Yes but athletics happened today. Which is so frustrating.

Anonymous wrote:Virtual learning requires preparation. While our school did an excellent job of providing online instruction during COVID (I had several kids participating in online learning), that was the result of months of planning and communicating to parents. Telling parents on a Wednesday that their students will learn virtually when the school has no plan is setting everyone up for a very frustrating day. If people want virtual learning to be an option in these cases, they should reach out to the principal and express their desire to develop a plan.

This is less hard than you’d think. Our NOVA k-8 Catholic school sent the kids home with all of their materials last week Friday. It was quite clear a major storm was coming, so this ensured the kids had books etc at home with them. Teachers assigned work daily via email or the school’s Schoology platform, class by class. I believe teachers had until 10am each day to assign work for the day. There weren’t any Zoom classes or anything like that, but all of the kids had work across all of their classes, including across specials like STEM, Music, Art, and Foreign Languages. In most classes it was worksheet type work, reading comprehension work, or writing prompts. My older kids had a few lighter weight projects to do. As another poster said, Middle School kids had to submit completed work the day it was assigned, and my Lower School kids will take their work back to school when they return… hopefully Monday! My kids are 7th grade, 5th grade, and 2nd grade and they all had enough to keep them going.

I don’t have the impression that our school had much of a ‘plan’ in place, other than to set the expectation with parents and teachers that this was the kind of work they would be doing to get us ‘back to school’ after one snow day. The kids still had plenty of time in the snow this week, and the bonus is that we didn’t have to wipe out a full week with snow days.

Based on what I’ve read here about St. Mary’s, I think you all need to encourage the school to realize they can do much more with even baseline level planning (sending materials home with students). It isn’t much harder than that.

Yes all of them!

St. Mary’s parent here. I know the principal is an idiot but believe he made the right call this week.

One thing we have to consider is the impact our school has on the neighborhood. Yes, you or I driving casually on a work day is fine but there are ~750 students across 250+ families that attend St. Mary’s. Carpool, though pretty efficient, does require two fully unobstructed lanes on Green and Royal. We didn’t have that this week. Staggering arrivals doesn’t work because you have families with children across multiple grades and there isn’t enough faculty and staff to start the instructional day and keep carpool safe. Additionally, the current on-campus parking falls well short of accommodating all staff, which means with the snow drifts covering street parking and limiting neighborhood spots, there wasn’t enough parking to fully staff the building.

Virtual learning requires preparation. While our school did an excellent job of providing online instruction during COVID (I had several kids participating in online learning), that was the result of months of planning and communicating to parents. Telling parents on a Wednesday that their students will learn virtually when the school has no plan is setting everyone up for a very frustrating day. If people want virtual learning to be an option in these cases, they should reach out to the principal and express their desire to develop a plan.

I’m thrilled to have my kids back in school next week. Working from home and facilitating snow day activities isn’t easy - but it’s necessary sometimes. Us paying tuition (ever-increasing tuition at that) doesn’t mean we get to call all the shots. There are many schools to choose from in this area; if St. Mary’s isn’t doing it for you, I encourage you to start looking at other schools. You’ll be able to find a better fit.

Anonymous wrote:The Arlington diocese doesn’t allow virtual learning

Yes, they do. Mine did asynchronous school and only had 1 snow day this week. We are at an Arlington diocese K-8 school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Arlington diocese doesn’t allow virtual learning - our Arlington school was all closed all week.

That said none of the streets in Arlington or Alexandria can probably handle carpool or street who park on streets. None of the schools want to be closed and extend the school year this was a massive ice storm

Our Arlington Diocese k-8 school follows Fairfax County Public Schools, but only regarding whether the school will physically open or not. This week there was an added complexity because FCPS schools had planned no school, teacher work days Thursday and Friday because of end-of-quarter.

While we have not physically been to school this week, only Monday was a snow day for our school. Starting Tuesday of this week, our school switched to asynchronous learning days, with teachers assigning work via email or Schoology. Middle school students have been required to submit completed work the day it was assigned - unless a different due date was specified - and lower school students will submit their work when they return to school. Because they are still completing work, asynchronous learning days do not count as snow days for us.

Our 2-track Catholic hasn't switched to virtual. We got one vague email from the principal about why they would close Thursday (nothing for why closed today). No emails from teachers. I am extremely disappointed in the response.

Real question: Do you feel that the principal owes parents a new email everyday to offer a new reason for being closed? Do you view the prior day’s reason as no longer valid?

Assuming you are either an admin or principal I suggest you implement virtual learning next time instead of using 5 snow days.

lol I work in healthcare. Just a parent who trusts that the last I email received about the snow day also explained the next day’s closure.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is super risk adverse in this day and age.

Also, no one thinks outside the box anymore and community ties are nonexistent. Without buses all privates should have figured out a way to open by Thurs. I would have been happy to double back and pick up kids whose neighborhoods weren't plowed. Announce that tardies won't be tracked due to road conditions. The schools could have done staggered drop-offs based on last names to ease congestion on one lane roads. Allow for uniform modifications so kids can dress more warmly, exc.

