APS VA Snow Day Projection

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:All I have to say being originally from Chicago is that parents here are such helicopter parents. It's ice. It's snow. Walk a bit slower. It's fine if you're careful. It's not Armageddon out there - no fire and brimstone. It's not even horrible - it's not totally care but you can look both ways before stepping off the sidewalk for 20 seconds to avoid ice on parts of the sidewalk. Maybe not at age 5 but if you're 8 yr old can't do that it is bad parenting. No wonder our country is going downhill!

No doubt it’s the mom who is concerned about her 8 year old falling on the ice that reflects bad parenting and is responsible for the decline of the nation. Never change DCUM.

The mom was concerned about brain damage if her child walks outside when there is snow or ice.

Not Chicago poster but it’s a really thing we are collectively raising a generation of anxious children with not a lot of resilience. Not just a DCUM opinion.

Seeing potential brain damage when you see this storm aftermath is pretty indicative of how a person sees the world and parents so…

I personally know 2 people who were hospitalized from slipping on the ice last year, so it’s not as irrational of a concern as you seem to think. It may be overdoing it, but Arlington is not Chicago and that background probably accounts for some of the parent’s excessive concern for weather conditions someone from Chicago grew up navigating. To call it bad parenting is straight up DCUM mean girl bs.

It is not ideal parenting to use faulty risk assessment and not allow your child to do normal things they are capable of doing. People are managing their own anxiety to the detriment of childhood development skills of independence, problem solving, resilience etc.

This is not even some controversial take. Much talked about and written about.

+1

I do think parents and APS should lobby the county to clear "student highways" for sidewalks and crossings along busy roads near schools for safety reasons. Many of these are spots where there isn't a clear landowner who is responsible to clear the location and where traffic creates a real risk to students. But I also don't think we should keep schools closed or that my kid can't walk if there's frozen precipitation on the ground.

I'm not the poster you're responding to. I think the vast majority here would agree that schools should be open regular hours. I am frustrated with the mounds of ice and completely uncleared sidewalks along the "student highways." I know of three schools where this is a problem for walkers. All are on hills. All are on busy roads. I believe all are along county owned land. All are in south Arlington. Yes, I have emailed the school board and the county.

These spots exist in N Arlington too. Two are mentioned this thread. Do people think N Arlington got some special sidewalk/snow clearing treatment? We did not. Langston Blvd and Washington Blvd are impassable to pedestrians in most sections.

I was writing to posters who seem to think the ice covering student walking routes is no big deal. I specified south Arlington to give some idea of geography where I am seeing the problems. I'm sorry your schools are having the same issue. Maybe the more people chime in with specifics the quicker those who think the ice only requires a "20 second detour" will get out of their bubbles.

So what's your point? You want schools to say close until it melts? That obviously can't happen. I agree the county should be doing more and I'm happy to lobby for that. But all of the whining here is ridiculous. Schools need to open and kids need to figure it out. Kids all over Northern areas learn how to get to school with frozen precipitation on the ground. We're just not that special

Northern states have a bigger budget for snow/ ice removal and are more competent at doing it.

The snowcrete is starting to melt, but it’s not gone. The snow plows pushed mountains of the stuff on the sidewalks and street corners and if those aren’t cleared, kids walk or stand waiting for the bus in the street. Kids walking or standing in the street when it’s dark means the school district risks one of them getting hit by a car or bus.

So you want schools to remain closed? Is that really your position?

No, but a delay would be wise.

You realize that most parents have to go to work and can't just hang out daily until 11 AM, right?

I just don’t want a kid to be hit by a bus because he is standing in the street. If I thought there was is no possibility of that, then starting on time would be AOK.

Kids have had two days now to coordinate a safe place to stand with their bus driver. There's no excuse to not have a safe plan by now.

so it's the kids' fault now?

Is common sense really that dead? Do you need written instructions to put your pants on each morning??

