Showing posts with label closing

Winter Weather Closes Schools in middle Tennessee

in , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, December 10, 2013

We watch the evening news, hoping the bad weather will be close enough to warrant the happily awaited call from the school district announcing school closings. But, bedtime comes and the call still hasn’t come in, so the girls put on their PJ’s inside out and hang a sock on their bedroom door in an effort to bring on their heartfelt desire for snow!


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The sleet starts tinkling off the roof and deck by 11pm- but still no call. The children are nestled all snug in their beds with visions of snow balls dancing in their heads- but the snow didn’t come. Just rain, sleet then ice.

At 5am, we get the school call that my husband and I knew had to come because we saw the icy sheen on our road before we finally fell asleep.
We turned off the alarms and snuggle down for some precious, indulgent sleep-in time. Secure in the knowledge that as small business owners, we only answer to ourselves if we don’t make it into work on time.

We are blessed in that way- and we know it. I still remember clearly working for a boss who didn’t care how treacherous the commute – if he could make it in, we were all supposed to make it in. Ditto, my husband’s boss, who had a big 4 wheel Jeep that could have made it through any type of weather.

As we watched the news this morning and saw all the wrecks from people spinning on ice not just here, but all across our great Nation- I stopped and said a prayer for all the Moms and Dads who had to be out in this mess for their job.  Our wee bit of ice is rapidly melting in the sun, but I know by the evening commute- some of our country roads will be slippery again.

I pray and think “But for the Grace of God go I.” I know that could easily be me out there, along with my husband- slipping and sliding and worrying our way to a job we have to get to if we want to eat.

I pray for everyone’s safety.

As I look over at my beloved children- safe and warm with me, while I hear my husband working in his shop, I tear up a little- overcome with my Blessings. 
Getting the call that schools are closed are no big deal here for us, we welcome them! But I know, for some families they are a hardship. I feel sorry for each and every one of them and vow again- not take this moment or my life for granted.

This post- although very heartfelt- is part of my job. Is there a guaranteed paycheck waiting for me on Friday? No. 
But- I wouldn’t trade being home safe and warm for a paycheck- unless I had too. And then I would hope somebody would pray for my safe return home too.

I bid your safe travels and warmth and happiness on your return home today and if you are blessed like me to be at home- stop a moment and take it all in. Capture the moment and enjoy!

Please tell me in comments what winter weather do you have today!

Schools are closed today for a Manhunt

in , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Monday, February 25, 2013


We were watching the Oscars last night,  my husband and I hoping that the last joke Seth McFarlane said flew right over our dear daughter’s heads, when all of our phones started ringing at the same time.

 This usually means only one thing: there will be no school the next day or the schools will be opening late due to inclement weather.


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 These messages are met with glee on the part of the kids and since I’m a work at home Mom, I am able to roll with it much easier than my working Mom friends. 

What startled us was the reason behind this closing: a manhunt was happening right then for a man who worked at one of the counties schools and had access to said schools.  According to the news, this man was involved in a domestic violence issue.

I applaud the district for putting safety first. In light of all that has happened in and around public schools of late, I say it was an excellent call, but it raised a deeper question for us as parents. 

What type of background checks are being done for employees in supporting positions such as this man who was a maintenance worker?  Is this another area our public schools need to improve upon?

 I honestly do not know what criteria are in place. But I mean to find out. I am a bit embarrassed that I don’t know.  I just assumed that these workers were asked to go through the same screening process as teachers, staff and even volunteers.

 For example, I am a tier 3 volunteer in our school district which means I have been finger printed and had a background check completed; therefore I am able to go on field trips and volunteer for activities that put me in direct contact with children.

I hope in my search I do find out that all workers entering our schools have had to pass this same level of security, if not more.

We spoke with our girls at length about safety at schools and let them know we felt comfortable sending them to school because our district did go the extra mile to ensure our schools were as safe as possible. 

Thankfully this dialog ran long ( much like the Oscars) and we had stopped watching the show to talk. This saved our kids from hearing any of the song Seth McFarlane entertained the audience with next. You know the one about female body parts? So not kid friendly. 

 By the end of the Oscars, when my kids had been fast asleep for some time, our local news reported that the manhunt had ended. The man safely in custody and that schools would remain closed.

Good.  I am very thankful that this story has a happy ending.

 So has your school ever been shut down for something like this? Do you know what your school districts security policies are?

Please share your thoughts on this. 





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