Virtual learning at Alexandria schools extended to Tuesday

Today (Monday) marked a return to virutal learning due to a severe snow storm, and with many roads still dangerous or impassable, Alexandria City Public Schools has announced that tomorrow will be a virtual day as well.

ACPS announced late last year that snow days might be a thing of the past after the school division became relatively proficient in virtual learning — a necessity caused by COVID-19.

Even as crews work to recover from today’s heavy snowfall, it’s expected to snow again Thursday evening.

Tomorrow will be another Virtual School Snow Day. Check your Blue Day classes, stay safe, and enjoy the snow! @AlexCityTitans @IntlAcademyACHS @ACPSk12

— Minnie Howard Campus – Alexandria City High School (@ACMinnieHoward) January 3, 2022

The full ACPS press release is below:

Due to winter weather conditions, all ACPS schools and offices will be closed for in-person learning and activities on Tues., Jan 4, 2022. Per our previous communications to families on winter weather decisions, schools will implement virtual learning on Tues., Jan. 4, 2022.

Class times will include virtual teacher-led office hours and asynchronous instruction times. Asynchronous learning happens when students learn the same material but at different times and locations without live instruction.

Please see https://www.acps.k12.va.us/weather for updates, details and answers to frequently asked questions. Students should have their computers/learning devices at home with them. Attendance will be taken through logging into Clever and Canvas. No new content will be taught and grades should not be assigned on virtual learning days.

Elementary School Students: Virtual learning at the elementary level is intended to keep students engaged academically when inclement weather prevents in-person learning. Time on task with the curriculum-based apps and computer-adaptive programs that students access routinely at school is the primary means of providing a meaningful virtual experience on snow and inclement weather days. Although there will be no delivery of new content, students will be able to devote time to completion of projects and assignments already in progress as posted on Canvas and Clever.Teachers will host office hours ranging from 30 to 60 minutes at the beginning of each day. We do not expect students to operate on a time schedule, but aim for two hours of asynchronous learning in grades Pre-K – 1 and up to four hours in grades 2 – 5.

Middle School Students: Each middle school will follow its normal schedule in regard to asynchronous work completion and specific teacher office hours. The blocks of time will be asynchronous with teachers being available during each block they teach for office hours and student support during the first 45 minutes of each class. Students may access the zoom link for office hours from each teacher’s Canvas page.  Elective teachers who have daily classes will be available for office hours for the first 20 minutes of each class. Advisory teachers will be available during the first 15 minutes of the advisory period to assist students with questions and organization.

High School Students: The high school will follow its normal schedule. The blocks of time will be asynchronous with teachers being available during each block they teach for office hours and student support. During these timeframes, students will work on assignments posted on Canvas. The work will be done asynchronously and the “amount” of work should not exceed the length of the traditional class period. The teacher will be available for at least 45 mins during each period for office hours to assist students.