Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This seems to be because MCPS takes on the liability burden of getting students to school, whereas other systems do not. Are there creative ways to work around that? Waiver for bus riding/attendance? Optional open days?

Because they do have a liability. Letting kids get on at stops that you know are unsafe is a liability. You can't just waive everything away, especially if the consequence is missed work--that's duress.

The stops aren't unsafe. Just inconvenient. Walk over the snow. There are tracks to follow.

We cannot get to the bus stop. There is a cut through on an unsafe street. No way to climb over the mound not wait or even get to the bus. No place to even drive and park for the bus to come.

You can walk around the snow mound at the corner. Don't be so helpless. Do you give up when faced with any minor challenge?

DP. It’s really weird that you want schoolchildren endangering themselves standing in the street just to get to school. I understand why people are frustrated that schools aren’t ready to open, but I don’t understand the utter lack of concern for the kids who would navigate bus routes and walker paths in these *actual* conditions. I’ve lived in New England. No, a storm like this wouldn’t taken down a week plus of school. No, children wouldn’t be getting to school in these conditions. The routes are clear there.

No, cities and townships in NE don't have armies of people who clear sidewalks at every intersection. Nor do they clear every bus stop. That simply isn't possible to do. Some will always just have to wait until it melts, which could be weeks or months away. The kids just walk over the snow. That works here, too.

Yep.

We cleared our sidewalk, but our small townhouse backyard is filled with snow. We have no way to clear it, so the snow will stay there.

My kid shockingly managed to walk over the snow mounds from the house to the garage this morning.

As of writing, she hasn’t yet perished.

Do many cars drive between your house and garage?

Because slipping in your yard is different than falling in the street in front of a vehicle that can’t stop.

Then don't walk in the street if it isn't safe. Walk on the snow. Yes, that's possible to do. You're not going to fall into the Nether.

It’s not snow anymore. It’s ice.

Not really, but call it whatever you want. You can walk on it. Look outside and you'll see many people doing it, kids and adults alike.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like all these people who worry about the quality of education in this county really missed their true calling in life of being a teacher.

The ones who don't want it open seem to be the teachers.jist saying wonder why.

Understand that teachers will be working for free on the makeup days. There’s no advantage to having a week plus off school when the calendar built in a single snow day and the state is strict about waivers.

Many teachers work at camps, country clubs, and pools every summer so making up schools days costs them money as they will miss days at their summer jobs.

No, they wouldn't be working for free. Those days are in the CBA. Their salaries cover them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This seems to be because MCPS takes on the liability burden of getting students to school, whereas other systems do not. Are there creative ways to work around that? Waiver for bus riding/attendance? Optional open days?

Because they do have a liability. Letting kids get on at stops that you know are unsafe is a liability. You can't just waive everything away, especially if the consequence is missed work--that's duress.

The stops aren't unsafe. Just inconvenient. Walk over the snow. There are tracks to follow.

We cannot get to the bus stop. There is a cut through on an unsafe street. No way to climb over the mound not wait or even get to the bus. No place to even drive and park for the bus to come.

You can walk around the snow mound at the corner. Don't be so helpless. Do you give up when faced with any minor challenge?

DP. It’s really weird that you want schoolchildren endangering themselves standing in the street just to get to school. I understand why people are frustrated that schools aren’t ready to open, but I don’t understand the utter lack of concern for the kids who would navigate bus routes and walker paths in these *actual* conditions. I’ve lived in New England. No, a storm like this wouldn’t taken down a week plus of school. No, children wouldn’t be getting to school in these conditions. The routes are clear there.

No, cities and townships in NE don't have armies of people who clear sidewalks at every intersection. Nor do they clear every bus stop. That simply isn't possible to do. Some will always just have to wait until it melts, which could be weeks or months away. The kids just walk over the snow. That works here, too.

Yep.

We cleared our sidewalk, but our small townhouse backyard is filled with snow. We have no way to clear it, so the snow will stay there.

My kid shockingly managed to walk over the snow mounds from the house to the garage this morning.

As of writing, she hasn’t yet perished.

