If conditions require a full-day closure for in-person instruction, our ability to transition to remote learning fairly seamlessly can help us avoid Snow Days that may need to be made up later in the year. It is crucial, however, to understand the various options the district has at its disposal and the criteria it uses when making its determinations.
Remote Instructional Day (RID)
Remote Instructional Days were initially implemented through the Pennsylvania Department of Education at the pandemic's start as a vehicle for schools to continue to educate their students when in-person education wasn’t possible. They will remain an option for PA schools through at least the end of the 2022-2023 school year. They can be used for COVID-19-related reasons and other non-pandemic-related reasons as well.
During RIDs, students attend school virtually by logging into their Schoology accounts and following their regular daily class schedule in real-time (synchronously) or at their own pace (asynchronously). The school district will, ahead of time, announce which approach students and staff should follow.
The school district will not provide transportation during a Remote Instructional Day, and district schools will be closed to everyone except authorized personnel. Also, the district’s ability to host after-school activities like sporting events, practices, and performances will be determined case-by-case.
Teachers are expected to review and clearly articulate the assignments and class expectations on any day that requires remote instruction.
Emergency School Closure (ESC), aka a "Snow Day"
Emergency School Closures may become necessary if there is an unexpected reason to close our schools, like inclement weather, a broken pipe, a community-wide power outage, or other facilities-related issues. During an Emergency School Closure, which in the winter is often called a "Snow Day," students will not attend virtual teaching sessions and are not expected to complete assignments from home. The students' only "assignment" during a Snow Day is to unplug, go outside if conditions permit, and have fun! And if they are able, students are also encouraged to please help shovel their parents' driveways and sidewalks.
HOW DOES THE DISTRICT DETERMINE IF A REMOTE INSTRUCTIONAL DAY OR A SNOW DAY WILL BE USED?
If the district determines in advance that inclement weather is very likely or imminent, remote instruction could be declared along with detailed instructions on the teachers’ expectations and procedures. A Snow Day will likely be announced when the inclement weather is unexpected or much more voluminous or treacherous than expected and the school district determines that it cannot guarantee that every Bethel Park School District student can receive a quality education for that day/those days. No classwork will be assigned during a Snow Day.
Don't hesitate to contact your building principal if you have any additional questions regarding RIDs and Snow Days.