People are so self important like BFD kids were out for a week. Who cares?

Let them relax they’re not gonna change their whole future cause they missed one week of education.

You guys are psychotic

The faux “I’m so cool and laid back and don’t care about school” attitude is so obvious. This poster probably had their kids studying for the SAT all week and is on DCUM all day obsessing over rankings. But pretends not to care about school. Too funny.

Your insecurities are showing babe.

Drops $50k for private school. Pretends not to care about school. What an idiot.

It’s $30K and I care about school but I don’t care about 1 week of school.

So how many days could your school be closed for “snow” before you start caring? 6? 10? 50? Everyone’s threshold is different. So don’t act like you’re too cool for school. It’s weird.

DP. Take your own advice and realize your threshold is a lot lower than the PP’s. Chill out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Arlington diocese doesn’t allow virtual learning - our Arlington school was all closed all week.

That said none of the streets in Arlington or Alexandria can probably handle carpool or street who park on streets. None of the schools want to be closed and extend the school year this was a massive ice storm

Our Arlington Diocese k-8 school follows Fairfax County Public Schools, but only regarding whether the school will physically open or not. This week there was an added complexity because FCPS schools had planned no school, teacher work days Thursday and Friday because of end-of-quarter.

While we have not physically been to school this week, only Monday was a snow day for our school. Starting Tuesday of this week, our school switched to asynchronous learning days, with teachers assigning work via email or Schoology. Middle school students have been required to submit completed work the day it was assigned - unless a different due date was specified - and lower school students will submit their work when they return to school. Because they are still completing work, asynchronous learning days do not count as snow days for us.

Our 2-track Catholic hasn't switched to virtual. We got one vague email from the principal about why they would close Thursday (nothing for why closed today). No emails from teachers. I am extremely disappointed in the response.

Real question: Do you feel that the principal owes parents a new email everyday to offer a new reason for being closed? Do you view the prior day’s reason as no longer valid?

Assuming you are either an admin or principal I suggest you implement virtual learning next time instead of using 5 snow days.

I seriously doubt an admin is on DCUM asking questions. That seemed like “a hey, lady, reflect a bit” type of question to me, but you went straight to “it’s a principal!”.

Why do you need the school entertain your kid on a snow day? Let them play outside.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Arlington diocese doesn’t allow virtual learning - our Arlington school was all closed all week.

That said none of the streets in Arlington or Alexandria can probably handle carpool or street who park on streets. None of the schools want to be closed and extend the school year this was a massive ice storm

Our Arlington Diocese k-8 school follows Fairfax County Public Schools, but only regarding whether the school will physically open or not. This week there was an added complexity because FCPS schools had planned no school, teacher work days Thursday and Friday because of end-of-quarter.

While we have not physically been to school this week, only Monday was a snow day for our school. Starting Tuesday of this week, our school switched to asynchronous learning days, with teachers assigning work via email or Schoology. Middle school students have been required to submit completed work the day it was assigned - unless a different due date was specified - and lower school students will submit their work when they return to school. Because they are still completing work, asynchronous learning days do not count as snow days for us.

Our 2-track Catholic hasn't switched to virtual. We got one vague email from the principal about why they would close Thursday (nothing for why closed today). No emails from teachers. I am extremely disappointed in the response.

Real question: Do you feel that the principal owes parents a new email everyday to offer a new reason for being closed? Do you view the prior day’s reason as no longer valid?

Assuming you are either an admin or principal I suggest you implement virtual learning next time instead of using 5 snow days.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is super risk adverse in this day and age.

Also, no one thinks outside the box anymore and community ties are nonexistent. Without buses all privates should have figured out a way to open by Thurs. I would have been happy to double back and pick up kids whose neighborhoods weren't plowed. Announce that tardies won't be tracked due to road conditions. The schools could have done staggered drop-offs based on last names to ease congestion on one lane roads. Allow for uniform modifications so kids can dress more warmly, exc.

People are so self important like BFD kids were out for a week. Who cares?

Let them relax they’re not gonna change their whole future cause they missed one week of education.

You guys are psychotic

The faux “I’m so cool and laid back and don’t care about school” attitude is so obvious. This poster probably had their kids studying for the SAT all week and is on DCUM all day obsessing over rankings. But pretends not to care about school. Too funny.

Your insecurities are showing babe.

Drops $50k for private school. Pretends not to care about school. What an idiot.

It’s $30K and I care about school but I don’t care about 1 week of school.

So how many days could your school be closed for “snow” before you start caring? 6? 10? 50? Everyone’s threshold is different. So don’t act like you’re too cool for school. It’s weird.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Arlington diocese doesn’t allow virtual learning - our Arlington school was all closed all week.

That said none of the streets in Arlington or Alexandria can probably handle carpool or street who park on streets. None of the schools want to be closed and extend the school year this was a massive ice storm

Our Arlington Diocese k-8 school follows Fairfax County Public Schools, but only regarding whether the school will physically open or not. This week there was an added complexity because FCPS schools had planned no school, teacher work days Thursday and Friday because of end-of-quarter.

