MCPS closing/delaying on Monday?

[Anonymous]

Definitely no school on Monday. Tues probably also. Get your ducks in a row

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely no school on Monday. Tues probably also. Get your ducks in a row

I agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

Ok-- wear boots.

How do you think people nothern states get by in the winter? Based on the reactions on dcum over the years, people seem to think we need to shut down any time there's some sidewalk or road in the county that has some amount of snow or ice on it. That's absurd. Roads and sidewalks are still passable if you're careful.

We're not talking about whether we think they *should* be closed on Tuesday. We're talking about whether we think they *will* be closed on Tuesday.

Also I know there are folks plowing the roads overnight after snowstorms, but who is in charge of clearing out school parking lots and sidewalks, and do those folks typically work overnight when needed or not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we get snow, overnight on Sunday-Monday, followed by overcast Monday morning, which is likely to happen somewhere in the county, the dark and cold will ice the streets for at least a 2 hr delay.

Night precipitation is a big deal for streets.

The forecast has been pushed back. Snow will fall starting in the wee hours of Monday, and last all day. Which means no school on Tuesday. Wednesday might be open.

Unless the forecast changes again.

False. Check all other forecasts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we get snow, overnight on Sunday-Monday, followed by overcast Monday morning, which is likely to happen somewhere in the county, the dark and cold will ice the streets for at least a 2 hr delay.

Night precipitation is a big deal for streets.

The forecast has been pushed back. Snow will fall starting in the wee hours of Monday, and last all day. Which means no school on Tuesday. Wednesday might be open.

Unless the forecast changes again.

False. Check all other forecasts.

OK Dwight Schrute

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

Ok-- wear boots.

How do you think people nothern states get by in the winter? Based on the reactions on dcum over the years, people seem to think we need to shut down any time there's some sidewalk or road in the county that has some amount of snow or ice on it. That's absurd. Roads and sidewalks are still passable if you're careful.

We're not talking about whether we think they *should* be closed on Tuesday. We're talking about whether we think they *will* be closed on Tuesday.

Also I know there are folks plowing the roads overnight after snowstorms, but who is in charge of clearing out school parking lots and sidewalks, and do those folks typically work overnight when needed or not?

The Building Services team at each school is responsible for clearing the sidewalks/parking lots. They do not work overnight and many of these teams are not fully staffed. Also remember that they must be able to travel safely from their homes to these jobs.
If the current forecast holds, I predict no school Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday definitely a delay, possible closure. Possible/likely delay on Thursday. Make your plans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

Ok-- wear boots.

How do you think people nothern states get by in the winter? Based on the reactions on dcum over the years, people seem to think we need to shut down any time there's some sidewalk or road in the county that has some amount of snow or ice on it. That's absurd. Roads and sidewalks are still passable if you're careful.

We're not talking about whether we think they *should* be closed on Tuesday. We're talking about whether we think they *will* be closed on Tuesday.

Also I know there are folks plowing the roads overnight after snowstorms, but who is in charge of clearing out school parking lots and sidewalks, and do those folks typically work overnight when needed or not?

The Building Services team at each school is responsible for clearing the sidewalks/parking lots. They do not work overnight and many of these teams are not fully staffed. Also remember that they must be able to travel safely from their homes to these jobs.
If the current forecast holds, I predict no school Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday definitely a delay, possible closure. Possible/likely delay on Thursday. Make your plans.

We only get 2 snow days

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

Ok-- wear boots.

How do you think people nothern states get by in the winter? Based on the reactions on dcum over the years, people seem to think we need to shut down any time there's some sidewalk or road in the county that has some amount of snow or ice on it. That's absurd. Roads and sidewalks are still passable if you're careful.

We're not talking about whether we think they *should* be closed on Tuesday. We're talking about whether we think they *will* be closed on Tuesday.

Also I know there are folks plowing the roads overnight after snowstorms, but who is in charge of clearing out school parking lots and sidewalks, and do those folks typically work overnight when needed or not?

The Building Services team at each school is responsible for clearing the sidewalks/parking lots. They do not work overnight and many of these teams are not fully staffed. Also remember that they must be able to travel safely from their homes to these jobs.
If the current forecast holds, I predict no school Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday definitely a delay, possible closure. Possible/likely delay on Thursday. Make your plans.

We only get 2 snow days

We use however snow days MCOS determines we need. If more the man 2, we use contingency days, including potentially adding days to the end of the year when no one will show up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

Ok-- wear boots.

