Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Francisco Durán stands behind decisions to keep classrooms shuttered for more than a week after last month’s snowstorm, but acknowledges shortcomings in the school system’s approach.
Durán said he and other school leaders should have done a better job at keeping the community informed on the reasons behind their decisions.
School buses are crisscrossing county streets and students are steeling themselves for the first day of school in 11 days.
Yes, class is back in session this morning for Arlington Public Schools students, to the great relief of many beleaguered parents.
The decision to keep schools shuttered all last week, while piles of “snowcrete” covered the sidewalks (and in some cases, roads) near schools, prompted acceptance from some and grumbles from others. Why, some asked, had conditions around schools not been addressed earlier in the week, potentially making it harder to clear now?
The grumbles grew louder this week, amid Monday’s closure and today’s two-hour delay. Some questioned whether it’s even safe now for kids to go back.
“As of 7:30 A.M. there is no safe approach to Claremont Elementary or Wakefield High School from S Columbus St.,” local resident Joel Weger wrote this morning. “There has been no snow cleared on S. Chesterfield Rd for the entire length of school property. For Claremont snow has been cleared from only one side of the school.”
That was echoed by another local resident who lives near Wakefield.
“I’m not a parent but I see the kids walking to school everyday and parents taking their littles ones to the bus pick up spots,” wrote Julia Itani. “While walking my dog in the neighborhood there were many times I almost fell and we couldn’t walk safely. I can’t imagine students walking every morning while there’s piles of ice.”
Others suggested that a loss of learning outweighs what they see as marginal safety improvements from keeping schools closed longer. Even today’s delay was too much for some.
“I am writing to express my deep disappointment and continued frustration with the county’s repeated school closures and delayed openings due to snow and ice,” wrote Gregory Cohen, a “concerned and gobsmacked parent,” in an email this morning. It was one of several addressed to the County Board and School Board that ARLnow was CCed on in recent days.
“From a parent’s perspective, these decisions do not appear to be data-driven, outcome-oriented, or transparent. Delays in particular seem to accomplish little beyond creating unnecessary hardship for working families,” Cohen wrote. “A two-hour delay does not meaningfully improve road conditions, does not reduce childcare challenges, and often results in the same ultimate outcome: lost instructional time with no measurable safety benefit.”
What do you think — did APS strike the right balance by staying closed for five school days (Friday was a scheduled off day) and opening on a delay today? (Neighboring Fairfax notably took the same approach.)
Or should schools have opened up earlier? Or stayed closed longer? Let us know below.
After being closed all last week, Arlington Public Schools are set for at least one more snow day.
APS announced around 4 p.m. Sunday that schools will be closed again on Monday. But relief may be in sight for beleaguered parents.
Arlington County community centers, libraries and other facilities will be closed Monday as the cleanup continues from today’s winter storm.
About 7-8 inches of snow and sleet fell in Arlington. Hours of sleet has resulted in an especially dense and heavy covering over local roads and sidewalks, making plowing and shoveling more difficult.
Heavy sleet has continued throughout the afternoon in Arlington, bringing total accumulation up to over half a foot.
The National Weather Service warned of impacts on morning commutes in an update this afternoon, advising that “travel could be nearly impossible” as a result of the sleet, snow and possible freezing rain later today. ARLnow measured 7 inches of snow and sleet in North Arlington as of 2 p.m.
Some restaurants around Arlington and Falls Church are offering incentives for those brave enough to face the snow and sleet on foot today (Sunday).
Others made the call to close during the harsh winter weather.
At least one day of trash collection has been canceled in Arlington as authorities are urging residents to prepare and stay off the roads during this weekend’s snowstorm.
Curbside collection and brush pick-up will not take place on Monday, and no make-up runs will happen later in the week, Arlington’s Department of Environmental Services announced today (Friday). Residents are advised to check the county website for any further updates about pick-up on Tuesday and beyond.
In case there was any doubt, Wednesday will be a snow day for local students.
Arlington Public Schools and Falls Church City Public Schools both announced that schools will be closed tomorrow due to the ongoing winter storm. They join Alexandria, Fairfax County and other D.C. area districts in making that call.
Arlington Public Schools students will go home two hours early Tuesday, as a winter storm gets underway.
The early dismissal was announced Monday evening, after a Winter Storm Warning was issued for the area, calling for 4-8 inches of snow from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning.
Arlington and the rest of the D.C. area are gearing up for significant snowfall.
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning this afternoon, to take effect at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Some 4-8 inches of snow are expected to fall by the time the flakes taper off Wednesday morning.
The GW Parkway is back open after closing Sunday morning due to expected snow.
The commuter route had been closed between Spout Run and the Beltway since 6 a.m. Sunday. Currently, only one lane is open in each direction through the Parkway’s construction zone.
Arlington Public Schools students will enjoy their third snow day in a row Wednesday.
APS parents, meanwhile, will have their kids at home for yet another day. They’ve been off since Dec. 20, the last day of classes before winter break.