Do many cars drive between your house and garage?

Because slipping in your yard is different than falling in the street in front of a vehicle that can’t stop.

Then don't walk in the street if it isn't safe. Walk on the snow. Yes, that's possible to do. You're not going to fall into the Nether.

It’s not snow anymore. It’s ice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like all these people who worry about the quality of education in this county really missed their true calling in life of being a teacher.

The ones who don't want it open seem to be the teachers.jist saying wonder why.

Understand that teachers will be working for free on the makeup days. There’s no advantage to having a week plus off school when the calendar built in a single snow day and the state is strict about waivers.

Many teachers work at camps, country clubs, and pools every summer so making up schools days costs them money as they will miss days at their summer jobs.

Are you all helicopter parents who are freaking about their children’s education right now? You have no regard for your own children’s or others safety. Let the kids enjoy some snow days. Its part of childhood..

Anonymous wrote:What about parking for staff in the actual school parking lots? I know the school in my neighborhood doesn’t have enough spots for the staff. Several park on the street daily. That’s not an option right now. It’s not like it’s just a little snow that people can drive over to park their car. It’s also not a matter of “arrive early” because where will the others park who arrive after a certain time? There literally aren’t other options.

You what other people do that have been dealing with street parking: bring a shovel.

Parking is your problem. If you can't be bothered to shovel a spot, take an uber, bum a ride, or take public transit. The accessible spots have been cleared if you have a legitimate disability.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools need to be closed for all of next week.

Sidewalks not touched
Bus stops are mounds of ice with no place for kids to safely stand
Neighbor hood roads are not plowed full width. Buses won’t be able to maneuver along some of them.

+1
One of our neighborhood street isn’t plowed still.

It will drive many families crazy if no school at all for the next week. All other offices and stores in the county are opened, except mcps.

It’s called knowing your neighborhoods. MoCo knows the clearing schedule and can coordinate with MCPS to offer alternative safe pickup spots. For those kids absolutely snowed in or where it’s still unsafe, then virtual is the answer.

MCPS can’t remain closed just because there are a small number of streets that still have issues. If private schools are open, MCPS should be open. MoCo has far more snow and ice clearing assets than any private school.

You can’t compare a small private school to a huge public school district.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This seems to be because MCPS takes on the liability burden of getting students to school, whereas other systems do not. Are there creative ways to work around that? Waiver for bus riding/attendance? Optional open days?

Because they do have a liability. Letting kids get on at stops that you know are unsafe is a liability. You can't just waive everything away, especially if the consequence is missed work--that's duress.

The stops aren't unsafe. Just inconvenient. Walk over the snow. There are tracks to follow.

We cannot get to the bus stop. There is a cut through on an unsafe street. No way to climb over the mound not wait or even get to the bus. No place to even drive and park for the bus to come.

You can walk around the snow mound at the corner. Don't be so helpless. Do you give up when faced with any minor challenge?

DP. It’s really weird that you want schoolchildren endangering themselves standing in the street just to get to school. I understand why people are frustrated that schools aren’t ready to open, but I don’t understand the utter lack of concern for the kids who would navigate bus routes and walker paths in these *actual* conditions. I’ve lived in New England. No, a storm like this wouldn’t taken down a week plus of school. No, children wouldn’t be getting to school in these conditions. The routes are clear there.

No, cities and townships in NE don't have armies of people who clear sidewalks at every intersection. Nor do they clear every bus stop. That simply isn't possible to do. Some will always just have to wait until it melts, which could be weeks or months away. The kids just walk over the snow. That works here, too.

Yep.

We cleared our sidewalk, but our small townhouse backyard is filled with snow. We have no way to clear it, so the snow will stay there.

My kid shockingly managed to walk over the snow mounds from the house to the garage this morning.

As of writing, she hasn’t yet perished.

Do many cars drive between your house and garage?

Because slipping in your yard is different than falling in the street in front of a vehicle that can’t stop.

