Delayed opening Tuesday Feb 3

[Anonymous]

It doesn't sound like MCPS and MCDOT have been coordinating at all beyond MCPS's request on Sunday afternoon for MCDOT to clear some extra areas. Basically the same time that MCPS bashed MCDOT in its message to the public.

In other words MCPS bureaucrats gave themselves 5 days off and did not talk at all with MCDOT, then bashed them publicly to excuse not opening today. Meanwhile MCDOT staff were literally working all week last week, certainly not perfectly. But at least they were working.

In an update sent Sunday afternoon, officials wrote that “all schools are ready.”

That wasn’t enough to bring kids back, they determined, because the county’s sprawling network of roads needed more work.

On Monday morning, Rockville High School’s parking lot was clear, and salt was sprinkled across the sidewalks bordering the campus. But that didn’t mean a clear walk to school.

While some sidewalks in the surrounding neighborhoods were shoveled, many others remained miniature ice rinks, marked by deep divots and reminders of Rockville’s pets.

Montgomery County paused enforcement of sidewalk clearing requirements, telling residents that they wouldn’t issue violation notices until Monday.

Near Meadow Hall Elementary, a bright yellow sign signaled to drivers that children would be using a crosswalk to get to school. The path to that crosswalk, however, remained buried under thick, slippery ice.

Emily DeTitta, spokeswoman for the county Department of Transportation, said the agency cleared roads surrounding county schools on Sunday night.

“We just received a request from MCPS for some additional areas late yesterday and are either assisting directly or asking the state when they are on state roads to address them,” she said.

Crews are also working to widen neighborhood roads and help clear sidewalks.

https://www.thebanner.com/education/k-12-schools/montgomery-county-schools-snow-ice-removal-VMOAICYWFBDHNAGT4PIG5OMDPM/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't sound like MCPS and MCDOT have been coordinating at all beyond MCPS's request on Sunday afternoon for MCDOT to clear some extra areas. Basically the same time that MCPS bashed MCDOT in its message to the public.

In other words MCPS bureaucrats gave themselves 5 days off and did not talk at all with MCDOT, then bashed them publicly to excuse not opening today. Meanwhile MCDOT staff were literally working all week last week, certainly not perfectly. But at least they were working.

In an update sent Sunday afternoon, officials wrote that “all schools are ready.”

That wasn’t enough to bring kids back, they determined, because the county’s sprawling network of roads needed more work.

On Monday morning, Rockville High School’s parking lot was clear, and salt was sprinkled across the sidewalks bordering the campus. But that didn’t mean a clear walk to school.

While some sidewalks in the surrounding neighborhoods were shoveled, many others remained miniature ice rinks, marked by deep divots and reminders of Rockville’s pets.

Montgomery County paused enforcement of sidewalk clearing requirements, telling residents that they wouldn’t issue violation notices until Monday.

Near Meadow Hall Elementary, a bright yellow sign signaled to drivers that children would be using a crosswalk to get to school. The path to that crosswalk, however, remained buried under thick, slippery ice.

Emily DeTitta, spokeswoman for the county Department of Transportation, said the agency cleared roads surrounding county schools on Sunday night.

“We just received a request from MCPS for some additional areas late yesterday and are either assisting directly or asking the state when they are on state roads to address them,” she said.

Crews are also working to widen neighborhood roads and help clear sidewalks.

https://www.thebanner.com/education/k-12-schools/montgomery-county-schools-snow-ice-removal-VMOAICYWFBDHNAGT4PIG5OMDPM/

Yup, exactly what I was thinking. Lack of foresight on the part of MCPS. What did they thing was going to happen in such temps? Magic melting???

They should have negotiated a deal with County last week. Involving actual money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So no explanation about why they couldn’t have done a 2 hour delay today.

They didn’t want to. Because conditions weren’t “perfect” and the residents of MoCo are bad at shoveling.

They got shamed when they saw most schools districts opened today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So no explanation about why they couldn’t have done a 2 hour delay today.

They didn’t want to. Because conditions weren’t “perfect” and the residents of MoCo are bad at shoveling.

They got shamed when they saw most schools districts opened today.

No one felt "shame" for keeping students safe. That is all in your delusional fantasies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't sound like MCPS and MCDOT have been coordinating at all beyond MCPS's request on Sunday afternoon for MCDOT to clear some extra areas. Basically the same time that MCPS bashed MCDOT in its message to the public.

