School Opening Predictions for Tuesday?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should close 😦😔

+160,000 students + 25,000 staff.
Let childcare programs operate though

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Well, it’s an acceptable decision.

It shouldn't be. Expect more.

Eh, you need to relax. I think on time would have been fine too, but I’m ok with taking precautions. Safety first.

A two-hour delay doesn't improve safety.

Oh is this what you don't understand? High schoolers catch their buses before dawn, and the older ones drive themselves to school in the dark. Teen brains aren't quite ready to handle black ice (I know, I'm sure you did it very well). The visibility of a post-dawn bus pickup or drive to school makes a HUGE safety difference. You can *see* the ice you're stepping, or driving on, and can plan accordingly. It also gives school staff who needs to travel before dawn, more time to get to school safely.

To me, who was ready to drive my kids to school at the regular time tomorrow, I think a 2 hr delay is perfectly understandable. I do note that Wednesday is supposed to be even colder, and Thursday will be cold too. Are they planning on 2hr delays for those as well? Seems like they'll expect everyone to get their act together and be on time.

Regardless, we will manage.

You can't see black ice. It isn't literally black. They call it black ice because of the pavement underneath it.

A delay does nothing tomorrow.

It does do something. As PP pointed out, some students and staff are at school by 7am. It's just getting bright out. A delay allows more time for a cautious arrival whether by foot, car. or bus from 13,024 bus stops. Should have been closed with child care programs on a delay tomorrow, a 2hr delay Wed and Thurs.

As someone with far more experience driving on snow and ice than you do, I can assure you it doesn't matter.

It would be different if it was going to warm up enough to melt snow/ice, but it isn't going to.

You can drive or walk in twilight.

These excuses are getting increasingly ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should close 😦😔

If you don't want to work, get a different job. But know that you're not going to get paid time off just because its cold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there chance for a change?

Just asking so I can get your opinions and plan accordingly.

A change in status would be announced by 5am after evaluating conditions - roads, school parking lots, buses

In the past, MCPS has considered a 2 hour delay to mean a 2 hour shift in the deadline to announce. They can, and have in the past, announced as late as 7 a.m..

They can change from a delay to a closure, yes. Nothing wrong with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should close 😦😔

If you don't want to work, get a different job. But know that you're not going to get paid time off just because its cold.

How do you know it's a teacher? It could be a MVA parent??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there chance for a change?

Just asking so I can get your opinions and plan accordingly.

A change in status would be announced by 5am after evaluating conditions - roads, school parking lots, buses

In the past, MCPS has considered a 2 hour delay to mean a 2 hour shift in the deadline to announce. They can, and have in the past, announced as late as 7 a.m..

They can change from a delay to a closure, yes. Nothing wrong with that.

Don't hit the bottle tonight, though. You may have gotten a couple hours, but you're still going to have to work tomorrow.

We should breathalyze the teachers as they come in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Well, it’s an acceptable decision.

It shouldn't be. Expect more.

Eh, you need to relax. I think on time would have been fine too, but I’m ok with taking precautions. Safety first.

A two-hour delay doesn't improve safety.

Oh is this what you don't understand? High schoolers catch their buses before dawn, and the older ones drive themselves to school in the dark. Teen brains aren't quite ready to handle black ice (I know, I'm sure you did it very well). The visibility of a post-dawn bus pickup or drive to school makes a HUGE safety difference. You can *see* the ice you're stepping, or driving on, and can plan accordingly. It also gives school staff who needs to travel before dawn, more time to get to school safely.

To me, who was ready to drive my kids to school at the regular time tomorrow, I think a 2 hr delay is perfectly understandable. I do note that Wednesday is supposed to be even colder, and Thursday will be cold too. Are they planning on 2hr delays for those as well? Seems like they'll expect everyone to get their act together and be on time.

Regardless, we will manage.

You can't see black ice. It isn't literally black. They call it black ice because of the pavement underneath it.

A delay does nothing tomorrow.