The bus driver and kids have a conversation about where they'll pick up. Bus drivers usually give instructions if kids are doing something dangerous like standing in a busy street. Usually the bus driver will say something like "Wait over there for your stop, where it's clear and away from traffic. Stay there until my lights are on and the door is open so cars have stopped. Then you can climb across the snow to board."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:All I have to say being originally from Chicago is that parents here are such helicopter parents. It's ice. It's snow. Walk a bit slower. It's fine if you're careful. It's not Armageddon out there - no fire and brimstone. It's not even horrible - it's not totally care but you can look both ways before stepping off the sidewalk for 20 seconds to avoid ice on parts of the sidewalk. Maybe not at age 5 but if you're 8 yr old can't do that it is bad parenting. No wonder our country is going downhill!

No doubt it’s the mom who is concerned about her 8 year old falling on the ice that reflects bad parenting and is responsible for the decline of the nation. Never change DCUM.

The mom was concerned about brain damage if her child walks outside when there is snow or ice.

Not Chicago poster but it’s a really thing we are collectively raising a generation of anxious children with not a lot of resilience. Not just a DCUM opinion.

Seeing potential brain damage when you see this storm aftermath is pretty indicative of how a person sees the world and parents so…

I personally know 2 people who were hospitalized from slipping on the ice last year, so it’s not as irrational of a concern as you seem to think. It may be overdoing it, but Arlington is not Chicago and that background probably accounts for some of the parent’s excessive concern for weather conditions someone from Chicago grew up navigating. To call it bad parenting is straight up DCUM mean girl bs.

It is not ideal parenting to use faulty risk assessment and not allow your child to do normal things they are capable of doing. People are managing their own anxiety to the detriment of childhood development skills of independence, problem solving, resilience etc.

This is not even some controversial take. Much talked about and written about.

+1

I do think parents and APS should lobby the county to clear "student highways" for sidewalks and crossings along busy roads near schools for safety reasons. Many of these are spots where there isn't a clear landowner who is responsible to clear the location and where traffic creates a real risk to students. But I also don't think we should keep schools closed or that my kid can't walk if there's frozen precipitation on the ground.

I'm not the poster you're responding to. I think the vast majority here would agree that schools should be open regular hours. I am frustrated with the mounds of ice and completely uncleared sidewalks along the "student highways." I know of three schools where this is a problem for walkers. All are on hills. All are on busy roads. I believe all are along county owned land. All are in south Arlington. Yes, I have emailed the school board and the county.

These spots exist in N Arlington too. Two are mentioned this thread. Do people think N Arlington got some special sidewalk/snow clearing treatment? We did not. Langston Blvd and Washington Blvd are impassable to pedestrians in most sections.

I was writing to posters who seem to think the ice covering student walking routes is no big deal. I specified south Arlington to give some idea of geography where I am seeing the problems. I'm sorry your schools are having the same issue. Maybe the more people chime in with specifics the quicker those who think the ice only requires a "20 second detour" will get out of their bubbles.

So what's your point? You want schools to say close until it melts? That obviously can't happen. I agree the county should be doing more and I'm happy to lobby for that. But all of the whining here is ridiculous. Schools need to open and kids need to figure it out. Kids all over Northern areas learn how to get to school with frozen precipitation on the ground. We're just not that special

Northern states have a bigger budget for snow/ ice removal and are more competent at doing it.

The snowcrete is starting to melt, but it’s not gone. The snow plows pushed mountains of the stuff on the sidewalks and street corners and if those aren’t cleared, kids walk or stand waiting for the bus in the street. Kids walking or standing in the street when it’s dark means the school district risks one of them getting hit by a car or bus.

So you want schools to remain closed? Is that really your position?

The point is that the walkways are unsafe. Those who claim the ice requires only a 20 second detour need to get out a bit more.

The point is that this is a ridiculous position. Schools cant stay closed until it melts. Kids all over the world go to school with frozen precipitation on the ground. Buck up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All I have to say being originally from Chicago is that parents here are such helicopter parents. It's ice. It's snow. Walk a bit slower. It's fine if you're careful. It's not Armageddon out there - no fire and brimstone. It's not even horrible - it's not totally care but you can look both ways before stepping off the sidewalk for 20 seconds to avoid ice on parts of the sidewalk. Maybe not at age 5 but if you're 8 yr old can't do that it is bad parenting. No wonder our country is going downhill!