In other words MCPS bureaucrats gave themselves 5 days off and did not talk at all with MCDOT, then bashed them publicly to excuse not opening today. Meanwhile MCDOT staff were literally working all week last week, certainly not perfectly. But at least they were working.

In an update sent Sunday afternoon, officials wrote that “all schools are ready.”

That wasn’t enough to bring kids back, they determined, because the county’s sprawling network of roads needed more work.

On Monday morning, Rockville High School’s parking lot was clear, and salt was sprinkled across the sidewalks bordering the campus. But that didn’t mean a clear walk to school.

While some sidewalks in the surrounding neighborhoods were shoveled, many others remained miniature ice rinks, marked by deep divots and reminders of Rockville’s pets.

Montgomery County paused enforcement of sidewalk clearing requirements, telling residents that they wouldn’t issue violation notices until Monday.

Near Meadow Hall Elementary, a bright yellow sign signaled to drivers that children would be using a crosswalk to get to school. The path to that crosswalk, however, remained buried under thick, slippery ice.

Emily DeTitta, spokeswoman for the county Department of Transportation, said the agency cleared roads surrounding county schools on Sunday night.

“We just received a request from MCPS for some additional areas late yesterday and are either assisting directly or asking the state when they are on state roads to address them,” she said.

Crews are also working to widen neighborhood roads and help clear sidewalks.

https://www.thebanner.com/education/k-12-schools/montgomery-county-schools-snow-ice-removal-VMOAICYWFBDHNAGT4PIG5OMDPM/

As if the Dept of Transportation would admit if MCPS asked and wasn't given help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't sound like MCPS and MCDOT have been coordinating at all beyond MCPS's request on Sunday afternoon for MCDOT to clear some extra areas. Basically the same time that MCPS bashed MCDOT in its message to the public.

In other words MCPS bureaucrats gave themselves 5 days off and did not talk at all with MCDOT, then bashed them publicly to excuse not opening today. Meanwhile MCDOT staff were literally working all week last week, certainly not perfectly. But at least they were working.

In an update sent Sunday afternoon, officials wrote that “all schools are ready.”

That wasn’t enough to bring kids back, they determined, because the county’s sprawling network of roads needed more work.

On Monday morning, Rockville High School’s parking lot was clear, and salt was sprinkled across the sidewalks bordering the campus. But that didn’t mean a clear walk to school.

While some sidewalks in the surrounding neighborhoods were shoveled, many others remained miniature ice rinks, marked by deep divots and reminders of Rockville’s pets.

Montgomery County paused enforcement of sidewalk clearing requirements, telling residents that they wouldn’t issue violation notices until Monday.

Near Meadow Hall Elementary, a bright yellow sign signaled to drivers that children would be using a crosswalk to get to school. The path to that crosswalk, however, remained buried under thick, slippery ice.

Emily DeTitta, spokeswoman for the county Department of Transportation, said the agency cleared roads surrounding county schools on Sunday night.

“We just received a request from MCPS for some additional areas late yesterday and are either assisting directly or asking the state when they are on state roads to address them,” she said.

Crews are also working to widen neighborhood roads and help clear sidewalks.

https://www.thebanner.com/education/k-12-schools/montgomery-county-schools-snow-ice-removal-VMOAICYWFBDHNAGT4PIG5OMDPM/

As if the Dept of Transportation would admit if MCPS asked and wasn't given help.

I mean MCPS can respond and say "we asked them at x y and z times and they didn't do it" but they haven't. MCDOT went on the record with a reporter. If MCPS wants to complain about MCDOT they should give specifics about what they didn't do that they are supposed to do. If MCPS wants MCDOT to do more than they are supposed to do they should pay for it. Also, CENTRAL OFFICE SHOULD HAVE BEEN OPEN TUESDAY TO FRIDAY LAST WEEK. I have zero sympathy for a bunch of bureaucrats that gave themselves a vacation while the school system was in crisis. They could have at a minimum been teleworking if not out in field managing the response.

[Anonymous]

The truth is school districts do not have a real incentive to open up asap. They do not care about missed instruction. They just want to give their staff snow days to keep them happy.