How do you think people nothern states get by in the winter? Based on the reactions on dcum over the years, people seem to think we need to shut down any time there's some sidewalk or road in the county that has some amount of snow or ice on it. That's absurd. Roads and sidewalks are still passable if you're careful.

We're not talking about whether we think they *should* be closed on Tuesday. We're talking about whether we think they *will* be closed on Tuesday.

Also I know there are folks plowing the roads overnight after snowstorms, but who is in charge of clearing out school parking lots and sidewalks, and do those folks typically work overnight when needed or not?

The Building Services team at each school is responsible for clearing the sidewalks/parking lots. They do not work overnight and many of these teams are not fully staffed. Also remember that they must be able to travel safely from their homes to these jobs.
If the current forecast holds, I predict no school Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday definitely a delay, possible closure. Possible/likely delay on Thursday. Make your plans.

We only get 2 snow days

We use however snow days MCOS determines we need. If more the man 2, we use contingency days, including potentially adding days to the end of the year when no one will show up.

Exactly. And MCPS incompetence has repeatedly lead to needing too many days and then causing issues with other days.
Remember the stupid async day last year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

Ok-- wear boots.

How do you think people nothern states get by in the winter? Based on the reactions on dcum over the years, people seem to think we need to shut down any time there's some sidewalk or road in the county that has some amount of snow or ice on it. That's absurd. Roads and sidewalks are still passable if you're careful.

We're not talking about whether we think they *should* be closed on Tuesday. We're talking about whether we think they *will* be closed on Tuesday.

Also I know there are folks plowing the roads overnight after snowstorms, but who is in charge of clearing out school parking lots and sidewalks, and do those folks typically work overnight when needed or not?

The Building Services team at each school is responsible for clearing the sidewalks/parking lots. They do not work overnight and many of these teams are not fully staffed. Also remember that they must be able to travel safely from their homes to these jobs.
If the current forecast holds, I predict no school Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday definitely a delay, possible closure. Possible/likely delay on Thursday. Make your plans.

The lots aren't that big, nor are the sidewalks. They don't need to work through the night to clear snow.

I agree, though, that there is clearly a severe performance and management problem with building services. We saw that last year when the county roads were clear but MCPS took another full day to reopen (and still hadn't bothered to clear the lots).

Though, at the time, the principal told me building services was only responsible for the sidewalks. Contracted services handled the lots. So I was told, at least.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

Ok-- wear boots.

How do you think people nothern states get by in the winter? Based on the reactions on dcum over the years, people seem to think we need to shut down any time there's some sidewalk or road in the county that has some amount of snow or ice on it. That's absurd. Roads and sidewalks are still passable if you're careful.

I’m sorry you’re so hysterical about even the potential of dealing with your own kids. Must be hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

And neighborhoods have to be safe for buses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

And neighborhoods have to be safe for buses

The roads are almost always fine after snow. MCPS makes the county and municipalities look almost competent in comparison.

Does it really just come down to the building services staff not wanting to wake up early?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t imagine if MCPS suddenly does a code green on a Tuesday like they did last year. Honestly it just really confuses me about MCPS’ decisions.

What do you mean? Last year MCPS had ridiculous closures. I certainly can't remember a time when they opened when they shouldn't have.

There's going to be plenty of time to clear roads before school starts on Tuesday. There shouldn't be a need for a closure. And if they can get their act together, there shouldn't be a need for a delay.

You really think they're going to get the roads clear, everywhere in the whole county, in time for Tuesday morning? Isn't there a good chance it will still be snowing Monday afternoon and maybe even evening? I don't think the crews usually work overnight, do they?

Yes, they do. Not every single side road will be perfectly cleared, but the major roads will be fine to drive on, and the side roads will be drivable for anyone that isn't an idiot.

Sidewalks have to be safe for walkers.

And neighborhoods have to be safe for buses

The roads are almost always fine after snow. MCPS makes the county and municipalities look almost competent in comparison.

Does it really just come down to the building services staff not wanting to wake up early?

The building services staff at my school consists of five people…3 women and 2 men. They are all in their mid to late fifties. They are the best building services staff around. Our building is always impeccably clean and problems are addressed immediately. When we’ve had snow in the past, our building services staff is always outside with shovels in the parking lot, trying to make it as clear as possible and allow for as many parking spaces as possible. We have more staff than available spots in the lot, so staff who arrive later need to park in the neighborhood and walk to the school. This will be a problem with a lot of snow.

I am also in my mid fifties and know I would have difficulty clearing all the sidewalks and walkways around the school. It takes longer than you think to properly clear all the areas after snow.