School Opening Predictions for Tuesday?

[Anonymous]

Start on time

Maybe if we stopped coddling this generation of kids, they would wear jackets and gloves and walk to schools and bus stops

[Anonymous]

At what temp do buses have a hard time starting and need extra time warming up?

[Anonymous]

Sidewalks are full of ice, kids walk to school on sidewalks because we don't want them walking in the street and getting hit by a car. Delayed or no school tomorrow

[Anonymous]

Surely, some kids don't have coats, hats, gloves. This is the DC area. I think this is a big factor. If every kid had hats, gloves, heavy down coats, boots, etc., then another story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Delay for the wind chill. Snow won't be the issue. Delay on Wednesday too.

Relatively little wind is expected. We should be fine to open on-time.

The forecast for 7am on Tuesday is 7 with a wind chill of 1. By 9am, the temps are in the teens. MCPS has demanded indoor recess (rather than allowing individual principals to decide) for cold temperatures several days this year, so it follows that logic that dangerously cold temps for students waiting for buses or walking to school will be considered.

I can't pull up the hourly forecast for Wednesday yet, but it's supposed to be colder, which is why I think there will be another delay.

Are you sure you're looking in the right city? I don't see much of a wind chill in MoCo on Tuesday.

I looked in Gaithersburg because it's centrally located in the county, and it's also where I live. I am an elementary teacher and I don't actually have a professional preference for delay, closure, whatever. Delays and early releases are more difficult with behavior, as most of the transitions to break up the day for the students are gone. Opening on time when it probably should have been delayed or closed tends to mean more absences, and always means late students and a disjointed start to the day. Days off mean interruption to the curriculum and we end up having to cut out fun stuff because we have to prioritize assessments and review. But like all things, there are ups and downs and I just manage it and carry on.

I stand by my opinion that Tuesday and Wednesday will have two hour delays. You can argue whether or not they are necessary but that's what I think will happen. During the polar vortex a few years ago, there was a day where the bus stop temperature was 2 degrees and so school was delayed. Two hours later, it was a balmy 7. Did the delay accomplish anything? I doubt it, but that's what was done.

I wish these threads didn't always devolve into insults and accusations of laziness for teachers, parents, students, etc. We're all doing our best and I like to think that we all have it in our hearts that what's best for the students is the most important. We can disagree with what we think "best" actually is, but there's no need to do it by tearing each other apart.

[Anonymous]

Completely agree with you. The forum is supposed to provide information and advice. Most of the time it does but the immature remarks and backhanded sarcasm really gets old!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Surely, some kids don't have coats, hats, gloves. This is the DC area. I think this is a big factor. If every kid had hats, gloves, heavy down coats, boots, etc., then another story.

That is on the families at this point. You can buy a jacket and some gloves for cheap, or get them from school coat drives, nonprofits, etc. There are so many resources in this area, everyone could have a coat if they wanted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Surely, some kids don't have coats, hats, gloves. This is the DC area. I think this is a big factor. If every kid had hats, gloves, heavy down coats, boots, etc., then another story.

You don't need hats and gloves when you have hoods and pockets. Your hands are likely to stay warmer in pockets anyway.

And if this really hinges on coats (which I doubt), it would be a whole lot cheaper to distribute coats to families in need than to close or delay schools.

But the reality is that a simple hoody would be enough for 20-30 minutes in 0F weather. Hood up, hands in pockets. Yes, you'd be cold. But you'd also be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Delay for the wind chill. Snow won't be the issue. Delay on Wednesday too.

Relatively little wind is expected. We should be fine to open on-time.

The forecast for 7am on Tuesday is 7 with a wind chill of 1. By 9am, the temps are in the teens. MCPS has demanded indoor recess (rather than allowing individual principals to decide) for cold temperatures several days this year, so it follows that logic that dangerously cold temps for students waiting for buses or walking to school will be considered.

I can't pull up the hourly forecast for Wednesday yet, but it's supposed to be colder, which is why I think there will be another delay.

Are you sure you're looking in the right city? I don't see much of a wind chill in MoCo on Tuesday.

I looked in Gaithersburg because it's centrally located in the county, and it's also where I live. I am an elementary teacher and I don't actually have a professional preference for delay, closure, whatever. Delays and early releases are more difficult with behavior, as most of the transitions to break up the day for the students are gone. Opening on time when it probably should have been delayed or closed tends to mean more absences, and always means late students and a disjointed start to the day. Days off mean interruption to the curriculum and we end up having to cut out fun stuff because we have to prioritize assessments and review. But like all things, there are ups and downs and I just manage it and carry on.

I stand by my opinion that Tuesday and Wednesday will have two hour delays. You can argue whether or not they are necessary but that's what I think will happen. During the polar vortex a few years ago, there was a day where the bus stop temperature was 2 degrees and so school was delayed. Two hours later, it was a balmy 7. Did the delay accomplish anything? I doubt it, but that's what was done.

I wish these threads didn't always devolve into insults and accusations of laziness for teachers, parents, students, etc. We're all doing our best and I like to think that we all have it in our hearts that what's best for the students is the most important. We can disagree with what we think "best" actually is, but there's no need to do it by tearing each other apart.

