Snow This Weekend - School Next Week?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought if we’re in a state of emergency, then there can be a waiver granted.

That was the old ways. It only applies if you make an effort to make up the days, but can’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought if we’re in a state of emergency, then there can be a waiver granted.

That was the old ways. It only applies if you make an effort to make up the days, but can’t.

+1. The state is requiring MCPS to actually use the contingency days. That's the whole point of having them.

[Anonymous]

Great. No plows here yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought if we’re in a state of emergency, then there can be a waiver granted.

That was the old ways. It only applies if you make an effort to make up the days, but can’t.

+1. The state is requiring MCPS to actually use the contingency days. That's the whole point of having them.

It's one thing for non-state of emergency closures but having to make up state of emergency closures is disgusting!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The make up days are:
October 17
November 3
January 26
March 20
April 15
June 18
June 22-26

I find this fascinating for a few reasons. I think Taylor picked more strategically this year. Two are in Fall and you can’t retroactively be expected to use them. January 26 is obviously a wash in this particular storm. He didn’t touch Feb 17, which was an option, nor did he touch spring break, so that is safe. I think he also got the BOE to vote something about if we are in a state of emergency at the last meeting. I think this is a game of chess. He will make March 20 and April 15 half days (and could consider making March 19 and April 14 also half days so teachers get the same professional development and grading hours). Then he will ask for a waiver for the rest under the state of emergency and multi-day snow event situation. If we get a future storm with more days off, we might be in trouble but this one may squeak by without extending the year.

They can't get a waiver unless they use all the remaining days, which includes the ones in June.

This is just simply not true. They have issued waivers in the past. Yes that’s what’s supposed to happen but they also have discretion to issue one even if the days are not all used.

The law was changed. That is why their waiver was denied in 2025.

Here it is. It includes the following: "(b) The local school system has modified its calendar by scheduling school on the make-up days provided in the original calendar and by extending the school year 3 days beyond the previously scheduled closing date."

https://dsd.maryland.gov/regulations/Pages/13A.02.01.04.aspx

This is why Maryland law is just horrible! Adding days in June are useless and just shorten an already shortened summer. Virginia and various other states get it FAR easier!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The make up days are:
October 17
November 3
January 26
March 20
April 15
June 18
June 22-26

I find this fascinating for a few reasons. I think Taylor picked more strategically this year. Two are in Fall and you can’t retroactively be expected to use them. January 26 is obviously a wash in this particular storm. He didn’t touch Feb 17, which was an option, nor did he touch spring break, so that is safe. I think he also got the BOE to vote something about if we are in a state of emergency at the last meeting. I think this is a game of chess. He will make March 20 and April 15 half days (and could consider making March 19 and April 14 also half days so teachers get the same professional development and grading hours). Then he will ask for a waiver for the rest under the state of emergency and multi-day snow event situation. If we get a future storm with more days off, we might be in trouble but this one may squeak by without extending the year.

Hmm, interesting theory. I think they will use the June 18 day first, but other than that you could be right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought if we’re in a state of emergency, then there can be a waiver granted.

That was the old ways. It only applies if you make an effort to make up the days, but can’t.

+1. The state is requiring MCPS to actually use the contingency days. That's the whole point of having them.

It's one thing for non-state of emergency closures but having to make up state of emergency closures is disgusting!

No it's not. Kids should be in school. There are contingency days set aside for this purpose. MCPS should be using them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The make up days are:
October 17
November 3
January 26
March 20
April 15
June 18
June 22-26

I find this fascinating for a few reasons. I think Taylor picked more strategically this year. Two are in Fall and you can’t retroactively be expected to use them. January 26 is obviously a wash in this particular storm. He didn’t touch Feb 17, which was an option, nor did he touch spring break, so that is safe. I think he also got the BOE to vote something about if we are in a state of emergency at the last meeting. I think this is a game of chess. He will make March 20 and April 15 half days (and could consider making March 19 and April 14 also half days so teachers get the same professional development and grading hours). Then he will ask for a waiver for the rest under the state of emergency and multi-day snow event situation. If we get a future storm with more days off, we might be in trouble but this one may squeak by without extending the year.

They can't get a waiver unless they use all the remaining days, which includes the ones in June.

This is just simply not true. They have issued waivers in the past. Yes that’s what’s supposed to happen but they also have discretion to issue one even if the days are not all used.

The law was changed. That is why their waiver was denied in 2025.

Here it is. It includes the following: "(b) The local school system has modified its calendar by scheduling school on the make-up days provided in the original calendar and by extending the school year 3 days beyond the previously scheduled closing date."

https://dsd.maryland.gov/regulations/Pages/13A.02.01.04.aspx

This is why Maryland law is just horrible! Adding days in June are useless and just shorten an already shortened summer. Virginia and various other states get it FAR easier!

