Should school be closed when it's too cold

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In order to fix the issue with the buses - they would have to buy engine block heaters. That's a pretty sizable expense and it doesn't make sense to buy equipment like that for the buses for something that happens once every 4 or 5 years. Suck it up and deal with the kids being off school for a day.

ASE recommends block heaters when the ambient temperature is below -25F. It just doesn't get that cold around here.

The "buses won't start" is a re-direction, and a poor one at that, they start in DC weather unless maintenance (particularly of the batteries) is below par.

I maintain a fleet of revenue buses, they start every morning.

Are your buses all, or mostly all in one location or are they parked all over the county?

All around the DMV. They come to one of 2 maintenance facilities for services. Drivers don't get paid if they don't start so the dispatch rate is important to them and they become part of the solution. I understand FCPS drives get paid whether they pick up kids or not.

The reason why I asked is because it is my understanding that when it is cold (negative temps) and buses don't start it is a problem that buses are parked all over the county. The fleet numbers 1700 or 1800 buses but 5 or 6 are at one elementary, another 10 are at a high school, a few more in some commuter lot, etc. so servicing when they won't start is not an efficient process.

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

One problem with closing schools in DC (and other places) is, as a PP mentioned, that it's the only place that many children get meals. They also may not have heat in their homes. School is their safe space--not meant in any political sense of the word.

Schools fall under the Department of Education. Their job is to educate. They are not a glorified food pantry.

There are many other social services that take care of that. It is not a responsibility of schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

One problem with closing schools in DC (and other places) is, as a PP mentioned, that it's the only place that many children get meals. They also may not have heat in their homes. School is their safe space--not meant in any political sense of the word.

Schools fall under the Department of Education. Their job is to educate. They are not a glorified food pantry.

There are many other social services that take care of that. It is not a responsibility of schools.

That's very empathetic of you. Picture this scenario:

Schools are closed for the day, but mom and dad both have to work their 9-or-more-hour shifts (or one parent is absent). Junior is home alone from 7am-7pm. There is very little food in the house, because Junior being home was unexpected, or they live in a good desert without access to "real" food. What does Junior eat?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

One problem with closing schools in DC (and other places) is, as a PP mentioned, that it's the only place that many children get meals. They also may not have heat in their homes. School is their safe space--not meant in any political sense of the word.

Schools fall under the Department of Education. Their job is to educate. They are not a glorified food pantry.

There are many other social services that take care of that. It is not a responsibility of schools.

That's very empathetic of you. Picture this scenario:

Schools are closed for the day, but mom and dad both have to work their 9-or-more-hour shifts (or one parent is absent). Junior is home alone from 7am-7pm. There is very little food in the house, because Junior being home was unexpected, or they live in a good desert without access to "real" food. What does Junior eat?

food desert

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

One problem with closing schools in DC (and other places) is, as a PP mentioned, that it's the only place that many children get meals. They also may not have heat in their homes. School is their safe space--not meant in any political sense of the word.

Schools fall under the Department of Education. Their job is to educate. They are not a glorified food pantry.

There are many other social services that take care of that. It is not a responsibility of schools.

That's very empathetic of you. Picture this scenario:

Schools are closed for the day, but mom and dad both have to work their 9-or-more-hour shifts (or one parent is absent). Junior is home alone from 7am-7pm. There is very little food in the house, because Junior being home was unexpected, or they live in a good desert without access to "real" food. What does Junior eat?

New poster here, but THAT IS NOT THE SCHOOL'S PROBLEM!!!!

A person can be empathetic while directing a person to a food bank or other social service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

One problem with closing schools in DC (and other places) is, as a PP mentioned, that it's the only place that many children get meals. They also may not have heat in their homes. School is their safe space--not meant in any political sense of the word.

Schools fall under the Department of Education. Their job is to educate. They are not a glorified food pantry.

There are many other social services that take care of that. It is not a responsibility of schools.

That's very empathetic of you. Picture this scenario:

Schools are closed for the day, but mom and dad both have to work their 9-or-more-hour shifts (or one parent is absent). Junior is home alone from 7am-7pm. There is very little food in the house, because Junior being home was unexpected, or they live in a good desert without access to "real" food. What does Junior eat?

Not the PP, but shouldn't they anticipate some "unexpected" closings? In this area I really can't imagine any reason why someone would be in a "food desert". There are a number of food banks from which one could get food to have on hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

One problem with closing schools in DC (and other places) is, as a PP mentioned, that it's the only place that many children get meals. They also may not have heat in their homes. School is their safe space--not meant in any political sense of the word.

Schools fall under the Department of Education. Their job is to educate. They are not a glorified food pantry.

