Q: What is a Flexible Instructional Day (FID)?
A: An FID is used in place of a school day that has been canceled due to inclement weather or other emergency situations. On a ‘FID’, students will complete learning activities and assignments provided by their teachers at home on a day that otherwise would have been canceled. THIS IS A SYNCHRONOUS VIRTUAL LEARNING DAY. Students will receive learning activities and assignments for each subject that would have originally taken place during a regular school day. FID’s will not be made up like a traditional cancellation day. The PA Department of Education (PDE) has approved the District's application to use up to five Flexible Instructional Days per year for the WMCTC.

Q: What if a student is on a pre-arranged absence?
A: The student would be expected to make up the learning activities and assignments within three days of returning to school, just as if it were any other absence from school.

Q: What's the benefit of a FID?
A: District students will not be required to make up additional school days - or to extend the school year to make up for inclement weather or emergency cancellations. FIDs are deemed 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.

Q: What if I have a student with special needs?
A: The FID lesson 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 FID, teachers of students with special needs will meet with their students to review work submitted, checking for completion and understanding. If needed, students will have additional school days to complete assignments. Any related services (PT, OT, Speech, etc…) scheduled during the FID will be rescheduled according to the frequency requirements of the students’ individualized education plan.

Q: Can a student access the assignments or complete the online assignments from their Smartphone?
A: Google Classroom and Zoom can be accessed from a variety of tablets, smart phones, laptops and desktop computers. The assignments may use a variety of websites and applications that may or may not work on a variety of devices.

Q: Will a parent need to send a note after a FID if they normally have internet but it was out due to weather or an emergency situation?
A: No. When the district is notified of impending inclement weather, the superintendent will notify staff to implement the contingency plan. That plan consists of staff providing students with instructional material needed for the FID. The materials will align directly with the current curriculum being taught in the classroom. In the event that a student does not have access to the internet during an FID, they will be able to access the phone number of the teacher on the contact list.

The student would also be able to contact the teacher and be provided with the phone number allocated to the zoom or google meeting and the PIN code so that they can call and listen in to the instruction. Teachers, classroom assistants, and administrators would be available to assist students by phone if internet access is not available and students have questions regarding the instructional materials covered.

Q: Where can I get more information about FIDs?
A: For more information about FIDs, please visit the PA Department of Education Website.