complete and utter B.S!

there lying they did not apply for it and they said that they didn't before they want kids in school as long as possible smh

Here we go again with the kids home for rain....maybe a 2 hour delay, then if it had gotten worse, close the schools. These kids are going to be in school till July at this rate!!!

That's BS about not being approved for the waiver. The state will almost always approve waiver requests....if they are submitted correctly and timely.

I do feel that HCPS close way to often. What I don't get is the parents complaining that the kids will be in school till July. I am a parent and I don't see what problems it causes. What am I missing?

I heard that they did not apply for the waiver last year due to the Hurricane. The surrounding counties that applied, got the waiver. I don't feel we need all these inservice days throughout the year. Have them do them before the school year or not at all.

Do any of you know for sure they did not apply? If not then why comment that they didn't? If there are so many people who know the process and how to do it correctly it seems like a good idea to get on the calendar committee. I'm glad they were cautious and gave kids the day off and I'm sure if any of us were making the decisions based on the forecast we would have done the same. I'd much rather have the kids in school a few extra days than risk their safety and that of staff and bus drives. It's easy to criticize when you don't know all that goes into making those hard decisions.

Being a single mother changes to the routine schedule always create some type of hardship in trying to find coverage. I attended Harford County Public Schools- I was NEVER out for rain and I think you are making these decisions to close irresponsibily. AND- I AM THE FIRST TO SAY MY CHILD WOULDNT GO IF I THOUGHT IT WASNT SAFE!

My ex-husband lives in another state- the visitation he has with my daughter is minimal and planned according to school breaks. To take a day from her here and there (April) only means she (1) misses a chance to see her father or (2) has an unexcused absense to she still can.

I remember getting out of school the first week of June and going back the day after labor day- and all of us seemed to turn out just fine. I enjoy summer vacation with my daughter (AND SO DOES HER FATHER). I won't be sending her any extra days in June, I promise that!

That sounds frustrating Kristin. The reality is that the weather patterns have changed a lot since we were kids and I agree that we never got out for rain but when we do get storms it is much more significant than when we were kids. You have the right to make the decision that's best for your child if you don't agree with the school system decision. The part that I find unnecessary is the unrelentless criticism of those who make the decision. They make the decision with the best information they have available at the time-even the weather forecasters said this was going to be a significant storm. But somehow people expect them to know when even the weather forecasters did not know. If they had sent the kids to school and it did turn out the way it was forecasted people would be up in arms about that. It causes me a hardship too when I have to take off work to stay home with my children but I still see that the decisions are made with their best interest at heart. We all have our personal situations that make it difficult but the big picture is that the people making the decisions are not trying to make my life difficult, they're just trying to do their jobs.

Its all just words! They always have bs to fall back on. We started going back to school before labor day 18 plus years ago and they still can't figure it out.

Forest Hill 77, you my friend, are the only person commenting on this with any sense. Well, besides myself.

Why do the teachers need a day off for in service when the school year ends a couple of weeks later anyway? Makes no sense! And the reason they think that the kids need a break is a lie, the teachers want that break! I've asked so many kids and they all said they want to get out earlier in summer.

Never met a teacher yet that thought those inservice days were of any value. Have them before the school year gets underway when the attitudes are fresh and the mind more receptive.

I agree! Just like the elementary teacher planning times that the kids get out half a day. Really, one is scheduled for June 7th?!

I think the waiver comment is BS but I still don't get how many people don't know how to read the calander that was sent home with your kid.....you know the one with Angela Wood's art this month!

HCPS closing for rain because of the threat of snow reminds me of when I was 17 and my mother made me stay home for the week because I farted.

I begged her to let me go to school but she said it could mean diarrhea was on it's way and it would be awful to be stuck at school when that started coming down.

I stayed home all week.

Wouldn't you know it but I DID have a runny bowel movement by the 3rd day and I have to be thankful mom didn't make me go to school.

Even to this day if I fart I will call my boss and tell him I cannot come in because of what might soon come.

I like to think HCPS operates this same way.

Good job.

OMG the whinning and boo hooing from both sides...I went to Harford County Schools and we went from the Wed after Labor Day and got out the Wed after Memorial Day. Yes they changed the policy for school closings in bad weather because of a serious bus accident by Maryland Golf and Country Club that killed a friend of mine and injured many more. The cost of the law suits to Harford County tax payers was enormous and to my knowledge the county is still paying that bill. For me I rather have a child at home the take the chance that they might get killed. Also I have seen times when there is no snow at all in the Aberdeen Edgewood area but have seen a foot or two in the Whiteford Pylesville area. Maybe it's all the stupid little days that they get off during the school year that needs to be eliminated. I'm waiting form them to make 4/20 a holiday for all high schools. Also blame your teachers union. My second grade class had 36 students at Bel Air we had no student planning days we took time to pray and say the pledge everyday. Mrs. Thrush made sure we learned everything we needed to and we were ready to excel in third grade. These teachers with less then 20 kids that can' handle it need a schink not a teaching degree. As usual everyone only worries about themselves and don't look at the picture as a whole. Maybe the next time there is a school board meeting or PTA meeting parents should get off there butts and get involved instead of complaining about what everyone else

In my opinion the calendar does not provide our children with enough routine due to the quantity of in service days throughout the year. There are more interrupted weeks than there are full weeks. Children need routine.

I also think that it would be nice to have a full week for spring break.

Lastly, the number of days they had off in January after a long winter break is again very disruptive to learning. Please keep routine in mind when planning the calendar for next year.