MCPS delayed Thursday?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think streets have been plowed but if this isn't done in time they get icy. Our HOA had plows come several times on Monday and Tuesday and now our street is clean and dry. But the residential streets nearby are icy, though we've seen plows on them.

I wonder if anyone has ever examined the economic impact of multi-day school closures. A lot of parents aren't working because of this. Looking at that might make it worth it to invest more in snow storm response. Maybe it means more plows (does the county needs to own the plows or can they hire some as the HOAs do?). Maybe it means having a plan for buses in the snow (identifying alternate stops if one is too icy). Lots of people have been commuting to work yesterday and today. The roads are not impassable.

Main roads are in good shape for commuters. Residential side streets, not so much! You have hit the nail on the head with regard to good snow removal - it requires multiple passes to get the streets dry so there's not a pile of slush in the middle of the street to freeze (and freeze into weird ruts, I may add!) Northern urban areas also have city-owned sidewalk plows, not a thing here.

Commuters have to get out of their neighborhoods to get on the main road. They can do that just fine. We have been driving on our snowy, icy residential streets in our fwd subcompact since Monday. It's slow going, but totally doable.

What about people who live on snowy icy roads but don’t have fwd?

They need to have a backup plan- e.g., leave their car somehwere else where they can get out. Isn't that what y'all are always telling everyone in regards to childcare and snow days, that they need to plan better? Or if that's not possible, get a better car next time.

And you need to have a backup plan for childcare for snow days instead of keening endlessly all over the internet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone tell me what will be different tomorrow from today? There won’t be much melting today.

I’m not arguing for schools to be closed, I’m wondering why they are not open today.

Schools will be closed tomorrow I bet.

Someone commented that the last time it snowed this much, schools were closed for a week. Likely the same story this time.

I think I count myself among many parents who would blow their tops if schools are closed Thursday. (I don't even have a school-aged kid, but my toddler's preschool follows MCPS's schedule even though everything is plowed around here and we're near a Metro stop.)

I have kids in HS and have lived in the county since the younger one was born. I’d strongly suggest that you mentally prepare that this is how it is and make plans (for the years to come) accordingly.

This is the only sane post here. I also have HS and have taught in the county for 25+ years. If you have school age children, or their caregivers follow MCPS, you need winter contingency plans.
I know that is easier for some families than others. However, it is more productive than what I see in these threads every single snow day.

I have a college kid and a high schooler. Both attended/attend MCPS K-12.

The DC area has made a deliberate choice not to invest too much in snow removal equipment and labor, because it prefers to spend its funds elsewhere: free food programs at school, special education for the gifted and those with learning differences, magnets, and other public services such as free public libraries, county pools and fitness facilities, *not to mention rapid repair of air-conditioning in public buildings*, which is important for this area. We are not in the north. This is the mid-Atlantic. In terms of heating and air-conditioning needs, we have southern-leaning climatology!

Given how few and far between our snow events are, this is a perfectly acceptable choice. Last winter we had practically no snow. The years when we have significant accumulation and back to back snow events (like what might happen this week) are exceedingly rare, and it's not cost-effective to maintain and pay for rapid snow removal every winter on the off-chance we might have such events. This means that on the rare occasions schools are closed for snow, the burden shifts on parents to provide their own childcare.

Accept this or move elsewhere.

Didn't MCPS run out of snow days last year too? I remember my kid brining home materials to complete in lieu of an in-person makeup day.

I've long accepted that this area cannot handle snow. At this point it just bothers me that MCPS doesn't plan like it can't handle snow. Snowfall totals can be really variable here from winter to winter, but it just doesn't take much to cancel school for multiple days. I'd be interested if anyone's tabulated the mean/median snow days used over the last 20 years or so. My guess is that both are over 2 days, and definitely over the 1 day MCPS is planning for next year's calendar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think streets have been plowed but if this isn't done in time they get icy. Our HOA had plows come several times on Monday and Tuesday and now our street is clean and dry. But the residential streets nearby are icy, though we've seen plows on them.

I wonder if anyone has ever examined the economic impact of multi-day school closures. A lot of parents aren't working because of this. Looking at that might make it worth it to invest more in snow storm response. Maybe it means more plows (does the county needs to own the plows or can they hire some as the HOAs do?). Maybe it means having a plan for buses in the snow (identifying alternate stops if one is too icy). Lots of people have been commuting to work yesterday and today. The roads are not impassable.

