topic Re: School closings in Community Chat

School closings

hyacinth003 — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 01:27:05 GMT

Was reading a story about Al Roker and the mayor of New York.

If I understood correctly, Al was upset that the schools weren't closed in New York.

I have been hearing this a lot this winter - people upset that schools WERE NOT closed, as it inconvenienced "working" parents.

Last I checked, schools are not babysitters for children. I believe it is the responsibility of the PARENT to care for children, not schools. Unless the school is DIRECTLY paid by you.

I attended grammar and high school in Chicago. The number of school days we were off I could probably count on one hand - over 12 years!

Ridiculous in my view.

Hyacinth

Re: School closings

JaneMarple — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 01:31:10 GMT

He's not the first and definitely won't be the last mayor who hasn't closed down the schools. remember OP. NYC is five boroughs and is the largest city in the country. You shouldn't compare the two.

Re: School closings

PurpleBunny — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 01:32:13 GMT

When the city says it's "too treacherous" for adults to be out and going to work, then it's too treacherous for kids going to school. THAT's why parents were upset.

Re: School closings

JaneMarple — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 01:35:56 GMT

On 2/13/2014 PurpleBunny said: When the city says it's "too treacherous" for adults to be out and going to work, then it's too treacherous for kids going to school. THAT's why parents were upset.

With all due respect PB, Mr. Roker's children do not attend public school. With that being said, NYC is unique in the fact that most parents have to go to work, there are thousands of jobs in the city that need people to be there. It does sound heartless but most people can use the subway. A second cousin of mine works for One Police Plaza, she HAD to go to work.

Re: School closings

mgm2 — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 01:37:54 GMT

Good for you., everyone doesn't live in Chicago. So far this year we've had NUMEROUS snow storms and it's only February. The three school districts have cancelled, delayed opening, or early dismissal. Most of our storms have been 6-16 inches and 6 more inches tonight. After the Superintendents look at the weather and speak with local and state D.O.T., then make the decision to do one of the above.

Re: School closings

hyacinth003 — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 01:38:45 GMT

On 2/13/2014 JaneMarple said:
He's not the first and definitely won't be the last mayor who hasn't closed down the schools. remember OP. NYC is five boroughs and is the largest city in the country. You shouldn't compare the two.

Chicago isn't big enough???

Hyacinth

Re: School closings

mgm2 — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 01:39:07 GMT

On 2/13/2014 PurpleBunny said: When the city says it's "too treacherous" for adults to be out and going to work, then it's too treacherous for kids going to school. THAT's why parents were upset.

Re: School closings

PurpleBunny — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 01:40:59 GMT

On 2/13/2014 JaneMarple said:
On 2/13/2014 PurpleBunny said: When the city says it's "too treacherous" for adults to be out and going to work, then it's too treacherous for kids going to school. THAT's why parents were upset.

With all due respect PB, Mr. Roker's children do not attend public school. With that being said, NYC is unique in the fact that most parents have to go to work, there are thousands of jobs in the city that need people to be there. It does sound heartless but most people can use the subway. A second cousin of mine works for One Police Plaza, she HAD to go to work.

I don't get what that has to do with my post? The city officials were saying to stay put if you can because it's dangerous out, yet they didn't cancel schools. That's why parents were upset. If it's considered too dangerous for non-essential personnel to be out, it's too dangerous for kids to go to school. Obviously many people have to work and CAN get there, but kids don't have to go to school, and it's not safe for them to navigate their way in blizzard conditions.

Re: School closings

JaneMarple — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 01:41:56 GMT

On 2/13/2014 hyacinth003 said:
On 2/13/2014 JaneMarple said:
He's not the first and definitely won't be the last mayor who hasn't closed down the schools. remember OP. NYC is five boroughs and is the largest city in the country. You shouldn't compare the two.

Chicago isn't big enough???

Hyacinth

I'm not talking about Chicago but put yourself in the place of the parents who live and work in NYC. Again I repeat they have to go to work! Whether or not I agree with it doesn't matter.

Re: School closings

JaneMarple — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 01:46:54 GMT

On 2/13/2014 PurpleBunny said:
On 2/13/2014 JaneMarple said:
On 2/13/2014 PurpleBunny said: When the city says it's "too treacherous" for adults to be out and going to work, then it's too treacherous for kids going to school. THAT's why parents were upset.

With all due respect PB, Mr. Roker's children do not attend public school. With that being said, NYC is unique in the fact that most parents have to go to work, there are thousands of jobs in the city that need people to be there. It does sound heartless but most people can use the subway. A second cousin of mine works for One Police Plaza, she HAD to go to work.

I don't get what that has to do with my post? The city officials were saying to stay put if you can because it's dangerous out, yet they didn't cancel schools. That's why parents were upset. If it's considered too dangerous for non-essential personnel to be out, it's too dangerous for kids to go to school. Obviously many people have to work and CAN get there, but kids don't have to go to school, and it's not safe for them to navigate their way in blizzard conditions.

I was trying to explain the dynamics of the city, its terrible but that's how the city operates. Every mayor since I've been born has had the same argument, Mayor Bloomberg had many a fight about this very subject. Parents who don't have anyone home to take care of their kids run into the thousands. Its a vicious cycle.

I feel for the kids, the teachers as well as for the parents.

Re: School closings

PurpleBunny — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 01:49:25 GMT

On 2/13/2014 JaneMarple said:
On 2/13/2014 hyacinth003 said:
On 2/13/2014 JaneMarple said:
He's not the first and definitely won't be the last mayor who hasn't closed down the schools. remember OP. NYC is five boroughs and is the largest city in the country. You shouldn't compare the two.

Chicago isn't big enough???

