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Post by imma Columbus mom on Feb 22, 2007 12:27:25 GMT -5
 On Feb. 21st, when my children learned that they would NOT be going to school because of the icy conditions in Columbus, on Wednesday Feb. 21st, they cried and ranted about school being in session and that they HAD to go or they would not be able to participate in what was going on at school today and that they would fall behind in their studies. They were actually being rude and talking back to me like I was just being unreasonable. I tried and tried to reasure and explain to them that their safety was more important (if we crash and die because of the ice than you won't need an education, sweety). However, they were so upset with me they actually didn't come around me for quite some time that day. When I would go and check on them, it was obvious that I was the enemy, because if school was in session than mom was NOT RIGHT for keeping them home today! The pressure my kids felt over getting behind in their classes and missing scheduled school activities because of my actions was INTENSE! My kids ACTUALLY cried and were so angry at me, when it REALLY wasn't safe for them to be at school on this particular day. And I'm a mom of students that have had perfect attendance awards given in previous school years, up till now! This was the day there were "3 or 4" school bus crashes and numerous emergency room visits that were blamed on the city's icy roads and weather conditions that morning. Seems that CPS made it ALOT harder on parents (working and non), children, bus drivers, the public and themselves by not adhering to the SEVERE ICE WARNINGS that morning and just calling off for the day. ~ imma ~ 
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Post by Concerned Columbus Parent on Feb 22, 2007 17:18:52 GMT -5
So funny you bring this up...my daughter and I just had an argument last night, because she was so frustrated she almost cried when I told her that possible icy conditions would need to dictate when we could get her to school safely this morning. After all the car and bus accidents ("3 or 4" CPS bus accidents according to officials) and injuries yesterday, there was no way I was taking that chance.
She was frustrated, because due to unsafe weather conditions, I have either kept her home or taken her late to school several times over the past 3 weeks (as officials constantly remind us, we have the right to do), and that, in turn has made it very difficult for her to keep up with her studies.
I wish officials would realize, that when they are opening school during dangerous weather conditions, and we, as parents make the call because they won't, classes go on and our students are forced into trying to catch up, creating a real hardship on them. It also forces us, as parents, to consider going against our better judgement for safety, in order to lessen the hardship on them.
MANY parents are keeping their students home in these types of conditions, as CPS's attendance records will almost surely reflect. Then in some cases, we feel almost forced into getting them there in spite of unsafe conditions within a day or 2, because they are getting so far behind. BAD position to be in.
For instance last week and the week before, I kept my daughter home on both Thursdays, in spite of school being back in, due to continuing unsafe weather conditions. On both Fridays, I got her to school, NOT because unsafe conditions had improved, but simply because we are struggling to keep her caught up. I've heard MANY reports from other parents, students and school administrators, that are identical to mine...1/3 student attendance school wide, students telling parents "there was almost NOBODY in class!," etc.
In case anyone's interested in checking it out to see if my theory on this is right (attendance rates should be available public info), those dates would be: Feb 8th and 15th=low attendance, and Feb 9th and 16th=increase in attendance. If you decide to look into it, please let me know what you find out. I may do so myself, if so, I'll let you know.
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Post by imma Columbus mom on Feb 22, 2007 19:13:44 GMT -5
I was just happy that I didn't have to be "The Villian" again today!
~ imma ~
;D
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On Feb. 21st, when my children learned that they would NOT be going to school because of the icy conditions in Columbus, on Wednesday Feb. 21st, they cried and ranted about school being in session and that they HAD to go or they would not be able to participate in what was going on at school today and that they would fall behind in their studies. They were actually being rude and talking back to me like I was just being unreasonable. I tried and tried to reasure and explain to them that their safety was more important (if we crash and die because of the ice than you won't need an education, sweety). However, they were so upset with me they actually didn't come around me for quite some time that day. When I would go and check on them, it was obvious that I was the enemy, because if school was in session than mom was NOT RIGHT for keeping them home today!
