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AIBU?

to think people who are sulking that their DC's school is open have missed the point?

54 replies

DancesWithWoolEnPointe · 21/01/2013 10:14

My FB feed is full of people whinging that their DCs school is open today, that is unfair when other schools are closed, and that people should keep their kids home anyway and "stand together". These are primary schools that have working heating and a suitable adult to child ratio to stay open, so why should they be closed? If you can't get to the school safely that is a different matter, but people who walk 200m along a salted pavement are complaining. Have we not forgotten the point of snow days - schools close if it is unsafe, not because the children deserve a day to play outside. And what about working parents?

Rant over.

OP posts:

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teacherandguideleader · 21/01/2013 13:21

The 'why don't teachers have to work in the snow' brigade really wind me up. It was not my decision to close my school today. Despite living miles from school, if we had been open I would have got there.

When I was at school (not so long ago), we never closed for snow. But then, back then there wasn't a string of companies waiting to snap up claims for accidents that weren't your fault. It wouldn't surprise me if this is the reason why schools close now. I think it is ridiculous - everyone knows that snow and ice are slippy so you take extra care. Trouble is, if a child slipped in school I am certain the parents would be very quick to put a claim in.

RooneyMara · 21/01/2013 13:04

It's great if the schools can open as some parents can't stay at home with their children - think doctors, nurses, how much they need to be at work for all our sakes.

If we're able to stay at home then perhaps we should, so that those children whose parents really need them to be at school can have the best staff-children ratio possible? I don't know about this as a thought.

I do feel ambivalent about the snow being a good reason to stay off, just in itself - seems like the universe's way of telling everyone to slow down, calm down and chill out.

And however near you are to school it can still be dangerous, makes children very wet and cold and it's so rare in the UK that it seems a shame if they can't enjoy it for a day.

however we're a mile and a half away, cannot get down our drive, cannot clear the drive due to new baby who won't be put down and I'm blowed if I'm doing it wearing a bloody sling!

Also we had a very close shave with a lorry on Sat when our brakes failed so no, I'm not going to drive anywhere, though I'm itching to go to the shops. We're stranded and so be it.

BitOutOfPractice · 21/01/2013 13:03

My kids' schools are open. I kept them both at home. Didnt fancy the very hilly drive there.

Shoot me

HeadfirstForHalos · 21/01/2013 13:00

Plus the dc have played non-stop in the snow since Friday after school, they will again when they get home. they have fun at school too. they're hardly missing out on having fun.

HeadfirstForHalos · 21/01/2013 12:57

I quite like walking to school in the crisp snow. I'd much prefer it that they closed on the days when we get rainstorms and it's lashing it down!

Mine have gone, I'm certainly not complaining!

city1984 · 21/01/2013 12:54

It is a catchment school so it not because pupils can't get in.

city1984 · 21/01/2013 12:53

We have 4 primary schools and our one is the only one shut. Not impressed. Everyone else has to go to work when it snows so why can't teachers?

Cherriesarelovely · 21/01/2013 12:45

"If one school is open they all should be"?

Well, not really since we all live in different places and the conditions vary vastly from place to place. At some rural schools the bus companys are unwilling to risk driving with a bus load of children on treacherous roads, at other schools some staff may take several hours to get in (happened to my colleague last week) so if that happens but most of the kids turn up what do the teachers do? If there were accidents because children were not properly supervised everyone would rightly be up in arms.

DancesWithWoolEnPointe · 21/01/2013 12:37

I agree Bean - I'm sure my DDs would have a lovely day learning in the snow if their school was closed. As it is they have got nearly 2 hours of day light to play it in after school tonight, and I'll have worked today when I'm not on MN and made some money which I wouldn't have if they were all home.

OP posts:

BeanJuice · 21/01/2013 12:32

But school being cancelled is at an insane cost to the economy Startail with people having to stay off work to look after them. They have the weekends and after school for fun!

happynewmind · 21/01/2013 12:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Startail · 21/01/2013 11:51

Children are children, they deserve some fun.
I wish schools or more accurately the government would get over themselves.

Schools are not the only place DCs learn stuff and experience life. Most HTs realise this and take a sensible view of holidays in term time, playing in the snow and family events. The best ones also know that they are essential child care providers too.

OFSTED and mr Grove mean while seem to understand absolutely nothing!

