Another snow day!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the people worried about extending the year as far as Juneteenth, the last day of school this year is currently set for Thursday June 13th. They could have makeup days the 14th, 17th and 18th, as well as other designated days during the year.

spring break baby- lets do it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Snow/ice removal comes down to equipment and labor. Who’s willing to have their property taxes increased to cover these costs?

Have they cut the budget for these services over time? Obviously this place has never been western NY in terms of snow removal but I grew up around here and IMO the ability to handle minor snow events has declined over time. Either that or the tolerance for anything other than completely ice/snow free sidewalks and roads.

But anyway, I thought it was a bit odd that central office was giving itself a 2hr delay today when there was no similar OPM call. Clearly someone there was scared about having to drive to work.

I think it's both. And we're raising the next generation to believe that any snow or lingering ice warrants a snow day, like in the deep south.

It's mostly a tolerance thing. Are there patches of snow/ice on some roads and sidewalks? Sure, but not enough to shut things down.

Have we trained people to think that if things are open, then it must be safe to drive full speed? I just don't understand how anyone could think it's reasonable to shut things down under these conditions. I'm not talking about the whether-- I mean the conditions of the roads and sidewalks. States in the north would have to shut down all winter if the current roads weren't acceptable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just enjoy it!

Enjoy falling further behind with work?

Some of us have jobs.

lol you keep posting like you’re the only person who works. We all do. We just all learned how to figure it out without the constant whining. Maybe you just are terrible at your job. Feel bad for you.

Some of us have real jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Snow/ice removal comes down to equipment and labor. Who’s willing to have their property taxes increased to cover these costs?

Have they cut the budget for these services over time? Obviously this place has never been western NY in terms of snow removal but I grew up around here and IMO the ability to handle minor snow events has declined over time. Either that or the tolerance for anything other than completely ice/snow free sidewalks and roads.

But anyway, I thought it was a bit odd that central office was giving itself a 2hr delay today when there was no similar OPM call. Clearly someone there was scared about having to drive to work.

I think it's both. And we're raising the next generation to believe that any snow or lingering ice warrants a snow day, like in the deep south.

It's mostly a tolerance thing. Are there patches of snow/ice on some roads and sidewalks? Sure, but not enough to shut things down.

Have we trained people to think that if things are open, then it must be safe to drive full speed? I just don't understand how anyone could think it's reasonable to shut things down under these conditions. I'm not talking about the whether-- I mean the conditions of the roads and sidewalks. States in the north would have to shut down all winter if the current roads weren't acceptable.

Do you live in Maryland? Have you encountered any Maryland drivers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just enjoy it!

Enjoy falling further behind with work?

Some of us have jobs.

lol you keep posting like you’re the only person who works. We all do. We just all learned how to figure it out without the constant whining. Maybe you just are terrible at your job. Feel bad for you.

Some of us have real jobs.

Then stop posting on DCUM and go do it.

[Anonymous]

Well, my kids and I are thrilled it is another day off.

It was obvious to me that the only reason they were desperately trying to do a two hour delay was because they saw the writing on the wall about the snow coming Friday. Had that not been in the forecast, they would have absolutely cancelled today without hemming and hawing because the ice in this area is a predictable problem given how the storm went and the temps today. I think they would have opened if they were operationally able to, but there’s truly too much ice on school grounds and walker routes. It’s not worth the risk and liability.

You may also see a two hour delay tomorrow although my money is on on-time. Closed Friday. It is *possible* they will try to slap together some kind of asynchronous something (which will be written by the central office staff working today and not the actual teachers and essentially busy work/useless) to try to get the day to count.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many people telling us all they hate their kids and actually having to parent but use the school system as their cover.

Aha PP, you cracked the code. All of us parents who think that public schools should educate our children hate our kids. The only good parents are the ones who want to keep their kids locked in the basement through middle age for endless crafts, cuddles and hot chocolate - all curated for social media.

News flash: I have a very flexible job and my only kid at home is in HS. I still would like to see him get an education, especially as the term nears its end. I still appreciate how hard these ridiculous no-school days are for working parents of small children, especially those who don't have flexible jobs or the extra funds to pay for unanticipated childcare. I still think a major metropolitan area shouldn't close schools for 160k+ students because of a minor storm that ended two days ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Snow/ice removal comes down to equipment and labor. Who’s willing to have their property taxes increased to cover these costs?

Have they cut the budget for these services over time? Obviously this place has never been western NY in terms of snow removal but I grew up around here and IMO the ability to handle minor snow events has declined over time. Either that or the tolerance for anything other than completely ice/snow free sidewalks and roads.

But anyway, I thought it was a bit odd that central office was giving itself a 2hr delay today when there was no similar OPM call. Clearly someone there was scared about having to drive to work.

I think it's both. And we're raising the next generation to believe that any snow or lingering ice warrants a snow day, like in the deep south.

It's mostly a tolerance thing. Are there patches of snow/ice on some roads and sidewalks? Sure, but not enough to shut things down.

Have we trained people to think that if things are open, then it must be safe to drive full speed? I just don't understand how anyone could think it's reasonable to shut things down under these conditions. I'm not talking about the whether-- I mean the conditions of the roads and sidewalks. States in the north would have to shut down all winter if the current roads weren't acceptable.

How many times do people have to reply to posts like this? We ARENT in the north and therefore, were not prepared. We’re living in Montgomery county Maryland in case you haven’t noticed. That’s like saying we should be prepared for 123 degree summers because Arizona is. Use your brain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just enjoy it!

Enjoy falling further behind with work?

