APS VA Snow Day Projection

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what temps being below freezing has to do with anything. They keep the kids inside from recess if it feels like its 33, or its something like that.

My original bet was closed Monday and Tuesday, delayed start Wednesday. I stand by that but won't be surprised if they're closed Wednesday too and have a delayed start Thursday.

The temps comment has nothing to do with how cold the kids will be but rather the ability to clear the ice from school property and surrounding neighborhoods. If side streets and sidewalks aren’t reasonably clear, then they won’t open schools.

[Anonymous]

People also need to realize APS does not apply a huge sense of urgency to clearing their school entrances and parking lots. Essential personnel were asked to report at 11am today. My guess is nothing has been touched anywhere on school grounds.

The County crews work 24 hour shifts and work during the storm, etc. They use their own staff and hire contractors. I live near central library for example and was out this AM and already see all their entrances and sidewalks and lots are cleared. Likely County opens back up tomorrow. All this costs money, of course. APS does not prioritize spending money on this (not saying they should or shouldn't just laying out facts).

[Anonymous]

The sidewalks are now cement. Sidewalks wont be cleared for several days. Maybe they will go back Thursday?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just went to walk the dog and Antarctica is funny but kind of true- I was stepping on piles of snow covered with ice. The sidewalks we shoveled last night have a thin layer of ice. We will try to get rid of it- but how do you get rid of ice when it’s below zero?
No school through Wednesday at least. I bet they try to get a day in Thursday to get one more day this semester but not sure.

Ice melt

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People also need to realize APS does not apply a huge sense of urgency to clearing their school entrances and parking lots. Essential personnel were asked to report at 11am today. My guess is nothing has been touched anywhere on school grounds.

The County crews work 24 hour shifts and work during the storm, etc. They use their own staff and hire contractors. I live near central library for example and was out this AM and already see all their entrances and sidewalks and lots are cleared. Likely County opens back up tomorrow. All this costs money, of course. APS does not prioritize spending money on this (not saying they should or shouldn't just laying out facts).

Reasonable. They can definitely clear the property by the time all the sidewalks actually get cleared. APS parking lots are not the long pole here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just went to walk the dog and Antarctica is funny but kind of true- I was stepping on piles of snow covered with ice. The sidewalks we shoveled last night have a thin layer of ice. We will try to get rid of it- but how do you get rid of ice when it’s below zero?
No school through Wednesday at least. I bet they try to get a day in Thursday to get one more day this semester but not sure.

Ice melt

Ice melt does not work on top of a hardened solidified block of ice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The sidewalks are now cement. Sidewalks wont be cleared for several days. Maybe they will go back Thursday?

Based on the ordinance, which the County won't enforce, they should all be cleared by 8am tomorrow!

[Anonymous]

Another 10” snow storm next weekend.

So I assume APS resumes classes in the Spring?

How many snow days are built into schedule? Can we do any virtual synchronous school to avoid extending school year into summer? All the kids brought home their devices I think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what temps being below freezing has to do with anything. They keep the kids inside from recess if it feels like its 33, or its something like that.

My original bet was closed Monday and Tuesday, delayed start Wednesday. I stand by that but won't be surprised if they're closed Wednesday too and have a delayed start Thursday.

The temps comment has nothing to do with how cold the kids will be but rather the ability to clear the ice from school property and surrounding neighborhoods. If side streets and sidewalks aren’t reasonably clear, then they won’t open schools.

Thanks. I understand if APS cannot clear ice from school property, but that would be a school by school decision. Do you have any idea how APS measures neighborhood sidewalks being clear? I doubt APS sends staff out to drive around and observe sidewalk conditions. Arlington county policy is homeowners are to have shoveled sidewalks within 24 hours if less than 6 inches has fallen, and within 36 hours if more than 6 inches has fallen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what temps being below freezing has to do with anything. They keep the kids inside from recess if it feels like its 33, or its something like that.

My original bet was closed Monday and Tuesday, delayed start Wednesday. I stand by that but won't be surprised if they're closed Wednesday too and have a delayed start Thursday.

Why would there be a two hour delay when daytime temps are staying well below freezing? They do delays to add extra time for melting which isn’t happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another 10” snow storm next weekend.

So I assume APS resumes classes in the Spring?

How many snow days are built into schedule? Can we do any virtual synchronous school to avoid extending school year into summer? All the kids brought home their devices I think?

My kids' ES did not send home devices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The sidewalks are now cement. Sidewalks wont be cleared for several days. Maybe they will go back Thursday?

Based on the ordinance, which the County won't enforce, they should all be cleared by 8am tomorrow!

It's actually 36 hours when 6+ inches, so 8pm tomorrow

Dont worry, I'll be reporting my neighbors who are repeat offenders. https://arlgis.arlingtonva.us/Apps/Snow/SnowPublic/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what temps being below freezing has to do with anything. They keep the kids inside from recess if it feels like its 33, or its something like that.

My original bet was closed Monday and Tuesday, delayed start Wednesday. I stand by that but won't be surprised if they're closed Wednesday too and have a delayed start Thursday.

Why would there be a two hour delay when daytime temps are staying well below freezing? They do delays to add extra time for melting which isn’t happening.

+1 It will be WAY below freezing all day so not like melting will occur.

However, sometimes they need more time for the buses to warm up and start. so a delay is possible for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just went to walk the dog and Antarctica is funny but kind of true- I was stepping on piles of snow covered with ice. The sidewalks we shoveled last night have a thin layer of ice. We will try to get rid of it- but how do you get rid of ice when it’s below zero?
No school through Wednesday at least. I bet they try to get a day in Thursday to get one more day this semester but not sure.

Ice melt

Most people couldn’t even get any. I got a bag but the line was out the door and most people weren’t getting any. It was like yeast during Covid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what temps being below freezing has to do with anything. They keep the kids inside from recess if it feels like its 33, or its something like that.

My original bet was closed Monday and Tuesday, delayed start Wednesday. I stand by that but won't be surprised if they're closed Wednesday too and have a delayed start Thursday.

Why would there be a two hour delay when daytime temps are staying well below freezing? They do delays to add extra time for melting which isn’t happening.

Sunshine melts snow and ice. it gives schools more time to clear and prepare, teachers more time to get in safely, fewer drivers on the road when buses are picking up children. Not relevant this week, since temps aren't rising much at all, but some kids are getting on busses before 7am which can be a wicked cold time to be standing outside in the dark waiting for a bus. These are just the reasons that occur to me. I have no idea how much of this or what other things APS may consider.