Dear Sprague Families,
Even though winter has yet to arrive on the calendar, it is here!
With the impending snow storm for Thursday, the earlier message sent from the Superintendent shared that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has approved remote learning in lieu of cancelling school due to weather conditions. A final decision has yet to be made on the plans for Thursday, but we will know at some point this afternoon. If the decision is made to have a remote day due to the conditions, it will not be our first remote experience. However, it will be our first remote snow day experience. As a result of any and all weather conditions, some staff may encounter power challenges due to the conditions. With staff living in a variety of locations, it is not possible to know which towns may/may not be hit with power outages. To be proactive with our planning, we will do the following:
1. Being a remote day, staff will be using Zoom for live instruction not unlike any other remote day.
2. If weather poses problems with power, access to Zoom/internet will no longer be available. This potentially could happen to one teacher or a few teachers. It is not possible to know.
3. Staff will be using Zoom/internet for their live instruction as planned. In addition, staff will be planning and posting asynchronous/independent work assignments for students in Seesaw/Classroom allowing students to engaged in the learning expectations set by his/her teacher. These posted assignments will allow students to be engaged in learning if a teacher no longer has access to Zoom for live instruction due to power issues.
4. Staff will be communicating a similar message to their families today to be proactive with communication.
5. If a staff member experiences challenges with power, he/she will contact me and I will work to contact the classroom so families are aware of the challenges.
We all know very well that Mother Nature is in full control and if power is lost due to her might, there is not much a staff member can do in that moment. Please accept the above planning only in the case of an emergency/issue. This potentially being our very first experience of teaching remotely during a snow storm, we do not yet know what to expect. Once we experience it for the first time, we will then have the opportunity to reflect and make adjustments for future storms.
Your patience and understanding are always appreciated. We hope to see you in-person on Thursday, but if Mother Nature decides otherwise, please stay safe and warm.
Please ask any questions.
Respectfully,
Leigh