is your school closed during the Papal Visit?

[Anonymous]

Looks like Bridges is open and if we don't take him it will be unexcused absence :/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[quote=Anonymous]My school in upper NW has no plans to close. Can't see why it Would need to.

Because the gridlock in Washington is going to be unbearable. OP is right: OPM is arranging for any federal workers who can to work from home. Private sector is also being told to stay home and work from there. Radio and TV talk shows have been talking about the need to stay home for the last week. Your school needs to get on the ball and think of the parents who have to transverse D.C. to get to it.


NP here, my upper NW elementary school has no plan to close and I would be super pissed if they did it. even if there is going to be a gridlock in Brookland, there is no need to close DCPS for three days citywide. I am also not sure about what private sector you are talking about, my large lawfirm downtown expects to see us at work that week as usual.

[Anonymous]

This is another reason to choose your neighborhood school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[quote=Anonymous]My school in upper NW has no plans to close. Can't see why it Would need to.

Because the gridlock in Washington is going to be unbearable. OP is right: OPM is arranging for any federal workers who can to work from home. Private sector is also being told to stay home and work from there. Radio and TV talk shows have been talking about the need to stay home for the last week. Your school needs to get on the ball and think of the parents who have to transverse D.C. to get to it.

Shutting down a school of 700+ kids to address the commute of a handful of kids is insane. Those families can adjust and leave earlier.

[Anonymous]

Lee announced a few weeks ago the school would be closed on Sept 23 when the pope visits the Basilica (very close by).

I understand ITS is also closed that afternoon (same building).

I'll be teleworking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[quote=Anonymous]My school in upper NW has no plans to close. Can't see why it Would need to.

Because the gridlock in Washington is going to be unbearable. OP is right: OPM is arranging for any federal workers who can to work from home. Private sector is also being told to stay home and work from there. Radio and TV talk shows have been talking about the need to stay home for the last week. Your school needs to get on the ball and think of the parents who have to transverse D.C. to get to it.

I really think this "gridlock" thing is overblown. It is going to affect small portions of the city for short periods of time. Drivers will need to educate themselves of alternate routes and leave earlier for 2 or 3 days max.

[Anonymous]

They just announced that Pope will make a loop around the Ellipse 9/23 and they are setting up jumbotrons on the mall for people to gather and watch the Basilica and St. Mathews events.

People will be allowed in these areas as early as 5 am to get spots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[quote=Anonymous]My school in upper NW has no plans to close. Can't see why it Would need to.

Because the gridlock in Washington is going to be unbearable. OP is right: OPM is arranging for any federal workers who can to work from home. Private sector is also being told to stay home and work from there. Radio and TV talk shows have been talking about the need to stay home for the last week. Your school needs to get on the ball and think of the parents who have to transverse D.C. to get to it.

I really think this "gridlock" thing is overblown. It is going to affect small portions of the city for short periods of time. Drivers will need to educate themselves of alternate routes and leave earlier for 2 or 3 days max.


Why does every post on DCUrbanmoms have to evolve into a fight? Look it up on google. Read above about the Mass at the Basilica, the mob on the mall, the jumbotrons and read the Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dr-gridlock/wp/2015/09/09/metro-will-run-near-rush-hour-rail-service-during-pope-franciss-visit-but-expect-crowds-and-delays/

[Anonymous]

DCPS and DCPCS are primarily for low-income families. Low income families tend not to have jobs where you can telecommute. The schools will stay open so the kids have a place to go, and so they can keep learning. If a few charters right nearby want to close those days that's up to them. But most kids go to school fairly close to their homes, even if they don't go to their IB DCPS, and shouldn't have too hard of a time. If you don't want to take your kid, just get an unexcused absence and have fun at home--no big deal.

[Anonymous]

Here is the plan for the Pope's "parade around the ellipse" during morning rush hour.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/09/10/pope-francis-will-do-a-popemobile-parade-around-the-ellipse/?tid=sm_fb

[Anonymous]

I don't blame the schools in the Brookland area for closing one bit.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Metro-Prepares-For-Large-Crowds-326056561.html

The Pope's visit to Washington later this month may cause hours-long delays at some Metro stations -- and officials and asking the public to plan ahead.

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend events during the three-day papal visit, which could produce near-inauguration ridership levels at some Metro stations, Metro said.

Riders should expect crowding on all trains Sept. 22 through 24, especially at the Brookland-CUA Metro station, which is the closest station to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the smallest Metro station on the Red Line.

The Brookland station accommodates fewer than 5,000 boardings per hour under normal conditions, Metro said in a statement. More than 25,000 ticketed guests are scheduled to attend the Mass Sept. 23 led by Pope Francis.

To try to handle the flood of riders, Metro plans to provide shuttle bus service from the Fort Totten and Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metro stations. Metro will run additional trains during non-peak hours during the Pope's visit but "does not have the ability to add significant capacity during the traditional morning and evening rush hours," Metro said.

The Brookland station may be designated as "exit only" before the event with the Pope and "entrance only" after the event.

Riders are encouraged to telecommute if they can, buy SmarTrip cards and purchase enough fare to last through the entire visit.

Bus riders should also expect delays, Metro said.

[Anonymous]

It makes complete sense to schools who are in areas where the Pope will be to consider closing. It makes ZERO sense to close schools which are in neighborhoods far from the Pope's tour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCPS and DCPCS are primarily for low-income families. Low income families tend not to have jobs where you can telecommute. The schools will stay open so the kids have a place to go, and so they can keep learning. If a few charters right nearby want to close those days that's up to them. But most kids go to school fairly close to their homes, even if they don't go to their IB DCPS, and shouldn't have too hard of a time. If you don't want to take your kid, just get an unexcused absence and have fun at home--no big deal.

What in the holy shit are you talking about!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS and DCPCS are primarily for low-income families. Low income families tend not to have jobs where you can telecommute. The schools will stay open so the kids have a place to go, and so they can keep learning. If a few charters right nearby want to close those days that's up to them. But most kids go to school fairly close to their homes, even if they don't go to their IB DCPS, and shouldn't have too hard of a time. If you don't want to take your kid, just get an unexcused absence and have fun at home--no big deal.

What in the holy shit are you talking about!

This whole post is hilarious. Low income families don't telecommute. DCPS is for the poors. They all attend close by schools...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It makes complete sense to schools who are in areas where the Pope will be to consider closing. It makes ZERO sense to close schools which are in neighborhoods far from the Pope's tour.

I didn't see anyone advocate for that.