with high clearance and 4 wheel drive. The year before I lived here, the neighbors shoveled the street it took so long.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

And neighborhoods have to be safe for buses

The roads are almost always fine after snow. MCPS makes the county and municipalities look almost competent in comparison.

Does it really just come down to the building services staff not wanting to wake up early?

Depends on where you are. If you are in a rural part of the county, the roads most certainly are not fine.

You realize many, many people, like doctors, nurses, emergency services employees, government employees, and various infrastructure services employees regularly drive on roads to get to their jobs after, or while, it snows, right? Short of a Snowmeggedon event, people suck it up and deal with with a slow drive to work.

And isn’t that a heck of a lot easier when everybody else stays off the bad roads?

I have to go to work in snow. I’m grateful m so many others stay home so I can get where I need to be.

Yes, and so you and road and building crews can go in early to get roads, parking lots and sidewalks cleared, and then let things open up. This isn't hard.

me me me me me me me. Everyone should cater to me.

This is such a strange attitude. That's the job. When I lived in Minnesota I never heard anyone that worked in road or facility management complain when they'd have to get up early after a snow storm.

Honestly, outside of schools, I don't hear many people here complain about it either, whether they're in those support roles or someone like a doctor that needs to get into work.

What is so unreasonable about expecting school facilities staff in this area to start work a few hours early so schools can open?

I’m sure it seems so easy to you, as you sit in your warm kitchen drinking coffee and looking down your nose at everybody else.

I’ve actually been at our school before opening. I’ve seen the hard work put in by the facilities staff. They work HARD, and it’s more work than I suppose you can see from the comfort of that warm kitchen. I was only there for about an hour, but it was enough to see the scope of their work: parking lots, sidewalks, roadways. There were also a frozen pipe and some problems inside the school, as well.

Sitting down? No, I'm scrambling to find child care before having to drive to the hospital to start my shift.

Not everyone gets snow days off.

Does the hospital have recommendations for emergency childcare? Workplaces that have to be operational no matter what should do that...

Some people just have to deal with working even when it’s inconvenient. We all can’t be teachers and nonessential federal government employees.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

And neighborhoods have to be safe for buses

The roads are almost always fine after snow. MCPS makes the county and municipalities look almost competent in comparison.

Does it really just come down to the building services staff not wanting to wake up early?

Depends on where you are. If you are in a rural part of the county, the roads most certainly are not fine.

You realize many, many people, like doctors, nurses, emergency services employees, government employees, and various infrastructure services employees regularly drive on roads to get to their jobs after, or while, it snows, right? Short of a Snowmeggedon event, people suck it up and deal with with a slow drive to work.

And isn’t that a heck of a lot easier when everybody else stays off the bad roads?

I have to go to work in snow. I’m grateful m so many others stay home so I can get where I need to be.

Yes, and so you and road and building crews can go in early to get roads, parking lots and sidewalks cleared, and then let things open up. This isn't hard.

me me me me me me me. Everyone should cater to me.

This is such a strange attitude. That's the job. When I lived in Minnesota I never heard anyone that worked in road or facility management complain when they'd have to get up early after a snow storm.

Honestly, outside of schools, I don't hear many people here complain about it either, whether they're in those support roles or someone like a doctor that needs to get into work.

What is so unreasonable about expecting school facilities staff in this area to start work a few hours early so schools can open?

I’m sure it seems so easy to you, as you sit in your warm kitchen drinking coffee and looking down your nose at everybody else.

I’ve actually been at our school before opening. I’ve seen the hard work put in by the facilities staff. They work HARD, and it’s more work than I suppose you can see from the comfort of that warm kitchen. I was only there for about an hour, but it was enough to see the scope of their work: parking lots, sidewalks, roadways. There were also a frozen pipe and some problems inside the school, as well.

Sitting down? No, I'm scrambling to find child care before having to drive to the hospital to start my shift.

Not everyone gets snow days off.

Does the hospital have recommendations for emergency childcare? Workplaces that have to be operational no matter what should do that...

Some people just have to deal with working even when it’s inconvenient. We all can’t be teachers and nonessential federal government employees.

You just got quite a laugh from me.

I couldn’t take off the last time my child was sick because we have no subs.

Once again, DCUM pulls out the “teachers have it so good” nonsense.

(And why don’t we have subs? Or enough teachers? Because people don’t want those jobs. Maybe PP does…)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

And neighborhoods have to be safe for buses

The roads are almost always fine after snow. MCPS makes the county and municipalities look almost competent in comparison.

