Anonymous wrote:I was here for the Polar Vortex winter four years ago. It felt like we had more days off from school than on that year.

We never knew if school was on or off until 5 or 6 a.m. each morning. If we were lucky, there would be a Twitter announcement around 9-10 p.m. the night before. Many, many two-hour delays. It was a very disjointed school year, time-wise. It snowed on Saint Patrick's Day that year. No school.

These cancellations are NOTHING compared to that school year.

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Anonymous wrote:Winter Weather Advisory is not until 3 at the earliest. Literally every kid in FCPS is home by then with a 2 hour release if they cancel afternoon activities.

We had two snow days last week we just did not need. I commented Thursday, and the roads were FINE. Both closings caught me by surprise, and I am well versed is FCPS closure BS.

I would remind everyone we did this 2 years ago. Had a bunch of snow days in the cleanser, and then closed for cold and forecasts of sleet that never materialized. And ended up with the 4 feet of snow and coming within a hour or two of having to extend the school year. It’s only early January. We have at least 10 weeks of possible snow days to go. It would be nice to have some if we actually needed them.

I always say err on the side of caution, especially when children’s lives are at stake.

Freezing rain and black ice are DANGEROUS! Sure it’s inconv for you but schools do not exist for parent convenience.

FCPS is responsible for the lives of all kids in the entire county-not just those on your commute.

So, live somewhere with no winter and you never have to worry about winter weather. We live in an area where we have winter. All of us, including schools, cannot stop because of normal winter days (cold, showers, etc)

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Anonymous wrote:I appreciate that this is a tough call in a big county with a large bus fleet. There are, however, safety implications to leaving kids home, especially when they have been home 22 of the last 24 days. Unfortunately kids will be left alone and kids who depends on free lunch may not be getting fed.

PP, of interest to you might be interested in the thread here on "moving the needle." I'd argue that it is not the schools' responsibility to ensure that all students are fed. That falls squarely on the parents.

This.

Hit up the food pantry. There are plenty of services available. School is in the business of education, not hunger avoidance. Many won’t like that, but it is what it is. Time for parents to start parenting.

DP. The schools' primary responsibility should be educating kids, but there is nothing wrong with providing other social services through the schools. I agree that parents should parent, but I'm ok with schools stepping in to make sure that kids aren't going without food.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate that this is a tough call in a big county with a large bus fleet. There are, however, safety implications to leaving kids home, especially when they have been home 22 of the last 24 days. Unfortunately kids will be left alone and kids who depends on free lunch may not be getting fed.

PP, of interest to you might be interested in the thread here on "moving the needle." I'd argue that it is not the schools' responsibility to ensure that all students are fed. That falls squarely on the parents.

This.

Hit up the food pantry. There are plenty of services available. School is in the business of education, not hunger avoidance. Many won’t like that, but it is what it is. Time for parents to start parenting.

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Anonymous wrote:Why aren’t we expecting better? The weather is snowy every winter. Why aren’t we asking why it cannot be taken care of without having to cancel school?

That is how you take care of winter weather. What's the point of having forecasts if we just ignore them?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate that this is a tough call in a big county with a large bus fleet. There are, however, safety implications to leaving kids home, especially when they have been home 22 of the last 24 days. Unfortunately kids will be left alone and kids who depends on free lunch may not be getting fed.

How does being home 22 out of last 24 days figure into "safety implications?"

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate that this is a tough call in a big county with a large bus fleet. There are, however, safety implications to leaving kids home, especially when they have been home 22 of the last 24 days. Unfortunately kids will be left alone and kids who depends on free lunch may not be getting fed.

PP, of interest to you might be interested in the thread here on "moving the needle." I'd argue that it is not the schools' responsibility to ensure that all students are fed. That falls squarely on the parents.

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate that this is a tough call in a big county with a large bus fleet. There are, however, safety implications to leaving kids home, especially when they have been home 22 of the last 24 days. Unfortunately kids will be left alone and kids who depends on free lunch may not be getting fed.

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate that this is a tough call in a big county with a large bus fleet. There are, however, safety implications to leaving kids home, especially when they have been home 22 of the last 24 days. Unfortunately kids will be left alone and kids who depends on free lunch may not be getting fed.

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Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked a lot of you are okay with losing instructional time because of the threat of rain or maybe freezing rain.

Maybe you guys should demand more for the county. Demand they change how they treat and take care of winter weather.

So many school districts in the United States can handle a little winter weather. Why can’t NOVA?

YES! And if some families decide to keep their kids home b/c of the risks, fine - do what feels right to you. But school's shouldn't all be closed b/c some kids have icy walks, etc. Instructional time lost is huge at this point. And in terms of child safety, many families are now faced with another day leaving their kids home alone, possibly not in a warm home, with parents' commutes home tonight unpredictable...

Plus THIS is today’s forecast from NOAA:

“Snow, freezing rain, and sleet likely between 10am and 4pm, then freezing rain and sleet. High near 31. South wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Total daytime snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.”

Little or no accumulation.

Half an inch of sleet (aka ice) is quite a bit.

Anonymous wrote:Why aren’t we expecting better? The weather is snowy every winter. Why aren’t we asking why it cannot be taken care of without having to cancel school?