Wissahickon School District has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to use up to five (5) Flexible Instructional Days (FID). Flexible Instructional Days may be used for various reasons including hazardous weather conditions or building emergencies that require cancelling in-person learning. In the event of inclement weather, the District may make a determination to activate the use of a FID. If a FID is announced for Wissahickon School District, this means there will be 100% virtual/remote instruction, and the following will occur.
Staff will follow Emergency Closing Procedures for “100% Virtual School Day.”
Students in Grades 2-12
- Students will have all necessary materials and technology devices sent home with them in advance.
- Schools will share the schedule for students.
- Teachers will share any additional information regarding student assignments.
- The morning will be synchronous via Microsoft Teams.
- The afternoon will be asynchronous for students to complete independent activities/assignments. Teachers may also schedule times to meet with students in small groups synchronously via Microsoft Teams in the afternoon.
Students in Grades K-1
- Students will have all necessary materials sent home with them in advance. As of the 2024-25 school year, K-1 students will no longer have 1:1 devices; therefore, students will engage in independent learning activities when a virtual/remote learning day is announced.
- Teachers will share any additional information regarding student assignments.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), students who qualify for special education services will continue to receive the support and services outlined in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs); however, in a virtual environment, these services may be delivered differently. This means that support and/or services may be provided through resources and/or tools, reading material, guided practice and checklists, educational games, worksheets, or similar activities. These tools can help students practice skills and work toward their IEP goals independently and without real-time supervision. Upon return to school, case managers will conduct progress monitor of students’ goals and offer targeted small group or individual re-teaching, practice, and additional support as needed. Related service providers allocate a set number of sessions per IEP year, allowing them to offer any necessary make-up sessions for those missed during remote learning days.
It is important to note that the District will continue to have traditional “snow days,” and will activate a FID when circumstances align. Using a FID/virtual instructional day when the District can anticipate a potential school closure in advance will allow the District to reserve the two built-in “emergency closure days” for emergency school closures for which we cannot plan in advance or instances when there are large-scale electricity outages.