It does do something. As PP pointed out, some students and staff are at school by 7am. It's just getting bright out. A delay allows more time for a cautious arrival whether by foot, car. or bus from 13,024 bus stops. Should have been closed with child care programs on a delay tomorrow, a 2hr delay Wed and Thurs.

As someone with far more experience driving on snow and ice than you do, I can assure you it doesn't matter.

It would be different if it was going to warm up enough to melt snow/ice, but it isn't going to.

You can drive or walk in twilight.

These excuses are getting increasingly ridiculous.

Then they'll announce a closure. Enjoy your driving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Learn how to salt people!

That's not the issue. People seem to think they'll freeze to death in 8F weather. Apparently forgetting all the kids that play in that weather.

Or, more likely, teachers wanted to sleep in.

Don't be a jerk -- teachers had nothing to do with this decision. This is MCPS being risk averse. They always go further than is needed when there is winter weather involved. If it's reasonable to open on time, they will open late. If it's reasonable to open late, they will close for the day. And if it's reasonale to close but let child care centers open, then they will be code red and close everything. Super frustrating but not the fault of teachers. Signed, A parent who is now scrambling for tomorrow.

And they do this because of the teachers union. Parents certainly don't want this.

Oh, did you check with all the parents? How thorough of you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Well, it’s an acceptable decision.

It shouldn't be. Expect more.

Eh, you need to relax. I think on time would have been fine too, but I’m ok with taking precautions. Safety first.

A two-hour delay doesn't improve safety.

Oh is this what you don't understand? High schoolers catch their buses before dawn, and the older ones drive themselves to school in the dark. Teen brains aren't quite ready to handle black ice (I know, I'm sure you did it very well). The visibility of a post-dawn bus pickup or drive to school makes a HUGE safety difference. You can *see* the ice you're stepping, or driving on, and can plan accordingly. It also gives school staff who needs to travel before dawn, more time to get to school safely.

To me, who was ready to drive my kids to school at the regular time tomorrow, I think a 2 hr delay is perfectly understandable. I do note that Wednesday is supposed to be even colder, and Thursday will be cold too. Are they planning on 2hr delays for those as well? Seems like they'll expect everyone to get their act together and be on time.

Regardless, we will manage.

You can't see black ice. It isn't literally black. They call it black ice because of the pavement underneath it.

A delay does nothing tomorrow.

It does do something. As PP pointed out, some students and staff are at school by 7am. It's just getting bright out. A delay allows more time for a cautious arrival whether by foot, car. or bus from 13,024 bus stops. Should have been closed with child care programs on a delay tomorrow, a 2hr delay Wed and Thurs.

As someone with far more experience driving on snow and ice than you do, I can assure you it doesn't matter.

It would be different if it was going to warm up enough to melt snow/ice, but it isn't going to.

You can drive or walk in twilight.

These excuses are getting increasingly ridiculous.

Yeah, you're not credible when you say stuff like that. I lived in Scotland as a child, where daylight gets pretty short in the winter, and the number of accidents on slippery roads in the dark explodes after the first snow or the first freezing rain of the winter. It's just a physical fact. Human eyes don't do well in low light conditions.

I'm not saying we have to close schools every time it's slippery out in the winter darkness! But after a big freeze, it makes sense to have families adjust and give them a little more time to drive slowly, or walk slowly. I bet they won't delay on Wednesday morning, when conditions will be exactly the same. Because they hope people will have made adjustments to their routine.

Don't be so mentally rigid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should close 😦😔

If you don't want to work, get a different job. But know that you're not going to get paid time off just because its cold.

How do you know it's a teacher? It could be a MVA parent??

It works for them, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there chance for a change?

Just asking so I can get your opinions and plan accordingly.

A change in status would be announced by 5am after evaluating conditions - roads, school parking lots, buses

In the past, MCPS has considered a 2 hour delay to mean a 2 hour shift in the deadline to announce. They can, and have in the past, announced as late as 7 a.m..

They can change from a delay to a closure, yes. Nothing wrong with that.