Main roads are in good shape for commuters. Residential side streets, not so much! You have hit the nail on the head with regard to good snow removal - it requires multiple passes to get the streets dry so there's not a pile of slush in the middle of the street to freeze (and freeze into weird ruts, I may add!) Northern urban areas also have city-owned sidewalk plows, not a thing here.

Commuters have to get out of their neighborhoods to get on the main road. They can do that just fine. We have been driving on our snowy, icy residential streets in our fwd subcompact since Monday. It's slow going, but totally doable.

What about people who live on snowy icy roads but don’t have fwd?

They need to have a backup plan- e.g., leave their car somehwere else where they can get out. Isn't that what y'all are always telling everyone in regards to childcare and snow days, that they need to plan better? Or if that's not possible, get a better car next time.

Folks, you don't need 4 wheel drive to drive in the snow. You do need common sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think streets have been plowed but if this isn't done in time they get icy. Our HOA had plows come several times on Monday and Tuesday and now our street is clean and dry. But the residential streets nearby are icy, though we've seen plows on them.

I wonder if anyone has ever examined the economic impact of multi-day school closures. A lot of parents aren't working because of this. Looking at that might make it worth it to invest more in snow storm response. Maybe it means more plows (does the county needs to own the plows or can they hire some as the HOAs do?). Maybe it means having a plan for buses in the snow (identifying alternate stops if one is too icy). Lots of people have been commuting to work yesterday and today. The roads are not impassable.

Main roads are in good shape for commuters. Residential side streets, not so much! You have hit the nail on the head with regard to good snow removal - it requires multiple passes to get the streets dry so there's not a pile of slush in the middle of the street to freeze (and freeze into weird ruts, I may add!) Northern urban areas also have city-owned sidewalk plows, not a thing here.

Commuters have to get out of their neighborhoods to get on the main road. They can do that just fine. We have been driving on our snowy, icy residential streets in our fwd subcompact since Monday. It's slow going, but totally doable.

What about people who live on snowy icy roads but don’t have fwd?

They need to have a backup plan- e.g., leave their car somehwere else where they can get out. Isn't that what y'all are always telling everyone in regards to childcare and snow days, that they need to plan better? Or if that's not possible, get a better car next time.

And you need to have a backup plan for childcare for snow days instead of keening endlessly all over the internet.

So we're all paying for your crappy car choice and poor driving skills- got it! lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think streets have been plowed but if this isn't done in time they get icy. Our HOA had plows come several times on Monday and Tuesday and now our street is clean and dry. But the residential streets nearby are icy, though we've seen plows on them.

I wonder if anyone has ever examined the economic impact of multi-day school closures. A lot of parents aren't working because of this. Looking at that might make it worth it to invest more in snow storm response. Maybe it means more plows (does the county needs to own the plows or can they hire some as the HOAs do?). Maybe it means having a plan for buses in the snow (identifying alternate stops if one is too icy). Lots of people have been commuting to work yesterday and today. The roads are not impassable.

Main roads are in good shape for commuters. Residential side streets, not so much! You have hit the nail on the head with regard to good snow removal - it requires multiple passes to get the streets dry so there's not a pile of slush in the middle of the street to freeze (and freeze into weird ruts, I may add!) Northern urban areas also have city-owned sidewalk plows, not a thing here.

Commuters have to get out of their neighborhoods to get on the main road. They can do that just fine. We have been driving on our snowy, icy residential streets in our fwd subcompact since Monday. It's slow going, but totally doable.

What about people who live on snowy icy roads but don’t have fwd?

They need to have a backup plan- e.g., leave their car somehwere else where they can get out. Isn't that what y'all are always telling everyone in regards to childcare and snow days, that they need to plan better? Or if that's not possible, get a better car next time.

Folks, you don't need 4 wheel drive to drive in the snow. You do need common sense.

This! This isn't that hard. How do you think people have been getting to work the last 3 days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think streets have been plowed but if this isn't done in time they get icy. Our HOA had plows come several times on Monday and Tuesday and now our street is clean and dry. But the residential streets nearby are icy, though we've seen plows on them.

I wonder if anyone has ever examined the economic impact of multi-day school closures. A lot of parents aren't working because of this. Looking at that might make it worth it to invest more in snow storm response. Maybe it means more plows (does the county needs to own the plows or can they hire some as the HOAs do?). Maybe it means having a plan for buses in the snow (identifying alternate stops if one is too icy). Lots of people have been commuting to work yesterday and today. The roads are not impassable.

