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Original poster

Unaceptable taking a "snow day" when schools are open

409 replies

Creambun2 · 28/02/2018 11:28

It really annoys me that the vast majority of schools are open in my area, yet many, many children have been taken out of school by parents "to enjoy the snow". Talk about lack of respect for the staff and other pupils who bother to turn up. We only have a couple of cm of snow!

OP posts:
upsideup · 28/02/2018 11:56

We live a in a small village outisde of the city our kids school is in, the school may be safe for the chidlren because snow has been cleared or melted by the traffic and heat of houses but where we are there is no safe we of getting our car out of our drive yet alone getting them all the way to school. Schools open but my kids wont be going
I think my judgement of whether its safe for my child to go to school knowing how they are going to be getting there and back overrides the school tbh. Its not selfish or entitled to keep my children safe, school can be your childs priority if you want but its definately not mine.
They will be going in a safe walking distance to play in the snow, yes.

MissSueFlay · 28/02/2018 11:56

We had instructions on what to send our kids in with, spare tights, socks etc. because they will be going out to play in the snow Grin

tinkywinky2018 · 28/02/2018 11:57

tinky the point is that it breeds an attitudd of school doesnt matter, you can't just take a day off work because its snowing

I don't agree at all. Also, I can take a day off work because its snowing, I've had to since all the schools here are closed!

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 28/02/2018 11:57

What's the "risk" you wouldn't be able to get back from school?! Mine travel by public transport; they've all gone in...

tinkywinky2018 · 28/02/2018 11:59

What's the "risk" you wouldn't be able to get back from school?! Mine travel by public transport; they've all gone in...

If there is more snow during the day, that public transport may not be running by home time. I'd call that a risk?

Valentinesfart · 28/02/2018 11:59

Maybe the parents don't think it is disrespectful to let their children enjoy the one day of snow that we get this year? Or maybe they think the one day of snow might be something their children remember for a long time as opposed to one day of school?

How is it disrespectful to other students or staff to do something different to them anyway? Hmm

Lukeandlorelai4Ever · 28/02/2018 12:00

My dd school is open even though we are in a red alert area.
We've kept her off and so have nearly all the kids in her class. She's been out playing in the snow since 9.30am with her friends.
She's 5, she might not see the snow for another ten years!

Earlyup · 28/02/2018 12:01

My OH had to go in yesterday (on nasty roads) when lots of schools (including mine were shut. His class played outside in two breaks and then were given another chance instead of PE but voted to stay inside -
I wonder how much those kept at home are actually spending outside?

Spikeyball · 28/02/2018 12:01

Ds's school is open but his school taxi wasn't doing the hour run and if people who drive for a living think it wasn't safe then I'm not doing it.

PerspicaciaTick · 28/02/2018 12:01

What's the "risk" you wouldn't be able to get back from school?!

Um, that the trans and buses (which are already operating much reduced timetables) will actually be cancelled by evening - especially if the forecast snow happens from lunchtime onwards?!

RowenasDiadem · 28/02/2018 12:02

I got pissed off with the parents last time we had snow bitching angrily all over FB how it was "Fucking disgusting the council hadn't cleared the pavements to get the kids to school safely" and how they would be keeping them at home so they don't get hurt falling and slipping on the school run, then LET THEM OUT TO PLAY on the very same streets and roads that are too unsafe to walk to school on. Are they less dangerous if you are on them for a different reason? I.e. playing rather than going to school?

If you can get to school get your arse in gear and go.

DenPerry · 28/02/2018 12:03

Can't muster any annoyance at this OP.. we rarely get snow here nowadays, let them enjoy it before it melts later today!

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 28/02/2018 12:03

Lucky you tinky not every one can. Again a mumsnetter thinks becayse she can do something everyone can.
Heres a few profesions that can't

TEACHERS
Doctors
Nurses
Police

Oh i'm sorry youve crashed your car in the snow bit since its snowing all the parmedics and staff at the hospital jave decided to not come in to work today because its a snow day and their parents used to let them have the day off school because it was safe to go in and it was open but apparently therss more to life than school and work. Oooooookayy

Lifeisabeach09 · 28/02/2018 12:03

The amount of pressure on children these days with testing, meeting targets, etc, I feel a snow day (whether school open or not), is great for them to blow off steam.
It does not promote a poor attitude to learning, ffs.