No doubt it’s the mom who is concerned about her 8 year old falling on the ice that reflects bad parenting and is responsible for the decline of the nation. Never change DCUM.

The mom was concerned about brain damage if her child walks outside when there is snow or ice.

Not Chicago poster but it’s a really thing we are collectively raising a generation of anxious children with not a lot of resilience. Not just a DCUM opinion.

Seeing potential brain damage when you see this storm aftermath is pretty indicative of how a person sees the world and parents so…

I personally know 2 people who were hospitalized from slipping on the ice last year, so it’s not as irrational of a concern as you seem to think. It may be overdoing it, but Arlington is not Chicago and that background probably accounts for some of the parent’s excessive concern for weather conditions someone from Chicago grew up navigating. To call it bad parenting is straight up DCUM mean girl bs.

It is not ideal parenting to use faulty risk assessment and not allow your child to do normal things they are capable of doing. People are managing their own anxiety to the detriment of childhood development skills of independence, problem solving, resilience etc.

This is not even some controversial take. Much talked about and written about.

+1

I do think parents and APS should lobby the county to clear "student highways" for sidewalks and crossings along busy roads near schools for safety reasons. Many of these are spots where there isn't a clear landowner who is responsible to clear the location and where traffic creates a real risk to students. But I also don't think we should keep schools closed or that my kid can't walk if there's frozen precipitation on the ground.

I'm not the poster you're responding to. I think the vast majority here would agree that schools should be open regular hours. I am frustrated with the mounds of ice and completely uncleared sidewalks along the "student highways." I know of three schools where this is a problem for walkers. All are on hills. All are on busy roads. I believe all are along county owned land. All are in south Arlington. Yes, I have emailed the school board and the county.

These spots exist in N Arlington too. Two are mentioned this thread. Do people think N Arlington got some special sidewalk/snow clearing treatment? We did not. Langston Blvd and Washington Blvd are impassable to pedestrians in most sections.

I was writing to posters who seem to think the ice covering student walking routes is no big deal. I specified south Arlington to give some idea of geography where I am seeing the problems. I'm sorry your schools are having the same issue. Maybe the more people chime in with specifics the quicker those who think the ice only requires a "20 second detour" will get out of their bubbles.

So what's your point? You want schools to say close until it melts? That obviously can't happen. I agree the county should be doing more and I'm happy to lobby for that. But all of the whining here is ridiculous. Schools need to open and kids need to figure it out. Kids all over Northern areas learn how to get to school with frozen precipitation on the ground. We're just not that special

Northern states have a bigger budget for snow/ ice removal and are more competent at doing it.

The snowcrete is starting to melt, but it’s not gone. The snow plows pushed mountains of the stuff on the sidewalks and street corners and if those aren’t cleared, kids walk or stand waiting for the bus in the street. Kids walking or standing in the street when it’s dark means the school district risks one of them getting hit by a car or bus.

So you want schools to remain closed? Is that really your position?

The point is that the walkways are unsafe. Those who claim the ice requires only a 20 second detour need to get out a bit more.

yep, it's not safe to walk on ice or in the streets

Says the high schooler who wants to sleep in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All I have to say being originally from Chicago is that parents here are such helicopter parents. It's ice. It's snow. Walk a bit slower. It's fine if you're careful. It's not Armageddon out there - no fire and brimstone. It's not even horrible - it's not totally care but you can look both ways before stepping off the sidewalk for 20 seconds to avoid ice on parts of the sidewalk. Maybe not at age 5 but if you're 8 yr old can't do that it is bad parenting. No wonder our country is going downhill!

No doubt it’s the mom who is concerned about her 8 year old falling on the ice that reflects bad parenting and is responsible for the decline of the nation. Never change DCUM.

The mom was concerned about brain damage if her child walks outside when there is snow or ice.

Not Chicago poster but it’s a really thing we are collectively raising a generation of anxious children with not a lot of resilience. Not just a DCUM opinion.