Then don't walk in the street if it isn't safe. Walk on the snow. Yes, that's possible to do. You're not going to fall into the Nether.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our PTA volunteered to clear the sidewalks near the school. Reach out to your PTA to see what you can do to help! The contractors are working overtime but this ice is stubborn. It took them 5 hours just to clear the staff parking lot!

Liability?

Hard to believe but not everyone is out there looking for a lawsuit. I'm a teacher and I went and shoveled my school as much as I could these last few days. If I hurt myself doing it then that's my own dumb luck.

Yeah, but you’ll drain the sick bank once your leave runs out. Your coworkers will see you after spring break while you brag how virtuous you were clearing snow for everyone.

What about parking for staff in the actual school parking lots? I know the school in my neighborhood doesn’t have enough spots for the staff. Several park on the street daily. That’s not an option right now. It’s not like it’s just a little snow that people can drive over to park their car. It’s also not a matter of “arrive early” because where will the others park who arrive after a certain time? There literally aren’t other options.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This seems to be because MCPS takes on the liability burden of getting students to school, whereas other systems do not. Are there creative ways to work around that? Waiver for bus riding/attendance? Optional open days?

Because they do have a liability. Letting kids get on at stops that you know are unsafe is a liability. You can't just waive everything away, especially if the consequence is missed work--that's duress.

The stops aren't unsafe. Just inconvenient. Walk over the snow. There are tracks to follow.

We cannot get to the bus stop. There is a cut through on an unsafe street. No way to climb over the mound not wait or even get to the bus. No place to even drive and park for the bus to come.

You can walk around the snow mound at the corner. Don't be so helpless. Do you give up when faced with any minor challenge?

DP. It’s really weird that you want schoolchildren endangering themselves standing in the street just to get to school. I understand why people are frustrated that schools aren’t ready to open, but I don’t understand the utter lack of concern for the kids who would navigate bus routes and walker paths in these *actual* conditions. I’ve lived in New England. No, a storm like this wouldn’t taken down a week plus of school. No, children wouldn’t be getting to school in these conditions. The routes are clear there.

No, cities and townships in NE don't have armies of people who clear sidewalks at every intersection. Nor do they clear every bus stop. That simply isn't possible to do. Some will always just have to wait until it melts, which could be weeks or months away. The kids just walk over the snow. That works here, too.

Possibly you haven’t seen the conditions people are talking about, if your area is super clear. Yes, school children up north have to walk around snow. But paths that are not straight in the middle of the street — they exist.

I don't believe you lived in NE if you're saying that is unique to Montgomery County.

Yes, kids may have to walk on snow where there aren't cleared sidewalks. They may have to walk around or over piles of snow, particularly at intersections where plows have pushed snow into sidewalks. People may have to drive on roads at slower speeds because the full road width isn't cleared, or because there may still be some snow on it.

These are all things that can be handled safely. Yes, it is inconvenient. Sometimes uncomfortable. Often it will take more time. But you can do it. And people regularly do it in other parts of the country because it isn't feasible to wait for the snow to melt.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This seems to be because MCPS takes on the liability burden of getting students to school, whereas other systems do not. Are there creative ways to work around that? Waiver for bus riding/attendance? Optional open days?

Because they do have a liability. Letting kids get on at stops that you know are unsafe is a liability. You can't just waive everything away, especially if the consequence is missed work--that's duress.

The stops aren't unsafe. Just inconvenient. Walk over the snow. There are tracks to follow.

We cannot get to the bus stop. There is a cut through on an unsafe street. No way to climb over the mound not wait or even get to the bus. No place to even drive and park for the bus to come.

You can walk around the snow mound at the corner. Don't be so helpless. Do you give up when faced with any minor challenge?

DP. It’s really weird that you want schoolchildren endangering themselves standing in the street just to get to school. I understand why people are frustrated that schools aren’t ready to open, but I don’t understand the utter lack of concern for the kids who would navigate bus routes and walker paths in these *actual* conditions. I’ve lived in New England. No, a storm like this wouldn’t taken down a week plus of school. No, children wouldn’t be getting to school in these conditions. The routes are clear there.

