Boom (anonymous) says...

Emporia never has a snow day... :(

January 10, 2011 at 6:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Free4all (anonymous) says...

They just like to wait till the LAST minute where parents have to scramble solutions.

January 10, 2011 at 6:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ToxicPink (anonymous) says...

Hey, we've been advised not to travel, I think EVERYONE needs to close for a snow day. =D

January 10, 2011 at 7 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

I like that idea, Toxic. Only those who have to get out to clean up the mess need to be out there. It would take no time at all then.

I always find it sad that on these kinds of days that the meals on wheels don't get to those who need them.

January 10, 2011 at 7:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kooladegirl (anonymous) says...

I think the public would like to know the criteria for closing school in USD 253. Maybe a public interest piece or at least post it on here. If it is the safeness of the roads I beg to differ, because living here at 6th and State I have watched person after person slide all over the road, including a school bus slide into the curb. Not trying to complain... Just curious!

January 10, 2011 at 7:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

slimbolen99 (anonymous) says...

Create - it's all about breakfast and lunch. If the food staff is already at the schools preparing meals, they won't cancel school. That is what I was told years ago by an administrator when I asked that exact question.

January 10, 2011 at 7:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ToxicPink (anonymous) says...

Well I'm scared. I'm going to leave here in about 5 minutes for an appointment at the health center and I'm really really nervous about driving. -.-;

January 10, 2011 at 7:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

Toxic, let us know how you fared. Just go slowly and don't apply brakes unless your transmission is in neutral. In other words, anticipate your every move. When approaching a stop sign, for example, switch to neutral BEFORE you apply your brake. Doing this prevents your transmission from still spinning your wheels robbing you of control. Make sure you switch to neutral in plenty of time, like a hundred feet or so. It's always best to coast into a stop sign slowly.

I learned this years and years ago when as a driver from Hawaii, I had to learn how to drive in this weather. Someone from Minnesota taught me this trick. It has always worked for me.

Slimbolen99, I meant the Meals on Wheels program.

January 10, 2011 at 8:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

inaweoftheblindness (anonymous) says...

Create, your very correct. I was born and raised in Northern Illinois and this is practiced by many people there. It sure beats sliding when your trying to stop. I was out about 30 minutes ago in our 4x4 truck..was getting around okay but others were not doing so well. It is piling up fast now, I can't even the schools going a full day. They should have canceled...police scanner is buzzing with people going in the ditches. I for one ran my quick errand this morning and am staying home for the day. Be careful everyone if you have to get out in this...drive cautiously.

January 10, 2011 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

chasecountycrawfords (anonymous) says...

I work for the district but live out of county and I turned around and went home. ALOT of people commute into Lyon County/Emporia. I was forced off the road by a semi. A few dollars is NOT worth harm to self or worse! It took me 50 minutes to get not even to the Chase/Lyon county line! I don't think it will get any better anytime soon...still snowing...

January 10, 2011 at 8:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

callalily (anonymous) says...

Definitely should have closed! I heard that there was a traffic jam outside Village school because people were stuck spinning their wheels. I saw someone obviously stuck at a four-way stop and it looked like she had damaged one of her wheels. Conditions are just going to get worse and they will probably have to close school early anyway.

January 10, 2011 at 9 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Emporia_Mom (anonymous) says...

At my daughters schools parents were unable to get out of the school drive. There were 2 cars stuck and 3 had wrecked. Their were also 4 cop cars to help with the BIG mess. If I had to guess school will be called off at 12ish if roads do not improve. I know the city has not touched 15th at all.

January 10, 2011 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Emporia_Mom (anonymous) says...

Callalily-- you are correct there was village was a big mess.

January 10, 2011 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ToxicPink (anonymous) says...

I went really slow, I almost got stuck getting out of the parking lot and someone coming in had to back up and go forward instead of my direction, but oh well. Better to make room than everyone try to pile in.

I'm used to having 4 wheel drive, I don't this year.

I'm disappointed that schools aren't closed today and I don't have to go, or have children. I think the less amount of people on the road is best.

January 10, 2011 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ToxicPink (anonymous) says...

My boyfriend just said the city wasn't out plowing anything yet.

January 10, 2011 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

rami (anonymous) says...

Schools should have been close if the crews weren't going to attempt to make the roads safer to travel on. I wonder how many bus drivers had problems this morning. I guess we all could have just kept our children home tho, I plan to tomorrow if things get much worse.

January 10, 2011 at 9:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

Toxic, I'm glad you're back home. I hope you read my post on how to stop. It really works. 4 wheel drive, by the way,might help you get through snow, but on ice or slippery bad intersections, if your transmission is still in drive, that's just two more wheels to get you into trouble.

January 10, 2011 at 9:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

dizzyup (anonymous) says...

Many school districts stayed open. It's nice to know that our children's safety is a priority....(that's sarcasm) If the kids make it home safely, I guess our children get to grow up and tell their children how they didn't ever get "snow days" off either.

