Virtual Learning Due to Inclement Weather
The Harrison Central School District is always prepared for the possibility that inclement weather can make travel unsafe and require schools to close. The New York State Education Department permits scheduling virtual days of instruction instead of closing school due to inclement weather. HCSD will only use this option in limited circumstances when school would otherwise be closed due to inclement weather and driving is hazardous and when sufficient notice can be given to faculty, staff, and parents that instruction will occur virtually. Using the virtual instruction option on inclement weather days, the District can prevent travel when weather conditions are unsafe and avoid eliminating days from spring break to meet the NYSED 180-day calendar and instructional hour requirements.
To help parents plan for the possibility of a virtual learning day when inclement weather occurs in the future, please review the following information:
When will HCSD implement virtual learning instead of closing school?
The District will only utilize the virtual learning option when school would otherwise be closed due to inclement weather and driving is hazardous, and when sufficient notice can be given to faculty, staff and parents that instruction will occur virtually. Parents will receive notification of a virtual learning day by the District's alert system.
Does this mean there will be no snow days?
If sufficient notice cannot be provided to switch to a virtual option or if conditions do not make virtual instruction feasible (e.g., widespread loss of power), then a snow day will be announced and school will be closed. In the event the District exhausts the available snow days and virtual learning cannot be utilized, the District is required to convert days during spring break to school days to meet the NYSED 180-day calendar and instructional hour requirements.
How should students and parents prepare for the possibility of a virtual learning day?
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Students in grades K-5 have an iPad or Chromebook assigned to them in their classroom, and they will bring this device and a charger home when instructed to do so by their classroom teacher. Please note that District-provided iPads and Chromebooks are for school assignments only. When the iPad or Chromebook comes home, please make sure you are able to connect it to your home WiFi and that you and your child can access the learning management systems (e.g., SeeSaw for grades K-2; Google Classroom for grades 3-5) used by his/her classroom teacher. If you have any trouble connecting your device to your WiFi, please complete the online Help Desk Online Form.
All student devices will need to be logged into ClassLink in order to access instructional resources on a virtual learning day. K-2 students can use a QR code to log into ClassLink. These QR codes can now be found on the PowerSchool Parent Portal (click here for instructions). 3-5 students will need to log into ClassLink using their Google username and password (click here for instructions).
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Students in grades 6-12 already have a device that travels with them to and from school, and their teachers post assignments on Google Classroom. Their teachers will provide Zoom links to support their learning on a virtual day. Each Zoom link can be found on the teacher’s Google classroom page.
What will my child’s schedule be on a virtual learning day?
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Students in grades K-5 will access virtual instruction using a Zoom link, a schedule, and learning resources provided by the classroom teacher through SeeSaw (grades K-2) and Google Classroom (grades 3-5). Students will meet with their teacher via Zoom starting at 9:00 AM and follow the schedule for their class, with planned breaks throughout the day.
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Students in grades 6-12 need to arrive at the Zoom class according to this adapted 9-period schedule and have their camera turned on during each class. Teachers will then allow entry to the Zoom class for all students enrolled in that period. Any student who is not present in the Zoom classroom will be marked absent for that class. Teachers will provide instruction in all classes through direct instruction, group work in breakout classrooms, or independent work.
What should I do if I need technical assistance on a virtual learning day?
On virtual learning days, live technical support will be available for parents of elementary students between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. During other hours and for students in grades 6-12, technical support will be available by email through our Help Desk Online Form. All support requests will be reviewed by a member of our support team and responded to as quickly as possible.
If you do not have internet access at home and need help, click here to Request an Internet Hotspot.
The Live Technical Support Help Desk may be accessed by calling your school’s dedicated phone number:
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Harrison Avenue Elementary School: 630-3204
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Parsons Memorial Elementary School: 630-3231
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Purchase Elementary School: 630-3180
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S. J. Preston Elementary School: 630-3160
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Louis M. Klein Middle School: Submit requests to the Help Desk Online Form
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Harrison High School: Submit requests to the Help Desk Online Form