| Author |
Message |
    
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 5658
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 7:25 pm: | 
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Sure, I see why hearing from me earlier could have been better. However, I don't see why he should snap at me or hang up on me. That's not justified, no matter what mistake I made. Maybe I'll call it my mistake, but I was doing the best I could. Nothing justifies that guy's behavior. |
spw784
Supporter
Username: Spw784
Post Number: 653
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 7:32 pm: |
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you are right, Tom. You were only trying to help. |
happyman
Citizen
Username: Happyman
Post Number: 253
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 9:39 pm: |
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Tom-
As a person who has been involved in the phone chain for about 9 years, maybe I can add a little insight.
The superintendent makes the decision at 5am so that not only parents, but also teachers can plan accordingly. It may seem early, but it is what it is! All schools are informed at that time and the phone chains begin.
I know you think you are helping out by waiting till 7:00 (I also tried this approach years ago), but there are two good reasons why not to:
*many commuters are gone or leaving by then and though 5:18am may seem ungodly, it is better to know in advance. Also, most need to wakeup at that time anyhow just to shovel.
* secondly, (I know this very well having students in 3 schools)...if you get one call at 5:18...the next at 5:45...and the next at 7:00 you have just blown any chance of getting a few more minutes of sleep before the big shovel.
In reference to the parent, this is what I would do (have done). I would call them this weekend and nicely explain that you were the volunteer that called Friday morning and if they would like you to remove their name from the call list you would be happy to do so. There really is nothing wrong with that. And I KNOW you are always so very kind that the parent will get the message.
Good Luck and keep up the good work . . . 
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jacman
Citizen
Username: Jacman
Post Number: 275
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 9:39 pm: |
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Tom,
Hindsight is 20/20 but I think you should have said, "OK, would you like me to delete your name from my list?" |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 1848
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 10:33 pm: |
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Normally they don't even activate the middle school phone chain for weather situations. I assume this happened today because delayed openings are so unusual (vs complete closings.) But, it is quite likely that it won't come up again. |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 3369
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 9:52 am: |
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the secret to the early morning phone chain (and I've been making these calls for over a decade!) is to not identify yourself! I say "I'm calling from (insert name of school) and there will be a delayed opening of 2 hours." Then, if they're grumpy, they're grumpy, and I don't take it personally.
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sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 1850
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 8:11 pm: |
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ffof - You're still on (most people's) caller ID unless you have that blocked. |
Barbara
Citizen
Username: Blh
Post Number: 436
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 9:14 pm: |
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Two of the parents on my MMS phone chain list are district employees, and I beat their official call. However, one parent was already on her way out the door. Those early calls do make it easier for parents to plan alternatives -- when I used to commute to NYC, I was on the 6:33 am, a 7:00 call would have been too late for me to set something up for my kids.
But Tom, no one should snap at the caller who is doing their job. They should have the decency to voluteer to have themselves removed from the list -- but you know they'll be the first to complain that they "didn't know" something the next time. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 592
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 5:03 pm: |
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My mistake about the delays. My sister reminded me my nephews don't go to school in the district. They have delays a few times a year.
I remember the day the schools closed at 9am! I was standing on Claremont with a half dozen kids and parents wondering where the bus was. One of the parents called the school to make sure it wasn't canceled and was told school was still on.
The parents decided to drive the kids to school. got there and found out it had been canceled. I still remember sliding down the hill, spinning around and barely missing the tree at the bottom of the hill.
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ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 3374
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 6:47 pm: |
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sac- that doesn't matter at 5:18am! |
HobGoblin
Citizen
Username: Hobgobblin
Post Number: 6
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 11:22 pm: |
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Easy enough, if it's that bad out, keep them home! Then if they do close early you don't have to go get them! If the weather reports say a foot by noon then you know what not to do....