January 10, 2011 at 10:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Emporia_Mom (anonymous) says...

I grew up in Wichita and I remember a day like this when I was in HS. The district office and schools got so many calls from mad parents that they closed the schools at lunch. The students could either go home before eating or they could eat then go home. They also closed the schools the following day.

January 10, 2011 at 10:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ToxicPink (anonymous) says...

I've read it now, and talked to someone who told me the same thing.

She told me to practice lol, so I am. lol

January 10, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Buffalo_Breath (anonymous) says...

Are we allowed to post the word "wussification" on here?

January 10, 2011 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Wichitawings (anonymous) says...

Create-- meals on wheels did deliver today, maybe you should volunteer.

January 10, 2011 at 2:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Wichitawings (anonymous) says...

dizzyup--The only districts that stayed open were Emporia, Lebo, and south lyon county

January 10, 2011 at 2:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

Wichitawings -- thanks for the sarcastic suggestion. Believe me, were I a little younger, I'd certainly volunteer to deliver meals on wheels. I'm too close to having to receive them myself and I don't need to be out there breaking a hip.

And I'm glad they delivered today. They often don't during bad weather and I feel sad about that.

Maybe you should keep your suggestions to yourself.

January 10, 2011 at 3:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

KellyL (anonymous) says...

I hope all the kiddos, parents, and school staff get home safely today. No way should they have had school today.

January 10, 2011 at 3:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

BUFFALO_BREATH,

I'm with you, what a bunch of wussies!

what would we do if we had got a foot of this stuff last night? I was out this morning and the only trouble I had was trying to avoid the idiots who didn't know that white stuff on the ground was slick.

And just maybe if those parents at village who's little darlings live less than a mile away would let them walk home, things wouldn't have been such a mess. And think of the fun of all those snow ball fights going home !

January 10, 2011 at 4:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

pencilguy (anonymous) says...

they canceled classes for usd253 tomorrow. its kinda funny, we dont cancel school at all today, yet were the first ones to cancel for tomorrow.

January 10, 2011 at 4:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Wichitawings (anonymous) says...

Well, wasn't being to sarcastic, but I am old enough to receive them, but still want to get meals to shut ins that cannot get out even on a nice day.

January 10, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

booker5m (anonymous) says...

How much snow fell?

January 10, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

barefooting (anonymous) says...

Create, meals on wheels plans ahead, they pass out a non perishable meal or two early in the season for the recipients to save for a bad weather day. It comes in handy for those whose meals cant be brought to them.

January 10, 2011 at 4:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ToxicPink (anonymous) says...

I'm not a wussy!

I just wanted a day off. XD

January 10, 2011 at 4:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Captain_Cheddar (anonymous) says...

Steve thank you for saying exactly what I was thinking. Roads were fine, I've lived in Kansas 20+ years and never encountered a town so full of complainers and whiners. I grew up in a farm town where if the road wasn't snowed shut you cautiously went down it cause the work needed to get done. And we walked to school on days it was too snowy because school was important to us. And in the real world, stores are still open and work must still be done and those of us who don't hide in our homes get that work done.

January 10, 2011 at 6:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ksnewsie (anonymous) says...

Emporia's school aren't cancelled due to snow. It's because the wind chill is bitterly cold, too cold for kids who have to wait for the bus.

As far as driving in this stuff, take your time, use some common sense and be alert and you'll do OK.

January 10, 2011 at 6:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

dml (anonymous) says...

20 years ago, Emporia NEVER cancelled classes. They just would not run the rural bus routes so the kids that lived out of town were either absent on those bad days or their parents had to bring them in!

January 11, 2011 at 12:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

ksnewsie,
I would take exception to your wind chill argument. i think the reason classes are cancelled is because staff doesn't want to get out in this. I don't blame them though, I don't want to either. Youngsters are loving it.

dml,

You are so right, back then the only bus service was for the farm kids. i remember walking from 5th and Sunnyslope streets to the Middle school everyday in the snow, rain or sunshine. It sure was nice when I turned 16 and could drive it. The only days city kids got off were when they were sick, and usually your homework was sent home for you to do while you were at home.

Of course back then we only had 3 or 4 channels on the t.v. and no x-box or computers or cell phones so staying at home wasn't a whole lot of fun.
Things have gotten pretty easy since then.

January 11, 2011 at 8:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

yev_kassem (anonymous) says...

What cracks me up is that the Gazette will probably show several pictures in tonights paper of kids sledding down various hills throughout town. It is too snowy and cold for kids to be at school, but a lot of them will be out playing in the snow today and a lot of parents will be there also.

January 11, 2011 at 9:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Absolutely 1 Great thing about this snowfall.

the Farmers needed it.

January 11, 2011 at 9:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

barefooting, I'm so glad you told me about the Meals on Wheels non perishable meals for snow days. That makes me feel so much better. I genuinely worried.

Wichita wings, sorry to jump about sarcasm. Thanks for being a volunteer. Wish I could join you.

January 11, 2011 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )