E-Learning/Blizzard Bag Pilot Learning Projects/Assignments for School Cancellation Days Orange Elementary, Petersham Center & Ralph C. Mahar Regional School Districts Time away from class takes a real toll on student learning. Annually, educators worry about the summer dip in learning, but snow days actually can create a winter dip. Over the last six years, our districts have averaged five cancellations per year with the majority of these due to inclement weather. In 2014-2015 our districts lost 10 days of school to snow. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) mandates that students attend school for 180 days and 990 hours for the middle/ high school and 900 hours for elementary schools. According to the DESE, local school committees are responsible for ensuring that students meet the 180 day mandate for “structured learning time”. Structured learning time shall mean “time during which students are engaged in regularly scheduled instruction, learning activities, or learning assessments for study of the core subjects and other subjects. In addition to classroom time where both teachers and students are present, structured learning time may include directed study, independent study, technology-assisted learning, presentations by persons other than teachers, school-to-work programs and statewide student performance assessments.” (​603 CMR 27.00: M.G.L. c. 69, s.1G; ​ St. 1993, c.71, s.29.) The districts of Orange Elementary, Petersham Center and Ralph C. Mahar Regional (PreK-12) are piloting E-Learning or Blizzard Bag Days for the 2016-2017 school year. We plan to offer instruction digitally on the secondary level through E-Learning and remotely on the elementary level via Blizzard Bags so that students do not miss any instructional time due to inclement weather. We are now living in a time when 24% of college students take online courses and one in five Americans work from home. A recent study, by the Massachusetts Institute for Technology (MIT) shows that online courses are now considered equally effective as those taught traditionally in a classroom. This model of blended learning is changing the face of education nationwide and the work force in the 21st century. http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2014/09/24/mit-study-how-do-online-courses-compare-to-traditional-learning/ In addition, one of our biggest challenges with our students is teaching them to advocate for themselves, to organize, to prioritize and to manage their time wisely. An opportunity to engage in E-Learning days or work through Blizzard Bags will give our students the opportunity to practice these skills in a real world setting and in a low stakes environment. Research done on E-Learning/Blizzard Bag Days indicate that they help students: ● Maintain continuity in the curriculum. No days are lost. Classes and content are made up immediately. ● Receive more instruction prior State assessments. ● Provide the opportunity to experience blended/online learning at the secondary level. ● Promotes independence, responsibility and autonomous learning New Jersey, Virginia, Washington, D.C., New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Minnesota already have established practices in place for E-Learning or Blizzard Bags when school is cancelled due to weather events. Our three districts hope to blaze a trail that’s already being broken in by the school district of Burlington, MA.. As a K-12 consolidated system broken into elementary, middle and high schools, we are looking into a model that is flexible within our districts, within our schools and even within grade levels. Depending on the model chosen by individual teachers or grade level groups, assignment completion, assessment of assignments, and a determination of credit may vary -- but the overall goal is the same, continuous, uninterrupted learning only via an E-Learning or Blizzard Bag assignment.

How This Will Work at the Elementary Level in Orange & Petersham Blizzard Bags Prior to the winter season, students will receive a package(s) of learning plans and will complete the work at home on the snow day or within seven days of the school cancellation. Teachers will pre-teach expectations/routines for Blizzard Bag assignments and be available via email for support. How This Will Work at the Secondary Level at R.C. Mahar Regional E-Learning Prior to the winter season, students will be instructed as to how E-Learning Days will work. Teachers will share how assignments are will be accessed, expectations for completion and how to enlist support via e-mail. Students who do not have direct availability to technology, internet access, or are experiencing a power outage will have several options on that day including hard copies of lessons and assignments so they can get their work done. The chromebooks all of our grade 7-12 students have are terrific as Google documents can be downloaded, be accessed offline, and updated once internet connection is established in case of power failure or challenges with internet connections. Teachers will work with individual students to ensure they are able to complete assignments. Learning options you will see at all grade levels include, but are not limited to: ● A series of day lessons/activities that reinforce prior material, provide enrichment opportunities, pre-teach or assess prior knowledge for upcoming material. ● A long term project with multiple levels of depth/completion depending on how many snow days we have. Our staff is planning exciting instructional activities to keep students immersed in learning! Teachers will provide information on how to complete the work and will be available from 8am-11:30am during the snow day for direct communication (email, Google Classroom, Google Voice, webcasts, PowerSchool, etc…). If your student has questions, there will be someone who can give an answer. During the rest of the day, 11:30am-2:00pm, teachers will check emails from time to time responding to any additional follow-ups that may arise. On a snow cancellation day, Superintendent Thomas will announce via the automated messaging system and social media that it’s an E-Learning/Blizzard Bag Day as well as what number E-Learning/Blizzard Bag Day it is. In cases of major power outages or if a storm spans several days, school will be canceled and an E-learning/Blizzard Bag Day will NOT occur and students will make this day up at the end of the school year. It is up to the discretion of the Superintendent as to whether or not the day will be an E-Learning/Blizzard Bag Day. Students must participate in E-Learning or the Blizzard Bag Program and provide evidence of work completed in order to be considered “in attendance” on that date. Failure to do so would result in an unexcused absence for that day or class session. Teachers will determine if students have appropriately completed an assignment in order for the student to be considered “in attendance” for the day; if assignments are incomplete or a student is experiencing difficulty with the assignment, teachers will work with the student to assist in the understanding and completion of assignments. If the district does not experience a “snow day” or cancellation, no E-Learning/Blizzard Bag Day will take place during the school year. In the spring, after experiencing E-Learning/Blizzard Bag Days, a survey will be emailed to households, teachers & students in order to provide feedback on the event(s). Thank you for your continued support as we embrace technology and move towards innovative teaching and learning. These E-Learning or Blizzard Bag days are a reminder of how learning opportunities aren’t limited by the four walls of the classroom.

Frequently Asked Questions from Parents About the E-Learning Pilot Q: When is the last day of school? A: At this time, the last day of school for all students would be June 9th (June 8th for Orange Elementary) if all school cancellations (five) were counted as structured learning time through the E-Learning/Blizzard Bag Pilot. The final day of school in each district is a half day. Q: How much support should parents give their children? A: We are hoping that the details provided for students to complete the assignments will allow them to do most if not all of the work independently. Q: What if I don't have a computer for my child to use? A: The assignments do not require the use of a computer. On the secondary level, if your student needs materials printed out, copies of the assignments will be available or downloadable in advance. Blizzard Bags on the elementary level will be be sent home in advance and not be technology based. Q: What if my child receives Special Ed services? How is my child's assignment going to be adapted to meet his/her IEP? A: Assignments for students on IEPs will be adapted as necessary just as they are for other assignments during the school day/year. Special education staff is expected to accommodate and modify all assignments. Special Education teachers will be available to assist students electronically on E-Learning/Blizzard Bag Days. Q: What will happen to my child if he does not complete the E-Learning contents? A: Secondary students who do not complete an assignment will be marked absent for the class. In addition, there will be impact to the student’s grade/credits for the marking period. Students at the elementary and middle school levels will be marked absent for the day. Q: When do we have to turn the E-Learning or Blizzard Bag assignments in? A: E-Learning or Blizzard Bag assignments are due within one week (7 days) of the snow/storm cancellation. Q: How do I know that my child will be able to complete the lesson if the teacher hasn't taught that skill yet? A: The E-Learning or Blizzard Bag assignments will reinforce skills and concepts that have been taught previously during the school year. Q: Who can teachers/parents contact when we don't have an answer to a question? A: As always, the first line of support will be the classroom teacher, followed by building-level administration, and then central administration. Email contact and/or voice information will be provided. Q: What about Kindergarten and Pre-School students? A: Blizzard Bags with developmentally appropriate learning activities will be available for all students. Q: Do all schools have the same lessons? A: No. Please see your specific E-Learning files online or refer to your student’s physical Blizzard Bag. Q: What if I don’t have internet access? A: All home/off-site learning will be accommodated for E-Learning Blizzard Bag lessons. Elementary students will receive paper lessons. Middle and high school students will be collaborating with their teacher to determine an appropriate plan as they do so already for all assignments.

Q: What happens if the lessons are not completed? A: Please connect with the teacher and/or school administrator for specific questions. If the assignments are not completed, due to a misunderstanding of the material/assignment, this is handled differently than if the assignment is not completed due to apathy or indifference. Student engagement and completion of E-Learning or Blizzard Bag assignments is how attendance is calculated at each school. Communication regarding assignment completion is very important. Q: What do teachers do on Blizzard Bag Day? A: E-Learning or Blizzard Bag Days are a school day for teachers too. Teachers will be interacting with their students online (blending instruction), working on lesson planning, content research, professional development, collaborative online meetings/discussions etc …Most importantly, teachers and administrators will be available to answer student/parent inquiries throughout the day. Q: What if I have a question about a lesson? A: Please contact your teacher. All teachers will be available online throughout the day. If you do not have internet connectivity at home, please collaborate with your student’s teacher and make a plan in advance. Q: What if my child is sick and does not do the assignment? A: A child who is excused due to illness will have the same amount of time to make up the work as with any absence. Q: If my child is scheduled for a Special (Art, Physical Education, Foreign Language,or Music) on that day, will they have assignments? A: Yes, your child will have an assignment given to them by their Special's teacher. Q: Do I need to help my child? A: Your child should be able to complete most activities independently, though they may want to email, or go online with their teachers. Teachers will be available during the day to: clarify directions, answer questions, make suggestions for additional resources, and to explain concepts. Q: Why does Orange Elementary, Petersham Center and Ralph C. Mahar Regional have an E-Learning or Blizzard Bag program ? A: Learning happens everywhere and anytime. The E-Learning/Blizzard Bag program allows students to develop their understanding of the ways of learning. By promoting independent, hands-on/experiential learning, students are setting the stage for lifelong learning. By using technology and the many resources available to them outside of the walls of the classroom, students develop skills they will need for future academic success!

2016-11-22 tnt/mc