Anyway, tomorrow will be fun...... |
CageyD
Citizen
Username: Cageyd
Post Number: 237
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 12:17 am: |
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I participate in phone chains and make the early morning calls but at times I wonder why we engage in this exercise and leave ourselves open to the nasty responses and hang ups. Forgive the cliche but way back when in the ancient 1970's it was no secret if a storm was coming and in the mornings we (kids, or parents)would turn on the local station and find out if school was cancelled. Plans for the day would then be coordinated if there was a cancellation. The phone chain though very pleasant and communal sounding in theory seems a little overmanaged to me. But I will continue to help out and make the calls when necessary
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sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 1857
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 6:21 am: |
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CageyD - That's still the way it works for the Middle and High schools most of the time. (Although they did run the MMS phone chain the other day.) The phone chains are an extra courtesy, but the OFFICIAL method of notification is via the radio stations and siren, I believe. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 234
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 9:47 am: |
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What radio station please? More info on the siren?
This is our first year of "big boy school," so I have no idea how any of this works!
Thanks. |
LibraryLady(ncjanow)
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 2248
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 9:56 am: |
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1010wins and 1010wins.com. You can also sign up for an email to be sent if the schools close. |
Miss L Toe
Citizen
Username: Miss_l_toe
Post Number: 180
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 9:59 am: |
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http://www.wor710.com is one of the stations - I set my radio alarm to this AM station every morning in case they do list the local schools.
You can also access the list of school closings in the Tri-State area on their website (click on the heading 'school closings' underneath the photo of the Statue of Liberty on the Home page)...however if the school district doesn't notify them then of course they can't list it! |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 613
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 10:04 am: |
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As of this post 1010wins doesn't have East Hanover or Millburn listed as closing at 11am. BUT nj1015.com http://www.nj1015.com/Newclosings/enduser/organizationstatuspage.cfm
has lots of schools listed!
What are the odds of a snow day for Tuesday? |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 5660
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 2:21 pm: |
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The decision to close is district-wide, right? So checking any school's web site should suffice, right?
Well, the easiest web site to use is http://www.mmshsa.org, which is the site for the Maplewood Middle School Home School Association. They post news of closures right at the top. Even if you don't have a child at MMS, I recommend this site. |
CageyD
Citizen
Username: Cageyd
Post Number: 238
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 2:22 pm: |
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there is also www.cancellations.com |
Barbara
Citizen
Username: Blh
Post Number: 438
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 2:55 pm: |
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Hey Tom -- give Kudos to SAC -- the MMS webmaster! |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 5662
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 3:25 pm: |
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I just did!  |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 1859
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 3:32 pm: |
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Thanks ... of course (like Suzanne for South Mountain's site), I have to be at home to do the update. Unfortunately, today I was at work until after the dismissal. But I did post it when I got home. This isn't usually a problem for the 5:00 am detail, however, since I do usually sleep at home. |
just me fromsouthorange
Supporter
Username: Jmfromsorange
Post Number: 1045
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 4:45 pm: |
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looks like the district FINALLY updated the main page of the website; BUT the recording still says the schools are operating on a normal schedule. what happened to the parents that don't have access to a computer who called the schools and got the recording???
some of my friends found out about the scholls closing early from me, and that's because i saw it on maplewoodonline.
what's going to happen tomorrow? |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 3377
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 5:00 pm: |
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All the whining. sheesh.
Try watching channel 35 in Maplewood or 19 in South Orange. Try listening for the siren. Try one of the school's websites. Listen to the radio. Stations are listed in school directories. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 304
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 5:12 pm: |
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I've had best luck with 1010 WINS or 1010wins.com, but I still got the kid to CHS on a snow day (or delayed opening) once last year.
Never ever saw anything useful on CCN (channel 19). Does anyone know if the siren near Flood's Hill is even working anymore?
ffof, it's easy to get whiny when you're at CHS and there's no phone chain at all. Thanks to MOL, now I'll know to check mmshsa.org or one of the other elementary or middle school sites. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 305
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 5:16 pm: |
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And while I'm whining, I'll add that this is still another instance of the district not making even "OK" use of its technology assets, let alone optimal use. Surely they should be able to post TIMELY closing info on the official website(s), or leave an updated phone message on their new phone system, or ?? Is anyone in overall charge of the tech area? |
just me fromsouthorange
Supporter
Username: Jmfromsorange
Post Number: 1046
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 5:17 pm: |
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hey ffof-
1. there was NO SIREN for the early closing.
