No more snow days

Lessons learned from online pandemic teaching has prompted the Luverne School District to adopt a formal e-learning plan to eliminate closing schools due to inclement weather.
“It makes sense to have that option in lieu of tacking on snow days at the end of the year,” said Superintendent Craig Oftedahl.
The e-learning lessons are expected to be “high quality,” according to the plan adopted at the Dec. 17 School Board meeting.
Quality is defined as integrating as seamlessly as possible into the regular instruction that had been occurring up until the snow day. Teachers are to “avoid generic, out-of context tasks. Tasks would be meaningful and important to students.” Tasks will also be age-appropriate.
Kindergarten through fifth-grade students will engage in activities outlined in e-learning day paper packets or through Google Classroom as provided by their teachers. Teachers are to plan for up to two days of available materials.
Sixth- through twelfth-grade students will utilize Google Classroom, Google email and possible real-time instruction to complete e-learning tasks.
Teachers post all assignments by 9 a.m. when district officials declare a “snow day.” Both elementary and secondary teachers will be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. by email and/or classroom messenger.
Teachers keep student attendance for each class/class period.
“Students who do not participate in planned activities are considered absent for those class(es) and should be reported as absent as if they were not present for an on-campus class,” according to the district’s e-learning plan.
Students who do not have sufficient access to the Internet will have alternative methods to complete e-learning tasks, such as a physical textbook or additional time to complete tasks.
Students with individual education plans will complete tasks specific to their IEP.
Discovery Time Preschool will not be in session on snow days.
The e-learning plan was adopted “in an effort to minimize disruptions to academic progress and provide a reasonable plan to utilize technology and blended learning opportunities.”
The district can implement up to five flexible e-learning days over a school year.
Hourly staff has five options during district snow days:
•direct work with students on flexible learning days.
•make up hours at the end of the school year.
•use hours from personal leave, sick leave or take the day without pay.