FCPS 11/15

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FWIW I think FCPS was in a tough spot with this storm. They called the 2-hour delay last night in anticipation of being able to better evaluate this morning by 6am. At 6am it was just raining or maybe sleet mixed in, and the forecasters all said it would change to rain. Then at 6:30 it started snowing and it got worse and worse past 7:30. So for safety reasons, they closed. It was a series of unfortunate events, and I feel the worst for the bus drivers and teachers already at schools (the middle school bus drivers were already on their way out) and the kids at SACC centers who were already there, and the parents who now have to turn around back to SACC or make alternative plans. But this weather really caught everyone off guard. Last year it seemed like a snow forecast was always a bust, so we are all programmed to expect a bust, not a boom. Hope everyone is safe today.

I agree they were in a tough spot (KINDA-I mean, other counties called out last night), but that's exactly why it's best to cancel-even if the storm becomes a bust. It's always better to be safe than sorry. The late call put a TON of people in a tough spot---and DANGER! There were teachers heading to or at schools. Students dropped off at SACC. A mess!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got the email at 8:01 and text at 8:23.

I was literally getting in the car to drive DS to SACC when the email came through.

well be glad you weren't already 45 minutes away at work when you got the notification.

[Anonymous]

I’m just curious as to why FCPS remained on a delay when every other county and even NOVA CC closed. Can someone explain their reasoning?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got the email at 8:01 and text at 8:23.

I was literally getting in the car to drive DS to SACC when the email came through.

Me too. We got the text as we were loading the kids into the car. My poor DD was worried about her friends who get dropped off earlier than her. "What if their mommies can't pick them up??". SERIOUSLY.

[Anonymous]

They didn’t. Arlington and Alexandria and FCCC have school.

[Anonymous]

My kids are past SACC age, thank God. But the pickup at SACC now part of the email is ridiculous. The weather is supposed to improve steadily as the day goes on and is already changing from snow to rain in Fairfax. If your kid is already there, it is safer for parents and staff to do pickup this afternoon, when it is warmer and the roads should be better.

Plus, I’m a unscheduled leave/ unscheduled telework p fed, so I could roll with this closure. Not every parents who uses SACC can just walk away from their job and head home with their kid on little notice. And not everyone works near the schools.

Bad planning FCPS. I left the house at 7, and it was clear in Western Fairfax the roads would not be okay for MS bus pickup at 8:30 (my MS kid catches the 6:30 bus). They could have made the call by 6-6:30.

[Anonymous]

I would love to see FCPS move to a plan where the whole county doesn’t stand or fall together. It will likely never happen, and also likely would t have had much impact on today’s result, but it just seems to make so much sense for such a large county where weather can truly be so different (or handled differently) from one region to another.

[Anonymous]

i am thankful I was working from home today because otherwise my kid would probably still be at SACC! I can't believe they w sites so long to cancel

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got the email at 8:01 and text at 8:23.

I was literally getting in the car to drive DS to SACC when the email came through.

Me too. We got the text as we were loading the kids into the car. My poor DD was worried about her friends who get dropped off earlier than her. "What if their mommies can't pick them up??". SERIOUSLY.

Text 8:23
Email: 8:22

I hope they fix this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would love to see FCPS move to a plan where the whole county doesn’t stand or fall together. It will likely never happen, and also likely would t have had much impact on today’s result, but it just seems to make so much sense for such a large county where weather can truly be so different (or handled differently) from one region to another.

I agree. They need to call by region. What is the point of having all these expensive superintendents for each region if they are going to do everything the same anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW I think FCPS was in a tough spot with this storm. They called the 2-hour delay last night in anticipation of being able to better evaluate this morning by 6am. At 6am it was just raining or maybe sleet mixed in, and the forecasters all said it would change to rain. Then at 6:30 it started snowing and it got worse and worse past 7:30. So for safety reasons, they closed. It was a series of unfortunate events, and I feel the worst for the bus drivers and teachers already at schools (the middle school bus drivers were already on their way out) and the kids at SACC centers who were already there, and the parents who now have to turn around back to SACC or make alternative plans. But this weather really caught everyone off guard. Last year it seemed like a snow forecast was always a bust, so we are all programmed to expect a bust, not a boom. Hope everyone is safe today.

I agree they were in a tough spot (KINDA-I mean, other counties called out last night), but that's exactly why it's best to cancel-even if the storm becomes a bust. It's always better to be safe than sorry. The late call put a TON of people in a tough spot---and DANGER! There were teachers heading to or at schools. Students dropped off at SACC. A mess!

I think we should remember this next time FCPS cancels ahead of time and the storm ends up being a bust. It's not about predicting the weather right, for them it's about planning and accounting for possible worst case scenarios. They deserve the benefit of the doubt and a lot of leeway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to see FCPS move to a plan where the whole county doesn’t stand or fall together. It will likely never happen, and also likely would t have had much impact on today’s result, but it just seems to make so much sense for such a large county where weather can truly be so different (or handled differently) from one region to another.

I agree. They need to call by region. What is the point of having all these expensive superintendents for each region if they are going to do everything the same anyway.

It cracks me up when people suggest this every damn year like they are god's gift to logistics.

[Anonymous]

How early does SACC open? Just curious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How early does SACC open? Just curious.

7 am.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How early does SACC open? Just curious.

7 am.

So on a two hour delay, it still opens at the normal time, 7 am?