Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in NY, which gets much more snow than Maryland, and we road buses to school, and there wasn't this type of chaos around a tiny bit of snow. We had school districts within the county, and the district made the decision to close. It's been said before, but it's just too bad that these decisions can't be decentralized from MoCo to a sub-county level (ex: clusters). I know there are magnet schools and special ed programs county wide, but maybe MoCo could make those decisions to close for those schools, while decisions to close for local schools could be made at the cluster level.

But in Maryland, the school districts are the county.

MCPS has looked at the possibility of only closing part of the district for weather and concluded that the headaches outweigh the benefits. I do not necessarily believe everything that MCPS tells me, but I do believe them on this.

Yes, which is why I pointed out that you could have a sub-county decision mechanism (ex: by clusters). My NY friends can't believe that my kid's school keeps closing when there's less than an inch of snow of the ground.

+1 MoCo is too big to be manageable. It's not fair that 100% of students stay home and don't learn when adverse weather conditions affect a small part of the county.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in NY, which gets much more snow than Maryland, and we road buses to school, and there wasn't this type of chaos around a tiny bit of snow. We had school districts within the county, and the district made the decision to close. It's been said before, but it's just too bad that these decisions can't be decentralized from MoCo to a sub-county level (ex: clusters). I know there are magnet schools and special ed programs county wide, but maybe MoCo could make those decisions to close for those schools, while decisions to close for local schools could be made at the cluster level.

But in Maryland, the school districts are the county.

MCPS has looked at the possibility of only closing part of the district for weather and concluded that the headaches outweigh the benefits. I do not necessarily believe everything that MCPS tells me, but I do believe them on this.

Yes, which is why I pointed out that you could have a sub-county decision mechanism (ex: by clusters). My NY friends can't believe that my kid's school keeps closing when there's less than an inch of snow of the ground.

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in NY, which gets much more snow than Maryland, and we road buses to school, and there wasn't this type of chaos around a tiny bit of snow. We had school districts within the county, and the district made the decision to close. It's been said before, but it's just too bad that these decisions can't be decentralized from MoCo to a sub-county level (ex: clusters). I know there are magnet schools and special ed programs county wide, but maybe MoCo could make those decisions to close for those schools, while decisions to close for local schools could be made at the cluster level.

But in Maryland, the school districts are the county.

MCPS has looked at the possibility of only closing part of the district for weather and concluded that the headaches outweigh the benefits. I do not necessarily believe everything that MCPS tells me, but I do believe them on this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do we lose a day of spring break?

I think this is our last free day. The next one eats up one day.

I looked into it and the next snow day will add June 13 as a school day. Jan 26 is also identified and it's a half day they would convert to a full day. I like that option but who knows if we'll have another snow day by then.

Jan. 26 is a full day off, not a half day that would be converted. Jan 25 is a half day.

MCPS web site does not actually give a plan for how MCPS would use their contingency days, other than saying June 13 is the first one to be used. Its exact language is "If the school year should be disrupted by emergencies and schools are closed three or more days, the first make-up day will be used on June 13, 2018. Other dates in 2018 identified as possible make-up days include: January 26, March 26, March 27, June 14, and June 15."

There is very little chance Jan. 26 would be used, even if there is another closure between today and then. MCPS/BOE would claim that "The plan is June 13 is the first one we'd use, so why plan for Jan. 26?" as well as "There isn't enough time to communicate that Jan. 26 would be used." It seems pretty clear that MCPS has no idea on how they will actually implement contingency days.

You are right! I misread my calendar! Glad you pointed it out.

I grew up in NY, which gets much more snow than Maryland, and we road buses to school, and there wasn't this type of chaos around a tiny bit of snow. We had school districts within the county, and the district made the decision to close. It's been said before, but it's just too bad that these decisions can't be decentralized from MoCo to a sub-county level (ex: clusters). I know there are magnet schools and special ed programs county wide, but maybe MoCo could make those decisions to close for those schools, while decisions to close for local schools could be made at the cluster level.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, I drove to work from Olney to DC in my puny Honda Civic and it was fine. Took me about 10 minutes longer than usual but that’s it.

A full day closure was not necessary, IMO. Thankfully KAH is fantastic about being open and the kids like it.

Well good for you and Olney. MCPS includes a lot more than Olney though so...

Um, we know. But Olney is near upper MoCo and we typically get hit harder than Silver Spring and the close-in burbs. If Olney was fine, then I'm sure the closer in burbs were perfectly fine. So where were the dangerous conditions in the county? And were the roads not treated? Our roads were clearly treated last night.

