Superintendent: Cyber days may return this winter

Catholic schools learn from past years, prepare for possibility of more snow

Where is the snow? So far no Catholic schools have had to use a snow day, but they are more prepared this year when it occurs.

In 2013-2014 some Catholic schools were taken a little off guard by the number of snow days needed and came up with a pilot program to allow students to complete assignments while home on snow days and count it as a school day.

For 2015, Catholic schools are ready with written guidelines for “cyber days,” superintendent Vernell Bowen said.

In December 2013 through February 2014 some schools were closed as many as 13 days because of ice and snow. Because no snow days were incorporated into the calendar in many schools, principals were looking for alternatives instead of extending the school year. The pilot program was launched by 12 schools to see if at-home work would be effective and could count toward the 178 required days of instruction, according to Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association.

The ANSAA board voted in April 2014 to allow all private schools to continue to pilot this option through 2015. A maximum of five cyber days can be used in one school year, the board decided. Principals should approve the work that is assigned to the students to ensure it is relevant to the curriculum. Schools should provide in-service training to the teachers on the program and should inform parents of their responsibilities. ANSAA said the amount of work given to students should be based on what is age appropriate. ANSAA said teachers should interact with the students on the inclement weather day or when school resumes.

Bowen said she has instructed schools this year on how to use cyber days, based on input from 2014 pilot schools and ANSAA.

She said:

• Schools should use all traditional snow days before scheduling cyber days. The Little Rock/North Little Rock 2014-2015 calendar has three days built in. Schools in northern Arkansas usually schedule more.
• Because cyber day assignments, such as worksheets, have to be given to students in advance, these days should only be used when there is a “very strong forecast” of snow or ice.
• Students should be given assignments based on current work, not “busy review work.”
• Teachers should be available to students and parents via e-mail, text, Facetime or social media.
• Extra time should be given to the students when they resume school if they need clarification or help with an assignment.
• If all snow days are unused, the principal and pastor will decide how the days are used, such as shortening the school year or taking off Easter Monday.

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