Main roads are in good shape for commuters. Residential side streets, not so much! You have hit the nail on the head with regard to good snow removal - it requires multiple passes to get the streets dry so there's not a pile of slush in the middle of the street to freeze (and freeze into weird ruts, I may add!) Northern urban areas also have city-owned sidewalk plows, not a thing here.

Commuters have to get out of their neighborhoods to get on the main road. They can do that just fine. We have been driving on our snowy, icy residential streets in our fwd subcompact since Monday. It's slow going, but totally doable.

What about people who live on snowy icy roads but don’t have fwd?

They need to have a backup plan- e.g., leave their car somehwere else where they can get out. Isn't that what y'all are always telling everyone in regards to childcare and snow days, that they need to plan better? Or if that's not possible, get a better car next time.

Folks, you don't need 4 wheel drive to drive in the snow. You do need common sense.

That's in far shorter supply than 4 wheel drive vehicles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think streets have been plowed but if this isn't done in time they get icy. Our HOA had plows come several times on Monday and Tuesday and now our street is clean and dry. But the residential streets nearby are icy, though we've seen plows on them.

I wonder if anyone has ever examined the economic impact of multi-day school closures. A lot of parents aren't working because of this. Looking at that might make it worth it to invest more in snow storm response. Maybe it means more plows (does the county needs to own the plows or can they hire some as the HOAs do?). Maybe it means having a plan for buses in the snow (identifying alternate stops if one is too icy). Lots of people have been commuting to work yesterday and today. The roads are not impassable.

Main roads are in good shape for commuters. Residential side streets, not so much! You have hit the nail on the head with regard to good snow removal - it requires multiple passes to get the streets dry so there's not a pile of slush in the middle of the street to freeze (and freeze into weird ruts, I may add!) Northern urban areas also have city-owned sidewalk plows, not a thing here.

Commuters have to get out of their neighborhoods to get on the main road. They can do that just fine. We have been driving on our snowy, icy residential streets in our fwd subcompact since Monday. It's slow going, but totally doable.

What about people who live on snowy icy roads but don’t have fwd?

They need to have a backup plan- e.g., leave their car somehwere else where they can get out. Isn't that what y'all are always telling everyone in regards to childcare and snow days, that they need to plan better? Or if that's not possible, get a better car next time.

Folks, you don't need 4 wheel drive to drive in the snow. You do need common sense.

This! This isn't that hard. How do you think people have been getting to work the last 3 days?

Isn''t everything still closed or under telework?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone tell me what will be different tomorrow from today? There won’t be much melting today.

I’m not arguing for schools to be closed, I’m wondering why they are not open today.

Schools will be closed tomorrow I bet.

Someone commented that the last time it snowed this much, schools were closed for a week. Likely the same story this time.

I think I count myself among many parents who would blow their tops if schools are closed Thursday. (I don't even have a school-aged kid, but my toddler's preschool follows MCPS's schedule even though everything is plowed around here and we're near a Metro stop.)

I have kids in HS and have lived in the county since the younger one was born. I’d strongly suggest that you mentally prepare that this is how it is and make plans (for the years to come) accordingly.

This is the only sane post here. I also have HS and have taught in the county for 25+ years. If you have school age children, or their caregivers follow MCPS, you need winter contingency plans.
I know that is easier for some families than others. However, it is more productive than what I see in these threads every single snow day.

I have a college kid and a high schooler. Both attended/attend MCPS K-12.

The DC area has made a deliberate choice not to invest too much in snow removal equipment and labor, because it prefers to spend its funds elsewhere: free food programs at school, special education for the gifted and those with learning differences, magnets, and other public services such as free public libraries, county pools and fitness facilities, *not to mention rapid repair of air-conditioning in public buildings*, which is important for this area. We are not in the north. This is the mid-Atlantic. In terms of heating and air-conditioning needs, we have southern-leaning climatology!

Given how few and far between our snow events are, this is a perfectly acceptable choice. Last winter we had practically no snow. The years when we have significant accumulation and back to back snow events (like what might happen this week) are exceedingly rare, and it's not cost-effective to maintain and pay for rapid snow removal every winter on the off-chance we might have such events. This means that on the rare occasions schools are closed for snow, the burden shifts on parents to provide their own childcare.

Accept this or move elsewhere.

Right- last year we barely had any snow and we still needed to add a make-up day! This year we ran out and again and will need to add at least one day, probably more. Next year, the proposed calendar *reduces* the number of built-in snow days to 1.

