Remote Learning Days

Overview—What is a Remote Learning Day?

Monroe County Schools Board of Education, administration, and staff believe continuity of instruction in the event of the loss of an instructional day, due to weather or other circumstances, is a critical component to our students’ success. Therefore, our schools will provide the opportunity for students to continue to engage in learning on days when school is called off. Students will engage in Remote Learning Days through reading traditional books, traditional “at home” paper-based assignments, and through the use of personal devices, Google Classroom, email, and other electronic and digital media to help ensure uninterrupted instruction.

What days will be utilized as Remote Learning days for the school year?

If school is cancelled for any reason during the school year, the Superintendent may declare that day a Remote Learning Day.

What will a Remote Learning day look like for students?

All staff and students in our district access and utilize Google Classroom and Google Workspace for Education, in addition to other digital media, online texts, forums and resources, on a regular basis to communicate, collaborate, research and complete assignments and lessons. On Remote Learning Days, students will access assignments from their teachers through their Google Classrooms (or other digital sources) just as they would normally do while present at school. In addition, the technology staff will be available for assistance. Students who do not have internet access at home should consider the following options available to them:

Go to a family member’s home or a friend’s home where Wi-Fi is available
Go to one of the public libraries in our community that provides public
Wi-Fi
Go to a business that offers public
Wi-Fi
Students may, in some cases, work offline on assignments they have previously downloaded to their Google Drive
Complete the work at school once we return to the regular scheduled school days.

What will a Remote Learning Day look like for teachers?

Teachers will work from home, if at all possible. They will ensure student lessons and assignments are posted in their Google Classrooms. If at all possible, teachers will be available during the day via email or video to assist students should they need additional help.

Why have Remote Learning Days?

As a society that has embraced the use of technology in all aspects of our lives, we cannot ignore the importance schools should place on students’ ability to use technology responsibly and efficiently to expand their own knowledge.

Most face-to-face courses in college now require work to be submitted electronically.
Many corporations are now using remote learning for training purposes.
Most companies now require applications to be completed online, and many conduct much of their day-to-day business procedures online.
Teachers and school staff are provided professional development through the use of technology applications and programs.

How will attendance be taken?

Monroe County Schools has developed a plan to implement "Remote Learning Days" in the case of inclement weather or other extenuating circumstances during the school year. The "Remote Learning Days" would count as one of the scheduled 180 days for students. Students would be counted present on these days if the Remote Learning Day assignments are completed.

Basic guidelines for these days are below:

Teachers in each grade level will develop assignments for students.
The assignments would be communicated electronically to students in grades 3-12. Students in grades PK-2 will be provided work packets.
Students would be given up to 5 school days to complete assignments. This would ensure students have a weekend to complete assignments.
School administration will determine how the assignments will be graded/scored.

What if a student’s device is not working?

In the event a device stops working on a Remote Learning Day, there are options available:

Since Google Classroom is an online system, as the student’s Google Drive and Google Workspace for Education, one does not have to access their assignments from his/her device. Students may use any internet-connected device to access their assigned work.
If a student does not have another internet-connected device, or access to Wi-Fi, he/she may be able to use a device (computer, laptop, Chromebook or iPad) or Wi-Fi access made available to the public at the local library or at a local restaurant.

A reminder that lessons are accessible from any electronic device that is connected to the internet.

Considerations for Students with Special Needs

For students who require special accommodations to meet their individual needs, teachers will work closely with special needs staff, support staff, and students and their families to ensure that their Remote Learning assignments reflect their individual education plans and the expected learning objectives for the class.

Lesson/Assignment Design Expectations

All lessons and assignments created by teachers for Remote Learning Days will be delivered online through Google Classroom (or other digital media) and available for students to complete electronically.

Assignments may include “direct instruction” (such as reading a document or reviewing a website, watching a video created by the teacher or from another source, etc.) and a “processing activity” (such as creating a review or counterposition, participating in a virtual discussion or forum, creating a project, answering questions, etc.)—the possibilities are limitless.

Though students may organize the day in a manner that suits them, should the teacher wish to engage with students in a “virtual discussion,” students in that class would be required to participate at a designated time.

School administration will need to determine how Remote Learning Day assignments will be scored/graded and communicate the expectations to their staff.

Teachers should assign work for subject areas the student normally receives during face-to-face instruction.

Remote Learning Day Tips for Students

Before a Remote Learning Day

Save and share teacher and technology contact information with parents.
Make sure that you know how to log into and access your Google Classrooms. If not, ask a teacher for help.
Make sure you know how to use the digital communication tools your teachers will be using during an Alternative Learning Day.

During an Alternative Learning Day

Before Learning

Save and share teacher and technology contact information with parents.
Make sure that you know how to log into and access your Google Classrooms. If not, ask a teacher for help.
Make sure you know how to use the digital communication tools your teachers will be using during a Remote Learning Day.

During a Remote Learning Day

Before Learning

Log into your teacher’s Google Classroom.
Make sure you have the information about when your teacher will be available for questions.
If you do not have power or can’t complete the work on the Remote Learning Day, you will have an appropriate amount of time to make up the work.

During Learning

Do your best.
Take breaks throughout the day, just like you would if you were learning in the school building.
If you have questions or need help, reach out to your teacher(s).

After Learning

Make sure your work is completed by the due date.
If you didn’t have internet access during the Remote Learning Day and weren’t able to complete the work on the specific day, you can work with your teacher to make-up the assignments within the given time period.

Additional Assistance

Questions, problems, or accessibility issues with instruction for the day

Please reach out to your teachers if you have any questions, problems, or accessibility with the content of the lessons he/she is asking you to complete for the Remote Learning Day(s).

Remote Learning Day Tips for Parents

Before a Remote Learning Day

Ensure you have received contact information for your child’s teachers
Ensure you can assist your child in logging onto wifi and Google Classroom
Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the digital communication tools your child’s teachers will be using during an Alternative Learning Day
If you have any questions about the logistics of an Alternative Learning Day please reach out to your child’s teacher.