...many of the parents complaining about the snow days, like myself, have older kids who will be falling behind with work and would be much better off in school than playing video games, hanging out at the mall or going skiing or sledding with friends. To the anticipated responses of "just keep your teens home," I'd challenge you to keep your kids at their desks for three days when all their peers are playing and enjoying one long -- and largely unsupervised party.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:................Bitching and moaning won't keep the schools open.

Actually it might. These are elected officials on the school board and they need to hear from their citizens. Send them a letter though, rants on a board don't carry much weight.

Furthermore, I find your attitude DISGUSTING! It's been explained the SAFETY for ALL students in ALL parts of the county drives these decisions. But who cares about that? You just want things done YOUR way because YOU are being inconvenienced.

BELIEEEEEVVEEEE me when I tell you: Fairfax parents are easily dismissed as a bunch of whiny complainers in situations like these. That's why it's easy to ignore those "letters" and CONTINUE to close schools.

You don't think parents thought putting on the pressure would work in the past??? It's been tried, Buttercup.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a single mother who moved to Fairfax without children, no family in the area and no husband, I absolutely empathize with all of the parents with the childcare issues.

HOWEVER, I'm still confounded and somewhat disgusted by all the grumbling.

The FIRST thing I did when I arrived was find childcare options, particularly in light of that 1/2 day Monday. I couldn't get off half days to pick up my children. However, they were able to take the bus to the babysitters.

I met moms through church and my children's schools. T

There was always a back up plan. I can't imagine bemoaning how snow days affected my job/leave/etc.

You PLAN for the unexpected the minute you have kids. It seems one of my children was always sick. You have a contingency plan.

What is wrong with you moms who have spouses in the picture who can help you out?

Stop whining and be proactive about making arrangements with other moms. Because YES, snow days do happen--quite often-in this area.

PREPARE for them!!!!

Bitching and moaning won't keep the schools open.

You make some good points. People should plan for contingencies, missing work, childcare, etc. But you forget that many of the parents complaining about the snow days, like myself, have older kids who will be falling behind with work and would be much better off in school than playing video games, hanging out at the mall or going skiing or sledding with friends. To the anticipated responses of "just keep your teens home," I'd challenge you to keep your kids at their desks for three days when all their peers are playing and enjoying one long -- and largely unsupervised party.

FCPS needs to find some method for its snow-day madness. What they're currently doing isn't working. It's one thing when you're all snowbound and no one can get out like Snowmageddon-- completely another when parents and the rest of the county are working and carrying on as usual, but the kids have nothing but time on their hands.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just to clear up any misconceptions: teachers don't get paid for breaks. In the Summer, I don't get a paycheck.

Where do you teach? Because Fairfax pays your salary through the summer---unless you opted for 10 months pay instead of 12.

AND your pay is not deducted for snow days or holidays.

Fairfax used to WITHHOLD $ from each paycheck so that we could receive a check in July and August. Getting a paycheck IN THE SUMMER is different than getting paid FOR THE SUMMER. Fairfax County no longer withholds from the paychecks. It is the employee's responsibility to set up a summer fund with a bank if he/she so wishes. Personally, I like it better this way. At least I earn the interest.

We get paid for 194 days. That does not include holidays. Not a complaint, just a fact. Plus, as you are very well aware, two of the snow days so far will be made up.

Anonymous wrote:As a single mother who moved to Fairfax without children, no family in the area and no husband, I absolutely empathize with all of the parents with the childcare issues.

HOWEVER, I'm still confounded and somewhat disgusted by all the grumbling.

The FIRST thing I did when I arrived was find childcare options, particularly in light of that 1/2 day Monday. I couldn't get off half days to pick up my children. However, they were able to take the bus to the babysitters.

I met moms through church and my children's schools. T

There was always a back up plan. I can't imagine bemoaning how snow days affected my job/leave/etc.

You PLAN for the unexpected the minute you have kids. It seems one of my children was always sick. You have a contingency plan.

What is wrong with you moms who have spouses in the picture who can help you out?

Stop whining and be proactive about making arrangements with other moms. Because YES, snow days do happen--quite often-in this area.

PREPARE for them!!!!

Bitching and moaning won't keep the schools open.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just to clear up any misconceptions: teachers don't get paid for breaks. In the Summer, I don't get a paycheck.

Where do you teach? Because Fairfax pays your salary through the summer---unless you opted for 10 months pay instead of 12.

AND your pay is not deducted for snow days or holidays. [/quote







Fairfax no longer pays through the summer. When they did, you had money taken out of your paycheck during the 10 months we actually get paid. You are correct, we don't get deducted for snow days but we are contracted for 194 days. If we don't use all the snow days, we work more and don't get paid. It all evens out.