Emergency Remote Instruction Plan

PINE BUSH CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

2024 – 2025

Introduction

As stated in Commissioner’s Regulations 175.5e Remote Instruction Due to Emergency Conditions: If a school district would otherwise close due to an emergency including, but not limited to, extraordinary adverse weather conditions, impairment of heating facilities, insufficiency of water supply, shortage of fuel, destruction of a school building, or a communicable disease outbreak, the school district may remain in session and provide remote instruction, as defined in section 100.1(u) of this Chapter, and beginning with the 2023-2024 school year such remote instruction shall be consistent with such school district’s emergency remote instruction plan pursuant to section 155.17(c)(1)(xxi) of this Chapter. Instruction provided on these session days may be counted towards the annual hour requirement set forth in subdivision (c) of this section.

Emergency Remote Instruction Plans must be updated annually and adopted by the Board of Education as part of the District-Wide Safety Plan.

Terms and Access Guidance

The following terms may be helpful to know before reading through this guidance document:

Asynchronous Learning – Learning that can take place any place and any time. Students will access learning materials independently in Google Classroom. The opposite of synchronous learning.

Synchronous Learning – Students connect with the teacher and their classmates at the same time for live instruction via Google Meet. The opposite of asynchronous instruction.

Technology Acceptable Use Policy – The rules and expectations that guide the way our students use technology. A link to the District’s Acceptable Use Policy (7315) is provided here.

Virtual Oﬃce Hours – Hours that teachers will be available to connect with students and families.

Google Meet – A web-conferencing app that is a part of the Google Suite (GSuite). Teachers will initiate a “Meet” for synchronous meetings.

Google Classroom – A learning management tool that allows teachers to organize content, materials, resources and assignments in one place.

Introduction to Remote Learning

In response to the current requirements issued by the New York State Education Department, the Pine Bush Central School District has developed a Remote Instructional Plan. Our ongoing investments in educational technology, devices, infrastructure, and professional development for faculty and staﬀ has prepared us to continue the educational experience for our students in a remote learning environment.

The Pine Bush Central School District Remote Instructional Plan provides an overview of the processes and tools associated with remote learning including how to communicate with the administration and faculty, attendance and grading procedures, instructional schedules and guidelines and resources. This document will be updated based on guidance from the New York State Education Department and in response to the ongoing feedback provided by our students, parents and teachers.

The primary place where your child will receive instruction and educational materials is through Google Classroom and Google Meet. Students should login to their Google Classrooms each day of remote instruction for announcements and updated information/resources/assignments.You can ﬁnd information related to accessing remote learning on the Technology Support Resources for Digital Learning webpage.

The hours in session that will be used for New York State Education Department reporting requirements are as follows:

Kindergarten-5th Grades: 5.13 hours
6th-12th Grades: 5.47 hours

Communication

During virtual learning many things remain the same. Parents, guardians and students will be able to contact building administrators, teachers, school counselors, social workers and school psychologists to ask questions, or schedule virtual appointments as they would during regular school operations. Parents should continue to supervise student work and students are still expected to complete their assignments according to due dates and timelines provided by the teacher.

Teachers will post assignments in Google Classroom. Administrators and teachers are also available via email. Specific information for each building can be found at the end of this document.

Students are required, at all times, to respect the privacy of other participants. This means that students and/or parents are not permitted to make audio or video recordings or screenshots of teachers or classmates. These actions are considered a violation of our Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary action. In the event that a student knowingly records and shares video or audio content from a virtual session, the teacher will communicate this violation to the administration and the Student Code of Conduct will be followed. Please review these documents:

Acceptable Use Policy Student Code of Conduct

Roles In Supporting Remote Learning

Students:

Dedicate appropriate time to learning, using the time on task recommendations or as guided by your teacher(s).
Check the online platforms for information on classes, assignments, resources daily.
Ensure that you know your usernames and passwords for instructional resources that are accessible via the district portal and/or website.
Identify a comfortable and quiet space to learn and study.
Engage in online learning activities being oﬀered by your teachers and/or provided through online resources.

Teachers:

Develop high quality distance learning lessons/assignments for students that address course standards/benchmarks while balancing online learning, volume of work assigned, and student/teacher interaction.
Use ESOL strategies for English Language Learners (ELL) and provide appropriate accommodations for Students with Disabilities (SWD) and students with Section 504 plans, to the extent practical.
Maintain established oﬃce hours during the regularly scheduled work day that include, but are not limited to, communicating with and providing feedback to students, facilitating synchronous/asynchronous lessons, or answering student questions.
Provide instructional resources and materials through digital learning.
Communicate with parents and families regarding expectations and student progress; if students are not engaged in the lessons and assignments, teachers should contact parents and/or the school counselor.

Families:

Ensure internet access is available at home. If a family is in need of a hotspot, please contact the building principal. There are devices available for families in need.
Conﬁrm that your children know their usernames and passwords for instructional resources and encourage their participation in synchronous and asynchronous class sessions.
Maintain communication with your children’s teachers and school counselor(s).
Monitor time spent engaging in online and oﬄine learning.
Support your children’s emotional balance by providing time for physical activity and play.
Engage your children in conversations regarding assignments.

Attendance

Our expectations for attendance do not change, regardless of the instructional delivery model. Students are expected to participate in the synchronous and asynchronous learning activities and complete assignments as designated by teachers.

Emergency Closure Packet for Elementary & Middle School Students

The Emergency Closure Packet will be prepared, distributed, and explained to elementary and middle schools students prior to an emergency closure day with remote instruction. The Emergency Closure Packet should be a menu of engaging and meaningful activities for students.

Services for Students with Disabilities

Special Education teachers will also be providing daily synchronous and/or asynchronous learning experiences for students. All learning opportunities will align with your child’s IEP goals using Google Classroom and/or Google Meet. Office hours and instructional resources for individuals and groups of students will be posted by the student’s teachers and on the district’s website.

School psychologists, counselors and social workers will have office hours, activities, resources and individual times to offer support for students who received mandated counseling, and those who need additional support.

Related service providers will offer remote support services, through Google Classroom and Google Meet, in individual or small groups. They will be offering check ins, Meets and videos/activities. These activities will focus on each student’s IEP goals.

English Language Learners

If your student is an English Language Learner, ELL, the teacher will provide remote learning instruction and will use various learning platforms for engagement. The teachers will assign lessons according to your student’s language proﬁciency and/or by their current units of study in coordination with grade level/content area teachers.

Academic Intervention Services

Academic Intervention Service teachers will continue to provide instruction targeting skills reinforcement based upon individual student needs. AIS supplemental support will be provided using district software and digital platforms that students are familiar with, as much as practicable. AIS teachers will establish contact with their students using all of the same methods that content and classroom teachers use.

Daily Schedules and Information Specific to Our Schools

Should remote instruction ever be necessary, the district will run on a two hour delay schedule for all school buildings. Specific information for each building is listed below:

Circleville Elementary School Overview

Circleville Elementary School Schedule

EJ Russell Elementary School Overview

EJ Russell Elementary School Schedule

Pakanasink Elementary School Overview

Pakanasink Elementary School Schedule

Pine Bush Elementary School Overview

Pine Bush Elementary School Schedule

Circleville Middle School Overview

Crispell Middle School Overview

Pine Bush High School Overview