We should all expect more and better of the school system than to close for basic winter weather. There are far too many MCPS apologists posting here, to say nothing of those openly advocating for unnecessary closures.

[Anonymous]

Whatever they decide, I hope they will announce it tonight (even if it is to open on time — we need to know a decision has been made).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am surprised that it is really not that cold today. I do not think there is any windchill. It is 27 and the sun is very bright. Snow is melting on my roof. I was at the gym at 8:15 without issue. ---reporting from Rockville.

Same. Been out and about all day. The roads are fine. Just processed with caution. Bundle up. Schools should be open.

I don’t think there will be even a 2 hour delay. Plenty of time to have cleared the roads since last night and it’s warmed up now too…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whatever they decide, I hope they will announce it tonight (even if it is to open on time — we need to know a decision has been made).

+1 agree

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Delay for the wind chill. Snow won't be the issue. Delay on Wednesday too.

Relatively little wind is expected. We should be fine to open on-time.

The forecast for 7am on Tuesday is 7 with a wind chill of 1. By 9am, the temps are in the teens. MCPS has demanded indoor recess (rather than allowing individual principals to decide) for cold temperatures several days this year, so it follows that logic that dangerously cold temps for students waiting for buses or walking to school will be considered.

I can't pull up the hourly forecast for Wednesday yet, but it's supposed to be colder, which is why I think there will be another delay.

Are you sure you're looking in the right city? I don't see much of a wind chill in MoCo on Tuesday.

I looked in Gaithersburg because it's centrally located in the county, and it's also where I live. I am an elementary teacher and I don't actually have a professional preference for delay, closure, whatever. Delays and early releases are more difficult with behavior, as most of the transitions to break up the day for the students are gone. Opening on time when it probably should have been delayed or closed tends to mean more absences, and always means late students and a disjointed start to the day. Days off mean interruption to the curriculum and we end up having to cut out fun stuff because we have to prioritize assessments and review. But like all things, there are ups and downs and I just manage it and carry on.

I stand by my opinion that Tuesday and Wednesday will have two hour delays. You can argue whether or not they are necessary but that's what I think will happen. During the polar vortex a few years ago, there was a day where the bus stop temperature was 2 degrees and so school was delayed. Two hours later, it was a balmy 7. Did the delay accomplish anything? I doubt it, but that's what was done.

I wish these threads didn't always devolve into insults and accusations of laziness for teachers, parents, students, etc. We're all doing our best and I like to think that we all have it in our hearts that what's best for the students is the most important. We can disagree with what we think "best" actually is, but there's no need to do it by tearing each other apart.

We should all expect more and better of the school system than to close for basic winter weather. There are far too many MCPS apologists posting here, to say nothing of those openly advocating for unnecessary closures.

Closures of this kind are hardly unique to MCPS, or even this region.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Delay for the wind chill. Snow won't be the issue. Delay on Wednesday too.

Relatively little wind is expected. We should be fine to open on-time.

The forecast for 7am on Tuesday is 7 with a wind chill of 1. By 9am, the temps are in the teens. MCPS has demanded indoor recess (rather than allowing individual principals to decide) for cold temperatures several days this year, so it follows that logic that dangerously cold temps for students waiting for buses or walking to school will be considered.

I can't pull up the hourly forecast for Wednesday yet, but it's supposed to be colder, which is why I think there will be another delay.

Are you sure you're looking in the right city? I don't see much of a wind chill in MoCo on Tuesday.

I looked in Gaithersburg because it's centrally located in the county, and it's also where I live. I am an elementary teacher and I don't actually have a professional preference for delay, closure, whatever. Delays and early releases are more difficult with behavior, as most of the transitions to break up the day for the students are gone. Opening on time when it probably should have been delayed or closed tends to mean more absences, and always means late students and a disjointed start to the day. Days off mean interruption to the curriculum and we end up having to cut out fun stuff because we have to prioritize assessments and review. But like all things, there are ups and downs and I just manage it and carry on.

I stand by my opinion that Tuesday and Wednesday will have two hour delays. You can argue whether or not they are necessary but that's what I think will happen. During the polar vortex a few years ago, there was a day where the bus stop temperature was 2 degrees and so school was delayed. Two hours later, it was a balmy 7. Did the delay accomplish anything? I doubt it, but that's what was done.

I wish these threads didn't always devolve into insults and accusations of laziness for teachers, parents, students, etc. We're all doing our best and I like to think that we all have it in our hearts that what's best for the students is the most important. We can disagree with what we think "best" actually is, but there's no need to do it by tearing each other apart.

We should all expect more and better of the school system than to close for basic winter weather. There are far too many MCPS apologists posting here, to say nothing of those openly advocating for unnecessary closures.

Closures of this kind are hardly unique to MCPS, or even this region.

And we should all expect more and better from our schools. These closures only happen because people implicitly accept them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Start on time

Maybe if we stopped coddling this generation of kids, they would wear jackets and gloves and walk to schools and bus stops

Great, can you lobby for all of us to get your privilege, such as sidewalks. Not very safe for kids to walk in the street with cars slipping and sliding.