DancesWithWoolEnPointe · 21/01/2013 11:50

pumpkins It clearly says in the original post If you can't get to the school safely that is a different matter - if it is treacherous than obviously you'd be right to keep your kids at home. I'm talking about people who just wanted to stay home and play.

snowy - alright, not the silent part of sulking, but the being morose out of disappointment part stands . Moaning would be a better choice of word.

I realised what a challenge the pushchair was last Monday, and luckily DD3 is 2 and a bit, so I dragged her in on the sledge :)

OP posts:

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 21/01/2013 11:44

Yabu. I have to rely on buses which incidently are not running I can't get the buggy thru the snow to walk to the main bus station in the town and the paths round here r lethal. And who's going to fund the extra snow money charging taxis for me four times a day? Anyone? It's at least 7.50 by the way.

Snow day woulda been great!!! :)

ByTheWay1 · 21/01/2013 11:38

All schools open round here today, after closing on Fri..... Roads are mainly clear and full of idiots going along at full pelt, but the pavements are an icy death trap - luckily we have boots and waterproofs, so the trek was not too onerous...

Jux · 21/01/2013 11:34

Dd has gone to (secondary) school today. She is most disappointed, but somewhat mollified by the forecast that more snow is on the way

pumpkinsweetieMasPudding · 21/01/2013 11:34

Yabu. Are you talking about people with cars or those on foot?
In my area the pavements are not salted, and are deadly.
My dh had to take my 3 dc to school as my pram will not push through it at-all.

The school is the only school open for miles, the area is treacherous.
My dcs trousers were wet before they got to school, i had to send them in with spares.

We have never had proper snow here, i was looking forward to my dc playing in it and building snowmen and angels in the front garden where i can watch them.

Education is important, but so are life experiences. My children may not experience this again

MoodyDidIt · 21/01/2013 11:33

it is a school day.

The school should be open.

The children should go to school and learn stuff.

That's what schools are for

^^ this

my dcs school is open and i for one am very glad as the thought of being stuck in the house with them like i have been all weekend was not a happy one! (my dc hate the cold and manage about 2 minutes playing outside before coming in, moaning while treading filthy sludge all over my floors )

hrrumph · 21/01/2013 11:33

Ours was open today due to some parents and teachers clearing the school pathways over the weekend.

But salted pavements! They don't exist round here. It's a good inch of sheet ice to walk down or opt for walking down the road and dodging cars.

Fine for me with one walking dc for a five minute walk. Not so good for those with a double buggy plus walking dc with over half an hour's walk.

Lifeissweet · 21/01/2013 11:31

Well I'm a teacher and I agree with Ecolady - it's a nightmare in terms of the work we now have to cram into an even shorter half term. I don't know why my school is shut - certainly no one has asked the staff whether they can get in or not - I would have made it in and I'm sure lots of others would. I am assuming it was a decision based on the safety of the site and also - as someone said above - the fact that probably, not many children would come in meaning that we would still have too much work to make up with the absent children - and the attendance averages would suddenly look terrible.

Don't complain at me for being a teacher - I didn't choose to close the school and would rather be there.

snowybrrr · 21/01/2013 11:31

Rubbish! Half the class will be off anyway and the kids will be too hyped up to concentrate and they'll spend the day on building snowmen or busywork.
But if parents don't like it ( I don't know where you get they are 'sulking' from-do you actually know what sulking means?) they can always say there is too much snow where they live to get in.

PoppyWearer · 21/01/2013 11:27

I was so happy our school and nursery were open today. 3 days of the DCs at home and the little so and sos angels were doing my head in.

We had a whole weekend of fun in the snow. Time to get back to reality now.

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SugarplumMary · 21/01/2013 11:24

YANBU.

However I was pleased the DC school was shut today. I got to sleep in as they let us know last night .

We've had two lots of heavy snow in this area - they opened Friday before first lot came then had to close early - but make provisions for DC who couldn't get picked up- so I think it sensible after another heavy lot of snow sunday night to close.

I would expect them to be open tommow.

BeanJuice · 21/01/2013 11:21

thesnootyfox seriously school doesn't even last that long anyway, fgs, you're right - people are irresponsible

MumVsKids · 21/01/2013 11:17

YANBU OP. I fully agree.

Both DDs are in school, and though a snow day would have been lovely for us all, the fun will have to wait until 3.30pm.

If it continues to snow like this all day, I am fully expecting school to be closed tomorrow, mostly due to the staff not being able to get in, not safety.

It was a PITA walking to school this morning with an errant pushchair which preferred to go sideways, but hey ho!! I'd rather walk than drive anywhere I'm a wuss when it comes to driving in the snow

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