Seeing potential brain damage when you see this storm aftermath is pretty indicative of how a person sees the world and parents so…

I personally know 2 people who were hospitalized from slipping on the ice last year, so it’s not as irrational of a concern as you seem to think. It may be overdoing it, but Arlington is not Chicago and that background probably accounts for some of the parent’s excessive concern for weather conditions someone from Chicago grew up navigating. To call it bad parenting is straight up DCUM mean girl bs.

It is not ideal parenting to use faulty risk assessment and not allow your child to do normal things they are capable of doing. People are managing their own anxiety to the detriment of childhood development skills of independence, problem solving, resilience etc.

This is not even some controversial take. Much talked about and written about.

+1

I do think parents and APS should lobby the county to clear "student highways" for sidewalks and crossings along busy roads near schools for safety reasons. Many of these are spots where there isn't a clear landowner who is responsible to clear the location and where traffic creates a real risk to students. But I also don't think we should keep schools closed or that my kid can't walk if there's frozen precipitation on the ground.

I'm not the poster you're responding to. I think the vast majority here would agree that schools should be open regular hours. I am frustrated with the mounds of ice and completely uncleared sidewalks along the "student highways." I know of three schools where this is a problem for walkers. All are on hills. All are on busy roads. I believe all are along county owned land. All are in south Arlington. Yes, I have emailed the school board and the county.

These spots exist in N Arlington too. Two are mentioned this thread. Do people think N Arlington got some special sidewalk/snow clearing treatment? We did not. Langston Blvd and Washington Blvd are impassable to pedestrians in most sections.

I was writing to posters who seem to think the ice covering student walking routes is no big deal. I specified south Arlington to give some idea of geography where I am seeing the problems. I'm sorry your schools are having the same issue. Maybe the more people chime in with specifics the quicker those who think the ice only requires a "20 second detour" will get out of their bubbles.

So what's your point? You want schools to say close until it melts? That obviously can't happen. I agree the county should be doing more and I'm happy to lobby for that. But all of the whining here is ridiculous. Schools need to open and kids need to figure it out. Kids all over Northern areas learn how to get to school with frozen precipitation on the ground. We're just not that special

Northern states have a bigger budget for snow/ ice removal and are more competent at doing it.

The snowcrete is starting to melt, but it’s not gone. The snow plows pushed mountains of the stuff on the sidewalks and street corners and if those aren’t cleared, kids walk or stand waiting for the bus in the street. Kids walking or standing in the street when it’s dark means the school district risks one of them getting hit by a car or bus.

So you want schools to remain closed? Is that really your position?

The point is that the walkways are unsafe. Those who claim the ice requires only a 20 second detour need to get out a bit more.

The point is that this is a ridiculous position. Schools cant stay closed until it melts. Kids all over the world go to school with frozen precipitation on the ground. Buck up.

Nobody is saying schools should close. The county has done nothing to clear many walkways they are responsible for and which CHILDREN use to go to school. Two ideas are possible. Kids in school AND safe walking paths to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All I have to say being originally from Chicago is that parents here are such helicopter parents. It's ice. It's snow. Walk a bit slower. It's fine if you're careful. It's not Armageddon out there - no fire and brimstone. It's not even horrible - it's not totally care but you can look both ways before stepping off the sidewalk for 20 seconds to avoid ice on parts of the sidewalk. Maybe not at age 5 but if you're 8 yr old can't do that it is bad parenting. No wonder our country is going downhill!

No doubt it’s the mom who is concerned about her 8 year old falling on the ice that reflects bad parenting and is responsible for the decline of the nation. Never change DCUM.

The mom was concerned about brain damage if her child walks outside when there is snow or ice.

Not Chicago poster but it’s a really thing we are collectively raising a generation of anxious children with not a lot of resilience. Not just a DCUM opinion.

Seeing potential brain damage when you see this storm aftermath is pretty indicative of how a person sees the world and parents so…

I personally know 2 people who were hospitalized from slipping on the ice last year, so it’s not as irrational of a concern as you seem to think. It may be overdoing it, but Arlington is not Chicago and that background probably accounts for some of the parent’s excessive concern for weather conditions someone from Chicago grew up navigating. To call it bad parenting is straight up DCUM mean girl bs.

It is not ideal parenting to use faulty risk assessment and not allow your child to do normal things they are capable of doing. People are managing their own anxiety to the detriment of childhood development skills of independence, problem solving, resilience etc.

