MCPS is currently assessing storm damage

[Anonymous]

people, we get a limited number of "snow" days. I can't believe anyone would want to use one tomorrow if it isn't needed. We've had school when we personally haven't had power many times before. Sure it's harder to get homework done but hopefully they won't have that much tomorrow night. MCPS isn't in the same position as PG county - there was more damage in PG since its to the east. 20 schools is 10% of the system, so it really is limited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those of you surprised by the late decision MCPS got out, I'm assumng this must be your first experience with having a child in school. I'm used to the late decisions MCPS makes, so it doesn't bother me. It's quite ridiculous for anyone to think all of MCPS should be closed tomorrow because a very minor percentage of schools don't have power. The storm was overhyped and not bad at all here. I have a 6 and 3 year old who both slept right through the rain and wind. I really think it's how parents handle things like this that make the child traumatized. We simply told our kids that if there was any bad weather we would be there to protect them and left it at that. The list of schools that don't have power has been listed and if your child's school is not on the list then it will be open. Is it that hard to comprehend?

We don't have townships in MCPS. If that were the case, then I'd happily agree with you. But to make this odd blanket statement that ALL students will return with the exception of those attending the 21 schools w/o power is utterly ridiculous.

There are plenty of families with multiple children. So if I have a child in an elementary school that's w/o power and one in middle that has power, I have to make arrangements. Furthermore, this creates inconsistency with the leave policy. If a colleague teaches at Paint Branch, does this day "off" translate into emergency leave or will it count against him/her? Finally, it's not JUST about the schools. Granted, according to Pepco, there are "only" about 84,000 w/o power. But do you honestly think that preparing for work AND getting your child or children ready for school in the dark will be easy? High schools START at 7:25 am. Try getting your 10th grader up in the dark and on the bus after taking a cold shower - or no shower.

Starting one day later will not be a detriment.

But those of you who think it's no big deal don't get the big picture and are only viewing this issue through a narrow lens.

[Anonymous]

Hurricane Irene Recovery Update—7 schools remain without power Montgomery County Public Schools continues to recover from the effects of Hurricane Irene. The following schools are still without power as of 6 a.m. and will be closed today Monday August 29. The schools without power include:

Bradley Hills ES
Chevy Chase ES
Harmony Hills ES
Highland View ES
Francis Scott Key MS
Piney Branch ES
Woodlin ES

[Anonymous]

I don't understand how they have just added three schools to the list this morning. Have they suddenly lost power? If not, then their storm assessment is pretty weak.

Overall, a pretty shambolic process...

Why can't they issue a statement by say 4pm that all schools with power will be open. Then have one list of schools without power and update it every hour.

[Anonymous]

I am happy my kids are going to school as scheduled. I don't have a problem with MCPS making a decision late evening with more info..gosh with a snow storm we don't know till the morning of sometimes. We criticize if they don't make the decision early enough and we criticize if they close unnecessarily and we criticize if they don't close. We are a 2 working parent family so it is not like we don't scramble for coverage..but as parents we are very used to scrambling! Just happy the storm was not as castastrophic as predicted! Have a great day!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those of you surprised by the late decision MCPS got out, I'm assumng this must be your first experience with having a child in school. I'm used to the late decisions MCPS makes, so it doesn't bother me. It's quite ridiculous for anyone to think all of MCPS should be closed tomorrow because a very minor percentage of schools don't have power. The storm was overhyped and not bad at all here. I have a 6 and 3 year old who both slept right through the rain and wind. I really think it's how parents handle things like this that make the child traumatized. We simply told our kids that if there was any bad weather we would be there to protect them and left it at that. The list of schools that don't have power has been listed and if your child's school is not on the list then it will be open. Is it that hard to comprehend?

We don't have townships in MCPS. If that were the case, then I'd happily agree with you. But to make this odd blanket statement that ALL students will return with the exception of those attending the 21 schools w/o power is utterly ridiculous.

There are plenty of families with multiple children. So if I have a child in an elementary school that's w/o power and one in middle that has power, I have to make arrangements. Furthermore, this creates inconsistency with the leave policy. If a colleague teaches at Paint Branch, does this day "off" translate into emergency leave or will it count against him/her? Finally, it's not JUST about the schools. Granted, according to Pepco, there are "only" about 84,000 w/o power. But do you honestly think that preparing for work AND getting your child or children ready for school in the dark will be easy? High schools START at 7:25 am. Try getting your 10th grader up in the dark and on the bus after taking a cold shower - or no shower.

Starting one day later will not be a detriment.

But those of you who think it's no big deal don't get the big picture and are only viewing this issue through a narrow lens.

Who has the narrow lens here??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:people, we get a limited number of "snow" days. I can't believe anyone would want to use one tomorrow if it isn't needed. We've had school when we personally haven't had power many times before. Sure it's harder to get homework done but hopefully they won't have that much tomorrow night. MCPS isn't in the same position as PG county - there was more damage in PG since its to the east. 20 schools is 10% of the system, so it really is limited.

If the state is declared in a state of emergency, that day off will be waived.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am happy my kids are going to school as scheduled. I don't have a problem with MCPS making a decision late evening with more info..gosh with a snow storm we don't know till the morning of sometimes. We criticize if they don't make the decision early enough and we criticize if they close unnecessarily and we criticize if they don't close. We are a 2 working parent family so it is not like we don't scramble for coverage..but as parents we are very used to scrambling! Just happy the storm was not as castastrophic as predicted! Have a great day!

I agree.

[Anonymous]

Why can't they issue a statement by say 4pm that all schools with power will be open. Then have one list of schools without power and update it every hour.

THIS is what MCPS should have done. DC figured it out; why did MoCo have to leave all of us hanging until 9pm last night? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad school started on time. I just don't understand why the school system insisted on keeping everyone in suspense for so long.