Learning During School Closures or Other Circumstances
Poudre School District's focus is to have all students participate in in-person learning at schools as much as possible. However, schools may have unplanned closures, like for inclement weather, an emergency or other circumstances.
What to expect with remote learning:
- Students may receive instruction through:
- Abridged video lectures
- Slideshows
- External or pre-recorded created videos (Envisions lessons, Khan Academy, other curriculum) on teacher learning pages or another platform (eg. Google Classroom, SeeSaw, MS Teams).
- Synchronous, or real-time, learning opportunities on platforms like Microsoft Teams.
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At elementary schools, teachers will coordinate remote learning with parents/guardians. At times when school may continue during unplanned school closures (like for inclement weather), a learning schedule is available below on this web page.
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At secondary schools, a remote learning contact will be designated to whom parents/guardians may direct questions.
- Students may have synchronous instruction and engage in lessons asynchronously (any time learning), individually connecting with content to learn and do their assignments. Key materials, presentations, concepts and lesson materials should be available for students for all classes.
- Students will receive feedback on their learning. Based on the assignment, the teacher will meet with a student on Microsoft Teams or after the student returns to school to review their work, address errors or misconceptions.
- Late or make up work due to absences: Students will receive support to make up missed work. District policy JH
- Integrated Services support of students with disabilities is available. Please contact your student's case manager for assistance.
- Early Childhood Education - A list of developmentally appropriate asynchronous activities will be shared via your teacher’s learning pages (links to these are available on the ECE Parents web page). This menu of activities provides students and families with choices that allow families to engage with or without electronic devices in ways appropriate for their child’s age and abilities.
Schedules During Closures
When schools shift to online learning due to unforeseen circumstances such as inclement weather, a shortened online learning schedule may be implemented. During these school closures to in-person learning, students will receive synchronous direct instruction on a shortened schedule, with additional asynchronous time to complete assignments.
Instructional time is vitally important to supporting the continued academic success and well-being of our students. However, a shortened schedule will be held on these days so families have time to navigate other challenges that come with inclement weather.
If your student is not able to participate in the online learning day, please contact the school office for an excused absence, which is consistent with our attendance procedures on a normal in-person school day.
Preschool Remote Learning Schedule
Parents and families can sustain a preschooler’s learning despite inclement weather or other unplanned disruptions. During these times, supports will be offered to provide every child with a strong foundation.
Note: Students who are scheduled for related services for their Individualized Education Plans will be offered services at their regular times to the best of our ability. Teacher Office Hours are also a time for students to receive additional support from other service providers and teachers as needed.
Asynchronous Learning at Home
Flexible and family-friendly 20-30 minute learning activities will be provided by your child’s prschool teacher via email or the SeeSaw application.
Teacher Virtual Hours
(MS Teams or Google Meets)
Preschool teachers will be available during this time so that parents or caretakers can ask clarifying questions about the at-home learning activities.
Elementary Schools Remote Learning Schedule
All PSD teachers have a learning page which provides asynchronous materials as well as information about how to connect to virtual meetings.
Virtual Morning Meeting with Classroom Teacher
Attendance and direct instruction; required school work will focus on language arts and math instruction. Specials may assign asynchronous activities. See Teacher Learning Pages linked on your school’s website.
Morning meetings are a virtual opportunity through MS Teams/Google Meet, where students check in with teachers, take attendance, and participate in direct instruction about the work that should be completed for the day. This school work will be focused on language arts and math.
Asynchronous Learning
Students work on their assigned school work for the remainder of the day and submit to their teacher. See teacher learning pages linked on your school’s website for assignments.
Teacher Virtual Hours
(MS Teams or Google Meets)
All teachers, including classroom and academic support teachers, will hold virtual office hours so students have an optional, scheduled time to check in with them, receive specialized services, and receive help on their school work.
Additionally, teachers will check their email throughout the day to support parents and students with any questions that arise.
Teacher office hours are also a time for students to receive additional support from other service providers and teachers as needed (e.g., Literacy, ESL, etc.).
Secondary Schools Remote Learning Schedules
All PSD teachers have a learning page which provides asynchronous materials as well as information about how to connect to virtual meetings.
Virtual Synchronous Instruction with Classroom Teacher
Students will attend virtual classes through MS Teams/Google Meet. During virtual synchronous instruction, attendance will be taken, and student will receive direct instruction on required school work focused on reinforcement, practice, and/or an extension of learning related to previous course concepts. Schools will post their specific synchronous schedules on their website which outlines the virtual schedule for classes that students will attend virtually from 9-11 a.m. Student will access the virtual class through the Teacher Learning Pages linked on your school’s website.
Asynchronous Learning
Students work on their assigned school work for the remainder of the day and submit to their teacher. See teacher learning pages linked on your school’s website for assignments.
Teacher Virtual Hours
(MS Teams or Google Meets)
All teachers, including classroom and academic support teachers, will hold virtual office hours so students have an optional, scheduled time to check in with them, receive specialized services, and receive help on their school work.
Additionally, teachers will check their email throughout the day to support parents and students with any questions that arise.
Teacher office hours are also a time for students to receive additional support from other service providers and teachers as needed (e.g., Literacy, ESL, etc.).
Technical Support, Devices and Internet Access
PSD Community Tech Support Portal: Parents and students can access device troubleshooting information, application technical support, how-to guides and assistance with other technical issues on the PSD Community Tech Portal.
Frequently asked tech questions for K-5: For answers to questions about your child's password, using a MiFi, checking your camera and microphone and other common concerns, see these K-5 online learning FAQs on the PSD Community Tech Portal.
Devices for students: Every secondary student has a device to take home.
Elementary students also have devices to support their educational experiences. Should a family have a need for a device, they may work with their school to opt for their student to take their device home in the evenings and bring them back to school each day.
This option increases students’ and families’ access to critical technology that supports their learning. It also eliminates the need for potentially last-minute tech distribution efforts due to emergencies, such as natural disasters or prolonged inclement weather.
Devices and charging cables must be returned at the end of the school year so the PSD Information Technology Department can make necessary updates and repairs ahead of the next school year.
Internet access: Every school has an inventory of MiFis for families. For help accessing internet services, visit the Internet Access web page for resources.
Teacher Learning Pages Connect Students to Classwork
Classroom teachers have online learning pages with information about lessons, assignments, online learning platforms and messages for students and families. Most learning pages are linked on the main home page of the school website. If you have questions, please contact your teacher or school.
Social and Emotional Resources and Services
PSD is committed to the social and emotional health of students, families and staff. PSD Special Service Professionals (SSP - mental health specialists, counselors, social workers and psychologists) continue to focus on strong connections with students throughout the school year. Teams are prepared to support students who are experiencing feelings of isolation, depression, uncertainty, disappointment, anxiety, and grief and loss.
Staff continue to support students with disabilities and also previously-served students (at all levels) to best meet their needs.
Mental health staff continue to serve students who are unsafe to themselves or others through a collaborative response with school staff, the student, their family and community providers to ensure the student's safety and connection to resources.