Colonial Roads

Enriching life. Creating adventures.

  • Home
  • Daycations
  • Community Guides
  • Pic to Click (P2C)
  • Cars & Commuters

Should Have Been a Snow Day

That sure seemed like a silly waste of time.

It snowed today in Prince William County (PWC), for the very first time this winter. Not a big deal, right? Wrong. The chaos caused by those three little inches of snow, the anxiety of car accidents and missed appointments, all of it ought to be written down in a guidebook somewhere so that other counties, towns and school districts can avoid making the same mistake.

At the very least it might save local officials from repeating the same simple traps every winter. This year, the trap was open schools and the surprise of unplowed roads. The toll? Over 170 weather-related service calls to authorities on PWC roads during the morning school commute, and countless panicked parents over the fate of their bus-bound children. There were reports photo-5of at least 12 accidents involving a school bus. Read more about the pain of snow right here.

So it snowed. And everything fell apart. Out in Haymarket – despite a weather forecast that showed a 90 percent chance of snow well in advance – roads to and from the primary schools weren’t plowed or salted. In what has become a sad local story, only some of the roads were plowed – at all – and in fact, the main drag leading to the back gate was only half plowed to the top of the hill and at the circle. By the end of the school day, many roads still weren’t plowed; the children who did go to school had what amounted to a “snow day” in the classroom, and a total waste of energy. Was the trouble caused by PWC School District’s decision to open schools, a decision that they apologized for later in the day? That doesn’t seem to be the case. After all, three inches of snow doesn’t seem like too much to keep kids from learning – but it is when plows are not running, and salt trucks are absent from roadways.

We get snow every year. Is it too much to ask to be prepared, with a standard operating procedure for school openings, closings and roadway safety? Or will we continue on this cycle of wrong way decisions, denials and apologies?

January 7, 2015 Brian Chee

Post navigation

Museum: Freer/Sackler Smithsonian Art Galleries → ← Battlefield Bombs Annandale, Sets Sights on Round Two

Related Posts

THE Best Apple Pie in Northern Virginia

Last year, while playing at the Cox Farms’ fall festival, I picked up an apple crumble pie from their market on my way out. I didn’t think much of it. […]

Spring Flings

If you’re ready for warmer weather and to feel the sweet kiss of the sun on your face, head outside. There are plenty of ways to welcome the spring in […]

100 Years and More Important Than Ever!

This month marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment of the United States Constitution. I will never forget the anticipation that I felt leading up to […]

Zandra’s Comes to Haymarket

The Wait Will Soon Be Over – Zandra’s Comes to Haymarket Today, I ate the most amazing taco to ever cross my lips. And considering that I hail from close proximity […]

Recent Posts

THE Best Apple Pie in Northern Virginia

THE Best Apple Pie in Northern Virginia

Last year, while playing at the Cox Farms’ fall festival, I picked up an apple crumble pie from their market on my way out. I didn’t think much of it. […]

More Info
ChristmasTown Holiday Tradition

ChristmasTown Holiday Tradition

When our little family moved to Virginia, we didn’t REALLY consider the impact that living so far away from our loved ones would have during the holidays. We had to […]

More Info
Winter Wonderland Train Show

Winter Wonderland Train Show

Non-Digital Creative Outlet:  In an age where electronic tablets and smartphones dominate the imagination of our young, there is a greater need to introduce them to the world of trains. […]

More Info
Town of Haymarket Holiday Celebration

Town of Haymarket Holiday Celebration

Top off your day of holiday parades and merriment with the cozy feeling of community that is unique to this small town.  The town of Haymarket welcomes you to their […]

More Info

Get Social With Us

Powered by WordPress | theme Dream Way