Readers React To 'Day Without Women' Alexandria School Closures

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As parents rearranged their plans for March 8 after Alexandria City Public Schools leaders said buildings will close on A Day Without Women, Patch readers debated if the move by more than 300 school staffers to take the day off hurt or helped their students and schools.

With so many employees taking Wednesday off, Alexandria City Public Schools said it would be difficult to adequately staff schools, so classes were called off, leaders said. The unusually high number of requests may be attributed to the observance of International Women’s Day, a day that has also been deemed A Day Without Women, and leaders apologized if the decision caused problems for parents who must find child-care.

Some readers said the school district should have held firm and even disciplined teachers who don't show up for work.

"Interesting use of words: 'have asked to take the day off.' I sincerely doubt they 'asked,' commented reader DChousewife. "Oh, and it's OK, since there has been no snow...justification."

Reader Rona seemed to agree, saying, "no work, no pay."

»What do you think of the decision to close Alexandria City Public Schools on the Day Without Women? Tell us in comments below.

"I think if I were a parent I would investigate legal action. Their politics are directly inhibiting public education," wrote reader Sue.

Support for the absent teachers came from Old Town Alexandria Patch Facebook follower Skye Walden Lee. "The one day protest shows that that our female population is more important than our current administration recognizes with their actions (by defunding reproductive health, etc). Women are vital to our country and hopefully this inconvenience will bring that to light for people, even through conversations like this."

And Facebook commenter Reba Smith Winstead added, "Women are not protesting the presidency. Women are protesting the way society and policy impacts us, and our children. Generally, the burdens fall disproportionately to women."

Superintendent Alvin L. Crawley said on the school website that the decision to call off classes was not made lightly and was based solely on the district's ability to provide sufficient staff to cover all classrooms and the impact of high staff absenteeism on student safety and delivery of instruction. "It is not based on a political stance or position," Crawley said.

Schools will be closed for students on Wednesday, and it will be a teacher work day for school staff. This is in addition to the teacher work day that is on Friday, March 10.

Students will not be required to make up the missed day since the mild winter has left days in the calendar to close without missing the state-required number of teaching days.

"We understand that when schools close there is an impact on families, who may have to find unanticipated childcare," Crawley said. "We apologize for this unforeseen burden on parents and thank you for your patience and understanding."

What is and isn't open on Wednesday at Alexandria schools:

• All Campagna Center Early Childhood Programs (Head Start, Early Head Start) and Campagna Kids After School programs will operate on the normal schedule. Campagna Kids Before School Program will be closed (Samuel Tucker and Polk Elementary School sites).
• All Rec programs at schools will continue to operate as usual.
• All ACPS scheduled after-school activities for March 8 will continue as planned.
• ACPS will provide breakfast at 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. and lunch at 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Patrick Henry Elementary School, Jefferson-Houston School, Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology, William Ramsay Elementary School, Francis C. Hammond Middle School and T.C. Williams High School.

These programs are open to all students whether they attend that school or not.

»Image via Shutterstock