We are in Gaithersburg and commute into DC was slick due to icy secondary roads. Co worker from MOCO also almost hit a tree in his neighborhood on his way to work, so yes there are icy roads in Montgomery county. MCPS has to consider all of Moco, not just certain areas.

We're in the Glenmont area. Almost got nailed by a car that skidded on ice and couldn't stop. Fortunately we were paying attention and had a clear path to get out of the way. That was on a main road. We regularly have worse weather than Olney.

No you don't. My parents live off of Layhill, and we compare notes when it snows. Olney always has more snow. Always.

Another PP here. I live off Layhill. There are normally tw problem spots on Layhill and it is not about the snow, it is about the ice and slope of the road. One is in between the ICC and Bel Pre/Bonifant and the other is further up Layhill towards 28.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do we lose a day of spring break?

I think this is our last free day. The next one eats up one day.

I looked into it and the next snow day will add June 13 as a school day. Jan 26 is also identified and it's a half day they would convert to a full day. I like that option but who knows if we'll have another snow day by then.

Jan. 26 is a full day off, not a half day that would be converted. Jan 25 is a half day.

MCPS web site does not actually give a plan for how MCPS would use their contingency days, other than saying June 13 is the first one to be used. Its exact language is "If the school year should be disrupted by emergencies and schools are closed three or more days, the first make-up day will be used on June 13, 2018. Other dates in 2018 identified as possible make-up days include: January 26, March 26, March 27, June 14, and June 15."

There is very little chance Jan. 26 would be used, even if there is another closure between today and then. MCPS/BOE would claim that "The plan is June 13 is the first one we'd use, so why plan for Jan. 26?" as well as "There isn't enough time to communicate that Jan. 26 would be used." It seems pretty clear that MCPS has no idea on how they will actually implement contingency days.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Wow. Yippee for your privileged kids with a SAHM or nanny! Glad they can sleep in! (Apparently you don't care that they aren't learning.)

Most of us have jobs that involve schlepping to an office, so we are forced to either take off or scramble to find child care. Some parents don't have the luxury of paid leave.

Wut? Wait! I thought every WOHM is super happy and fulfilled working? Schlepping to office, scrambling to find child care, luxury of paid leave - sounds like you have it rough.

The WOHMS I know in real life are in high positions that they can take unpaid leave or telecommute. What can I say? You should have worked harder in college, Sweetie!

STFU. I’m a former SAHM and a-holes like you make things so much worse for us.

You can STFU yourself, asshole. You have no idea if I am a SAHM or WOHM. However, the WOHMS who make digs at SAHMs get what is coming to them.

None of these parents seem to care about the safety of the students or the fact that a bus accident can kill children. The major grousing is about daycare. I am sorry but the lives of students is more important than some stupid boohooing by some bitch.

I'm picturing an overweight cigarette smoking hausfrau in yoga pants from target and an oversized Disney t-shirt. The cursing says it all: Suzy is unhappy with her life, and eager to fight with anyone who will engage.

Let's pray for Suzy...and her kids. Hope they aren't guzzling Mountain Dew and double fisting Cheetos.

Whatever makes your work day happier, Sweetie!!

I had my assistant cancel my calls/meetings, and I'm sitting by the fire watching cartoons with my kids. I'm still getting paid, but I'm not planning to check email today. But I still have my fancy title and a meaningful career. Contributing to society is actually pretty cool.

the irony

So many of you on both sides are arrogant and life dumb.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Wow. Yippee for your privileged kids with a SAHM or nanny! Glad they can sleep in! (Apparently you don't care that they aren't learning.)

Most of us have jobs that involve schlepping to an office, so we are forced to either take off or scramble to find child care. Some parents don't have the luxury of paid leave.

Wut? Wait! I thought every WOHM is super happy and fulfilled working? Schlepping to office, scrambling to find child care, luxury of paid leave - sounds like you have it rough.

The WOHMS I know in real life are in high positions that they can take unpaid leave or telecommute. What can I say? You should have worked harder in college, Sweetie!

STFU. I’m a former SAHM and a-holes like you make things so much worse for us.

You can STFU yourself, asshole. You have no idea if I am a SAHM or WOHM. However, the WOHMS who make digs at SAHMs get what is coming to them.

None of these parents seem to care about the safety of the students or the fact that a bus accident can kill children. The major grousing is about daycare. I am sorry but the lives of students is more important than some stupid boohooing by some bitch.

