FAST FACTS:
( Memphis 1/7/09) Schools in shelby county were closed Thursday because of snow on the roads, but in Memphis the roads were clear enough to keep city schools open, making a lot of parents concerned for their children's safety.
Now, with temperatures dipping dangerously low, the focus has shifted to the bus stop tomorrow.
"Just having the kids standing out here in the cold, as cold as it is, I think that it is not fair to the parents or the children who don't have a say so in the matter," says Sheri Jewell.
Even though Memphis City Schools stayed open, Jewell kept her two kids home. For many parents, icy roads weren't the only factor. Dangerous temperatures were just too much to handle.
"I wasn't going to take the chance with my kids," she says. "I know school is very important but my kid's lives are way more important."
She wasn't the only one who kept her kids home. Some parents wonder why classes were even on at MCS. The district says it opened classes because the roads were clear.
"I believe with the data that we had on hand, with the time factors we were dealing with, we made the best decision we could at the time," says Dr. Alfred Hall, Chief of Staff for Memphis City Schools.
But with early morning temperatures dipping close to zero degrees with windchill, the district says temperature alone could be the deciding factor.
"Temperature will certainly be a factor as we monitor and make decisions for tomorrow especially as we also have a large number of students who are in our parental responsibilty zone who are walkers."
Jewell has already made her decision.
"The kids will stay home tomorrow because my opinion is it's up to the parents," she says. "My kids lives are more important than missing a day of school."
Meantime, many schools will open and parents are urged to bundle up their kids with layers and if possible, to drive them to school to keep them from standing out in the cold.
"Kids are certainly more vulnerable," says Susan Helms of Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center. "That's why its important you take breaks from the cold weather."
- Parents concerned about students at bus stops or walking to school
- MCS says low temperatures will be factor in decision to close school at any time
- Shelby County schools says temperature not a factor
( Memphis 1/7/09) Schools in shelby county were closed Thursday because of snow on the roads, but in Memphis the roads were clear enough to keep city schools open, making a lot of parents concerned for their children's safety.
Now, with temperatures dipping dangerously low, the focus has shifted to the bus stop tomorrow.
"Just having the kids standing out here in the cold, as cold as it is, I think that it is not fair to the parents or the children who don't have a say so in the matter," says Sheri Jewell.
Even though Memphis City Schools stayed open, Jewell kept her two kids home. For many parents, icy roads weren't the only factor. Dangerous temperatures were just too much to handle.
"I wasn't going to take the chance with my kids," she says. "I know school is very important but my kid's lives are way more important."
She wasn't the only one who kept her kids home. Some parents wonder why classes were even on at MCS. The district says it opened classes because the roads were clear.
"I believe with the data that we had on hand, with the time factors we were dealing with, we made the best decision we could at the time," says Dr. Alfred Hall, Chief of Staff for Memphis City Schools.
But with early morning temperatures dipping close to zero degrees with windchill, the district says temperature alone could be the deciding factor.
"Temperature will certainly be a factor as we monitor and make decisions for tomorrow especially as we also have a large number of students who are in our parental responsibilty zone who are walkers."
Jewell has already made her decision.
"The kids will stay home tomorrow because my opinion is it's up to the parents," she says. "My kids lives are more important than missing a day of school."
Meantime, many schools will open and parents are urged to bundle up their kids with layers and if possible, to drive them to school to keep them from standing out in the cold.
"Kids are certainly more vulnerable," says Susan Helms of Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center. "That's why its important you take breaks from the cold weather."
