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Montgomery students petition for full week of school closings Montgomery students petitioned for full week of school closings
(35 minutes later)
The petition started as a student-led effort to get schools in Montgomery County to close for the week.The petition started as a student-led effort to get schools in Montgomery County to close for the week.
But Alex Abrosimov, its 15-year-old organizer, said that many parents also signed onto the request that classes be closed through Friday, following the weekend’s blizzard. The petition, started Tuesday afternoon, had more than 10,000 names by Thursday.But Alex Abrosimov, its 15-year-old organizer, said that many parents also signed onto the request that classes be closed through Friday, following the weekend’s blizzard. The petition, started Tuesday afternoon, had more than 10,000 names by Thursday.
Alex said his chief concern is safety. With roads and sidewalks still not clear in many parts of Montgomery County, he said he would “rather be safe than sorry.” Personally, he said, he loves school and would rather be there. Shortly before 3 p.m. Thursday, Montgomery officials announced schools would be closed Friday — the fifth day off for weather since a school closing last Friday. Students in Montgomery were off Monday for a previously scheduled teacher workday.
“I want to be at school, but I want the conditions to be safe enough,” he said. “The challenges of snow removal from the bus routes and sidewalks are the primary problem,” said Montgomery schools spokesman Derek Turner. The petition did not factor into into the decision, nor did social media, he said.
Montgomery school officials say a decision about whether to open schools Friday for the 156,000 students in Maryland’s largest school system will come by 6 p.m. Thursday — and that the petition is not a factor. Montgomery makes calls about school closings based on weather forecasts, road conditions and access to school facilities, Turner said. And while many have signed the petition and tweeted in favor of school’s closing, others have called for classes to resume, he said.
Derek Turner, spokesman for Montgomery schools, said district leaders make the call based on weather forecasts, road conditions and access to school facilities. It is not influenced by petitions or social media, he said.
[The snow conundrum: How a school system decides whether to open]
Turner also said that while many have signed the petition and tweeted in favor of school’s closing, the district also has been contacted by people who want classes to resume.
“We’ve started to receive emails from adults and calls from adults saying it’s time to open schools,” he said.“We’ve started to receive emails from adults and calls from adults saying it’s time to open schools,” he said.
Amid the debate on school closings, Montgomery’s school board tweeted Wednesday: “We don’t want our students standing or walking in the streets waiting for their buses. We appreciate your understanding and patience!” [The snow conundrum: How a school system decides whether to open]
Every major jurisdiction in Northern Virginia has already closed schools for Friday. Those involved in urging the schools to close counted the decision as a victory.
The online petition, addressed to the school board, notes that roads and sidewalks are not fit for travel. If schools open, it says, “parents would have to face tough safety decisions, our students who walk would have to walk on the roads, and the conditions are still not up to the top standard. The roads are clogged and unsafe.” “I think it was at least in part due to the petition,” said Alex, president of the sophomore class at Richard Montgomery High School and a candidate for the student seat on the school board.
The teenager said his chief concern has been safety. With roads and sidewalks still not clear in many parts of Montgomery County, he said he would “rather be safe than sorry.” Personally, he said, he loves school and would rather be there.
“I want to be at school, but I want the conditions to be safe enough,” he said.
Every major jurisdiction in Northern Virginia already has closed schools for Friday, and Prince George’s County schools also will close Friday; schools in the cities of Falls Church and Alexandria will be on two-hour delays.
The online petition in Montgomery, addressed to the school board, notes that roads and sidewalks are not fit for travel. If schools open, it says, “parents would have to face tough safety decisions, our students who walk would have to walk on the roads, and the conditions are still not up to the top standard. The roads are clogged and unsafe.”
One signer left the comment: “I hate school.”One signer left the comment: “I hate school.”
Another: “Dying on my way to school would be kind of awkward.”Another: “Dying on my way to school would be kind of awkward.”
But others, including those who appeared to be adults, focused more on the perils of sidewalks and streets. But others, including those who may have been adults, focused more on the perils of sidewalks and streets.
“The streets are horrible!” one wrote. “Where are the children supposed to stand while at the bus stops?”“The streets are horrible!” one wrote. “Where are the children supposed to stand while at the bus stops?”
Another: “I’m a student who would like to have a safe pathway to school.”Another: “I’m a student who would like to have a safe pathway to school.”
Alex, sophomore-class president at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, said a number of students sent the petition to their parents, and those parents sent it to other parents. Alex said a number of students sent the petition to their parents, and those parents sent it to other parents. He came up with the idea along with Veeraj Majethia, 16, junior-class president at his school and his campaign manager.
Alex said he came up with the idea along with Veeraj Majethia, 16, junior-class president at his school and his campaign manager as Alex makes a run for the student seat on Montgomery’s school board.
[Most school systems close ahead of major storm][Most school systems close ahead of major storm]
Many high schoolers may just want the time off school, but Veeraj said it is not worth going back for a day, with conditions as they are.Many high schoolers may just want the time off school, but Veeraj said it is not worth going back for a day, with conditions as they are.
Especially for younger children, Veeraj said, “there’s snow that’s as tall as they are at many intersections.”Especially for younger children, Veeraj said, “there’s snow that’s as tall as they are at many intersections.”
When school system officials announced Wednesday that school would be closed Thursday, Alex tweeted: NO SCHOOL TOMORROW! #ThePetitionWorked When school system officials announced Wednesday that school would be closed Thursday, Alex tweeted: “NO SCHOOL TOMORROW! #ThePetitionWorked”
The teenager said Thursday he believed the petition “had something to do with” the school closing, but he said, “I don’t know how much.” Still, he added, “I think people knew about it, and that’s what really matters.” Turner, the schools spokesman, emphasized that the petition had no influence on the move to close schools. “It was not a swaying force,” he said.