I've read many posts from frustrated parents about HCDE closing due to cold weather.
Just wanted to help them understand that there are lots of students who don't have warm clothes to wear to school tomorrow. When they ride buses the door opens and shuts repeatedly letting in freezing cold air.
There's no way to keep the kids warm. I remember being a kid and riding the bus to school on chilly days. I dreaded every stop on the way to school.
Not all schools are the same, but I teach at a very large Title I school and before/after school duties for teachers last up to 45 minutes. It's not healthy to be outside for that length of time even as adults. Also, students have to wait for parents to pick them up from the car lines so the lobby entrance doors have to be propped open. My kindergarten babies would freeze at school tomorrow.
And lastly, please remember that not all teachers and students have classrooms inside the school buildings. There are lots of teachers in portable trailers. The heating units in those buildings aren't equipped for extremely low temps.
I'm sorry it's hard to adjust schedules at the last minute and I wish there was a better solution. Please don't think my post was intended to be rude or offensive in any way. I wish that HCDE was better at communicating to parents why closing school is necessary on days like today. I just thought maybe my experiences at school might help.
Rachel Carter