This is not how you plan. We clearly don't have enough in the calendar, and rather than making it better we're making it worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think streets have been plowed but if this isn't done in time they get icy. Our HOA had plows come several times on Monday and Tuesday and now our street is clean and dry. But the residential streets nearby are icy, though we've seen plows on them.

I wonder if anyone has ever examined the economic impact of multi-day school closures. A lot of parents aren't working because of this. Looking at that might make it worth it to invest more in snow storm response. Maybe it means more plows (does the county needs to own the plows or can they hire some as the HOAs do?). Maybe it means having a plan for buses in the snow (identifying alternate stops if one is too icy). Lots of people have been commuting to work yesterday and today. The roads are not impassable.

Main roads are in good shape for commuters. Residential side streets, not so much! You have hit the nail on the head with regard to good snow removal - it requires multiple passes to get the streets dry so there's not a pile of slush in the middle of the street to freeze (and freeze into weird ruts, I may add!) Northern urban areas also have city-owned sidewalk plows, not a thing here.

Commuters have to get out of their neighborhoods to get on the main road. They can do that just fine. We have been driving on our snowy, icy residential streets in our fwd subcompact since Monday. It's slow going, but totally doable.

What about people who live on snowy icy roads but don’t have fwd?

They need to have a backup plan- e.g., leave their car somehwere else where they can get out. Isn't that what y'all are always telling everyone in regards to childcare and snow days, that they need to plan better? Or if that's not possible, get a better car next time.

And you need to have a backup plan for childcare for snow days instead of keening endlessly all over the internet.

So we're all paying for your crappy car choice and poor driving skills- got it! lol.

I don’t have a “crappy car and poor driving skills.” You are talking to multiple people on this anonymous message board. You really aren’t very bright. “Lol” indeed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think streets have been plowed but if this isn't done in time they get icy. Our HOA had plows come several times on Monday and Tuesday and now our street is clean and dry. But the residential streets nearby are icy, though we've seen plows on them.

I wonder if anyone has ever examined the economic impact of multi-day school closures. A lot of parents aren't working because of this. Looking at that might make it worth it to invest more in snow storm response. Maybe it means more plows (does the county needs to own the plows or can they hire some as the HOAs do?). Maybe it means having a plan for buses in the snow (identifying alternate stops if one is too icy). Lots of people have been commuting to work yesterday and today. The roads are not impassable.

Main roads are in good shape for commuters. Residential side streets, not so much! You have hit the nail on the head with regard to good snow removal - it requires multiple passes to get the streets dry so there's not a pile of slush in the middle of the street to freeze (and freeze into weird ruts, I may add!) Northern urban areas also have city-owned sidewalk plows, not a thing here.

Commuters have to get out of their neighborhoods to get on the main road. They can do that just fine. We have been driving on our snowy, icy residential streets in our fwd subcompact since Monday. It's slow going, but totally doable.

What about people who live on snowy icy roads but don’t have fwd?

They need to have a backup plan- e.g., leave their car somehwere else where they can get out. Isn't that what y'all are always telling everyone in regards to childcare and snow days, that they need to plan better? Or if that's not possible, get a better car next time.

Folks, you don't need 4 wheel drive to drive in the snow. You do need common sense.

This! This isn't that hard. How do you think people have been getting to work the last 3 days?

Isn''t everything still closed or under telework?

You're kidding. How do doctors and nurses telework? Lots of people went in on Monday and Tuesday.

Besides that, even the federal government is open today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think streets have been plowed but if this isn't done in time they get icy. Our HOA had plows come several times on Monday and Tuesday and now our street is clean and dry. But the residential streets nearby are icy, though we've seen plows on them.

I wonder if anyone has ever examined the economic impact of multi-day school closures. A lot of parents aren't working because of this. Looking at that might make it worth it to invest more in snow storm response. Maybe it means more plows (does the county needs to own the plows or can they hire some as the HOAs do?). Maybe it means having a plan for buses in the snow (identifying alternate stops if one is too icy). Lots of people have been commuting to work yesterday and today. The roads are not impassable.

Main roads are in good shape for commuters. Residential side streets, not so much! You have hit the nail on the head with regard to good snow removal - it requires multiple passes to get the streets dry so there's not a pile of slush in the middle of the street to freeze (and freeze into weird ruts, I may add!) Northern urban areas also have city-owned sidewalk plows, not a thing here.

Commuters have to get out of their neighborhoods to get on the main road. They can do that just fine. We have been driving on our snowy, icy residential streets in our fwd subcompact since Monday. It's slow going, but totally doable.

What about people who live on snowy icy roads but don’t have fwd?

