Emergency Closure Remote Learning

The New York State Education Department requires that school districts be in session for a specific number of days each year. Our goal is always to provide in-person learning; however, in some circumstances, remote learning days may be needed.

In accordance with Board policy 7150, should we need to move to remote instruction, the Greene Central School District may provide emergency remote instruction in the following circumstances:

• extraordinary adverse weather conditions;
• failure of heating or cooling systems;
• insufficient water supply;
• fuel shortage;
• destruction or significant damage to a school building;
• outbreak of communicable disease;
• when allocated emergency closing days have been exhausted for the year.

NYSED additions to section 100.1 of the Commissioner’s regulations define the term “remote instruction.” This definition identifies various ways in which remote instruction may be delivered, but which must include, in all situations, regular and substantive teacher-student interaction with an appropriately certified teacher.

Remote instruction plans are required to identify various ways that instruction will be delivered, including:

• Synchronous (together, at the same time)
• Asynchronous (self-directed without the presence of a teacher

While synchronous instruction is the preferred method of instruction, it is recognized that the district boundaries have areas whereby wireless and internet connectivity is limited and/or non-existent. Therefore, paper-based materials will be made available in addition to electronic materials on platforms such as Google Classroom and Seesaw, as appropriate for the student’s age, grade, and developmental level. The instructional approach during remote learning may include a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction.

Instructional Day: 9:45am - 2:30pm (following the schedule for a 2-hour delay)

Assignments: Will be focused on the curriculum of the class. Assignments may include enrichment and review activities.

UPK - 8: Packets will be sent home and available on Google Classroom or Seesaw as well
9-12: Materials will be available on Google Classroom

Access to Teachers: Teacher will offer two (2) blocks of forty five (45) minutes where they will be online and available for students between the hours of 9:45am - 2:30pm. Teachers will be accessible through email, as this will be checked periodically through the day. 

Attendance: Attendance will be taken from online office hours or from completed assignments.

Provision of Special Education and Related Services
A combination of direct and indirect consultant teacher support may be used to support learners who are in consultant teacher settings. Students requiring smaller class sizes will be supported through the materials and access to teachers, as described above. The Committee on Special Education will determine the delivery of related services should there be a need for remote instruction, as most services are on a 6 day rotation and a periodic remote day would lead to the day occurring on the next school day which would not result in missed services. In accordance with regulations, the need for compensatory services will be reviewed by the Committee on Special Education. 

Accessibility and Availability of Technology
The Greene Central School District will employ systems to ensure knowledge of the level of access to devices and high-speed internet students and teachers have in their places of residence. These include:

• All teachers will be provided a district loaned device for use at home and school. Devices will be monitored for internet safety through an electronic platform (currently GoGuardian). Specifically, 
  • Students in grades K-11 will receive a Chromebook. 
  • Students in grade 12 will receive a laptop.
  • Teachers will receive a laptop.
  • To the extent possible, aides will be provided an electronic device as well.
• Annually, a digital equity survey will be conducted to analyze familial accessibility for the internet.
• Under the guidance of the technology team, an internet access and connectivity survey for families and teachers will be designed and administered at the school building level to determine regular and unimpeded access to high-speed internet. 
• Analysis of responses to identify those in need of consistent and reliable connectivity will take place. To the extent practicable and technically possible, decide upon, develop procurement processes for, and when available, provide appropriate Internet bandwidth to those determined to be in need. Wi-Fi hotspots and residential commercial internet options will be evaluated for anticipated effectiveness in particular situations.
  • Use the Asset Tracking Management System procedures to check out all mobile devices.
    • If a shutdown happens abruptly, plan a pick-up time and location, and arrange to deliver devices to those who cannot pick them up.
    • Delivery locations and pickup times are to be determined. Students who are full day at Greene Central School District will be provided a one-to-one device.
• The District will provide multiple ways for students to participate in learning and demonstrate mastery of learning standards in remote or blended models, especially if all students do not yet have sufficient access to devices and/or high-speed internet.
• Counselors will reach out to vulnerable students and their families (i.e. homeless, economically disadvantaged, etc.) to determine any technology deficits that are impeding participation in instruction and serve as liaison to the identified individual in the technology department responsible for addressing the needs. The technology team will maintain all information necessary to follow up with families who were provided internet service via the district.
• It is expected that the above actions will assure that all students will have the means to participate in learning and demonstrate mastery in the remote or hybrid model.

Technology Support
Teachers and the technology department are able to guide and monitor difficulties with technology that may arise. Device repairs and exchanges will occur through the technology department.