I'm picturing an overweight cigarette smoking hausfrau in yoga pants from target and an oversized Disney t-shirt. The cursing says it all: Suzy is unhappy with her life, and eager to fight with anyone who will engage.

Let's pray for Suzy...and her kids. Hope they aren't guzzling Mountain Dew and double fisting Cheetos.

Whatever makes your work day happier, Sweetie!!

I had my assistant cancel my calls/meetings, and I'm sitting by the fire watching cartoons with my kids. I'm still getting paid, but I'm not planning to check email today. But I still have my fancy title and a meaningful career. Contributing to society is actually pretty cool.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I was in the camp that this is a tough job and it’s a big county and it can be tough to make a decision.

But what changed in one hour??

What did they announce a DELAY first and then change their mind??

THAT is what I find ridiculous. Talk about last minute. If they wanted to close (which I do NOT think is necessary), they should have said that to begin with.

Ridiculous.

Two hours. Presumably they started getting ready for the start with a two-hour delay and found that conditions were worse than they had thought.

From my little slice of a neighborhood, conditions got slightly worse between 6-7. I drove to my 6am exercise class around 5:50 this morning. Car was parked in garage over night so my car was clean. Roads were a bit slippery but whatever. When I came out of my exercise class, my car was covered in that icy snow. I had to scrape it off my windshield - windshield wipers weren't doing the trick. I can see how it became a little worse in that hour and maybe the conditions weren't so icy when they made the call at 5.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Wow. Yippee for your privileged kids with a SAHM or nanny! Glad they can sleep in! (Apparently you don't care that they aren't learning.)

Most of us have jobs that involve schlepping to an office, so we are forced to either take off or scramble to find child care. Some parents don't have the luxury of paid leave.

Wut? Wait! I thought every WOHM is super happy and fulfilled working? Schlepping to office, scrambling to find child care, luxury of paid leave - sounds like you have it rough.

The WOHMS I know in real life are in high positions that they can take unpaid leave or telecommute. What can I say? You should have worked harder in college, Sweetie!

STFU. I’m a former SAHM and a-holes like you make things so much worse for us.

You can STFU yourself, asshole. You have no idea if I am a SAHM or WOHM. However, the WOHMS who make digs at SAHMs get what is coming to them.

None of these parents seem to care about the safety of the students or the fact that a bus accident can kill children. The major grousing is about daycare. I am sorry but the lives of students is more important than some stupid boohooing by some bitch.

I'm picturing an overweight cigarette smoking hausfrau in yoga pants from target and an oversized Disney t-shirt. The cursing says it all: Suzy is unhappy with her life, and eager to fight with anyone who will engage.

Let's pray for Suzy...and her kids. Hope they aren't guzzling Mountain Dew and double fisting Cheetos.

Whatever makes your work day happier, Sweetie!!

Anonymous wrote:Frederick should have received more than dusting than northern Montgomery county but still they are only 2 hours delay. My SAHM wife has to deal with kids all day!!! MCPS decision is wrong. Roads are clear here in Damascus area.

How do you know what the road conditions are in all of Mont. County? You do realize that MCPS is a huge system from Poolesville, to Olney, to Rockville, to SS, to Potomac? And that it has to consider the safety of all students from from the Kindergartners who have to walk to the bus stop to the High School kids who drive to school? Do you know that schools start at different times and that HS kids start earlier than ES kids? Lots of things to consider. It's not about the dusting, its about icy conditions. I'm sure you've already heard in the news that many people in the area have encountered icy slick roads in their commute this morning?

People also forget that in addition to the bus drivers needing to drive safely, a lot of high school kids drive to school. And yes, many drive for very legitimate reasons including after school jobs and activities. When my kids were little I was always annoyed when school closed for an inch or two of snow, but now I have a completely different perspective and I'm glad that I didn't have to pry the keys out of my high schooler's hand this morning. He told me that kids were sliding all over the place last week when they did the two hour delay after the ice and that many of the sidewalks and paths to the school had not been treated. Parents with young kids need to get their daycare needs figured out at the beginning of the year and not expect the rest of us to put our kids in danger so they can go to work.

Anonymous wrote:Frederick should have received more than dusting than northern Montgomery county but still they are only 2 hours delay. My SAHM wife has to deal with kids all day!!! MCPS decision is wrong. Roads are clear here in Damascus area.

Booohooohoo.


(I hope you are being funny and sarcastic)

Frederick should have received more than dusting than northern Montgomery county but still they are only 2 hours delay. My SAHM wife has to deal with kids all day!!! MCPS decision is wrong. Roads are clear here in Damascus area.