Anonymous wrote:PGCPS busses more kids than other jurisdictions because of the specialty programs. I know kids with 2 hour bus rides. In this heat, it will be awful.

Yeah it seems like it’s time to consider buses with AC.

And officials need to make sure that AC units within the schools are functioning properly and powerful enough to handle a full classroom. This is ridiculous- so the DC area cant handle either a bit of snow or a heat wave? We are going to be seeing more extreme heat events like this and schools/local governments need to adapt.

Anonymous wrote:Also, why would they close early instead of closing schools if it was because of heating problems in the school? They were trying to evade the high temperatures of the afternoon so that the bus rides would be more bearable.

As long as they go to school for half of the day, it counts as a full day and doesn't need to be made up. It's like they cared, but not enough to risk using up a snow day.

Also, why would they close early instead of closing schools if it was because of heating problems in the school? They were trying to evade the high temperatures of the afternoon so that the bus rides would be more bearable.

Anonymous wrote:PGCPS busses more kids than other jurisdictions because of the specialty programs. I know kids with 2 hour bus rides. In this heat, it will be awful.

And most of the time, the buses are in intense traffic meaning windows won't do anything. Imagine being in a car with no air conditioning for two hours while moving 3 minutes at a time.

Just to comment on the buses, yesterday my sister told me about picking up her daughter from the bus stop. My 5 year old niece sat almost an hour on a bus without A/C, was drenched in sweat, and was so weak and tired. I think she called in to complain and/or check regulations, and perhaps many other parents did this as well.

PGCPS busses more kids than other jurisdictions because of the specialty programs. I know kids with 2 hour bus rides. In this heat, it will be awful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good for them.

Good for them? Pgcps knew when schools would open. You do not wait until the day of the first day of school to run the a/c and see if it is working.

Teachers came back August 23rd while the office staff was there all summer. I have no explanation for why the a/c issues just came to light.

The AC might have felt fine until you add 23 5 yos to the room. My son's school has working AC - when I dropped him off the room was frigid, when I picked him up it was a sauna, but the AC was still pumping. I don't think the systems can keep up with the heat, humidity, and body heat.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good for them.

Good for them? Pgcps knew when schools would open. You do not wait until the day of the first day of school to run the a/c and see if it is working.

Teachers came back August 23rd while the office staff was there all summer. I have no explanation for why the a/c issues just came to light.

Anonymous wrote:Wait buses don't have AC?!? I graduated in 2004 in a different city and all the buses had AC then.

Nope. MCPS has some special ed buses that are air-conditioned for children with medical needs. Everyone else just has to tough it out.

I didn't have AC in my schools in Montgomery County when I was growing up and it really was uncomfortable. Not much learning taking place!

Anonymous wrote:Good for them.

Good for them? Pgcps knew when schools would open. You do not wait until the day of the first day of school to run the a/c and see if it is working.