After-storm report

There's still no power at my house this morning, as thousands of other homes and seven elementary schools in Loudoun are also experiencing.

Aldie, Banneker, Lucketts, Middleburg, and Waterford Elementary in the west are without power and closed for the day, as are Forest Grove and Sully Elementary in the east.

I'm sure it's a crazy day at LCPS headquarters too as everyone assesses this valuable experience to determine the lessons learned. I look forward to hearing more about their side of the experience soon. In the meantime, parents should provide feedback to their principals and School Board representatives.

There are already online reactions to the event by parents and journalists:

• Living in Loco has parent reactions
  
• Municipalist has very good thoughts on how to improve communications with parents
• There are comments from parents on yesterday's post as well, I'd love to get more and also some teacher feedback.

Given what I know now, this was a significant event but ultimately a drill, training for a much larger future event. Let's all work together to assess how it went, not in an effort to either congratulate or scold, but to be well prepared for 'the big one.'

Bad Weather Delays Closing

Well, ain't this a switch? Usually we delay opening in the winter. Now here we are delaying closing in the summer. In case you hadn't heard, Loudoun County Public Schools has delayed closing by 15-20 minutes due to the effects of the thunderstorms currently rolling through the area. Funnel clouds were spotted near Middleburg not long ago. The LCPS website is being hammered by parents and as of now does not have information about the delay on it.

This is also a great time to evaluate the new ConnectEd service that LCPS has used to quickly put out information to parents, especially during states of emergency. I got an automated phone call at 3:12pm. Here comes another at 3:19, saying that they are now delaying elementary students, and to expect delays for all students coming home this afternoon.

Loudoun schools closed Friday February 22, 2008

It's another short week, another long weekend for students. Administrative Offices will be open.

I'm not the weatherman, just documenting for future reference:

Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 10 PM this evening. Periods of freezing rain will continue this morning. A glaze of ice is possible through sunrise. Motorists should use extra caution this morning and watch for slippery spots on the roads. Visibilities will be reduced to a mile or less at times.

As the storm moves offshore tonight... most precipitation will end. However... expect lingering freezing drizzle or drizzle and fogthrough the overnight. Significant icing... around a quarter of an inch... is expected fromthis storm. This will likely cause substantial travel problems andsome power outages.

Happy Valentine's Day: Normal Schedule

When there is no word on the TV, radio or websites then school is operating as normal.

Loudoun Schools Closed Feb 13

Loudoun County Public Schools will be closed today, February 13, 2008. The Administrative Offices will open two hours late.

Enjoy the day, kids!

Loudoun Schools Close Early Today, Feb 12

All Loudoun County Public Schools will close one hour early today because of the threat of snow mixed with sleet and/or ice later this afternoon. All after school activities are canceled for today, Tuesday, February 12, 2008.