While we have not physically been to school this week, only Monday was a snow day for our school. Starting Tuesday of this week, our school switched to asynchronous learning days, with teachers assigning work via email or Schoology. Middle school students have been required to submit completed work the day it was assigned - unless a different due date was specified - and lower school students will submit their work when they return to school. Because they are still completing work, asynchronous learning days do not count as snow days for us.

Our 2-track Catholic hasn't switched to virtual. We got one vague email from the principal about why they would close Thursday (nothing for why closed today). No emails from teachers. I am extremely disappointed in the response.

Real question: Do you feel that the principal owes parents a new email everyday to offer a new reason for being closed? Do you view the prior day’s reason as no longer valid?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is super risk adverse in this day and age.

Also, no one thinks outside the box anymore and community ties are nonexistent. Without buses all privates should have figured out a way to open by Thurs. I would have been happy to double back and pick up kids whose neighborhoods weren't plowed. Announce that tardies won't be tracked due to road conditions. The schools could have done staggered drop-offs based on last names to ease congestion on one lane roads. Allow for uniform modifications so kids can dress more warmly, exc.

People are so self important like BFD kids were out for a week. Who cares?

Let them relax they’re not gonna change their whole future cause they missed one week of education.

You guys are psychotic

The faux “I’m so cool and laid back and don’t care about school” attitude is so obvious. This poster probably had their kids studying for the SAT all week and is on DCUM all day obsessing over rankings. But pretends not to care about school. Too funny.

Your insecurities are showing babe.

Drops $50k for private school. Pretends not to care about school. What an idiot.

It’s $30K and I care about school but I don’t care about 1 week of school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is super risk adverse in this day and age.

Also, no one thinks outside the box anymore and community ties are nonexistent. Without buses all privates should have figured out a way to open by Thurs. I would have been happy to double back and pick up kids whose neighborhoods weren't plowed. Announce that tardies won't be tracked due to road conditions. The schools could have done staggered drop-offs based on last names to ease congestion on one lane roads. Allow for uniform modifications so kids can dress more warmly, exc.

People are so self important like BFD kids were out for a week. Who cares?

Let them relax they’re not gonna change their whole future cause they missed one week of education.

You guys are psychotic

The faux “I’m so cool and laid back and don’t care about school” attitude is so obvious. This poster probably had their kids studying for the SAT all week and is on DCUM all day obsessing over rankings. But pretends not to care about school. Too funny.

You can’t even imagine that there are people that are fine with their kids going to an SEC school or even God forbid Towson.

No, I’m not cool. I am the furthest thing from cool.

But I don’t have anxieties like you that is one thing that it’s true. I think it’s awesome. My kids got a week off of school. I think I was an eighth grade when I got a week off of school and I still remember making igloos.

My kids are forming core memories right now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Arlington diocese doesn’t allow virtual learning - our Arlington school was all closed all week.

That said none of the streets in Arlington or Alexandria can probably handle carpool or street who park on streets. None of the schools want to be closed and extend the school year this was a massive ice storm

Our Arlington Diocese k-8 school follows Fairfax County Public Schools, but only regarding whether the school will physically open or not. This week there was an added complexity because FCPS schools had planned no school, teacher work days Thursday and Friday because of end-of-quarter.

While we have not physically been to school this week, only Monday was a snow day for our school. Starting Tuesday of this week, our school switched to asynchronous learning days, with teachers assigning work via email or Schoology. Middle school students have been required to submit completed work the day it was assigned - unless a different due date was specified - and lower school students will submit their work when they return to school. Because they are still completing work, asynchronous learning days do not count as snow days for us.

Our 2-track Catholic hasn't switched to virtual. We got one vague email from the principal about why they would close Thursday (nothing for why closed today). No emails from teachers. I am extremely disappointed in the response.

Why would the teachers email you on a snow day? To give work? Remind you of online apps they can access at home? If the principal is the one who communicates snow day news, then it seems that is enough.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is super risk adverse in this day and age.

Also, no one thinks outside the box anymore and community ties are nonexistent. Without buses all privates should have figured out a way to open by Thurs. I would have been happy to double back and pick up kids whose neighborhoods weren't plowed. Announce that tardies won't be tracked due to road conditions. The schools could have done staggered drop-offs based on last names to ease congestion on one lane roads. Allow for uniform modifications so kids can dress more warmly, exc.

People are so self important like BFD kids were out for a week. Who cares?

Let them relax they’re not gonna change their whole future cause they missed one week of education.

You guys are psychotic

The faux “I’m so cool and laid back and don’t care about school” attitude is so obvious. This poster probably had their kids studying for the SAT all week and is on DCUM all day obsessing over rankings. But pretends not to care about school. Too funny.

Your insecurities are showing babe.

Drops $50k for private school. Pretends not to care about school. What an idiot.