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January Newsletter
Dates to Remember
January 18th - No School
January 19th - 2nd semester begins
Inclement Weather Day Protocol
INTRODUCTION
As winter approaches, we are already planning for inclement weather and the potential of school closings. During the 2020-21 school year, USD 231 Schools will implement “Flexible Instructional Days” when in-person schooling is not realistic due to weather conditions.
Flexible instructional days simply means that on days where winter weather requires us to close our buildings, we can provide continued practice of skills to our students at home rather than in the classroom.
Should inclement weather require us to cancel in-person learning, the following will occur:
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
In the event there is a decision to cancel in-person learning by 2:00 p.m. the day prior, Nutrition Services will:
Send home a meal kit (breakfast and lunch) with all students in attendance the day prior to the inclement weather day.
Send home the published meal that would have been offered if students were attending in person. Reheating instructions (if needed) will also be provided.
Provide these meals to all students at no charge (2020-21).
If you wish to opt-out of this service for the entire winter season, please contact Nutrition Services at nutrition@usd231.com for additional instructions.
In the event that a flexible learning day is scheduled for the same day as remote learning meal distribution, the meal kits will be distributed on the next weekday to protect the safety of our staff and families. Additional information will be sent to families via email if this occurs.
ACADEMICS/ATTENDANCE
If a cancellation is determined to be necessary by 2:00 p.m. the day prior, students will leave school with an understanding of, and access to, work that will need to be completed at home. Learners will be assigned work to be completed that does not require internet connectivity. Teachers will meet with their students for ten to fifteen minutes via Zoom (or another platform). During this time attendance will be taken, the teacher will answer any questions, and a short class meeting will be held. These class meeting check-in times will take place at the times listed below:
K & EC (both morning and afternoon sessions) = 10:00 AM
1st = 10:15 AM
2nd = 10:30 AM
3rd = 10:45 AM
4th = 11:00 AM
If a student is not present during this ten-minute check-in time, the teacher will call the home of the student.
Your child’s teacher(s) will be available for assistance, via email, from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Students receiving Special Education Services will be provided developmentally appropriate learning experiences by their service provider. Any related services (PT, OT, Speech, etc.) scheduled during a Flexible Instructional Day will be rescheduled according to the frequency requirements of the students’ individualized education plan or in make-up sessions, if necessary, during the remainder of the IEP year.
If a student is absent the day before a Flexible Instructional Day, the work may be completed at school when the student returns. Students will have up to 3 school days to complete assignments.
In some situations, advance notice and preparation will not be possible. Examples include unexpected weather arriving early in the morning, inclement weather on a Sunday evening, etc. Communication will be shared with families and teachers regarding no school via the district website, social media, and e-mail of school closures. Teachers will plan on holding a class meeting at the above-mentioned check-in times and will share with students the work they can do during the inclement weather day. The work students will be asked to complete will utilize readily available materials in the home (i.e., write a snowy poem, read a book for 20 minutes, find three things in your home that you use to measure with, etc.).
USD 231 is pleased to provide students with content practice in reading, math, and writing when inclement weather prevents them from attending school, while still allowing families time to enjoy the fun of a “snow day”.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s building principal.
HOW TO STAY INFORMED
When the chance for severe or inclement weather looms, we will only post the cancellation of school, athletic events, and other activities.
If school is canceled or a Flexible Learning Day is called due to inclement weather, the information will be available in the following formats:
Posted on our website found HERE.
Posted to social media
Local television stations (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC)* Please know we are at the mercy of these stations as to whether or not they relay the information. There have been instances of when the district has provided information and the news station did not get it posted.
Thrillshare App
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where do parents and students find assignments?
A “Flexible Learning Day” packet will be sent home with the child the day before. If advance notice is not possible, the classroom teacher will share three home activities for students to do during their check-in time the morning of a Flexible Learning Day.
What will the snow day process look like?
If possible, USD 231 will communicate a “snow day” prior to students being dismissed the day before. Students will bring home a packet that will include a minimum of one reading, math, and writing activity. Students will participate in a ten-minute check-in time with their teacher at their assigned grade level time using the platform and login information their teacher provides. If a student does not check-in, their teacher will reach out to them by phone. Teachers will be available via their school email from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. to assist students as needed.
If a “snow day” cannot be communicated the day prior, the classroom teacher will still meet with all students and provide three activities for them to do that do not require specific classroom materials.
What if my child can’t complete the learning activities because I’m at work?
Students will have up to three school days to complete work assigned for Flexible Learning Days.
What about my student that receives special education services?
Developmentally appropriate learning experiences will be provided to students based on teacher selection and design.
Will this result in an extension of the school year?
No.
Why is my student not getting a device to use for these days?
Young students are not expected to transport devices to and from school. In addition, some families do not have reliable internet connectivity. If your child does not have access to a device the classroom teacher will contact them by phone for check-in.
What about my student that is enrolled as a remote learner?
Remote learners will follow this same procedure, however, they will not receive paper/pencil learning activities, they will receive online activities to complete.
Why are we asking students to do anything on inclement days?
Missed days of school can add up quickly and opportunities to practice skills can be lost. In addition, due to COVID-19 our school calendar does not include snow days this year.
Gardner Elementary
Email: ashbaughk@usd231.com
Website: https://www.usd231.com/o/gardner-elem
Location: 218 East Shawnee Street, Gardner, KS, USA
Phone: (913) 856-3300
Facebook: facebook.com/ourschool