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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to expect an explanation from the school as to why it was closed last Thurs?

25 replies

baffledmum · 10/02/2009 20:58

Okay it snowed but my office was still open. From what I can see a school is either closed because the number of teachers who can get in is not enough to make it viable for the school to open or because of a health and safety issue e.g. too much snow on playground that cannot be cleared. AIBU to want to know why? If it was the latter then, despite the fact that this is the first time in over 15 years that we had snow, I think the school has a duty to parents to make contingency for future years. If it was the former, I think parents should still be told.

OP posts:
themildmanneredjanitor · 10/02/2009 20:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sassy · 10/02/2009 21:01

May not have been up to the school. Worcs County Council issued a directive to all its schools to close last Thurs to keep traffic off the roads. This was due to the lack of grit in the CC's supply.

YABU (and a bit odd, actually)

Original poster
baffledmum · 10/02/2009 21:02

you're right - am just peed off as I had to take unpaid leave or holiday. ignore me!

OP posts:
Original poster
baffledmum · 10/02/2009 21:02

you're right - am just peed off as I had to take unpaid leave or holiday. ignore me!

OP posts:
onepieceofbrusselssprout · 10/02/2009 21:04

I am a bit puzzled why this happened almost a week ago and you have only just started this thread? (not that it isn't allowed, it's just odd imo!)

We had fairly "mild" snow fwiw and the school was closed, I wasn't impressed at the time but I can't say that I have spent days ruminating about it.

rachels103 · 10/02/2009 21:05

www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/08/snow-victoria-coren

This might give you a bit of perspective.

CautionHorses · 10/02/2009 21:05

If you ask them, they'll tell you I expect.
Won't alter the fact that it was closed though, so not really worth bothering about, imo.

It's not like the teachers are suddenly going to start a rota for camping out in the school office every night, just in case it snows again; not sure what contingency they could come up with.

herbietea · 10/02/2009 21:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

GypsyMoth · 10/02/2009 21:06

Did you not enjoy the extra time with your DC in the snow?

Original poster
baffledmum · 10/02/2009 21:06

I haven't been able to get onto the PC as we have had a problem with the Broadband connection. Think I just wanted to get it off my chest really. Perhaps I should change my name to tiredmum.

OP posts:
Heated · 10/02/2009 21:08

The answer will be both.

Nuttily, in our LEA, the site teams are not allowed to grit the playground or the ice-rink of a carpark, in case anyone has an accident!

loobeylou · 10/02/2009 21:08

herbie - where was that bus accident - anyone hurt?

Reallytired · 10/02/2009 21:08

Most parents aren't quite so dim as to need an explanation.

Its a nuisance when a school closes, but the law does allow you to take emergency carers leave. (Even if it is unpaid)

Original poster
baffledmum · 10/02/2009 21:09

I've got my perspective back. I'll be in the yard if anyone wants to throw (soft) snowballs at me next time there's a snowfall.

OP posts:
onepieceofbrusselssprout · 10/02/2009 21:11

You got off fairly lightly on AIBU imo!

Reallytired · 10/02/2009 21:15

I just feel for the parents of the special children at the school I work for. Its not easy for them to find a baby sitter and school for their children is respite for the whole family. They don't always have the option of playing in the snow either.

I don't mind a day off with my seven year old son. He is healthy and easy to look after.

However imagine a single having to look after a severely autisic child for four days without any break.

Maybe those of us with neurologically typical children need a reality check.

Original poster
baffledmum · 10/02/2009 21:15

I used to be a regular mumsnetter so I know what you mean - but I always thought it was incumbent on other posters to spot when the OP realised they were in the wrong and was prepared to apologise for being a prat. I apologise. I'll go back to employment help threads - i was helpful at those!

OP posts:
Leslaki · 10/02/2009 21:16

One of the teachers I work with drove in through the snow to help keep the school open, then was involved in an accident on her way home at 1000 (when it was clear school could not stay open). She has been in hospital and her car in beyone repair in a garage. She could have sat at home and said it wasn't safe for her to travel but she wanted to try cos she felt a duty to.

Persoanlly I only went in cos it was walking distance but would not have put mine or my kids lives at risk to drive in to school cos it was too dangerous - our country aint equipped for dealing with snow!!! (or lots of rain, sun etc etc for that matter )

herbietea · 10/02/2009 21:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

hatwoman · 10/02/2009 21:24

nice piece by Victoria Cohen. thanks for that.

Original poster
baffledmum · 10/02/2009 21:36

Had to click off as DP came in but have now read the article by VC. Am ashamed of myself

OP posts:
MollieO · 10/02/2009 21:46

All the state schools were closed around us because the LEA cancelled all the school buses. My ds's school was open as, according to the message on the school answer machine, 'the roads are clear'. Well not where we live but we made it in (it took nearly an hour to drive what is usually a 10 min journey) and ds had a fab time playing with his friends in the snow. Probably more fun than with his desperate single mum! . The only day our school didn't open was Monday, the only day the local state secondary school near his opened was Wednesday.

Peachy · 10/02/2009 21:51

I thought it was a bit silly that school was optional and took ds2 in

Never agin!

A car skidded in the ice on the way in and came within a milimetre of stealing my baby from me. I learned a lot in that moment about risk.

The PTA thought they knew better yesterday and wenta head with their meeting (without me); after a number of minor shunts all cars were abandoned and they had to be rescued from the hotel by a fire engine with snow gear.

Just after DH crossed the bridge to work six cars were damaged by ice smashing their windscreens falling from gantries.

I've learned about snow this week; its scarier than I thought

Peachy · 10/02/2009 21:53

'However imagine a single having to look after a severely autisic child for four days without any break.
'

Honestly?

One day with a moderately autistic barely verbal child and a child with challenging AS was Hellish because we had not been able to prepare (prep changes everythinG).

But still better than risking it again!

Lilyloo · 10/02/2009 21:59

That article is too true!

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