There are many other social services that take care of that. It is not a responsibility of schools.

That's very empathetic of you. Picture this scenario:

Schools are closed for the day, but mom and dad both have to work their 9-or-more-hour shifts (or one parent is absent). Junior is home alone from 7am-7pm. There is very little food in the house, because Junior being home was unexpected, or they live in a good desert without access to "real" food. What does Junior eat?

New poster here, but THAT IS NOT THE SCHOOL'S PROBLEM!!!!

A person can be empathetic while directing a person to a food bank or other social service.

NP. I don't understand why this offends you. Local governments try to consolidate services where it makes sense. The library is also a community center. Rec centers also have conference rooms and classes. Schools provide meals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

One problem with closing schools in DC (and other places) is, as a PP mentioned, that it's the only place that many children get meals. They also may not have heat in their homes. School is their safe space--not meant in any political sense of the word.

Schools fall under the Department of Education. Their job is to educate. They are not a glorified food pantry.

There are many other social services that take care of that. It is not a responsibility of schools.

That's very empathetic of you. Picture this scenario:

Schools are closed for the day, but mom and dad both have to work their 9-or-more-hour shifts (or one parent is absent). Junior is home alone from 7am-7pm. There is very little food in the house, because Junior being home was unexpected, or they live in a good desert without access to "real" food. What does Junior eat?

New poster here, but THAT IS NOT THE SCHOOL'S PROBLEM!!!!

A person can be empathetic while directing a person to a food bank or other social service.

NP. I don't understand why this offends you. Local governments try to consolidate services where it makes sense. The library is also a community center. Rec centers also have conference rooms and classes. Schools provide meals.

NP
I don't think that person is offended. He/she is saying people shouldn't rely on the school to provide food. I agree. A family should be able to get by for a day when school is closed due to weather. Some personal responsibility has to be retained.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

One problem with closing schools in DC (and other places) is, as a PP mentioned, that it's the only place that many children get meals. They also may not have heat in their homes. School is their safe space--not meant in any political sense of the word.

Schools fall under the Department of Education. Their job is to educate. They are not a glorified food pantry.

There are many other social services that take care of that. It is not a responsibility of schools.

That's very empathetic of you. Picture this scenario:

Schools are closed for the day, but mom and dad both have to work their 9-or-more-hour shifts (or one parent is absent). Junior is home alone from 7am-7pm. There is very little food in the house, because Junior being home was unexpected, or they live in a good desert without access to "real" food. What does Junior eat?

New poster here, but THAT IS NOT THE SCHOOL'S PROBLEM!!!!

A person can be empathetic while directing a person to a food bank or other social service.

There is nothing your post that speaks to empathy. At all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

One problem with closing schools in DC (and other places) is, as a PP mentioned, that it's the only place that many children get meals. They also may not have heat in their homes. School is their safe space--not meant in any political sense of the word.

Schools fall under the Department of Education. Their job is to educate. They are not a glorified food pantry.

There are many other social services that take care of that. It is not a responsibility of schools.

That's very empathetic of you. Picture this scenario:

Schools are closed for the day, but mom and dad both have to work their 9-or-more-hour shifts (or one parent is absent). Junior is home alone from 7am-7pm. There is very little food in the house, because Junior being home was unexpected, or they live in a good desert without access to "real" food. What does Junior eat?

New poster here, but THAT IS NOT THE SCHOOL'S PROBLEM!!!!

A person can be empathetic while directing a person to a food bank or other social service.

NP. I don't understand why this offends you. Local governments try to consolidate services where it makes sense. The library is also a community center. Rec centers also have conference rooms and classes. Schools provide meals.

NP
I don't think that person is offended. He/she is saying people shouldn't rely on the school to provide food. I agree. A family should be able to get by for a day when school is closed due to weather. Some personal responsibility has to be retained.

It's awesome that you're in a position where you and your family can have access to nutritious foods at all times. Many, many people living in the DC area are not in that position. To them, "personal responsibility" means working enough to keep a roof over their families' heads, and hopefully also being able to provide food for them without assistance. In many places in our area, the only place to buy "groceries" in affordable neighborhoods are liquor stores and convenience stores. This is not a matter of "personal responsibility"; it's societal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

One problem with closing schools in DC (and other places) is, as a PP mentioned, that it's the only place that many children get meals. They also may not have heat in their homes. School is their safe space--not meant in any political sense of the word.

Schools fall under the Department of Education. Their job is to educate. They are not a glorified food pantry.

There are many other social services that take care of that. It is not a responsibility of schools.

Thanks for chiming in, Betsy. We already know you're a greedy f*ck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

One problem with closing schools in DC (and other places) is, as a PP mentioned, that it's the only place that many children get meals. They also may not have heat in their homes. School is their safe space--not meant in any political sense of the word.

