Early Release tomorrow?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They won’t do call early dismissal but regardless instruction will stop early. Here is how the end of the day goes in elementary if there is a big storm around dismissal:

2:30-3:25 dark clouds on the radar. The early kiss and ride parents and risk adverse parents will say f- that and come in to get “just their child”. Repeat 5-6 times per classroom spread out just enough that by the time you get the kids settled and ready to listen, the speaker will beep again. The front office is clearly stressed by their voices over the speaker.. Zero concentration is going on.

3:15 walker parents appear at the back door wanting their kids because of the storm. We have to tell them to go to the office. Announcements to classrooms continue…

3:25 storm hits- kids are staring at windows, but packed up and ready to go. Dismissal should start in 5 minutes

3:30 (dismissal bell rings) school wide announcement: teachers please hold your kids in the classroom none of the busses are here.

3:35 tornado watch- go to the hallway!

3:45 all clear return to the classroom! Buses still aren’t here, but parents can receive their children.

3:55- buses trickle in…the office is manically sending out emails to remind parents to call transportation not the school about buses


There wasn’t any instruction after about 2:30 and everyone gets home late, but hey the what about the CALENDAR people are happy!

Let’s all hope the storms hit after 5:00!

I had a sixth grader at the time and something like this happened.

[Anonymous]

We are all trained to deal with tornadoes. The only issue is parents unwilling to wait to pick up their kids if we pause dismissal for safety. It will be fine

[Anonymous]

This isn't like the Derecho. Most of us will experience a short period of heavy rain and gusty winds and that will be it. However, there may be small tornadoes and high-wind segments embedded in the line that cause damage in narrow swaths.

So, the question is, if the schools let go early and most of the county is fine but a few blocks in Vienna have trees into houses and roads blocked, was it the right call to close early? Different people will have different risk calculations for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are all trained to deal with tornadoes. The only issue is parents unwilling to wait to pick up their kids if we pause dismissal for safety. It will be fine

This isn’t a typical storm where we’re just talking about an increased likelihood of a tornado. It’s the 70mph gusts that are more problematic for buses and walkers. I was in Kansas once when my son and I had to drive across the state with 70mph wind gusts. I could barely walk in it and trucks/coaches/RVs etc weren’t allowed on the highway.

[Anonymous]

MCPS just announced they are monitoring for a likely early release.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's impossible to do a last minute early release.

No we would get notice by tonight

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's impossible to do a last minute early release.

No we would get notice by tonight

It used to be early releases had to be announced by 11 am to allow for buses to get to the middle schools on time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This isn't like the Derecho. Most of us will experience a short period of heavy rain and gusty winds and that will be it. However, there may be small tornadoes and high-wind segments embedded in the line that cause damage in narrow swaths.

So, the question is, if the schools let go early and most of the county is fine but a few blocks in Vienna have trees into houses and roads blocked, was it the right call to close early? Different people will have different risk calculations for that.

Many meteorologists seem to disagree with you....I think we will have to wait and see what tonight shows on radar.

[Anonymous]

I'm not going to lie...if it looks like it's lining up to be a 4-5 pm storm, I'll be one of those obnoxious parents picking up my kid early. Dismissal is 4:05, I don't need him on a bus when it hits or stuck at school until 6 pm or later because roads are closed for downed trees and power lines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS just announced they are monitoring for a likely early release.

Where?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS just announced they are monitoring for a likely early release.

Where?

It's on their website https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/

Sunday Important Message: Watching the Weather!

School will open On-Time for Monday March 16 with an announcement about any updates to the school day Monday morning

We are watching the weather and we are expecting a strong storm on Monday, March 16, which could bring severe thunderstorms, high winds, hail and the potential for tornadoes. Current forecasts indicate the strongest elements of the storm may move through our area between approximately 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., just as many of our students typically begin outdoor after-school activities and athletic practices. We will continue to monitor the forecast closely and will share any updates on Monday morning.

We encourage families to take a few moments to plan ahead for tomorrow’s weather:

Plan for bus stops: Consider how students will safely get from the bus stop to home if heavy rain or stronger elements of the storm develops.
Map a safe route home: Students who walk should think ahead about the safest route and places to shelter if weather conditions worsen.
Student drivers should use extra caution or seek alternative transport: Wet roads, strong winds and reduced visibility can make driving conditions more difficult, especially for inexperienced drivers

[Anonymous]

Early release does not appear that it will safe - might be even better to wait. Bad weather of 60-80 miles and EF2 Tornados starting at 10:00 am. But it could also miss us entirely?

Very tough call for FCPS. I feel for them. Noone want to close schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS just announced they are monitoring for a likely early release.

Where?

It's on their website https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/

Sunday Important Message: Watching the Weather!

School will open On-Time for Monday March 16 with an announcement about any updates to the school day Monday morning

We are watching the weather and we are expecting a strong storm on Monday, March 16, which could bring severe thunderstorms, high winds, hail and the potential for tornadoes. Current forecasts indicate the strongest elements of the storm may move through our area between approximately 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., just as many of our students typically begin outdoor after-school activities and athletic practices. We will continue to monitor the forecast closely and will share any updates on Monday morning.

We encourage families to take a few moments to plan ahead for tomorrow’s weather:

Plan for bus stops: Consider how students will safely get from the bus stop to home if heavy rain or stronger elements of the storm develops.
Map a safe route home: Students who walk should think ahead about the safest route and places to shelter if weather conditions worsen.
Student drivers should use extra caution or seek alternative transport: Wet roads, strong winds and reduced visibility can make driving conditions more difficult, especially for inexperienced drivers

This is not accurate timing. Per Capital Weather game: "The storms’ timing still needs to be pinned down, but they are most probable between about 1 and 7 p.m. Monday, when an organized and violent squall line is expected to pass. That said, widely scattered showers and storms, some of which could be intense, are possible before this window, as early as 9 or 10 a.m"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS just announced they are monitoring for a likely early release.

Where?

It's on their website https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/

Sunday Important Message: Watching the Weather!

School will open On-Time for Monday March 16 with an announcement about any updates to the school day Monday morning

We are watching the weather and we are expecting a strong storm on Monday, March 16, which could bring severe thunderstorms, high winds, hail and the potential for tornadoes. Current forecasts indicate the strongest elements of the storm may move through our area between approximately 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., just as many of our students typically begin outdoor after-school activities and athletic practices. We will continue to monitor the forecast closely and will share any updates on Monday morning.

We encourage families to take a few moments to plan ahead for tomorrow’s weather:

Plan for bus stops: Consider how students will safely get from the bus stop to home if heavy rain or stronger elements of the storm develops.
Map a safe route home: Students who walk should think ahead about the safest route and places to shelter if weather conditions worsen.
Student drivers should use extra caution or seek alternative transport: Wet roads, strong winds and reduced visibility can make driving conditions more difficult, especially for inexperienced drivers

This is not accurate timing. Per Capital Weather game: "The storms’ timing still needs to be pinned down, but they are most probable between about 1 and 7 p.m. Monday, when an organized and violent squall line is expected to pass. That said, widely scattered showers and storms, some of which could be intense, are possible before this window, as early as 9 or 10 a.m"

School districts appear to be engaged in wishful thinking that it will be 3:00 - 7:00 pm. None of the forecasts are showing that it will wait until 3:00.

[Anonymous]

Can someone please point me towards the FCPS plan for tornados or 80 mph winds during the school day?