Inclement Weather Days FAQ

For HCPS Staff

Expectation of Instructional Staff

  1. What is expected of instructional staff on an identified asynchronous inclement weather day?

    At the direction of the Superintendent, all employees will be expected to work and/or be available for work during an identified asynchronous inclement weather day. Employees will remain at home for their duty day unless given further direction by their supervisor. Teachers should publish all student learning information via Canvas by 9:00 a.m. of the inclement weather day. Teachers may expect to engage in regular daily tasks such as responding to student and/or family questions via email and/or Canvas, monitoring assignment completion via Canvas, participating in previously scheduled meetings such as Individualized Education Plan meetings, planning for instruction, grading and providing feedback on student work, entering student grades via Teacher Access Center, etc. If an employee is unavailable to work on one of these identified asynchronous inclement weather days, they will need to submit an absence via Smart Find Express.

  2. What does a staff member do if they have technical issues with Canvas on the asynchronous inclement weather day?

    HCPS staff may contact Canvas directly for technical support by calling 1-877-759-9429.

Expectation of Non-Instructional Staff

  1. What is expected of non-instructional staff on an identified asynchronous inclement weather day?

    At the direction of the Superintendent, all employees will be expected to work and/or be available for work during an identified asynchronous inclement weather day. Employees will receive further direction from their immediate supervisor as to the duty expectations on these identified days. Essential personnel shall report as instructed. If an employee is unavailable to work on one of these identified asynchronous inclement weather days, they will need to submit a leave request to the appropriate supervisor.

Special Education

  1. We have a full day of IEP meetings scheduled. Are we expected to hold these IEP meetings on virtual inclement weather days?
    Yes, virtual inclement weather days are considered a scheduled virtual workday for all staff. Employees are expected to be available during their duty day to participate in their typical scope of work including virtual IEP meetings, lesson planning, and documentation. If there are exceptional circumstances that prevent a school from holding virtual IEP meetings, such as staff who are without power, individual IEP meetings may be cancelled at the discretion of the building administrator.

  2. How do we ensure that students receive their direct Special Education and related services on a virtual inclement weather day?
    Service providers must ensure that students with disabilities receive Special Education and related services in accordance with the frequency and duration in the IEP. Services are typically reflected as monthly in each IEP. Since instruction delivered on an asynchronous inclement weather day is not considered direct service, service providers should evaluate the impact of a virtual inclement weather day when determining if the frequency and duration of special education services has been met for the month.

    Related service providers may choose to contact parents/guardians to arrange for synchronous virtual sessions with individual students on a virtual inclement weather day. Successfully executed synchronous sessions will count toward the student’s related service sessions as outlined within the IEP.
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This FAQ was last updated on January 20, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.


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