Winter Weather Decisions and Communications: 2022–23

As we head into the winter months, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) has planned for the days when in-person instruction may not be possible. Our plan includes the notification process and the continuation of learning in the event of winter weather conditions. Our goal is to support continuity of learning while also preserving any future days when schools may need to close. Families should be prepared for the possibility that the first day of school closure due to winter weather could be virtual asynchronous learning, which will  allow students to learn the same material, but at different times and locations without live instruction. More information will be shared if schools need to close for more than one day. Please see below for more details about how students participate in asynchronous virtual learning at each school level.

This webpage will be updated throughout the school year to keep families informed about ACPS winter weather decisions and communications.

When winter weather–such as snow, ice or extreme cold temperatures–occurs, and buses cannot safely transport students to and from school, it may be necessary for ACPS to close school buildings and provide at-home virtual instruction under these circumstances. In addition, if conditions are too extreme for student walkers to make it to school safely, or too dangerous for staff to travel, the decision to provide at-home virtual instruction may also be made. The safety of our students and staff is our number one priority when considering school closures during a winter weather situation. We work in conjunction with the City of Alexandria emergency management staff to assess road and public sidewalk conditions and include school personnel in inspecting the conditions of bus travel routes, ACPS parking lots and bus lanes.

ACPS attempts to make school closure decisions the evening prior to a winter weather event, taking into consideration that families and staff need time to make proper arrangements. However, when there is a lot of uncertainty around a winter weather forecast, we will wait to get the latest morning forecast and road condition update from the City of Alexandria emergency management staff. When we are unable to make a decision the evening prior to the potential weather event, the superintendent will make the decision about whether to close school buildings and provide at-home virtual instruction for students by approximately 5:00 a.m. In either case, families and staff will receive regular updates via the ACPS website and ParentSquare.

Communication with Families and Staff

In the case of a winter weather-related closing, families and staff will receive notification via email and ParentSquare. This information will remain posted until normal operations have resumed. Additionally, the ACPS website, hotline, and social media channels will include an alert with the appropriate information, and ACPS will share information about winter weather-related closings with local news outlets and community partners that provide after-school programming and/or child care. When ACPS schools are closed, families are encouraged to check directly with after-school and childcare providers as to the status of their operations since some providers offer their services at locations other than schools. We recommend that all ACPS staff and families download the ParentSquare app to get winter weather notifications and updates as soon as these are sent out by the school division.

Preparing for At-Home Virtual Instruction

As a general practice during the winter weather season, it is highly recommended that students take home their computers/devices and instructional materials at the end of each school day. This will ensure that students have the necessary materials at home for virtual learning if schools must close due to winter weather conditions. The first day of virtual learning will be asynchronous online learning, which allows students to learn the same material, but at different times and locations without live instruction, as explained below. Families will receive an update about the virtual learning format for the days ahead if school is closed for in-person instruction for more than one day. 

Elementary School Asynchronous Virtual Instruction 

Asynchronous virtual instruction will focus time on tasks independent of live instruction with curriculum-based apps and computer-adaptive programs that students access routinely at school as the primary means of providing a meaningful virtual experience when in-person learning is not possible. 

• Although there will be no delivery of new content on these days, students will be able to devote time to completion of projects and assignments already in progress as posted on Canvas and Clever, as well as reading and journaling. 
• When possible, staff will provide classroom-specific guidance for a successful asynchronous virtual day by hosting virtual office hours ranging from 30 to 60 minutes.  
• Approximate time expectations for students in asynchronous learning in grades Pre-K-2 is up to two hours, and up to four hours in grades 3-5. 
• Logging into online math and literacy programs such as Dreambox and Myon provides continuity with current content as well as the opportunity for acceleration or remediation. Classroom teachers can monitor student work through reports associated with these web-based programs. Many of these apps are designed to provide practice at the student’s current instructional level, ensuring that the time spent is purposeful. 

Prek-8 school asynchronous virtual instruction–for grades prek-5

Asynchronous virtual instruction will focus on time on tasks independent of live instruction with the curriculum-based apps and computer-adaptive programs that students access routinely at school as the primary means of providing a meaningful virtual experience when in-person learning is not possible.

• Although there will be no delivery of new content on these days, students will be able to devote time to completion of projects and assignments already in progress as posted on Canvas and Clever.
•  When possible, staff will provide classroom-specific guidance for a successful asynchronous virtual day by hosting office hours ranging from 30 to 60 minutes.
• Approximate time expectations for students in asynchronous learning from one to two hours in grades Pre-K - 2, and three to four hours in grades 3 - 5.  
• Logging into online math and literacy programs such as Dreambox and Myon provides continuity with current content as well as the opportunity for acceleration or remediation. Classroom teachers can monitor student work through reports associated with these web-based programs. Many of these apps are designed to provide practice at the student’s current instructional level, ensuring that the time spent is purposeful. 

Prek-8 school asynchronous virtual instruction–for grades 6-8

On asynchronous learning days, students have flexible and equitable opportunities to complete their learning throughout the day. Asynchronous learning activities will be available on Canvas and will include a variety of activities and instructional resources such as recorded instructional videos, online activities, and online assignments. 

• Asynchronous learning at the secondary level requires that students log into Clever/Canvas. No new content will be taught on these days. 
• Students should check Canvas for daily assignments and attend office hours. 
• To access, students log in to Canvas and click “Online Tutoring” in the course menu inside of their classes. On asynchronous learning days, teacher-led office hours will be held. 
• During office hours, a teacher does the following with students:
  • Connects/checks in
  • Clarifies assignments
  • Answers questions
  • Provides feedback
  • Spends 45 minutes with students; depending on content area
• Students in grades 6-8 also have 24-hour access to free tutoring through Tutor.com.

Secondary School Asynchronous Virtual Instruction

On asynchronous learning days, students have flexible and equitable opportunities to complete their learning throughout the day. Asynchronous learning activities will be available on Canvas and will include a variety of activities and instructional resources, such as recorded instructional videos, online activities, and online assignments. 

• Asynchronous learning at the secondary level requires that students log into Clever/Canvas. No new content will be taught on these days. 
• Students should check Canvas for daily assignments and attend office hours for their classes that day. 
• To access, students log in to Canvas and click “Online Tutoring” in the course menu inside of their classes. 
• On asynchronous learning days, virtual office hours will be held. During virtual office hours, a teacher does the following with students:
  • Connects/checks in
  • Clarifies assignments
  • Answers questions
  • Provides feedback
  • Spends 20–45 minutes with students, depending on their grade 
• Students in grades 6-12 have 24-hour access to free tutoring through Tutor.com.