Schools fall under the Department of Education. Their job is to educate. They are not a glorified food pantry.

There are many other social services that take care of that. It is not a responsibility of schools.

That's very empathetic of you. Picture this scenario:

Schools are closed for the day, but mom and dad both have to work their 9-or-more-hour shifts (or one parent is absent). Junior is home alone from 7am-7pm. There is very little food in the house, because Junior being home was unexpected, or they live in a good desert without access to "real" food. What does Junior eat?

New poster here, but THAT IS NOT THE SCHOOL'S PROBLEM!!!!

A person can be empathetic while directing a person to a food bank or other social service.

NP. I don't understand why this offends you. Local governments try to consolidate services where it makes sense. The library is also a community center. Rec centers also have conference rooms and classes. Schools provide meals.

NP
I don't think that person is offended. He/she is saying people shouldn't rely on the school to provide food. I agree. A family should be able to get by for a day when school is closed due to weather. Some personal responsibility has to be retained.

It's awesome that you're in a position where you and your family can have access to nutritious foods at all times. Many, many people living in the DC area are not in that position. To them, "personal responsibility" means working enough to keep a roof over their families' heads, and hopefully also being able to provide food for them without assistance. In many places in our area, the only place to buy "groceries" in affordable neighborhoods are liquor stores and convenience stores. This is not a matter of "personal responsibility"; it's societal.

Yes, it is awesome. I realize that and don't need you to point it out.

We are talking about a day or two of school being closed. If the parents are working enough to keep a roof and provide food without assistance it isn't that difficult to have some healthy food on hand when lunch isn't available through the school. If a family needs assistance it is available and that's good.

Where in Northern VA is there a neighborhood that is only served by a liquor or convenience store?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In order to fix the issue with the buses - they would have to buy engine block heaters. That's a pretty sizable expense and it doesn't make sense to buy equipment like that for the buses for something that happens once every 4 or 5 years. Suck it up and deal with the kids being off school for a day.

ASE recommends block heaters when the ambient temperature is below -25F. It just doesn't get that cold around here.

The "buses won't start" is a re-direction, and a poor one at that, they start in DC weather unless maintenance (particularly of the batteries) is below par.

I maintain a fleet of revenue buses, they start every morning.

Are your buses all, or mostly all in one location or are they parked all over the county?

All around the DMV. They come to one of 2 maintenance facilities for services. Drivers don't get paid if they don't start so the dispatch rate is important to them and they become part of the solution. I understand FCPS drives get paid whether they pick up kids or not.

The reason why I asked is because it is my understanding that when it is cold (negative temps) and buses don't start it is a problem that buses are parked all over the county. The fleet numbers 1700 or 1800 buses but 5 or 6 are at one elementary, another 10 are at a high school, a few more in some commuter lot, etc. so servicing when they won't start is not an efficient process.

The weather does not vary to a significant degree across Fairfax County. FCPS should not be servicing buses AFTER they don't start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In order to fix the issue with the buses - they would have to buy engine block heaters. That's a pretty sizable expense and it doesn't make sense to buy equipment like that for the buses for something that happens once every 4 or 5 years. Suck it up and deal with the kids being off school for a day.

ASE recommends block heaters when the ambient temperature is below -25F. It just doesn't get that cold around here.

The "buses won't start" is a re-direction, and a poor one at that, they start in DC weather unless maintenance (particularly of the batteries) is below par.

I maintain a fleet of revenue buses, they start every morning.

Are your buses all, or mostly all in one location or are they parked all over the county?

All around the DMV. They come to one of 2 maintenance facilities for services. Drivers don't get paid if they don't start so the dispatch rate is important to them and they become part of the solution. I understand FCPS drives get paid whether they pick up kids or not.

The reason why I asked is because it is my understanding that when it is cold (negative temps) and buses don't start it is a problem that buses are parked all over the county. The fleet numbers 1700 or 1800 buses but 5 or 6 are at one elementary, another 10 are at a high school, a few more in some commuter lot, etc. so servicing when they won't start is not an efficient process.

The weather does not vary to a significant degree across Fairfax County. FCPS should not be servicing buses AFTER they don't start.

Varying temps (or the lack thereof) has nothing to do with the problem of buses being parked in various places. The point, as I understand it, is that if buses were parked in one central location they could troubleshoot in a more efficient manner. I don't know how many mechanics are employed, but I imagine it is difficult when they are so spread out.

I agree that they should be servicing buses to help ensure they start. I don't know their maintenance schedules or procedures. I do know as of at least a few years ago it was an aging fleet.