Does it really just come down to the building services staff not wanting to wake up early?

Depends on where you are. If you are in a rural part of the county, the roads most certainly are not fine.

You realize many, many people, like doctors, nurses, emergency services employees, government employees, and various infrastructure services employees regularly drive on roads to get to their jobs after, or while, it snows, right? Short of a Snowmeggedon event, people suck it up and deal with with a slow drive to work.

And isn’t that a heck of a lot easier when everybody else stays off the bad roads?

I have to go to work in snow. I’m grateful m so many others stay home so I can get where I need to be.

Yes, and so you and road and building crews can go in early to get roads, parking lots and sidewalks cleared, and then let things open up. This isn't hard.

me me me me me me me. Everyone should cater to me.

This is such a strange attitude. That's the job. When I lived in Minnesota I never heard anyone that worked in road or facility management complain when they'd have to get up early after a snow storm.

Honestly, outside of schools, I don't hear many people here complain about it either, whether they're in those support roles or someone like a doctor that needs to get into work.

What is so unreasonable about expecting school facilities staff in this area to start work a few hours early so schools can open?

I’m sure it seems so easy to you, as you sit in your warm kitchen drinking coffee and looking down your nose at everybody else.

I’ve actually been at our school before opening. I’ve seen the hard work put in by the facilities staff. They work HARD, and it’s more work than I suppose you can see from the comfort of that warm kitchen. I was only there for about an hour, but it was enough to see the scope of their work: parking lots, sidewalks, roadways. There were also a frozen pipe and some problems inside the school, as well.

Sitting down? No, I'm scrambling to find child care before having to drive to the hospital to start my shift.

Not everyone gets snow days off.

Does the hospital have recommendations for emergency childcare? Workplaces that have to be operational no matter what should do that...

Some people just have to deal with working even when it’s inconvenient. We all can’t be teachers and nonessential federal government employees.

You just got quite a laugh from me.

I couldn’t take off the last time my child was sick because we have no subs.

Once again, DCUM pulls out the “teachers have it so good” nonsense.

(And why don’t we have subs? Or enough teachers? Because people don’t want those jobs. Maybe PP does…)

Fellow teacher...take off anyway. The school will find coverage.

And to the person from Minnesota...this is not Minnesota. Feel free to go back and take your little dog too.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

And neighborhoods have to be safe for buses

The roads are almost always fine after snow. MCPS makes the county and municipalities look almost competent in comparison.

Does it really just come down to the building services staff not wanting to wake up early?

Depends on where you are. If you are in a rural part of the county, the roads most certainly are not fine.

You realize many, many people, like doctors, nurses, emergency services employees, government employees, and various infrastructure services employees regularly drive on roads to get to their jobs after, or while, it snows, right? Short of a Snowmeggedon event, people suck it up and deal with with a slow drive to work.

And isn’t that a heck of a lot easier when everybody else stays off the bad roads?

I have to go to work in snow. I’m grateful m so many others stay home so I can get where I need to be.

Yes, and so you and road and building crews can go in early to get roads, parking lots and sidewalks cleared, and then let things open up. This isn't hard.

me me me me me me me. Everyone should cater to me.

This is such a strange attitude. That's the job. When I lived in Minnesota I never heard anyone that worked in road or facility management complain when they'd have to get up early after a snow storm.

Honestly, outside of schools, I don't hear many people here complain about it either, whether they're in those support roles or someone like a doctor that needs to get into work.

What is so unreasonable about expecting school facilities staff in this area to start work a few hours early so schools can open?

I’m sure it seems so easy to you, as you sit in your warm kitchen drinking coffee and looking down your nose at everybody else.

I’ve actually been at our school before opening. I’ve seen the hard work put in by the facilities staff. They work HARD, and it’s more work than I suppose you can see from the comfort of that warm kitchen. I was only there for about an hour, but it was enough to see the scope of their work: parking lots, sidewalks, roadways. There were also a frozen pipe and some problems inside the school, as well.

Sitting down? No, I'm scrambling to find child care before having to drive to the hospital to start my shift.

Not everyone gets snow days off.

Does the hospital have recommendations for emergency childcare? Workplaces that have to be operational no matter what should do that...

Lol. No, most don't. Perhaps they should, but it wouldn't logistically work. Do you understand how many people working in health care have kids? And they're all dealing with this problem when things are shut down.

DP. I'm surprised they don't have a backup care service. I work for a nonprofit and even we contract with Bright Horizons for that -- we can get a babysitter to come for $4/hour if we need it to be able to work.