This is not even some controversial take. Much talked about and written about.

+1

I do think parents and APS should lobby the county to clear "student highways" for sidewalks and crossings along busy roads near schools for safety reasons. Many of these are spots where there isn't a clear landowner who is responsible to clear the location and where traffic creates a real risk to students. But I also don't think we should keep schools closed or that my kid can't walk if there's frozen precipitation on the ground.

I'm not the poster you're responding to. I think the vast majority here would agree that schools should be open regular hours. I am frustrated with the mounds of ice and completely uncleared sidewalks along the "student highways." I know of three schools where this is a problem for walkers. All are on hills. All are on busy roads. I believe all are along county owned land. All are in south Arlington. Yes, I have emailed the school board and the county.

These spots exist in N Arlington too. Two are mentioned this thread. Do people think N Arlington got some special sidewalk/snow clearing treatment? We did not. Langston Blvd and Washington Blvd are impassable to pedestrians in most sections.

I was writing to posters who seem to think the ice covering student walking routes is no big deal. I specified south Arlington to give some idea of geography where I am seeing the problems. I'm sorry your schools are having the same issue. Maybe the more people chime in with specifics the quicker those who think the ice only requires a "20 second detour" will get out of their bubbles.

So what's your point? You want schools to say close until it melts? That obviously can't happen. I agree the county should be doing more and I'm happy to lobby for that. But all of the whining here is ridiculous. Schools need to open and kids need to figure it out. Kids all over Northern areas learn how to get to school with frozen precipitation on the ground. We're just not that special

Northern states have a bigger budget for snow/ ice removal and are more competent at doing it.

The snowcrete is starting to melt, but it’s not gone. The snow plows pushed mountains of the stuff on the sidewalks and street corners and if those aren’t cleared, kids walk or stand waiting for the bus in the street. Kids walking or standing in the street when it’s dark means the school district risks one of them getting hit by a car or bus.

So you want schools to remain closed? Is that really your position?

The point is that the walkways are unsafe. Those who claim the ice requires only a 20 second detour need to get out a bit more.

The point is that this is a ridiculous position. Schools cant stay closed until it melts. Kids all over the world go to school with frozen precipitation on the ground. Buck up.

Nobody is saying schools should close. The county has done nothing to clear many walkways they are responsible for and which CHILDREN use to go to school. Two ideas are possible. Kids in school AND safe walking paths to school.

Nah the APEs just want schools to open up NOOOOWWW. Safety not a concern for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All I have to say being originally from Chicago is that parents here are such helicopter parents. It's ice. It's snow. Walk a bit slower. It's fine if you're careful. It's not Armageddon out there - no fire and brimstone. It's not even horrible - it's not totally care but you can look both ways before stepping off the sidewalk for 20 seconds to avoid ice on parts of the sidewalk. Maybe not at age 5 but if you're 8 yr old can't do that it is bad parenting. No wonder our country is going downhill!

No doubt it’s the mom who is concerned about her 8 year old falling on the ice that reflects bad parenting and is responsible for the decline of the nation. Never change DCUM.

The mom was concerned about brain damage if her child walks outside when there is snow or ice.

Not Chicago poster but it’s a really thing we are collectively raising a generation of anxious children with not a lot of resilience. Not just a DCUM opinion.

Seeing potential brain damage when you see this storm aftermath is pretty indicative of how a person sees the world and parents so…

I personally know 2 people who were hospitalized from slipping on the ice last year, so it’s not as irrational of a concern as you seem to think. It may be overdoing it, but Arlington is not Chicago and that background probably accounts for some of the parent’s excessive concern for weather conditions someone from Chicago grew up navigating. To call it bad parenting is straight up DCUM mean girl bs.

It is not ideal parenting to use faulty risk assessment and not allow your child to do normal things they are capable of doing. People are managing their own anxiety to the detriment of childhood development skills of independence, problem solving, resilience etc.

This is not even some controversial take. Much talked about and written about.

