Closed on Friday or early closing?

[Anonymous]

Ready to sent this email.

I am writing because the decision to close schools over barely any snow was extremely frustrating and, frankly, unreasonable. Many of us have attended school in real snowfall before with no issues, so shutting everything down for a trace of snow feels like an overreaction.

This kind of decision disrupts families, throws off schedules, and makes it hard for students to stay on track. I’m asking that future closures be based on actual hazardous conditions, not minimal flurries, and that communication is clearer and more thoughtful.

Please do better going forward. Students and families deserve decisions that make sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ready to sent this email.

I am writing because the decision to close schools over barely any snow was extremely frustrating and, frankly, unreasonable. Many of us have attended school in real snowfall before with no issues, so shutting everything down for a trace of snow feels like an overreaction.

This kind of decision disrupts families, throws off schedules, and makes it hard for students to stay on track. I’m asking that future closures be based on actual hazardous conditions, not minimal flurries, and that communication is clearer and more thoughtful.

Please do better going forward. Students and families deserve decisions that make sense.

Welcome to northern Virginia.

I assume, based on your letter, that you have never experienced snowfall in this area?

It is not quite as bad as Texas, where cars start sliding off the road at the first sign of frost. At least Texas drivers know their limitations and mostly stay home. That is why Garza cancelled for frosty sidewalks in Herndon. She knew her limitations.

This area has a significant number of imports from warm climates who don't know how to drive on snow so they drive on idle, plus an even larger number of jerks who think that you can go as fast as you can on snow, not realizing that just because you can drive on snow doesn't mean you can stop on snow.

When it snows, these 2 drivers always seem to converge on the Beltway, 395 and I95 at exactly the same time, right as trucks are trying to treat the roads.

They turn those 3 highways into a parking lot within an hour of the first snowflake. Fast drivers crash info those going too slow, or slide across lanes when they slam on their breaks
Cars run out of gas, and now we have the added issue of electric car batteries dying.

The first real snowfall always goes like this in DC. It is why the term Snomaggedon was coined.

Once you live hear for 1-2 snow storms, you will quickly learn that letters like you wrote just get scoffed at and tossed.

The first snowfall here does not mean a run on toilet paper and wine.

It means hours of people sitting in their cars on the highways waiting for roadside assistance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should not, and I absolutely do not think will, have school closed due to an afternoon snow event.

The current forecast is less than an inch. That wouldn't require closure.

LOLOLOL, you sweet summer child. FCPS has closed for rain and wind.

An inch of snow is more than enough.

[Anonymous]

With all due respect, become familar with boundaries of FCPS (for example includining western areas next to Loudoun Co. in the west) and sit tight/be reasonable about delay and cancellation notices that affect thousands of students. Calling for delays and cancellations based on what others are doing will not capture what we need in our county. Even within FCPS, you'll see plenty of people upset by decisions made that don't affect their specific children but are in the best interest of FCPS. Hardships of a big district, prepare and deal. Stop acting surprised. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

There is a difference between an inch of snow that collects on the grass and makes the streets wet, and an inch of snow that quickly collects on the streets. Friday is going to be on the colder side. It is hilly enough around here to be problematic as we’ve seen in several small events over the years.

There is still uncertainty in the forecast (could miss south), but if by tomorrow night at this time it looks like an inch is a real possibility, starting in the morning, they’ll close.

[Anonymous]

Reid seems to be anti-snow closure. So far, she has been right. But there have been bad calls, before her time, and she may not always be so lucky.

Fingers crossed.

[Anonymous]

I remember when my now senior was in first grade and we were supposed to just get a coating to an inch - or something similar- and it was a total mess. We waited an hour for the bus and no cars could get around. We eventually walked because we are just over that mile line. The buses couldn’t make it up the hill when they showed up later. It was terrible. And we’re just in a regular neighborhood that always gets cleared quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember when my now senior was in first grade and we were supposed to just get a coating to an inch - or something similar- and it was a total mess. We waited an hour for the bus and no cars could get around. We eventually walked because we are just over that mile line. The buses couldn’t make it up the hill when they showed up later. It was terrible. And we’re just in a regular neighborhood that always gets cleared quickly.

That would have been the morning that sparked the infamous “Garza Snow Day.” That storm caught everyone off guard as it fell right as rush hour was beginning. What was supposed to be a light dusting turned into traffic nightmare as cars skidded off the road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember when my now senior was in first grade and we were supposed to just get a coating to an inch - or something similar- and it was a total mess. We waited an hour for the bus and no cars could get around. We eventually walked because we are just over that mile line. The buses couldn’t make it up the hill when they showed up later. It was terrible. And we’re just in a regular neighborhood that always gets cleared quickly.

That would have been the morning that sparked the infamous “Garza Snow Day.” That storm caught everyone off guard as it fell right as rush hour was beginning. What was supposed to be a light dusting turned into traffic nightmare as cars skidded off the road.

Yes! Virginia is not good at snow.

[Anonymous]

People do not seem to understand that there is a difference between a "dusting" of snow in Dec (when the ground is warm) and a "dusting" of snow in late Jan when the ground is colder and a "dusting" of snow in late March when the ground is warming back up. Yes, FCPS often cancels for an inch of snow in Jan. But not when the snow melts as soon as it touches the roads.

[Anonymous]

they are closed they will announce it at 6pm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember when my now senior was in first grade and we were supposed to just get a coating to an inch - or something similar- and it was a total mess. We waited an hour for the bus and no cars could get around. We eventually walked because we are just over that mile line. The buses couldn’t make it up the hill when they showed up later. It was terrible. And we’re just in a regular neighborhood that always gets cleared quickly.

I remember my kids were in high school and middle school that day, they had so much fun that day, they still remember they are going to tell the kids they went to school in the snow...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any bets on whether FCPS will post a decision on their website and then backtrack six minutes later like it never happened?

I still think my DS was lying when he said that.. did you ever get a text or just on the website?

DP but I am the first one who posted it here on DCUM. I saw it on the website. I was clicking through web pages and I saw it change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should not, and I absolutely do not think will, have school closed due to an afternoon snow event.

The current forecast is less than an inch. That wouldn't require closure.

They won’t want busses sliding around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People do not seem to understand that there is a difference between a "dusting" of snow in Dec (when the ground is warm) and a "dusting" of snow in late Jan when the ground is colder and a "dusting" of snow in late March when the ground is warming back up. Yes, FCPS often cancels for an inch of snow in Jan. But not when the snow melts as soon as it touches the roads.

It was in the mid-20s this morning. There is frost. It’s been cold all week. The high temp tomorrow isn’t supposed to be above freezing. How warm do you think the ground is at this point?