Alexandria Schools To Have Virtual Learning Due To Winter Weather

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As winter weather is forecasted, Alexandria City Public Schools will close school buildings but not classes on Monday, Jan. 3.

Students were supposed to return from winter break on Jan. 3. Now with winter weather in the equation, it will be a virtual learning day. Schools and offices will be closed for in-person learning and activities while virtual learning continues. Essential personnel, including building engineers, custodians, maintenance shop employees and security staff, will report if safe to do so after consultation with their direct supervisor.

Providing virtual learning during winter weather school closures is the new ACPS policy for inclement weather. ACPS advises students to take home their computers or devices as well as instructional materials each school day in case schools close for winter weather.

"Our goal is to support continuity of learning while also preserving any future days when schools may need to close," the ACPS website states.

Virtual learning will include teacher-led office hours and asynchronous instruction. Attendance will be taken through by logging into Clever and Canvas. No new content will be taught, and grades will not be assigned on virtual days.

For elementary school, the day will start with teachers holding office hours from 30 to 60 minutes. Students are not expected to follow a time schedule, but ACPS aims to have two hours of asynchronous learning in grades Pre-K to 1 and up to four hours in grades 2 to 5.

Middle schools will follow the normal schedule for asynchronous work and teacher office hours. Blocks of time will be asynchronous with teachers available during the block for hours and student support during the first 45 minutes of each class. Zoom links will be available from each teacher's Canvas page. Elective teachers will have office hours for the first 20 minutes of class, and advisory teachers will be available during the first 15 minutes of the advisory period to assist students.

High school will follow the normal schedule. Blocks of time will be asynchronous with teachers available during each block they teach for office hours and student support. Students will work on assignments posted on Canvas. Teachers will be available for at least 45 minutes during each period for office hours.

SEE ALSO: Winter Storm Warning For 3-7 Inches Of Snow In DC, NoVA

Before weather factored into the decision, ACPS had been planning to hold in-person classes despite concerns about rising COVID-19 cases with the more-contagious omicron variant, ALX Now reported. ACPS offers an on-site testing program.