Some of us have jobs.

lol you keep posting like you’re the only person who works. We all do. We just all learned how to figure it out without the constant whining. Maybe you just are terrible at your job. Feel bad for you.

Some of us have real jobs.

Then get off this stupid listserve. You are on it all day. Real job, my ass.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Just enjoy it![/quote]

Enjoy falling further behind with work?

Some of us have jobs.[/quote]

lol you keep posting like you’re the only person who works. We all do. We just all learned how to figure it out without the constant whining. Maybe you just are terrible at your job. Feel bad for you.[/quote]

Some of us have real jobs.[/quote]

DP, you really got them with that one!

/s (had to put it because I don’t think someone as dense as you could tell)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Snow/ice removal comes down to equipment and labor. Who’s willing to have their property taxes increased to cover these costs?

Have they cut the budget for these services over time? Obviously this place has never been western NY in terms of snow removal but I grew up around here and IMO the ability to handle minor snow events has declined over time. Either that or the tolerance for anything other than completely ice/snow free sidewalks and roads.

But anyway, I thought it was a bit odd that central office was giving itself a 2hr delay today when there was no similar OPM call. Clearly someone there was scared about having to drive to work.

I think it's both. And we're raising the next generation to believe that any snow or lingering ice warrants a snow day, like in the deep south.

It's mostly a tolerance thing. Are there patches of snow/ice on some roads and sidewalks? Sure, but not enough to shut things down.

Have we trained people to think that if things are open, then it must be safe to drive full speed? I just don't understand how anyone could think it's reasonable to shut things down under these conditions. I'm not talking about the whether-- I mean the conditions of the roads and sidewalks. States in the north would have to shut down all winter if the current roads weren't acceptable.

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be school. Since it is canceled it is time to cancel some of the contingency days and add back meaningful instruction time. No adding days in June after AP tests. Add them earlier. People who have plans can have excused absences.

They are going to claw back some spring break days

There’s built in days. We aren’t there yet and they aren’t going to do it for Spring Break. Too many staff members would be out. The kids will be fine. The sky is falling crowd because kids missed 2 days of school is wild.

Closing today doesn't speak well for the likelihood we'll have enough extra days built into the calendar.

MCPS always schedules 185 school days despite the state minimum of 180. That doesn’t include the days they have designated as potential make up days. It’s a hot spot for teachers because the union isn’t allowed to negotiate the length of the school year (or class size). Btw, the state only requires 168 school days from private schools. So talk to me again about learning loss

No, up until a few years ago MCPS would schedule 184 days, but now they schedule 182, which allows for 2 snow days before makeups are required.

From the printed calendar: If the school year is disrupted by emergencies and schools are closed three or more days, dates identified as possible
make-up instructional days include: November 1, 2023; January 29, March 25-26, April 10, April 22, June 14 and June 17–18, 2024.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Snow/ice removal comes down to equipment and labor. Who’s willing to have their property taxes increased to cover these costs?

Have they cut the budget for these services over time? Obviously this place has never been western NY in terms of snow removal but I grew up around here and IMO the ability to handle minor snow events has declined over time. Either that or the tolerance for anything other than completely ice/snow free sidewalks and roads.

But anyway, I thought it was a bit odd that central office was giving itself a 2hr delay today when there was no similar OPM call. Clearly someone there was scared about having to drive to work.

I think it's both. And we're raising the next generation to believe that any snow or lingering ice warrants a snow day, like in the deep south.

It's mostly a tolerance thing. Are there patches of snow/ice on some roads and sidewalks? Sure, but not enough to shut things down.

Have we trained people to think that if things are open, then it must be safe to drive full speed? I just don't understand how anyone could think it's reasonable to shut things down under these conditions. I'm not talking about the whether-- I mean the conditions of the roads and sidewalks. States in the north would have to shut down all winter if the current roads weren't acceptable.

How many times do people have to reply to posts like this? We ARENT in the north and therefore, were not prepared. We’re living in Montgomery county Maryland in case you haven’t noticed. That’s like saying we should be prepared for 123 degree summers because Arizona is. Use your brain.

Go outside and practice walking on ice so you are more prepared on Friday. We haven't had much snow the past few years so I understand you are out of practice. But I am from the DMV and there wasn't such angst about slippery sidewalks 30 years ago. It was just part of, you know, WINTER. This isn't Arizona, this was not some freak event.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes this seems like a VERY late call to me. Probably was waiting until the last minute. Is there a published list of cutoff times that MCPS tries to adhere to?

It's all McKnight's fault! I blame her!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be school. Since it is canceled it is time to cancel some of the contingency days and add back meaningful instruction time. No adding days in June after AP tests. Add them earlier. People who have plans can have excused absences.

They are going to claw back some spring break days

There’s built in days. We aren’t there yet and they aren’t going to do it for Spring Break. Too many staff members would be out. The kids will be fine. The sky is falling crowd because kids missed 2 days of school is wild.

Closing today doesn't speak well for the likelihood we'll have enough extra days built into the calendar.

MCPS always schedules 185 school days despite the state minimum of 180. That doesn’t include the days they have designated as potential make up days. It’s a hot spot for teachers because the union isn’t allowed to negotiate the length of the school year (or class size). Btw, the state only requires 168 school days from private schools. So talk to me again about learning loss

No, up until a few years ago MCPS would schedule 184 days, but now they schedule 182, which allows for 2 snow days before makeups are required.

From the printed calendar: If the school year is disrupted by emergencies and schools are closed three or more days, dates identified as possible
make-up instructional days include: November 1, 2023; January 29, March 25-26, April 10, April 22, June 14 and June 17–18, 2024.

I predict they will use April 22 and June 14, if necessary.