+1

I do think parents and APS should lobby the county to clear "student highways" for sidewalks and crossings along busy roads near schools for safety reasons. Many of these are spots where there isn't a clear landowner who is responsible to clear the location and where traffic creates a real risk to students. But I also don't think we should keep schools closed or that my kid can't walk if there's frozen precipitation on the ground.

I'm not the poster you're responding to. I think the vast majority here would agree that schools should be open regular hours. I am frustrated with the mounds of ice and completely uncleared sidewalks along the "student highways." I know of three schools where this is a problem for walkers. All are on hills. All are on busy roads. I believe all are along county owned land. All are in south Arlington. Yes, I have emailed the school board and the county.

These spots exist in N Arlington too. Two are mentioned this thread. Do people think N Arlington got some special sidewalk/snow clearing treatment? We did not. Langston Blvd and Washington Blvd are impassable to pedestrians in most sections.

I was writing to posters who seem to think the ice covering student walking routes is no big deal. I specified south Arlington to give some idea of geography where I am seeing the problems. I'm sorry your schools are having the same issue. Maybe the more people chime in with specifics the quicker those who think the ice only requires a "20 second detour" will get out of their bubbles.

So what's your point? You want schools to say close until it melts? That obviously can't happen. I agree the county should be doing more and I'm happy to lobby for that. But all of the whining here is ridiculous. Schools need to open and kids need to figure it out. Kids all over Northern areas learn how to get to school with frozen precipitation on the ground. We're just not that special

Northern states have a bigger budget for snow/ ice removal and are more competent at doing it.

The snowcrete is starting to melt, but it’s not gone. The snow plows pushed mountains of the stuff on the sidewalks and street corners and if those aren’t cleared, kids walk or stand waiting for the bus in the street. Kids walking or standing in the street when it’s dark means the school district risks one of them getting hit by a car or bus.

So you want schools to remain closed? Is that really your position?

The point is that the walkways are unsafe. Those who claim the ice requires only a 20 second detour need to get out a bit more.

yep, it's not safe to walk on ice or in the streets

Says the high schooler who wants to sleep in.

Oh I can assure you it's been a very long time since I was in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All I have to say being originally from Chicago is that parents here are such helicopter parents. It's ice. It's snow. Walk a bit slower. It's fine if you're careful. It's not Armageddon out there - no fire and brimstone. It's not even horrible - it's not totally care but you can look both ways before stepping off the sidewalk for 20 seconds to avoid ice on parts of the sidewalk. Maybe not at age 5 but if you're 8 yr old can't do that it is bad parenting. No wonder our country is going downhill!

No doubt it’s the mom who is concerned about her 8 year old falling on the ice that reflects bad parenting and is responsible for the decline of the nation. Never change DCUM.

The mom was concerned about brain damage if her child walks outside when there is snow or ice.

Not Chicago poster but it’s a really thing we are collectively raising a generation of anxious children with not a lot of resilience. Not just a DCUM opinion.

Seeing potential brain damage when you see this storm aftermath is pretty indicative of how a person sees the world and parents so…

I personally know 2 people who were hospitalized from slipping on the ice last year, so it’s not as irrational of a concern as you seem to think. It may be overdoing it, but Arlington is not Chicago and that background probably accounts for some of the parent’s excessive concern for weather conditions someone from Chicago grew up navigating. To call it bad parenting is straight up DCUM mean girl bs.

It is not ideal parenting to use faulty risk assessment and not allow your child to do normal things they are capable of doing. People are managing their own anxiety to the detriment of childhood development skills of independence, problem solving, resilience etc.

This is not even some controversial take. Much talked about and written about.

+1

I do think parents and APS should lobby the county to clear "student highways" for sidewalks and crossings along busy roads near schools for safety reasons. Many of these are spots where there isn't a clear landowner who is responsible to clear the location and where traffic creates a real risk to students. But I also don't think we should keep schools closed or that my kid can't walk if there's frozen precipitation on the ground.

I'm not the poster you're responding to. I think the vast majority here would agree that schools should be open regular hours. I am frustrated with the mounds of ice and completely uncleared sidewalks along the "student highways." I know of three schools where this is a problem for walkers. All are on hills. All are on busy roads. I believe all are along county owned land. All are in south Arlington. Yes, I have emailed the school board and the county.