They would need to start by adding the contingency days before June. MCPS should start by using the March and April days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The make up days are:
October 17
November 3
January 26
March 20
April 15
June 18
June 22-26

I find this fascinating for a few reasons. I think Taylor picked more strategically this year. Two are in Fall and you can’t retroactively be expected to use them. January 26 is obviously a wash in this particular storm. He didn’t touch Feb 17, which was an option, nor did he touch spring break, so that is safe. I think he also got the BOE to vote something about if we are in a state of emergency at the last meeting. I think this is a game of chess. He will make March 20 and April 15 half days (and could consider making March 19 and April 14 also half days so teachers get the same professional development and grading hours). Then he will ask for a waiver for the rest under the state of emergency and multi-day snow event situation. If we get a future storm with more days off, we might be in trouble but this one may squeak by without extending the year.

State regulations require using make-up days before waiving the 180 day requirement, even when there is a state of emergency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The make up days are:
October 17
November 3
January 26
March 20
April 15
June 18
June 22-26

I find this fascinating for a few reasons. I think Taylor picked more strategically this year. Two are in Fall and you can’t retroactively be expected to use them. January 26 is obviously a wash in this particular storm. He didn’t touch Feb 17, which was an option, nor did he touch spring break, so that is safe. I think he also got the BOE to vote something about if we are in a state of emergency at the last meeting. I think this is a game of chess. He will make March 20 and April 15 half days (and could consider making March 19 and April 14 also half days so teachers get the same professional development and grading hours). Then he will ask for a waiver for the rest under the state of emergency and multi-day snow event situation. If we get a future storm with more days off, we might be in trouble but this one may squeak by without extending the year.

They can't get a waiver unless they use all the remaining days, which includes the ones in June.

This is just simply not true. They have issued waivers in the past. Yes that’s what’s supposed to happen but they also have discretion to issue one even if the days are not all used.

The law was changed. That is why their waiver was denied in 2025.

Here it is. It includes the following: "(b) The local school system has modified its calendar by scheduling school on the make-up days provided in the original calendar and by extending the school year 3 days beyond the previously scheduled closing date."

https://dsd.maryland.gov/regulations/Pages/13A.02.01.04.aspx

This is why Maryland law is just horrible! Adding days in June are useless and just shorten an already shortened summer. Virginia and various other states get it FAR easier!

The obvious answers are the build more days in to use the earlier make up days already in the calendar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought if we’re in a state of emergency, then there can be a waiver granted.

That was the old ways. It only applies if you make an effort to make up the days, but can’t.

+1. The state is requiring MCPS to actually use the contingency days. That's the whole point of having them.

It's one thing for non-state of emergency closures but having to make up state of emergency closures is disgusting!

Everyone knows we get snow. If MCPS isn't willing to even try to open after snow, it needs much more than 1 snow day. This is blatantly refusing to prepare.

[Anonymous]

Anyone remember that one year in the 90s(probably 96 because of the Blizzard) where they extended the school day by like 20 minutes every day for the last like 2 months?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone remember that one year in the 90s(probably 96 because of the Blizzard) where they extended the school day by like 20 minutes every day for the last like 2 months?

For us it was ice storms of Feb 1994. The amount of icy precipitation during the 93-94 winter was crazy. Stil considered one of the most destructive winters on record.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought if we’re in a state of emergency, then there can be a waiver granted.

That was the old ways. It only applies if you make an effort to make up the days, but can’t.

+1. The state is requiring MCPS to actually use the contingency days. That's the whole point of having them.

It's one thing for non-state of emergency closures but having to make up state of emergency closures is disgusting!

No it's not. Kids should be in school. There are contingency days set aside for this purpose. MCPS should be using them.

Given that Maryland school days are already longer than required, it’s really silly to have to make up days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought if we’re in a state of emergency, then there can be a waiver granted.

That was the old ways. It only applies if you make an effort to make up the days, but can’t.

+1. The state is requiring MCPS to actually use the contingency days. That's the whole point of having them.

It's one thing for non-state of emergency closures but having to make up state of emergency closures is disgusting!

Everyone knows we get snow. If MCPS isn't willing to even try to open after snow, it needs much more than 1 snow day. This is blatantly refusing to prepare.

This is the drum I've been banging for years. I've begrudgingly accepted this area can't handle snowstorms. But knowing this, we should prepare for that apparent DMV fact of life and build in some slack. 1 snow day is administrative malpractice. And stop putting contingency days in the fall. We never use them and then are forced to add useless contingency days at the end of the year. And sorry, the transition day should not have taken away a school day for everyone else.