Snow day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there are tons of shady contractors and lazy VDOT drivers marking roads as done (and getting paid for doing them) but not actually plowing anything. We haven't seen a plow in days. Where are the plows?

VDOT has a way to report a problem:

https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/

[Anonymous]

These days can be used to the kids advantage. Both my kids have studied math for 3 hrs everyday since 1/2 (both are in advanced math and could use practice in couple of topics), for parents who are WFH or SAH, we can make the most of this time. They have also been outside to play in the slow and played plenty of video games as well but to asking them to study 3hrs in the entire day was not much of an ask IMO.

*I planned their assignments over the weekend and at evening I follow up, I also check in on them during the day because I WFH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel the tone of this 166 page thread has gotten more feral in the past 24 hours.

Just wait until next week when we're looking at a closure on Monday and Tuesday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there are tons of shady contractors and lazy VDOT drivers marking roads as done (and getting paid for doing them) but not actually plowing anything. We haven't seen a plow in days. Where are the plows?

The only plows I have seen in the last two days have been driving around with the snow plow blade up, not plowing anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baffling that people assume and totally accept that school will be closed Monday as well. Staying closed for more than a full week after a moderate snowfall (not "epic" as Dr. Reid mentioned in her first email) is total BS. WTF is wrong with people for not having an issue with that? My kid (age 13) is finally able to entertain himself on snow days and doesn't need a lot of oversight, but we all need to get back into our routines.

It's nice to see an honest poster but, nevertheless, it's not about you.

All kids need the routine. Being home all day isn't good for anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there are tons of shady contractors and lazy VDOT drivers marking roads as done (and getting paid for doing them) but not actually plowing anything. We haven't seen a plow in days. Where are the plows?

At this point you need to call VDOT directly. The trucks just drove over the compacted 4 inches of ice/snow without dropping their plows. Thus, they ‘completed’ your street with minimum effort. Call to be placed on a list. They will come again, but you need to call them today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there are tons of shady contractors and lazy VDOT drivers marking roads as done (and getting paid for doing them) but not actually plowing anything. We haven't seen a plow in days. Where are the plows?

At this point you need to call VDOT directly. The trucks just drove over the compacted 4 inches of ice/snow without dropping their plows. Thus, they ‘completed’ your street with minimum effort. Call to be placed on a list. They will come again, but you need to call them today.

Btw- they passed over the street just throwing salt on that 4 in of snow/ice. That counts as their ‘pass’ on your street. It’s not good enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel the tone of this 166 page thread has gotten more feral in the past 24 hours.

Just wait until next week when we're looking at a closure on Monday and Tuesday.

The Friday night snow threat seems to be diminishing, zero chance FCPS is closed Monday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These days can be used to the kids advantage. Both my kids have studied math for 3 hrs everyday since 1/2 (both are in advanced math and could use practice in couple of topics), for parents who are WFH or SAH, we can make the most of this time. They have also been outside to play in the slow and played plenty of video games as well but to asking them to study 3hrs in the entire day was not much of an ask IMO.

*I planned their assignments over the weekend and at evening I follow up, I also check in on them during the day because I WFH.

Same. Made plans over the weekend for work for my kids to do anticipating this week would be a full closure. They are elementary aged and have spent 2 hours a day doing school work all week. It helps that we homeschooled during the Covid virtual year so I know what to do and they know the expectations but they've been appreciative of 2 hours of work compared to 7 hours of a full school day. Honestly, they're probably learning more at home than they would at school anyway. They do miss their school friends that aren't within walking distance but they'll get back together with them next week. We all make do with the situation at hand.

[Anonymous]

There should be contingency bus routes in place. Parents can drive if needed/not comfortable. Walkers should flex and get driven.

It's not that hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's mostly VDOT's fault, but it's also FCPS's faut. There should be contingency plans in place. Not every bus stop is going to be ice-free, and that cannot be the standard for sending a county full of children to school.

It's so sad how education is never at the top of the list of priorities.

OMG. Just stop. There are literally thousands of bus stops. We do not get a consistent snowfall each year. And you want people sitting around making contingency plans.

I can’t tell which you have more of: entitlement or stupidity.

I can promise you I am neither entitled nor stupid. But the superintendent seems to think that every bus stop needs to be cleared with a blow dryer in order to send kids to school. Consolidate bus stops. Have a designated consolidated bus stop for snow events. Have kids wait somewhere else. We got 6 inches of snow, these are not giant mounds. The kids will be fine. It’s so pathetic here.

You must be a little stupid if you don’t know what a logistical nightmare that would be. To reorganize bus stops, routes, drivers communication, etc. that would take a week we might as well just wait it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There should be contingency bus routes in place. Parents can drive if needed/not comfortable. Walkers should flex and get driven.

It's not that hard.

When we live in a world where (you decide if this is for better or for worse) the majority can't be served an education is every special case is not handled, it is a lot harder than you think. Even if 95% of people could find a way to rearrange their schedules to drive their walkers, FCPS would close for the 5% whose parents work 2 jobs where the bosses are absolutely inflexible and those families have zero support system so the kids wouldn't make it to school. And no, the county doesn't have the resources to find emergency bus routes for the 5% or whatever.

You decide if this is for better or for worse. I think in prior decades we catered a lot less to these situations. And perhaps there were fewer of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Conditions won't be any better tomorrow than they are today. Monday will be just as bad if not worse. I would love to know what will make FCPS officials feel comfortable opening schools.

The Weather Channel is calling for temps in the high 30s Saturday and Sunday, and sun.

That should be enough to melt icy spots and open school Monday. If not, Tuesday for sure because temps should be in the 40s on Monday.

And when it warms up, people need to get out and shovel sidewalks and school bus stops since the government isn’t responsible for those - maybe even your road if it’s bad since vdot has done a poor job (and call Youngkin to complain).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there are tons of shady contractors and lazy VDOT drivers marking roads as done (and getting paid for doing them) but not actually plowing anything. We haven't seen a plow in days. Where are the plows?

At this point you need to call VDOT directly. The trucks just drove over the compacted 4 inches of ice/snow without dropping their plows. Thus, they ‘completed’ your street with minimum effort. Call to be placed on a list. They will come again, but you need to call them today.

I put in two "tickets" but at your suggestion, I just called and they answered quickly at least. No wait time. They took my information. Asked a few questions and said they'll try to get a plow onto my street today. We'll see. I recommend everyone call.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in APS and a student came in with their face all bloody because they slipped on ICE.

I as an adult have slipped on ice. I have learned to watch the ground and be more careful.

I agree generally with your comment, that doesn’t always work.