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    WCSD Plans for Distance Learning in Case of Emergency School Closure

    If school buildings need to be closed during inclement weather or other emergencies, WCSD will implement a plan for students and staff to engage in Distance Learning.

    Here’s how the process will work: 

    • WCSD schools may take three contingency days every school year when schools are closed because of a natural disaster, heavy smoke from wildfires, inclement weather, or other emergencies. On these three contingency days, students and staff members are not in class and no instruction occurs. All three contingency days must be taken before implementing the Distance Learning plan.
    • The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) has sent guidance for distance learning. If another emergency situation forces the cancellation of classes for a fourth day, students will stay home from school and engage in Distance Learning on that day. 
    • When students are engaged in Distance Learning, WCSD will provide free meals for distribution at convenient locations throughout the District. No activities or athletics occur when school is canceled, as that is a condition of moving to Distance Learning per the NDE.
    • Schools will work with families and students to provide continuity of service for the unique needs of students and have specific plans for English Learners, students with Individualized Education Plans and students with 504 plans. Families with questions should contact their child's school or case manager. 
    • Licensed teachers and/or licensed substitutes will be accessible to students through the internet or by telphone during the school's regularly scheduled instructional hours.

    Due to hazardous weather and air quality, WCSD schools have already used some contingency days during the 2022-23 school year. This chart will be updated as needed:

    CONTINGENCY DAYS USED (as of February 27, 2023)

    • Gerlach K-12 school - no contingency day used
    • WCSD schools (in the valley) have used 3 contingency days and will be using Distance Learning for all future closures.
    • Incline Village schools have used 3 contingency days and are using Distance Learning for all closures.

     

     

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When is Distance Learning allowed?

    The Nevada Department of Education has provided guidance to Nevada districts to participate in a Distance Learning (DL) plan that provides continuous learning opportunities in the case of inclement weather or other emergencies when it is not possible for students and staff to safely attend classes in person. DL is not allowed for other reasons (including norovirus or other illness).

    When students are engaged in Distance Learning, WCSD will provide free meals for distribution at convenient locations throughout the District.

    What learning options does my school have?

    There are a variety of ways in which students can learn and interact with their teachers and peers during Distance Learning:

    • Student(s) can view and participate in lessons delivered to the class live via Microsoft Teams.
    • Student(s) can watch a teacher-recorded lesson and use an online resource or telephone conversation with the teacher to monitor the progress.
    • Teachers may provide daily assignments through an online platform (Microsoft Teams) with feedback provided to the student.
    • Students may bring home printed materials if they do not have computer access, and discuss their assignments and learning objectives via telephone with their teachers.
    • If the student cannot access a computer or a telephone, they may bring home paper assignments and work on them during the distance learning day(s). The students must return completed assignments for each course on the next in-person day following the Distance Learning days, and feedback will be provided to the student by their teacher.

    How does the attendance policy work?

    • Teachers must keep complete and accurate student attendance records for all classes taught and should take attendance normally in IC as they have contact with students. 
    • Absences must be reported and submitted on Infinite Campus daily for each session, whether the session is a face-to-face class, online module session, or whether the student participates through Distance Learning.
    • Elementary-level students are expected to participate at least once during the day (or return paperwork) to be counted as present.
    • At the middle and high school levels, students are expected to participate in all their courses (or return paperwork for each) to be counted as present in each course.
    • For complete requirements on Attendance Policy and guidelines related to Distance Learning, see WCSD In-Person and Distance Education Attendance Procedures.

    I don’t want my student to be counted as absent during Distance Learning. What is required of my student to avoid being marked absent?

    A student can be counted as “present” during Distance Learning by participating meaningfully in any of the following:

    • An online class session
    • An online assignment
    • An online discussion
    • An online check-in through Infinite Campus assigned by the teacher
    • Having a conversation with the teacher electronically (or otherwise) about progress in the course
    • Completes an assignment that is returned to the teacher, or
    • The student makes regular daily progress in their classwork

    When my student is on Distance Learning, what kind of classwork will they bring home?

    Here are some examples of schoolwork and lessons for various age groups and grade levels. PLEASE NOTE: Online learning times do not account for the time necessary to complete independent tasks and assignments.

    • Kindergarten and 1st grade
      • Daily online learning time includes direct instruction for 1.5 hours in 10-20 minute spans
      • Examples include:
        • 20 min Bridges Number Corner
        • 20-30 min phonics/foundational skills
        • 20 min. language development (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking)
        • 10 min read aloud
        • 10-20 min Social Emotional Learning (SEL) focus
      • Grades 2-3
        • Daily online learning time includes direct instruction for 2-2.5 hours in 15-20 minute spans
        • Examples include:
          • 15-20 min whole group reading
          • 15-30 minutes of small group reading
          • 15-20 minutes whole group math
          • 15-30 minutes small group math
          • 20 minutes of language development (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking)
          • 15-30 minutes Social Emotional Learning (SEL) focus
      • Grades 4-5
        • Daily online learning time includes direct instruction for 2.5 hours in 20-minute spans.
        • Examples include:
          • 20 minutes of whole group reading
          • 20-30 minutes of small group reading
          • 20 minutes whole group math
          • 20 minutes of small group math
          • 15 minutes of language development (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking)
          • 20-30 minutes of science/social studies
          • 20 minutes Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
      • Grades 6-12
        • Daily online learning time includes direct instruction for 3 hours in 30-minute spans with 15 minutes between sessions.
        • If a 6-class daily schedule, students would attend each class/session for 30 minutes followed by the assigned independent work for each content area.
        • If there is a block schedule with only 3-4 classes, students would attend the first 30 minutes, work independently, and then re-join for the final 30 minutes to get additional questions and answers.