Don't hit the bottle tonight, though. You may have gotten a couple hours, but you're still going to have to work tomorrow.

We should breathalyze the teachers as they come in.

Just like you should breathalyze everyday someone who could be in charge of Dept of Defense

[Anonymous]

For anyone doubting this call, go walk a mile to your nearest school. It’s not just about the streets and busses, it’s also about the walkers. There are a lot of people in this county and a lot of different types of neighborhoods (rural, urban, with sidewalks, without, HOA’s to clear sidewalks vs those who don’t, etc…). Although my street is okay, my sister’s is not. Since I’m an adult I can understand that decisions were not solely based on my street. In addition, I want all kids to get to school safely. This isn’t crazy or rocket science.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Well, it’s an acceptable decision.

It shouldn't be. Expect more.

Eh, you need to relax. I think on time would have been fine too, but I’m ok with taking precautions. Safety first.

A two-hour delay doesn't improve safety.

Oh is this what you don't understand? High schoolers catch their buses before dawn, and the older ones drive themselves to school in the dark. Teen brains aren't quite ready to handle black ice (I know, I'm sure you did it very well). The visibility of a post-dawn bus pickup or drive to school makes a HUGE safety difference. You can *see* the ice you're stepping, or driving on, and can plan accordingly. It also gives school staff who needs to travel before dawn, more time to get to school safely.

To me, who was ready to drive my kids to school at the regular time tomorrow, I think a 2 hr delay is perfectly understandable. I do note that Wednesday is supposed to be even colder, and Thursday will be cold too. Are they planning on 2hr delays for those as well? Seems like they'll expect everyone to get their act together and be on time.

Regardless, we will manage.

You can't see black ice. It isn't literally black. They call it black ice because of the pavement underneath it.

A delay does nothing tomorrow.

It does do something. As PP pointed out, some students and staff are at school by 7am. It's just getting bright out. A delay allows more time for a cautious arrival whether by foot, car. or bus from 13,024 bus stops. Should have been closed with child care programs on a delay tomorrow, a 2hr delay Wed and Thurs.

As someone with far more experience driving on snow and ice than you do, I can assure you it doesn't matter.

It would be different if it was going to warm up enough to melt snow/ice, but it isn't going to.

You can drive or walk in twilight.

These excuses are getting increasingly ridiculous.

Yeah, you're not credible when you say stuff like that. I lived in Scotland as a child, where daylight gets pretty short in the winter, and the number of accidents on slippery roads in the dark explodes after the first snow or the first freezing rain of the winter. It's just a physical fact. Human eyes don't do well in low light conditions.

I'm not saying we have to close schools every time it's slippery out in the winter darkness! But after a big freeze, it makes sense to have families adjust and give them a little more time to drive slowly, or walk slowly. I bet they won't delay on Wednesday morning, when conditions will be exactly the same. Because they hope people will have made adjustments to their routine.

Don't be so mentally rigid.

While it is technically before sunrise, it isn't dark at 7am. Or even all that dark at 6:30 for that matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For anyone doubting this call, go walk a mile to your nearest school. It’s not just about the streets and busses, it’s also about the walkers. There are a lot of people in this county and a lot of different types of neighborhoods (rural, urban, with sidewalks, without, HOA’s to clear sidewalks vs those who don’t, etc…). Although my street is okay, my sister’s is not. Since I’m an adult I can understand that decisions were not solely based on my street. In addition, I want all kids to get to school safely. This isn’t crazy or rocket science.

If you're that worried, you can drive or walk your kids to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For anyone doubting this call, go walk a mile to your nearest school. It’s not just about the streets and busses, it’s also about the walkers. There are a lot of people in this county and a lot of different types of neighborhoods (rural, urban, with sidewalks, without, HOA’s to clear sidewalks vs those who don’t, etc…). Although my street is okay, my sister’s is not. Since I’m an adult I can understand that decisions were not solely based on my street. In addition, I want all kids to get to school safely. This isn’t crazy or rocket science.

Thank you, rare voice of DCUM sanity.