to wonder why the school needed to send a text warning us that they'd let us know about school being open or shut tomorrow...

[MrsMushroom]

because of the snow...when it's only dropped about three flakes?

The text was sent out this morning at 9.30am and there hadn't been ANY snow in the area (cheshire)...how can they warn us about the school closing when we've only had a sprinkle?

Ok it may get heavier....but that's a big MAY isn't it? Am I bu to think they might wait till morning and then decide?

[WillowFae]

There is a LOT of snow forecast here tomorrow and school sent an email out warning us that they may need to close early (they normally stay open till 6pm). They will make a decision by 12pm tomorrow. I think it is sensible as it gives parents time to make alternative arrangements with work / grandparents / a babysitter etc.

[Ambrosiacreamedrice]

It is our GCSE exam tomorrow, so I really hope school will be able to open. However, it is half-way up a moor, so not too hopeful as we already have an inch of snow on the ground and it is snowing very heavily outside. I'm having to use two cats for heat it is that cold.

[TheDailyWail]

I think they still have to open the school for exams. skeleton staff for invigilators.

[Ambrosiacreamedrice]

It may be too unsafe to open. Two years ago they had to use JCBs to clear the site and closed for 4 days. If it isn't open the kids have to do it in June, but we have spent so long preparing it will be a major upset. This will be the last year for modules so from next Jan on no concerns.

We now have blizzard conditions here.

[MaureenShit]

Yabu

How did this actually harm or offend you

[wherearemysocka]

I can't imagine what meaningful learning would take place in a school where hardly any staff would know the names of any students, what they are studying, where they are on the course. Most likely the kids would be shoved in front of a DVD in the hall - seems a bit of a waste of time for all concerned. You've still got the problem of masses of children on a potentially dangerous site - with the added bonus that they would know the staff couldn't do anything to prevent them behaving badly.

My school expects staff to set relevant work online for the students to complete which we then mark. I've spent many a snow day emailing year 11s back and forth as they send me work to look at. I think that's more useful.

Guess that doesn't cover the babysitting aspect, but at secondary level I'd imagine they would be able to stay at home on their own anyway if parents needed to work.

[Ambrosiacreamedrice]

Oh God, you'd have no luck in my planner, all my planning is done on my laptop. My planner is just for decoration at parents evening and so I can write little notes for myself like phone the vet, investigate new career etc.

[JamieandtheMagicTorch]

I don't get this narkiness about the school attempting to communicate with you.

[janey68]

' I don't get this narkiness about the school attempting to communicate with you.'

• I think we all know it's because the OP couldn't whine that the school wasn't attempting to communicate. Some people are just born moaners.

[JamieandtheMagicTorch]

indeed, janey.

[JamieandtheMagicTorch]

I wonder if the OP realises that some people have to arrange childcare, and that not everyone lives close to the school.

[funkybuddah]

Surely if they text to say they would text its kinda redundant?

Everyone knows its forecasted to snow so are capable of making plans if needed, why do you need the school to forewarn?
It's common sense really, stop waiting around to be told what to do in every eventually, use some initiativesl and plan.


Before our school text out today (similar message) I had already thought that my management would most likely not be able to get in & made arrangements for my friends to have dc's so I could go in for my shift as planned & cover. If noone could have dcs, I would have to go in late. Later today I got text from school & my boss explaing what common sense had already told me.

[Ambrosiacreamedrice]

I'm sitting here looking out of my window and worrying about trying to drive to work tomorrow as I live one town over and also in the middle of moors. Last time it snowed it took me two hours to do a 20 minute journey and I was sliding everywhere. Some people just like to moan that teachers are skivers, the snow gives them another stick to beat us with.

[JamieandtheMagicTorch]

funky

you would be amazed how lacking in common sense some parents are, and how quick to take umbrage.

[wherearemysocka]

I think this has been a remarkably nice and reasonable thread towards teachers, actually. I shall go to bed with a warm feeling in my heart.

At least your cats give you heat, ambrosiacreamedrice. When our boiler broke mine ignored me and sprawled himself over the heated bathroom floor. I was tempted to do the same.

[Ambrosiacreamedrice]

This thread, apart from the OP, has been wherearemysocka. Our local paper, on the other hand, had 3 letters from moaners complaining that us skivers might shut schools when they used to walk 8 miles up hill both ways to get to and from school.

[DeepRedBetty]

BIL was in charge of school transport for the 2000 pupil school which my dds now attend (he describes it as the worst single job of his entire teaching career, btw , and was very glad to dump it onto a colleague last year). He told me the actual decision would be made around 6.30 in the morning, and the owner of the largest fleet of school coaches they had under contract normally called the shots. If Mr Coach Boss thought it was unsafe, that was that. Since catchment area is nearly thirty miles east to west and twenty five north to south transport is vital - only about a quarter of the children are in walking distance, and a vanishingly small number of the staff. Like most teachers they prefer to live where they're not likely to trip over Year 10's in their local pub...

[MushroomSoup]

On Monday night it took me 2 and a half hours to drive my usually 30 minute journey home from school. I have had to set off much earlier, which is tricky because I've had to sort out my own childcare both for the morning, and for late into the evening.
Schools don't usually close unless there is no alternative.

[Ambrosiacreamedrice]

Deep, I happened to pop into the Sainsbury's local near school after a Parents Evening and I followed round the aisles by grinning Year 11s asking 'What did I get on my Controlled Assessment?' For two weeks afterwards they shouted across the yard 'Miss we saw you in Sainsbury's'. This is why I live one town over.

[McNewPants2013]

Ds school communication is via Facebook and twitter. It saves alot of parent phoning into the school and asking minor questions.

[MushroomSoup]

Ambrosia
I feel your pain!
And that is why I live 30 minutes drive away!

[DeepRedBetty]

Precisely Ambrosia! At least they didn't see you putting Tampax in your shopping bag, or gin (or did they? )