Hyacinth

I'm not talking about Chicago but put yourself in the place of the parents who live and work in NYC. Again I repeat they have to go to work! Whether or not I agree with it doesn't matter.

Well, "having to work" doesn't justify putting kids at risk on busses, in streets, etc. If people don't have child care arrangements, it shouldn't be the city's problem. Safety first.

Re: School closings

RedHeadedWench — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 01:51:48 GMT

On 2/13/2014 JaneMarple said:
On 2/13/2014 PurpleBunny said: When the city says it's "too treacherous" for adults to be out and going to work, then it's too treacherous for kids going to school. THAT's why parents were upset.

With all due respect PB, Mr. Roker's children do not attend public school. With that being said, NYC is unique in the fact that most parents have to go to work, there are thousands of jobs in the city that need people to be there. It does sound heartless but most people can use the subway. A second cousin of mine works for One Police Plaza, she HAD to go to work.

Actually, Al Roker was just talking about schools the other day, and he did mention that his younger children do attend public schools.

School closings are decided by the superintendent (first) and then of course, the Mayor..only because of rank. I do not know what time the storms were supposed to hit NYC, so perhaps they could have had an early dismissal.

But I do agree with other posters that it is the parents responsibility to get their kids to school on time, pick them up on time, and if they are closed...provide a babysitter or day care, etc. It is not up to the schools..but you would be surprised how some parents think.

Re: School closings

CrazyDaisy — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 01:53:22 GMT

Bottom line, if a parent doesn't think it is safe to send their child to school, they can keep them home. Parents have a choice too.

Re: School closings

PurpleBunny — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 01:54:59 GMT

On 2/13/2014 CrazyDaisy said:
Bottom line, if a parent doesn't think it is safe to send their child to school, they can keep them home. Parents have a choice too.

Good point. True. And on a day like today, nobody should be penalized for opting to stay home.

Re: School closings

shorelady — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 02:05:50 GMT

I'm trying to comprehend this reasoning about parents working. This may come as a surprise to some, but there are working parents in every state. When it is too dangerous to travel and put lives at risk, schools are closed no matter where you live.

All schools in NJ were closed since we are under a state of emergency. Parents realize that they must always have a backup plan. If, for some reason they don't, it is not the responsibility of the schools to babysit.

What really seemed questionable was the actions of the Chancellor Farina. She made the ludicrous statement that it was a "beautiful day" in NY. Wonder what was in her oj this morning!

Re: School closings

JustJazzmom — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 02:17:32 GMT

I just spoke with my son and there was maybe 3"" of snow on the ground in Queens and even less on Manhattan streets. His biggest complaint was that the snow was piled at the street corners making it hazardous for pedestrians to get around.

His University was open today and closed in mid afternoon because round 2 of this storm is on its way.

Re: School closings

millieshops — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 02:41:18 GMT

Hate to say it, but the world has changed since OP and I were school kids. There are all kinds of reasons schools open and close when they do (or don't). And one of them is actually because many schools do function as babysitters while they educate in many cases - and that's because we women have so many options that weren't available when I was going to elementary school. In fact, I had exactly one friend whose mother had a full-time job outside of the home! This was small town USA circa 1946+++.

Re: School closings

JaneMarple — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 02:45:52 GMT

On 2/13/2014 millieshops said:
Hate to say it, but the world has changed since OP and I were school kids. There are all kinds of reasons schools open and close when they do (or don't). And one of them is actually because many schools do function as babysitters while they educate in many cases - and that's because we women have so many options that weren't available when I was going to elementary school. In fact, I had exactly one friend whose mother had a full-time job outside of the home! This was small town USA circa 1946+++.

Re: School closings

puglet1 — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 02:56:21 GMT

In a city of 8+ million people with 1+ million school children, you will not be able to please everyone with one call or the other. Some parents will say they could stand to lose their jobs if they don’t show up for work because they have to take care of their children if schools are closed. Of course parents should have a back-up plan, but sometimes it’s not always possible to have a relative available to watch the children or to have the money to pay for a babysitter. On the other side of the coin are the parents who are able to take a day off from work, whose priority will logically be the safety of their children. So what do you do? Risk your livelihood or rely on the hope that your child will get to school safely? Personally, on this particular day, IMO schools should have been closed, but then I am not a parent who needs a job to survive and has no back-up plan.

Of course, it is a contradiction to declare a state of emergency, telling people the roads are treacherous and to stay off the roads, then to send children off in school buses.

If I’m not mistaken, I believe NYC loses money for every regular school day where school is closed. That is another motivation for keeping the schools open. However, I don’t see what the big deal is about making up snow days during “vacation” weeks, such as during the upcoming Presidents’ Day week off in NYC public schools, or Spring Recess week, or during the summer, etc.

The ridiculous thing is, I don't believe too much learning goes on in NYC schools on a day like today. While something like 44-45% of children did attend, the problem is that teacher attendance is correspondingly lower. Most teachers are not locals. They can't walk to school or hop a bus for a short ride. When so many teachers are absent, the kids are just piled into the auditorium and are babysat.

Not necessarily defending Chancellor Farina’s remark that it was “a beautiful day”, but I think she probably meant it was a beautiful day relative to the previous snow storm when the wind chill was in the teens as compared to a balmy and safer 35 degrees today, which caused the snow to change to rain. Unfortunately, I think the public as well as the media love to jump on every unfortunate choice of word that is uttered by a person in a position of power. It’s so easy to bash.

BTW, Al Roker has a daughter in NYC public school.

Mayor DeB pointed out that NYC public schools have only been closed due to weather 11 days since 1978 and that it is not a call to be made lightly. From that incredible statistic, I guess it isn’t.

Re: School closings

CouponQueen — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 02:57:06 GMT

what was interesting was two of the reasons why school was not closed..it provides a safe place and nutrition for the kids..