These spots exist in N Arlington too. Two are mentioned this thread. Do people think N Arlington got some special sidewalk/snow clearing treatment? We did not. Langston Blvd and Washington Blvd are impassable to pedestrians in most sections.

I was writing to posters who seem to think the ice covering student walking routes is no big deal. I specified south Arlington to give some idea of geography where I am seeing the problems. I'm sorry your schools are having the same issue. Maybe the more people chime in with specifics the quicker those who think the ice only requires a "20 second detour" will get out of their bubbles.

So what's your point? You want schools to say close until it melts? That obviously can't happen. I agree the county should be doing more and I'm happy to lobby for that. But all of the whining here is ridiculous. Schools need to open and kids need to figure it out. Kids all over Northern areas learn how to get to school with frozen precipitation on the ground. We're just not that special

Northern states have a bigger budget for snow/ ice removal and are more competent at doing it.

The snowcrete is starting to melt, but it’s not gone. The snow plows pushed mountains of the stuff on the sidewalks and street corners and if those aren’t cleared, kids walk or stand waiting for the bus in the street. Kids walking or standing in the street when it’s dark means the school district risks one of them getting hit by a car or bus.

So you want schools to remain closed? Is that really your position?

The point is that the walkways are unsafe. Those who claim the ice requires only a 20 second detour need to get out a bit more.

The point is that this is a ridiculous position. Schools cant stay closed until it melts. Kids all over the world go to school with frozen precipitation on the ground. Buck up.

Nobody is saying schools should close. The county has done nothing to clear many walkways they are responsible for and which CHILDREN use to go to school. Two ideas are possible. Kids in school AND safe walking paths to school.

Nah the APEs just want schools to open up NOOOOWWW. Safety not a concern for them.

And they will SCREAM it no matter how irrational it is.

[Anonymous]

saw one boy totally wipe out at 730am this morning, but he got back up...

[Anonymous]

I also saw a kid fall on black ice this morning, at an intersection, after climbing over a pile of snowcrete.

[Anonymous]

The reports of kids falling. 😂

They will get up and move on. They might have a bruise. They will have learned something about how to navigate snow and ice. Take off the bubble wrap and back away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:saw one boy totally wipe out at 730am this morning, but he got back up...

Damn! So disappointing! This could have really proven people’s point it’s not safe. Keep looking for downed kids.

[Anonymous]

I'm waiting for the news reports on injured kids and overrun emergency rooms. It's just so dangerous out there. ER docs will be putting out social media posts about the risk like they are on vaccines, eBikes and eScooters.

Statistically your kid is far more likely to be injured on the soccer field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm waiting for the news reports on injured kids and overrun emergency rooms. It's just so dangerous out there. ER docs will be putting out social media posts about the risk like they are on vaccines, eBikes and eScooters.

Statistically your kid is far more likely to be injured on the soccer field.

The kids must be disappointed all the escooters are buried under snow and they can't ride them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The reports of kids falling. 😂

They will get up and move on. They might have a bruise. They will have learned something about how to navigate snow and ice. Take off the bubble wrap and back away.

Right! There really is nothing to be done about it. Homeowners should not shovel their walks. The county definitely should not shovel walkways along county owned property next to schools or along walker corridors. Shoving around schools is just wasteful public spending. This is character building stuff for the kids.

We should probably eliminate sidewalks and crossing guards too. Kids need to learn how to navigate on their own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reports of kids falling. 😂

They will get up and move on. They might have a bruise. They will have learned something about how to navigate snow and ice. Take off the bubble wrap and back away.

Right! There really is nothing to be done about it. Homeowners should not shovel their walks. The county definitely should not shovel walkways along county owned property next to schools or along walker corridors. Shoving around schools is just wasteful public spending. This is character building stuff for the kids.

We should probably eliminate sidewalks and crossing guards too. Kids need to learn how to navigate on their own.

Stop.

Look the sidewalks that aren’t clear aren’t getting cleared. The county isn’t doing much else. Write to the county board about it and tell your kid to step carefully and find alternate routes if they are supposed to walk on a main road. They can handle it.