2. most of the individual school's websites were NOT updated~
3. most of the recordings for the schools STILL say the schools are operating on a normal schedule.
4. most parents CAN'T access channel 35 or 19 while at work.
5. not everyone has cable to access those stations.
6. some of the radio stations that normally list our district on their websites or announce information on the radio did NOT!
based on the past 2 storms, the district doesn't have a clue.
considering the heavier snow isn't due until much later tonight, i'd plan for at least a delayed opening for tues. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 306
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 5:22 pm: |
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Hoping Suzanne, or one of our phone chain volunteers (Tom?) will post on MOL tomorrow morning.
a safe commute and a happy snowy evening, all
MC |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 3378
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 5:23 pm: |
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The delayed opening the other day was actually on CCN at 7am. CCN is only good if someone is actually in the school to be able to put the announcement on the screen. It's obviously not a primary source.
But, if you are home, you can watch the live CCN Morning news at 9:45 (M, W, Th,F). This morning Pollack got on and announced the early dismissal and possibility of delayed opening/cancellation tomorrow. So, at least the kids knew |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 3379
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 5:30 pm: |
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hey justme-
1.early dismissals are not annouced via the siren.
2.this morning on EVERY morning show, there were announcements at the bottom of the screen that announced early dismissals. Big clue.
3.If you know that a storm is on the way, call around!
4."considering the heavier snow isn't due until much later tonight, i'd plan for at least a delayed opening for tues." NOW you're thinkin! |
just me fromsouthorange
Supporter
Username: Jmfromsorange
Post Number: 1048
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 5:46 pm: |
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well ffof-
considering i was home and i did call the boe at 9am when several of my friends had called from other districts to tell me their schools were closing. i had even called the boe at 10am and was still told a decision had not been made.
no kidding you don't know about early closings via the siren. that was my point. i was responding to your comment about the siren.
by 9:45am most parents who work are at work and aren't watching cnn. and what were the kids doing home at 9:45 this morning to watch pollack on cnn? {g}
if it was such a 'big clue' this morning there would be a delay because of the scroll on the early morning news shows, how come so many parents didn't know?
how come parents who 'called around' still weren't sure? some of my friends who called the schools got recordings saying the school was operating on a normal schedule.
why can't we just agree the district's way of handling the situation stinks!? |
suzanneng
Citizen
Username: Suzanneng
Post Number: 297
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 5:50 pm: |
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As others have said, those PTA websites (and South Mtn's site) are usually only updatable from a certain access point (in my case, my home). For early dismissals, since most of the phone chain people, or website people are likely at work and cannot post their updates in a timely manner, I'd say checking MOL is a safe bet.
Since I could not update our school site today from school, the principal okayed my posting the closing information on MOL (which one can obviously do from anywhere).
I will be happy to post on MOL tomorrow , if there is a delay or cancellation. Last Friday, sac beat me to it!
The district no longer puts the snow closing information directly on the website, probably since there is no longer a webmaster position. The home page's link to cancellations.com should provided the closing information, but again, only if someone officially notifies cancellations.com . |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7756
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 6:00 pm: |
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I have to agree that, once again, communication is an issued. Suzzanne posted the closing information at around 10:00am and even then there was confusion on closing times. Millburn had similar information out at least an hour earlier. A friend indicated that listening to radio this morning many districts were making early closing announcements before 8:00am.
This community has a large number of two income families and I suspect a fairly high number of single parents. Not to get off the dime and make this type of decision early so parents can make child care and pickup arrangements borders on the criminal.
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ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 3380
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 6:30 pm: |
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justme-"what were the kids doing home at 9:45 this morning to watch pollack on cnn?"
The kids I am referring to are the high school kids since every high school kid watches the CCN Morning news at this time for announcements from the classroom they are in at that time.
The complaining about this drives me crazy because there are real huge issues to complain about, and this one just doesn't cut it, imo. Everyone knew that a storm was coming. If you are at work, you call a friend who is home and coordinate with them if you are unsure what the schools are going to do. Or your kid is old enough and knows how to get in the house and then give you a call. |
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