Prince George's Schools CEO Apologizes for Keeping Schools Open During Thursday's Winter Storm
The school district was scorched on social media by parents concerned with winter weather conditions.
By Christian Paz ••
Several crashes were reported in the region Friday morning, including a chain-reaction crash involving multiple cars on an icy bridge in Sterling, Virginia. News4’s Megan McGrath has more on Friday’s icy conditions.
The chief of Prince George’s County Public Schools apologized to parents and families in a letter Thursday night, after the school district faced criticism for not closing amid icy and snowy weather.
Responding to safety concerns from PGCPS parents, Monica Goldson, the interim CEO of Prince George’s County Public Schools, said the decision to keep schools open came after staff surveyed roads, sidewalks and school parking lots and consulted with the county government.
"The weather forecast mainly predicted only rain for our region. With the information I had at that time, I made the decision to remain open. Our first buses hit the roads at 6 a.m. and the only precipitation reported was rain," Golson wrote in the letter.
@danipicks3
"Saving people in distress is what we do! Perfect time to start training!"
@Heather72015700
"Awesome day for a swim! Love the pool! #Spring2018"
@clthee
Hmm, we think we know this guy.
Glory McKenzie
Got milk?
Lisa Rodriguez
Joanna Wheeler Carlson
"A mermaid and unicorn enjoying the spring snow in Ashburn!"
Kimberly Mattingly
"Spring showers, flowers in bloom, colored eggs and even a buzzing.... bee!"
JoAnn Tripaldi Davis
Spring training has started!
@annqtip
"My husband is so eager to dive during our first spring in MD after moving from HI. He thought there would be enough snow 4hrs later."
@GillianRamsey
"There's a snowman in my Easter basket..."
@RioIistic
"What snow? It's always a good time to garden!"
@coachob44
"Just protecting the beach today!"
@beth_anderson7
"First full day of spring!"
@smcconaghie
"We have Scuba Nathan getting his #floss dance on!"
@sarahkscott12
"Hubby and puppy just “chilling”. 6” in Jessup, MD."
@sstaley_29
"this sad snowbunny is not hoppy, he needs a Pat Collins Snow Stick in Hedgesville, WV"
@nadzholaciregui
"First catch of the season...wasn’t what we expected."
@wferrante033
"Poolside, on the second day of spring here in Southern Maryland!"
@woo_kristen
"Snowball sunbathing for my nephew!"
@maya_mathes
"I thought it was Spring!!"
@mcangel08corn
"Meredith enjoying the first day of spring"
@Jahforeal13
A little springtime nap.
@geoff_harbaugh
"Baby Grace Kayaking in the snow on the Magothy!"
@iamjasonstacks
"What the nut? I thought it was spring..."
@VacantLott
"What’s all this talk about Spring? I think @PatsSnowStick would agree that we need to start thinking about summer! This little lady is getting a strong start. White snow...white sand... What’s the difference?"
@Kayla_Rexroth
"Margaritaville is a state of mind am I right?"
@malindamarkland
#seasonallyinappropriate
@bcsmith0617
"What better way to enjoy this beautiful spring weather than to have a tea party with your niece!"
@EJKenny
Check out this cute baby bunny!
@rcccookie
The Easter Bunny came early!
@QueenNerdGamer
"Dancing Our Spring Off!"
@melody_newton
"a little bit of volleyball in spring"
@fieldsonline
I was told there's no crying in baseball ... but you're still awesome!
@lindseystrace
"K & D are wishing for warm weather in Sabillasville, MD!"
@regancoombs
"This is March MADNESS!"
@Sawahh
"Do you want to build a snowmannnnn?"
@PatrickPatrol
"ready for baseball... or snowball..."
@willforrest
"Spring Snow Stick “snow bunny” ready for Easter"
@Smite12
"Snow?! But MLB Opening Day is only 8 days away!"
@nsatiables
@NotaDCNative
"T-minutes two weeks until Nats Opening Day in Mt Pleasant."
@MKrasa
"The sand is so white here"
@Matthew64837500
It's not a snow stick, but a hockey stick will measure snow, too.
