Flexible Instructional Days

Students and parents/guardians will be informed of a Flexible Instruction Day through the District's notification systems in the same way that school closings and delays are currently announced. Notifications will be distributed via SchoolMessenger (phone, text message, and/or email) and will be posted on the District's website, www.mtlsd.org. The message will be, “Schools Closed - Flexible Instruction Day” to indicate that a FID is implemented. To ensure you receive these messages, please check Dashboard to update your contact information.

Asynchronous instruction is a teaching method where students and instructors engage with course materials at different times and locations.

Synchronous instruction is a learning method where the instructor and students engage with the course material and each other in real-time. During a Flexible Instructional Day, this will happen online.

Implementing a Flexible Instructional Day will not require additional make-up days when school is canceled. The District can use up to five of these days per school year. Flexible Instructional Days are considered a school day and count toward the number of instructional days/hours required under Article 15 of the Public School Code and Chapter 11 of the State Board of Education regulations. 

No.  Every attempt will be made for students to enjoy a true “snow day” when the first substantial snow arrives if the circumstances allow for it. 

The day will include a mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning.  Synchronous times will be provided by the teachers(s).

The primary platforms are Schoology and Google Meet for flexible instruction.
Teacher office hours, including encore and support staff availability, will be included in Schoology and communicated by the classroom teacher.

During Flexible Instruction, students should use their camera as directed by the teacher.
Teachers will remind students to bring their devices home if a weather event is pending.  

Grades 1-5

• School will start at 10:30 am and follow the normal class schedule. 
• Students will remain with their assigned teacher(s) and follow a schedule similar to their in-person instruction schedule.
• Each teacher will post a link in Dashboard/Schoology for students to use to join the virtual class. 
• During a FID, students are to attend all synchronous sessions and to use their camera as directed by the teacher.  

Kindergarten

• AM KG students will meet with their teachers at 10:30 AM and PM Kindergarten students will meet with their teacher at 1:30 PM.

Special Education Case Managers and ESL Teachers will develop individualized FID Day plans with families to meet the individual needs of Students receiving Special Education and ELL Supports.

• School will start at 10 am and follow the 10 am bell schedule which will be provided by the building Principal. 
• Secondary students (grades 6-12) will remain with their assigned teacher(s) and follow a schedule similar to their in-person instruction schedule.
• Each teacher will post a link in Dashboard/Schoology for students to use to join the virtual class. 
• During a FID, secondary students are required to attend all synchronous sessions and to use their camera as directed by the teacher. 
• Additionally, secondary students will be expected to complete and submit any asynchronous instruction provided by their teachers as directed.

Students should not report to school on a Flexible Instruction Day.

• Elementary Student attendance will be taken twice during a Flexible Instruction Day during the morning and afternoon meeting.  
• If secondary students do not attend their class sessions, they will be considered absent from the class.

All teachers and professional staff members will be available via email during a Flexible Instruction Day. This includes encore teachers such as music, art, library, physical education, learning support, teachers in specialized programs, reading specialists, instructional support teachers, and school counselors, nurses, social workers, speech therapists, and principals, unless the individual is scheduled to be off that day.

Yes, all school-based staff members will be available to answer questions on a Flexible Instruction Day via email and/or their office hours.  

The Flexible Instruction Day will be designed for students with special needs utilizing their program modifications, specially designed instruction, and supplementary aids and services identified in their individualized education plans. Upon return from a Flexible Instruction Day, teachers of students with special needs will meet with their students to review work submitted, checking for completion and understanding. Any related services (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech, etc.) scheduled during the Flexible Instruction Day will be rescheduled according to the frequency requirements of the student's individualized education plan.

Check the Parkway West website for further information. 

Announcements about after-school activities will be made by early afternoon, and students should check the District's website for updates.