Regardless, I would suggest you reach out to your neighborhood listserv and ask if there is a high school student who could watch your kid(s) if school is closed. If closed, there should be plenty of kids with the abilityt to do so.

Good luck finding care.

I’m not the poster you’re replying to, but I have two daughters in high school and I don’t know any high school students who would be willing to get up early and babysit for 8+ hours on a snow day unless they desperately need money or the job is extremely lucrative. If pp lives in an upper middle class neighborhood, your suggestion is probably useless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

And neighborhoods have to be safe for buses

The roads are almost always fine after snow. MCPS makes the county and municipalities look almost competent in comparison.

Does it really just come down to the building services staff not wanting to wake up early?

Depends on where you are. If you are in a rural part of the county, the roads most certainly are not fine.

You realize many, many people, like doctors, nurses, emergency services employees, government employees, and various infrastructure services employees regularly drive on roads to get to their jobs after, or while, it snows, right? Short of a Snowmeggedon event, people suck it up and deal with with a slow drive to work.

And isn’t that a heck of a lot easier when everybody else stays off the bad roads?

I have to go to work in snow. I’m grateful m so many others stay home so I can get where I need to be.

Yes, and so you and road and building crews can go in early to get roads, parking lots and sidewalks cleared, and then let things open up. This isn't hard.

me me me me me me me. Everyone should cater to me.

This is such a strange attitude. That's the job. When I lived in Minnesota I never heard anyone that worked in road or facility management complain when they'd have to get up early after a snow storm.

Honestly, outside of schools, I don't hear many people here complain about it either, whether they're in those support roles or someone like a doctor that needs to get into work.

What is so unreasonable about expecting school facilities staff in this area to start work a few hours early so schools can open?

I’m sure it seems so easy to you, as you sit in your warm kitchen drinking coffee and looking down your nose at everybody else.

I’ve actually been at our school before opening. I’ve seen the hard work put in by the facilities staff. They work HARD, and it’s more work than I suppose you can see from the comfort of that warm kitchen. I was only there for about an hour, but it was enough to see the scope of their work: parking lots, sidewalks, roadways. There were also a frozen pipe and some problems inside the school, as well.

Sitting down? No, I'm scrambling to find child care before having to drive to the hospital to start my shift.

Not everyone gets snow days off.

Does the hospital have recommendations for emergency childcare? Workplaces that have to be operational no matter what should do that...

Some people just have to deal with working even when it’s inconvenient. We all can’t be teachers and nonessential federal government employees.

You just got quite a laugh from me.

I couldn’t take off the last time my child was sick because we have no subs.

Once again, DCUM pulls out the “teachers have it so good” nonsense.

(And why don’t we have subs? Or enough teachers? Because people don’t want those jobs. Maybe PP does…)

Most employees don’t have paid “subs” at their jobs either. Aren’t teachers always complaining that parents are sending their kids to school sick? Perhaps a minority of those are just awful SAHPs who want to get their leisure stuff done rather than nurse their kids, but many are parents who can’t afford to take a day off because their kid is sick and don’t have backup childcare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

And neighborhoods have to be safe for buses

The roads are almost always fine after snow. MCPS makes the county and municipalities look almost competent in comparison.

Does it really just come down to the building services staff not wanting to wake up early?

The building services staff at my school consists of five people…3 women and 2 men. They are all in their mid to late fifties. They are the best building services staff around. Our building is always impeccably clean and problems are addressed immediately. When we’ve had snow in the past, our building services staff is always outside with shovels in the parking lot, trying to make it as clear as possible and allow for as many parking spaces as possible. We have more staff than available spots in the lot, so staff who arrive later need to park in the neighborhood and walk to the school. This will be a problem with a lot of snow.

I am also in my mid fifties and know I would have difficulty clearing all the sidewalks and walkways around the school. It takes longer than you think to properly clear all the areas after snow.

And yet, once you look out of the DMV, public schools handle this fine.

Can you imagine schools in Minnesota or upstate New York having to close for two days anytime they have snow? And no, they don't have much larger building services staff.

Well yeah bc they are used to large amounts of snow and removing it more frequently. This doesn’t happen often in the county, hence, more closures

Shhhhh. You’re 100% correct, of course, but this person is hysterical at the prospect of snow days and will continue to be hysterical. Save your keystrokes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

And neighborhoods have to be safe for buses

The roads are almost always fine after snow. MCPS makes the county and municipalities look almost competent in comparison.

Does it really just come down to the building services staff not wanting to wake up early?