Valentinesfart · 28/02/2018 12:04

tinky the point is that it breeds an attitudd of school doesnt matter, you can't just take a day off work because its snowing.

children go to school

adults go to work

My 5 year old also doesn't pay me rent, hoover the house, or do the shopping.

He will learn one day. But for now, I'm happy with him playing in the snow.

SheGotBetteDavisEyes · 28/02/2018 12:04

In my local coffee now a family with four school age kids has turned up. All dressed in ski helmets, suits and snow goggles

Did you know that they aren't a home educating family? Lots of them where we live.

If I see kids playing in the school or not going to school, I don't judge. Mostly because I just can't get wound up about it, and also because I know absolutely nothing about their circumstances.

ProseccoLush · 28/02/2018 12:05

We live a 10 minute walk from DS’s primary school and it’s open (about 6-8cm of snow) However DD’s secondary is closed.
You try explaining to a 9 year old why he’s got to go to school while his big sister goes sledging!!
We haven’t had this volume of snow here since he was a baby. Who knows if we will get it again in the years that he is able to enjoy it in the ways only a child can. We’ve got our boots on and we are going to make some memories Grin

Branleuse · 28/02/2018 12:05

I dont think the staff get paid less if fewer children turn up.
I dont see the problem. We dont get snow days very often

Valentinesfart · 28/02/2018 12:06

TEACHERS
Doctors
Nurses
Police

WHat do the above have to do with children?

Faintlinesquints · 28/02/2018 12:07

We've got a red warning today and tomorrow where we are so all schools are shut.

When we had snow a couple of weeks ago (not too bad) the schools stayed open, and I sent my dc in. There were hardly any other children there. They were paired with children from other classes and were allowed to watch a film. It was a complete waste of the day, the children who were absent disrupted the day for everyone else too.
Mind you, I think only half of the teachers made it in too but they have to travel from much further away so it was more understandable that they couldn't make it in, compared to the kids who live literally next door.

Valentinesfart · 28/02/2018 12:07

I dont think the staff get paid less if fewer children turn up.

It must be terrible for the teachers to turn up and realise they only half to put up with half the class.... Hmm

Eltonjohnssyrup · 28/02/2018 12:08

It started snowing heavily at about 8 where I am. Public transport was running, it’s been blizzarding since then, about six inches have fallen and public transport has stopped. Just had a text to say school is closing. The kids in outlying villages probably wouldn’t be able to get back if they’d gone in.

Can’t believe some people are so moronic they can’t see that snow falling heavily means some areas get cut off. How stupid.

thecatsthecats · 28/02/2018 12:08

I run a company. A small part of my justification for allowing a snow day (only a small part, because there was 10 inches lying on the ground, many forms of public transport off and schools closed anyway, including most of our customers...) was that it doesn't happen nearly often enough for it to be a worry, and even adults are allowed to have fun with an unlooked for free day.

I've worked for the company for seven years, and that's only the second snow day we've had. If we ran on such tight margins that a snow day twice a decade put us out of business we'd be crap anyway.

Valentinesfart · 28/02/2018 12:10

If I didn't have to walk so far to get my kids in to a non jesus-y school, I wouldn't mind. But fuck that in the snow. I'm like Bambie on ice.

I end up on my arse everytime we get ice.

tinkywinky2018 · 28/02/2018 12:10

Lucky you tinky not every one can. Again a mumsnetter thinks becayse she can do something everyone can

What do you mean "not everyone can"? It's not something I have a choice in! I have four children and their schools and creche are closed today. Are you seriously suggesting anyone in my position would just go to work and leave the kids to fend for themselves? Even if they are a TEACHER?
Don't be a donkey.

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