No, cities and townships in NE don't have armies of people who clear sidewalks at every intersection. Nor do they clear every bus stop. That simply isn't possible to do. Some will always just have to wait until it melts, which could be weeks or months away. The kids just walk over the snow. That works here, too.

Yep.

We cleared our sidewalk, but our small townhouse backyard is filled with snow. We have no way to clear it, so the snow will stay there.

My kid shockingly managed to walk over the snow mounds from the house to the garage this morning.

As of writing, she hasn’t yet perished.

Do many cars drive between your house and garage?

Because slipping in your yard is different than falling in the street in front of a vehicle that can’t stop.

Anonymous wrote:Schools need to be closed for all of next week.

Sidewalks not touched
Bus stops are mounds of ice with no place for kids to safely stand
Neighbor hood roads are not plowed full width. Buses won’t be able to maneuver along some of them.

My former neighbors live near an ES in downtown SS. They’ve sent photos that are hair-raising, including a fuel truck stuck on the street.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This seems to be because MCPS takes on the liability burden of getting students to school, whereas other systems do not. Are there creative ways to work around that? Waiver for bus riding/attendance? Optional open days?

Because they do have a liability. Letting kids get on at stops that you know are unsafe is a liability. You can't just waive everything away, especially if the consequence is missed work--that's duress.

The stops aren't unsafe. Just inconvenient. Walk over the snow. There are tracks to follow.

We cannot get to the bus stop. There is a cut through on an unsafe street. No way to climb over the mound not wait or even get to the bus. No place to even drive and park for the bus to come.

You can walk around the snow mound at the corner. Don't be so helpless. Do you give up when faced with any minor challenge?

DP. It’s really weird that you want schoolchildren endangering themselves standing in the street just to get to school. I understand why people are frustrated that schools aren’t ready to open, but I don’t understand the utter lack of concern for the kids who would navigate bus routes and walker paths in these *actual* conditions. I’ve lived in New England. No, a storm like this wouldn’t taken down a week plus of school. No, children wouldn’t be getting to school in these conditions. The routes are clear there.

No, cities and townships in NE don't have armies of people who clear sidewalks at every intersection. Nor do they clear every bus stop. That simply isn't possible to do. Some will always just have to wait until it melts, which could be weeks or months away. The kids just walk over the snow. That works here, too.

Possibly you haven’t seen the conditions people are talking about, if your area is super clear. Yes, school children up north have to walk around snow. But paths that are not straight in the middle of the street — they exist.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This seems to be because MCPS takes on the liability burden of getting students to school, whereas other systems do not. Are there creative ways to work around that? Waiver for bus riding/attendance? Optional open days?

Because they do have a liability. Letting kids get on at stops that you know are unsafe is a liability. You can't just waive everything away, especially if the consequence is missed work--that's duress.

The stops aren't unsafe. Just inconvenient. Walk over the snow. There are tracks to follow.

We cannot get to the bus stop. There is a cut through on an unsafe street. No way to climb over the mound not wait or even get to the bus. No place to even drive and park for the bus to come.

You can walk around the snow mound at the corner. Don't be so helpless. Do you give up when faced with any minor challenge?

DP. It’s really weird that you want schoolchildren endangering themselves standing in the street just to get to school. I understand why people are frustrated that schools aren’t ready to open, but I don’t understand the utter lack of concern for the kids who would navigate bus routes and walker paths in these *actual* conditions. I’ve lived in New England. No, a storm like this wouldn’t taken down a week plus of school. No, children wouldn’t be getting to school in these conditions. The routes are clear there.

No, cities and townships in NE don't have armies of people who clear sidewalks at every intersection. Nor do they clear every bus stop. That simply isn't possible to do. Some will always just have to wait until it melts, which could be weeks or months away. The kids just walk over the snow. That works here, too.

Yep.

We cleared our sidewalk, but our small townhouse backyard is filled with snow. We have no way to clear it, so the snow will stay there.

My kid shockingly managed to walk over the snow mounds from the house to the garage this morning.

As of writing, she hasn’t yet perished.