Virtual Snow Days

[Anonymous]

Is it true MCPS is thinking about going back to Zoom for future snow days? My neighbor mentioned it being a part of the BOE meeting today but I'm not tuning in.

[Anonymous]

They talked about using virtual days in some limited cases, if it was apparent ahead of time that there would be a multi-day event, for example. It would be decided and communicated ahead of time. There would still be regular no-school snow days by default.

[Anonymous]

With technology there’s no need for actual school days anymore

[Anonymous]

I imagine they will once they use up the last day they alloted in the calendar.

[Anonymous]

Yea!

[Anonymous]

I hope they use virtual on a "wintry mix" day that keeps kids inside rather than a real snowy day.

[Anonymous]

My principal told us Monday that MCPS was going to require live, synchronous zoom classes on snow days. He said to pay attention to weather forecasts and remind students to take devices home. He also said there will be a color code similar to Howard County on snow days to differentiate when schools are closed in person but open online or when teachers have to report to the building but students do not. I didn’t get to ask what I’m supposed to do with my own children if I Mayo see to work from school but they aren’t in school in person. Or how I’m supposed to be stuck on zoom with a 7 year old running around. I refuse to teach on zoom for a snow day. I will post asynchronous homework. Children deserve to have snow days. This will continue to drive parents away from MCPS to private schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My principal told us Monday that MCPS was going to require live, synchronous zoom classes on snow days. He said to pay attention to weather forecasts and remind students to take devices home. He also said there will be a color code similar to Howard County on snow days to differentiate when schools are closed in person but open online or when teachers have to report to the building but students do not. I didn’t get to ask what I’m supposed to do with my own children if I Mayo see to work from school but they aren’t in school in person. Or how I’m supposed to be stuck on zoom with a 7 year old running around. I refuse to teach on zoom for a snow day. I will post asynchronous homework. Children deserve to have snow days. This will continue to drive parents away from MCPS to private schools.

Hmm. No. I doubt anyone will be driven to a private school because your 7 year old is running around. Just position your chair / desk / camera close to a wall and purchase a $35 noise-cancelling bluetooth gaming headset from Amazon. You'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

It's true. I work for MCPS and got the memo. Like the PP said, it will be similar to Howard County. Not sure if the board has talked/voted it in yet to make it official.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's true. I work for MCPS and got the memo. Like the PP said, it will be similar to Howard County. Not sure if the board has talked/voted it in yet to make it official.

The board voted and approved yesterday's resolution. But it sounds like the plan now needs to go to MSDE for approval.

[Anonymous]

To be fair to MCPS, they're following the results of the survey, so they're doing what we said we wanted.

I have no problem with virtual days on snow days, but I don't see that teachers and schools have the ability to switch quickly and seamlessly from in-person to virtual learning yet. How is MCPS ensuring that happens?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My principal told us Monday that MCPS was going to require live, synchronous zoom classes on snow days. He said to pay attention to weather forecasts and remind students to take devices home. He also said there will be a color code similar to Howard County on snow days to differentiate when schools are closed in person but open online or when teachers have to report to the building but students do not. I didn’t get to ask what I’m supposed to do with my own children if I Mayo see to work from school but they aren’t in school in person. Or how I’m supposed to be stuck on zoom with a 7 year old running around. I refuse to teach on zoom for a snow day. I will post asynchronous homework. Children deserve to have snow days. This will continue to drive parents away from MCPS to private schools.

You mean teachers “deserve” to have the day off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To be fair to MCPS, they're following the results of the survey, so they're doing what we said we wanted.

I have no problem with virtual days on snow days, but I don't see that teachers and schools have the ability to switch quickly and seamlessly from in-person to virtual learning yet. How is MCPS ensuring that happens?

There was a presentation and discussion about this yesterday. Starts around minute 57 here:

[Anonymous]

Can we at least get a wintry mix at some point to see this plan in action?

[Anonymous]

Key points from today's update:

Considerations for Virtual Learning
On inclement weather days, there are various options for the school system’s operating status, including closure and virtual. If the decision is Code Purple then we will move to Virtual Learning.

Transitioning to virtual learning is considered when:

The impacting event is predictable
The impacting event is part of a multi-day scenario (blizzard etc.), or
Prior preparation and communication with families, students, and staff has taken place


Communication
If a virtual synchronous instruction day is possible, we know communication is vital to ensuring that students, staff, and families can easily transition. We will follow these steps to let you know:

Provide a “Get Ready” announcement (weather is imminent)
Decide and share decision to offer virtual learning by noon the day before to give time
Ensure student Well-Being Teams contact identified students and families as a reminder about virtual start times
Remind families that it remains a required school day and how to log in to classes