Should Fairfax County Public Schools Have Canceled School on Thursday?

By Sherell Williams

Students who attend Fairfax County Public Schools rejoiced late Wednesday night when school officials announced their decision to cancel school Thursday for the third consecutive day.

Tuesday's winter storm brought plenty of snow and ice to the region and many areas of the county were still clearing roads and sidewalks the following day. On Wednesday, temperatures plunged well below freezing and are forecast to stay there until Saturday.

Although weather forecasts predicted mostly cold temperatures Thursday with a chance of snow showers, it appears school officials determined too many county roads and student walking routes were still unsafe for travel.

Not everyone was excited about the cancellation. Some parents and school employees took to Twitter and Facebook to question the decision.

"It's ridiculous," said one parent on Facebook. Another called the decision "short-sighted" and suggested the county should have delayed school rather than cancel it altogether. Arlington County and Alexandria started school Thursday with a two-hour delay; Loudoun County canceled school for the rest of the week.

Even the Capital Weather Gang thought Fairfax County Pubic Schools should "toughen up" and send students back to school.

Since Thursday marked the school district's sixth snow day, Feb. 17 (President's Day) and April 7 (a student holiday/teacher workday) are now makeup days.

Following Loudoun's decision, Stafford County Public Schools decided to cancel school Friday and make the day a teacher workday, but there's no word on what Fairfax County will do as of 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

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What do you think about all these canceled days? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!