Baltimore County Public Schools

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February 5, 2024, Staff Update: Important Inclement Weather Reminders for Team BCPS Staff

Dear Staff

The BCPS Virtual Day Plan outlines our plan to transition to virtual learning after three inclement weather days.  As you know, we have had two inclement weather closures so far this school year. Once we have the third full-day closure, when inclement weather is forecasted and we must make the decision to close schools, we will notify staff and families of our transition to virtual learning.

To best prepare for this transition, staff are reminded of the following: 

Instructional Expectations 

• Schools will operate on a 2-hour delay schedule for students on inclement weather virtual instruction days. Schools must post their 2-hour delay schedule on their website and in Schoology as a reminder to students and families in advance of any inclement weather. Sample schedules have been developed to support school leaders. 
   
• Virtual Learning days are full workdays for all BCPS staff. Teachers are expected to use the 2-hour delay as teacher planning time to make any necessary adjustments to lesson plans for the virtual learning environment. This planning time is included as part of the required 325 minutes of teacher planning for the week. 
   
• Virtual Learning days must have a minimum of four hours of synchronous instruction. BCPS will use Google Meet for synchronous virtual learning. Principals should ensure each teacher has created a unique Google Meet code for each class and has posted this information in their Schoology course. 
   
• Attendance must be taken in Focus, the student information system, on all virtual learning days. 

Professional Learning 

• Resources for supporting teachers with best practices for teaching in a virtual environment can be found on The Innovation Hub. 
   
• Additional tips and support resources for using Google Meet are also available on the Google Meet Support Page. 
   
• All teachers are encouraged to schedule a brief (5-10 minute) practice Google Meet with each class to ensure students can access successfully. 

Technology Support 

• All teachers and staff must take BCPS-issued devices and chargers home every evening in the event of a multi-day inclement weather event. 
   
• Students must take BCPS-issued devices home in the event of an inclement weather event. 
   
• Schools should work closely with families to identify any student(s) who will not have internet access and to identify additional supports including low and no-cost internet service as well as Baltimore County free wifi locations.  

Virtual Instruction Days

 Emergency Notifications, School Closings And Delays