Fredericksburg Parent

8 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • February 2026 On Wednesday, January 28th, Prince William County Public Schools created a regional furor after they announced that they would be going to school on January 29th on a two-hour delay instead of cancelling school like all of the much cooler counties that surround Prince William. After extensive blowback that included county residents overloading the email of Superintendent Dr. McDade with pictures of snowy streets, bus stops, and pur- ported Yeti sightings in Dale City, Prince William reversed its earlier decision and cancelled school. However, Dr. McDade, a native of much snowier climes, cautioned the citizens of Prince William County that schools will eventually have to reopen. Part of her statement read as follows: Please be advised that the conditions of neighborhood walkways leading to bus stops will persist well into next week with current temperatures. Therefore, we are asking for your support in encouraging neighborhood associations and citi- zens to clear sidewalks and bus stops in your local community, which is beyond our control. We cannot remain closed until all the snow and ice have dissipated. We need your help in getting our students back in school as soon as possible. WRITTEN BY DREW GALLAGHER As a long-time supporter of public education (except for one year of German IV in high school where I most assuredly did not sup- port public education), I had to act upon Dr. McDade's clarion call to action. As her statement read further: I lead with very deep care and concern for not only the physical safety of our stu- dents, but also the real basic human needs that exist within our school systems. Plus, my neighbor Tyrone, a teacher in Prince William County, needed to get off his lazy ass and get back to work. After wiping a few tears (which instantly froze) from my moistened cheeks, I called Tyrone to see when we could head up to Prince William to free its neighborhoods from the icebound cuffs that were crippling the needs of its students. "I'm working on my boat tomorrow," he said when I asked what time he wanted to load the shovels and pick axes into his truck and head up I-95. "But what about the needs of your stu- dents?," I implored. "They're sleeping in and playing Playstation. Their needs are met." "But your Superintendent has called you to action. We need to liberate the bus stops from snow and ice." "Do you know how many bus stops there are in Prince William County?" "I was hoping you might have a map." A Funny Story for Families Recovering From the Recent Ice Storm

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