CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) welcomed students back on Thursday following the recent winter storm, sparking mixed emotions among parents regarding the safety of their children in the frigid temperatures. With “feels-like” temperatures lingering between -10 and -16 degrees, many worried about the challenges their children faced getting to school.
Kelly Morris, a parent of a Covedale Elementary School student, expressed deep concerns, stating, “This is unsafe. To me, school should’ve been closed for the week.” During the morning commute, students were observed walking in the streets to avoid the icy, snow-covered sidewalks.
The unease over the decision to reopen was brought to light during a “rapid response” meeting hosted by the Cincinnati Parent Empowerment Network (CPEN), which drew a significant turnout from concerned parents. Many voiced that approximately half had opted to keep their children home, with Morris sharing her personal experience of not sending her son, who requires specialized transportation due to his disabilities. “My street is a hill,” she explained. “There’s no way that the bus could’ve come down there, so I texted them last night to let them know that it’s unsafe. My street was completely iced.” She plans to keep her son home on Friday as well due to continued safety concerns, expressing frustration that the absences would be marked as “unexcused.”
Conversely, some parents felt positively about the reopening. Ronshea Walker, whose children are enrolled in three different CPS schools, appreciated the opportunity for students to reconnect with their teachers and peers. “They were actually missing their teachers, missing their friends and just missing our routine,” Walker noted, emphasizing the significance of maintaining a consistent school environment.
While acknowledging varying circumstances, Walker suggested that CPS should explore alternative options to support families who face difficulties getting their children to school safely, proposing collaboration with Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTO) and school principals to assess each school’s needs more effectively.
The CPEN meeting further highlighted a desire for better preparedness during adverse weather conditions. Parents advocated for solutions such as reinstating virtual learning or providing work packets for students during inclement weather periods.
In response to inquiries about the decision-making process for reopening, CPS reiterated its previous statements, explaining that the district reviewed various weather forecasts, assessed street conditions, and weighed the potential exposure students might encounter while traveling to school, ultimately concluding that it was safe for students to return.
This situation reflects a broader conversation about balancing safety and education, and with collaboration and communication, there is potential for CPS to enhance its response to future weather-related challenges.