Curriculum & Instruction
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- Rose Tree Media School District
- Flexible Instruction Days
Background Information
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A Flexible Instructional Day (FID) is a program available to public school entities to be used as an alternative approach to delivering instruction if a circumstance arises that prevents instruction in the customary manner.
With the passage of Act 64 of 2016 (Act 64) Section 1506 of the Public School Code allows public school entities to develop an FID program to meet the 180 instructional day requirement of section 1501. Act 64 defines eligible school entities to include school districts, intermediate units, career and technical schools, charter schools and regional charter schools, as defined under section 1703-A. An FID program may be online, offline, or a combination of both.
While public school entities are expected to build make-up days into their local school calendars, FID programs can support public school entities in cases when circumstances (e.g., a disease epidemic, a hazardous weather condition, a law enforcement emergency, the inoperability of school buses or other equipment necessary to the public school entity's operation, damage to a school building, or another temporary circumstance rendering any portion of a school building unfit or unsafe for use) prevent the delivery of instruction in its customary manner or location.
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What is a Flexible Instructional Day (FID)?
As detailed by the PA Department of Education, FID is a program available to public school entities that may be used in place of in-person instruction for any one of the following reasons: a disease epidemic, a hazardous weather condition, a law enforcement emergency, the inoperability of school buses or other equipment necessary to the public-school entity's operation, damage to school buildings, or another temporary circumstance rendering any portion of a school building unfit or unsafe for use.
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How many Flexible Instructional Days can RTMSD use?
Based on the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s guidelines and based on Rose Tree Media School District’s approved application, RTMSD can use up to five FIDs.
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Can the FID be used for just one school or grade level?
No, the FID must be used for all students in all school buildings.
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How will RTMSD communicate that they are using a FID?
The superintendent will use various forms of mass communication, including, but not limited to email, phone calls, and local news outlets, to notify our students and families about the implementation of an FID. Furthermore, expect to see an email from your building principal with more specific information.
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Will RTMSD transport my child to an out-of-district placement during a FID?
The district will run buses to private schools and out-of-district placements on an FID.
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Where does my child go to access work?
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade will have paper packets that have been previously sent home. These same packets will also be available on Schoology, as well as via email from your student’s classroom teacher. Students in grades six through twelve will access their work on Schoology within their respective courses. Some special education students will be receiving their work directly from their teachers.
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What type of work will my student receive?
Elementary students (K-5) are responsible for completing a short activity in ELA, Math, and Social Studies OR Science. Secondary students (6-12) are responsible for completing an activity in each of their courses.
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How should my child contact teachers for questions?
During the Flexible Instruction Day (FID), all teachers will check email in the morning, at mid-day, and at the end of the school day to answer any student questions.
Each teacher will also hold a 45-minute virtual office hour between the hours of 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
Each teacher will send an email to their students in the morning with a zoom link and details on when they will be available for the office hour.
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Where will the Zoom links be located?
Zoom session links will be posted in Schoology courses. Additionally, elementary Zoom links will be emailed through TAC to families.
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How will my student be marked present for the day?
Student attendance during an FID will be taken from work completed and submitted on the next regular school day.
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What if we lose power and my student cannot complete the work?
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade will have paper packets that have been previously sent home. If there is an issue completing the paper packet, please contact the student’s classroom teacher. Students in grades 6 to 12 should discuss this situation with their teacher/s upon return their in person return to school.