@lnnfox96
"First day of Spring 2018 Maryland!"
@Lisaismyname-
"Striking a pose with a snowicorn"
@kmarto
Happy Spring!
@kelly_flowers
"Warm Cookie Delivery!"
@jje715_evans
"Even Taylor on Crutches has to do the challenge!! Where is spring?!?!"
@IAFlyGirl95
"Hang Ten Pat & my fave Storm Team4 Weather Team! I LOVE to boogie boarding in the snow dude! And yes...it started snowing again when I went out to do this! Yeah man!"
@GCRishere
@Feliojr
"In the snow with StormTeam 4!"
@djr0912
"'Snow' better time for a spring break Easter celebration!"
@danipettin
@ValB_TV
"Two-year-old Avery building a snowman in St. Mary's County!"
@cherylisms
Nice arm, kid! You're ready for spring training!
@bryantfreeland
"home with the prairie dogs"
@amysgavin
"March snow showers bring Spring flowers!"
@clineles
"Spring Portrait 2018"
@JandM_Brewing
This snowman is ready for spring!
@sistersteamva
"#SpringTraining"
@Digger_or_Diplo
"Harry is sure he smells Spring in the air!"
@sirjames77
Forget the force, use the snow stick.
@Jennkasmer8171
"Ready to be tanning on the beach #2nddayofspring"
@StoutimusPrime
"playing softball in the snow#welcometospring"
@Jessie_Z92
"My Arabian pony silver and I on our parents farm in Catlett, Va, in the snow this afternoon."
@craftingmamma
"Snowballs make great lacrosse balls. Happy Spring!"
@JKBaltrotsky
"Spring Day 2 - Missed the memo!!"
@SportsBallFan23
"loving this Spring weather!"
@MelCompton5
"Captain Flag measuring in at 5.5 inches of snow at the pool in Monrovia, MD on the second day of Spring 2018!"
@kikidee1978
"What's better than blowing bubbles in the Spring? Blowing bubbles in the snow on a Spring Day!"
@StoryBookTreas
So... this is spring??
@NickHaller4
"Fun day here!! Up in Frederick w/ 9 inches - not the warm spring day we were looking for!"
@krudolph799
"out here enjoying this spring weather"
@Vaphilly624
"Spring in Herndon??"
@leahmcchoward
"the neighborhood kids made three new playmates on their day off school in Alexandria today"
@jojotdavis
"Nothing stops an egg hunt! Happy Spring!"
@Gburgbaseball18
"There's no snow day in baseball."
@annie_plumley
"When you're ready for spring and spring ain't ready for you"
@thevoltz2000
"Just doing some Springtime gardening"
@alugo29
"enjoying spring whoop!"
@HessNesbit
"@PatsSnowStick asked for a "springtime pose" in the snow. The ducklings (4 weeks old tomorrow) were happy to oblige."
@prevop
"3 inches on her head"
@Tess40833442
"doggy beach day"
@geoff_harbaugh
"Grace enjoying her first snowfall in Arnold, MD."
@bethappleyard3
"We love our terps"
@LaviLadiJ
"Not an extravagant pic...but the hubby loves the snow more than the kids"
@coastalcho_13
Nothing says spring like a day out with friends.
@Matthew49723713
@DrWandaYGovan
Thursday featured a wintry mix of snow, sleet and ice rain across the D.C. metro area, with some areas north of Washington receiving anywhere from two to 8 inches of snow. Prince George’s County experienced 2 inches or less of snow, and freezing rain, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said.
Golson said she miscalculated the risk after the forecast changed and snowflakes started to collect. She confirmed that no bus accidents were reported, but her staff received multiple complaints from parents and other staff members.
PGCPS later canceled all afterschool and evening activities due to inclement weather.
“Weather decisions are never easy. However, I will commit to erring on the side of caution for weather decisions moving forward,” Golson said.
Social media lit up on Thursday after the PGCPS Twitter account announced at 6 a.m. that schools would be open normally.
You can close schools for heat, wind, but not because it’ll be sleeting all day....PGCPS you’ll be hearing from my lawyers after you pay for my hospital bill pic.twitter.com/89HUcgbaY2