The building services staff at my school consists of five people…3 women and 2 men. They are all in their mid to late fifties. They are the best building services staff around. Our building is always impeccably clean and problems are addressed immediately. When we’ve had snow in the past, our building services staff is always outside with shovels in the parking lot, trying to make it as clear as possible and allow for as many parking spaces as possible. We have more staff than available spots in the lot, so staff who arrive later need to park in the neighborhood and walk to the school. This will be a problem with a lot of snow.

I am also in my mid fifties and know I would have difficulty clearing all the sidewalks and walkways around the school. It takes longer than you think to properly clear all the areas after snow.

And yet, once you look out of the DMV, public schools handle this fine.

Can you imagine schools in Minnesota or upstate New York having to close for two days anytime they have snow? And no, they don't have much larger building services staff.

Well yeah bc they are used to large amounts of snow and removing it more frequently. This doesn’t happen often in the county, hence, more closures

So talk to those schools and find out how they manage with similar levels of staff.

It basically comes down to getting to school earlier in the morning, and mechanical devices when possible.

It boggles my mind how stupid some people in the county are when it comes to snow. On at least a couple occasions I've seen a building
services staff member painfully slowly attempting to shovel a wide sidewalk while working next an unused snowblower and lawn tractor with plow.

A lot of our problems don't seem to be the result of insufficient resources, but rather incredibly poor resource management, training, and procedures.

I would bet in snow heavy parts of the country they have the equipment already purchased and available to make snow removal easy. That would not be a priority expense for school districts in this area hence more snow days when we actually(rarely) get snow…
It isn’t that big of a deal. Move to the south if you want zero snow days.

And then you’ll just get ice days instead.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I'm calling no school Monday, no school Tuesday, toss up Wednesday, and likely delay Thursday too.

You're going to be disappointed.

And I suspect you'll also be oddly mad when MCPS has to use make-up days.

Awww, you’re cute. Wrong, but cute.

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Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

And neighborhoods have to be safe for buses

The roads are almost always fine after snow. MCPS makes the county and municipalities look almost competent in comparison.

Does it really just come down to the building services staff not wanting to wake up early?

Depends on where you are. If you are in a rural part of the county, the roads most certainly are not fine.

I am, and the roads are often fine even when MCPS closes. Learn to drive. Sometimes that means driving substantially under the speed limit, which seems to be a foreign concept to people here.

No thanks. We’ll all just stay home instead.

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Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

And neighborhoods have to be safe for buses

The roads are almost always fine after snow. MCPS makes the county and municipalities look almost competent in comparison.

Does it really just come down to the building services staff not wanting to wake up early?

Depends on where you are. If you are in a rural part of the county, the roads most certainly are not fine.

You realize many, many people, like doctors, nurses, emergency services employees, government employees, and various infrastructure services employees regularly drive on roads to get to their jobs after, or while, it snows, right? Short of a Snowmeggedon event, people suck it up and deal with with a slow drive to work.

And isn’t that a heck of a lot easier when everybody else stays off the bad roads?

I have to go to work in snow. I’m grateful m so many others stay home so I can get where I need to be.

Yes, and so you and road and building crews can go in early to get roads, parking lots and sidewalks cleared, and then let things open up. This isn't hard.

me me me me me me me. Everyone should cater to me.

This is such a strange attitude. That's the job. When I lived in Minnesota I never heard anyone that worked in road or facility management complain when they'd have to get up early after a snow storm.

Honestly, outside of schools, I don't hear many people here complain about it either, whether they're in those support roles or someone like a doctor that needs to get into work.

What is so unreasonable about expecting school facilities staff in this area to start work a few hours early so schools can open?

I’m sure it seems so easy to you, as you sit in your warm kitchen drinking coffee and looking down your nose at everybody else.

I’ve actually been at our school before opening. I’ve seen the hard work put in by the facilities staff. They work HARD, and it’s more work than I suppose you can see from the comfort of that warm kitchen. I was only there for about an hour, but it was enough to see the scope of their work: parking lots, sidewalks, roadways. There were also a frozen pipe and some problems inside the school, as well.

Sitting down? No, I'm scrambling to find child care before having to drive to the hospital to start my shift.

Not everyone gets snow days off.

Does the hospital have recommendations for emergency childcare? Workplaces that have to be operational no matter what should do that...

Some people just have to deal with working even when it’s inconvenient. We all can’t be teachers and nonessential federal government employees.

You’re so dramatic. Perhaps you should have chosen a different career.