They need to have a backup plan- e.g., leave their car somehwere else where they can get out. Isn't that what y'all are always telling everyone in regards to childcare and snow days, that they need to plan better? Or if that's not possible, get a better car next time.

Folks, you don't need 4 wheel drive to drive in the snow. You do need common sense.

This! This isn't that hard. How do you think people have been getting to work the last 3 days?

Isn''t everything still closed or under telework?

Everything? Sweetie, please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think streets have been plowed but if this isn't done in time they get icy. Our HOA had plows come several times on Monday and Tuesday and now our street is clean and dry. But the residential streets nearby are icy, though we've seen plows on them.

I wonder if anyone has ever examined the economic impact of multi-day school closures. A lot of parents aren't working because of this. Looking at that might make it worth it to invest more in snow storm response. Maybe it means more plows (does the county needs to own the plows or can they hire some as the HOAs do?). Maybe it means having a plan for buses in the snow (identifying alternate stops if one is too icy). Lots of people have been commuting to work yesterday and today. The roads are not impassable.

Main roads are in good shape for commuters. Residential side streets, not so much! You have hit the nail on the head with regard to good snow removal - it requires multiple passes to get the streets dry so there's not a pile of slush in the middle of the street to freeze (and freeze into weird ruts, I may add!) Northern urban areas also have city-owned sidewalk plows, not a thing here.

Commuters have to get out of their neighborhoods to get on the main road. They can do that just fine. We have been driving on our snowy, icy residential streets in our fwd subcompact since Monday. It's slow going, but totally doable.

What about people who live on snowy icy roads but don’t have fwd?

They need to have a backup plan- e.g., leave their car somehwere else where they can get out. Isn't that what y'all are always telling everyone in regards to childcare and snow days, that they need to plan better? Or if that's not possible, get a better car next time.

Folks, you don't need 4 wheel drive to drive in the snow. You do need common sense.

That's in far shorter supply than 4 wheel drive vehicles.

Unfortunately I agree with you

[Anonymous]

Who gets paid to plow MCPS parking lots? My guess is someone who doesn’t get paid a lot of money. Is that why it’s taking so long?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think streets have been plowed but if this isn't done in time they get icy. Our HOA had plows come several times on Monday and Tuesday and now our street is clean and dry. But the residential streets nearby are icy, though we've seen plows on them.

I wonder if anyone has ever examined the economic impact of multi-day school closures. A lot of parents aren't working because of this. Looking at that might make it worth it to invest more in snow storm response. Maybe it means more plows (does the county needs to own the plows or can they hire some as the HOAs do?). Maybe it means having a plan for buses in the snow (identifying alternate stops if one is too icy). Lots of people have been commuting to work yesterday and today. The roads are not impassable.

Main roads are in good shape for commuters. Residential side streets, not so much! You have hit the nail on the head with regard to good snow removal - it requires multiple passes to get the streets dry so there's not a pile of slush in the middle of the street to freeze (and freeze into weird ruts, I may add!) Northern urban areas also have city-owned sidewalk plows, not a thing here.

Commuters have to get out of their neighborhoods to get on the main road. They can do that just fine. We have been driving on our snowy, icy residential streets in our fwd subcompact since Monday. It's slow going, but totally doable.

What about people who live on snowy icy roads but don’t have fwd?

They need to have a backup plan- e.g., leave their car somehwere else where they can get out. Isn't that what y'all are always telling everyone in regards to childcare and snow days, that they need to plan better? Or if that's not possible, get a better car next time.

Folks, you don't need 4 wheel drive to drive in the snow. You do need common sense.

This! This isn't that hard. How do you think people have been getting to work the last 3 days?

Isn''t everything still closed or under telework?

Noooooo!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone tell me what will be different tomorrow from today? There won’t be much melting today.

I’m not arguing for schools to be closed, I’m wondering why they are not open today.

The county didn’t finish plowing roads until yesterday evening, and according to the snow page, there was a lot of drift in Poolesville and Damascus.

Which means the roads were plowed today. And every school I went by yesterday had parking lots and sidewalks already cleared.

They could have opened today. They could have opened *on time* today, but at least could have opened with a delay if they wanted a chance to clean things up. And certainly there is no excuse for closing child care programs.

We live inside the Beltway and only our emergency route streets were plowed yesterday (Tuesday). Last night they did some plowing and salting on residential streets which need to be done before anyone can even get to the school. I drove by our elementary school after that and the parking lot was not plowed. Hoping they got to it late last night or will today! didn't check the middle or high school.