[Anonymous]

Where is Taylor's new video getting kids psyched up for going back to school?!?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Woohoo!

says the lazy mom who wants us all to pay for her idjit offspring to go and learn NOTHING in public school. good luck in college!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Woohoo!

says the lazy mom who wants us all to pay for her idjit offspring to go and learn NOTHING in public school. good luck in college!!

Sorry, but we can see you're a troll from here. Maybe do your homework. You've got school tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The shame finally got to them.

shame's on you for sending your kid to a trash school in a county that used to be renowned for academics and now is a nightmare. have fun with the college application process! independent schools are taking everything away from you, whether you like it or not. they are more diverse and more invested in teachers, which leads to student success. have fun with public school educators who despise their jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The shame finally got to them.

Prince George did the exact same thing! The first Monday also was a student day (early dismissal) so that's 6 cancelations for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The shame finally got to them.

shame's on you for sending your kid to a trash school in a county that used to be renowned for academics and now is a nightmare. have fun with the college application process! independent schools are taking everything away from you, whether you like it or not. they are more diverse and more invested in teachers, which leads to student success. have fun with public school educators who despise their jobs.

Ummm… you sound like you need a cup of cocoa and to get off the internet for a few hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't sound like MCPS and MCDOT have been coordinating at all beyond MCPS's request on Sunday afternoon for MCDOT to clear some extra areas. Basically the same time that MCPS bashed MCDOT in its message to the public.

In other words MCPS bureaucrats gave themselves 5 days off and did not talk at all with MCDOT, then bashed them publicly to excuse not opening today. Meanwhile MCDOT staff were literally working all week last week, certainly not perfectly. But at least they were working.

In an update sent Sunday afternoon, officials wrote that “all schools are ready.”

That wasn’t enough to bring kids back, they determined, because the county’s sprawling network of roads needed more work.

On Monday morning, Rockville High School’s parking lot was clear, and salt was sprinkled across the sidewalks bordering the campus. But that didn’t mean a clear walk to school.

While some sidewalks in the surrounding neighborhoods were shoveled, many others remained miniature ice rinks, marked by deep divots and reminders of Rockville’s pets.

Montgomery County paused enforcement of sidewalk clearing requirements, telling residents that they wouldn’t issue violation notices until Monday.

Near Meadow Hall Elementary, a bright yellow sign signaled to drivers that children would be using a crosswalk to get to school. The path to that crosswalk, however, remained buried under thick, slippery ice.

Emily DeTitta, spokeswoman for the county Department of Transportation, said the agency cleared roads surrounding county schools on Sunday night.

“We just received a request from MCPS for some additional areas late yesterday and are either assisting directly or asking the state when they are on state roads to address them,” she said.

Crews are also working to widen neighborhood roads and help clear sidewalks.

https://www.thebanner.com/education/k-12-schools/montgomery-county-schools-snow-ice-removal-VMOAICYWFBDHNAGT4PIG5OMDPM/

As if the Dept of Transportation would admit if MCPS asked and wasn't given help.

I mean MCPS can respond and say "we asked them at x y and z times and they didn't do it" but they haven't. MCDOT went on the record with a reporter. If MCPS wants to complain about MCDOT they should give specifics about what they didn't do that they are supposed to do. If MCPS wants MCDOT to do more than they are supposed to do they should pay for it. Also, CENTRAL OFFICE SHOULD HAVE BEEN OPEN TUESDAY TO FRIDAY LAST WEEK. I have zero sympathy for a bunch of bureaucrats that gave themselves a vacation while the school system was in crisis. They could have at a minimum been teleworking if not out in field managing the response.

Are you serious? No one in McPS central office was working last week? Shoudn’t they have been trying to ensure that schools opened? I pictured them monitoring the snow clearing effort, organizing the plan for makeup days and trying to belatedly write the virtual learning snow day proposal for MSDE that they should have done in 2024.

This is why parents call MCPS lazy. They throw shade at everyone including parents for not shoveling and meanwhile they take the whole week off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The truth is school districts do not have a real incentive to open up asap. They do not care about missed instruction. They just want to give their staff snow days to keep them happy.

It’s a lack of leadership to prioritize schools in MoCo. Bowser said DCPS needed to be open in person last Thursday and it was, even if sidewalks weren’t perfect, with a virtual learning day on Wednesday.

nYC as many pointed out is 10x the size of McPS and didn’t close for a single snow day