As residents of Montgomery County, MD, we are deeply concerned about the safety of our students and staff in the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) system. News stations have reported that on January 16th, 2024, icy roads and severe weather conditions are expected throughout our county. This forecast raises serious concerns about the safety of transportation for our students and staff.

In parts of the county, these conditions make roads treacherous and unsafe for travel. We believe that it is not worth risking lives by insisting on regular school attendance under such circumstances. According to data from the U.S Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration, nearly 39% of all weather-related vehicle crashes occur during snowfall or sleet.

We urge MCPS to prioritize safety over schedule adherence by granting a snow day when road conditions are deemed hazardous due to severe weather. Our children's education is important but their safety should always come first.

Please sign this petition if you agree that MCPS should declare a snow day on January 16th, 2024 due to unsafe road conditions caused by severe winter weather.