Boyertown Area School District

Introducing BASD Flexible Instructional Days

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The 2022-2023 District Calendar includes three built-in snow days.

Flexible Instruction Days (FIDs) allow us to minimize the impact of emergency closures on student learning and the need for make-up days at the end of the school year.  Kids can get their schoolwork done AND still get out there and play in the snow! 

Families can better plan for early summer vacations! And more!

Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) approved the use of Flexible Instructional Days (FID) as an alternate form of instruction in place of a day otherwise canceled due to inclement weather or a building emergency situation. Please visit PDE's website for complete details regarding the program.  BASD applied for the program beginning with the 2020-2021 school year and received three-year approval from PDE.

The district believes that using a Flexible Instructional Day will allow students and teachers to continue the learning process while responding to a weather closure or emergency situation efficiently.  Flexible instruction allows students to complete classwork at home should a situation occur which would prevent normal operations in one school or throughout the district. Flexible instructional programs may be online, offline, or a combination of the two. PDE will count this as a full day of school. The District has been approved to use up to a maximum of five (5) FID for this school year.  For the 2022-2023 school year, we can use up to eight inclement weather/building emergency days prior to adding additional days to the district calendar.  

Notification: All decisions related to weather closures and/or the use of FID will be communicated to you via our Emergency Delays/Closings/Dismissals process.  These communications will detail that we are using an "FID" and the day will not need to be made up during or at the end of the school year. 

Assignments: Teachers will explain to students the assignments and how to access the assignments that will need to be completed during the FID. Learners will be assigned work to be completed either using their school-issued devices and applications OR paper/pencil assignments. Students are expected to complete assignments for all classes that would normally meet on the FID, as this will be a typical school day.  

Younger students or students with accommodations may require some support from an adult. Teachers will design learning activities and assignments that are developmentally appropriate and similar in timeframe to daily classwork. Students working independently on an assignment will likely take less time to complete the assignment compared to a large group setting, yet this may vary depending on the individual student and grade level. 

If a student cannot access the Internet or paper copies of the learning activities, he/she will have three (3) school days to complete the assignments. Any student who fails to complete their FID assignment within three school days will be marked as absent.

Students with IEPs: FID lessons will be designed for students with IEPs utilizing their program modifications, specially designed instruction, and supplementary aids and services identified in their individualized education plans. Upon return from an FID day, the special education teacher will meet with students to review work submitted, checking for completion, and understanding. If needed, students with IEPs will have up to five (5) school days to complete assignments. On FID days, special education personnel will be available to answer questions through email from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. 

Access: Students will primarily access activities for the FID through Google Classroom, if available. Alternative activities will also be provided in the event that students are not able to access online resources.  A choice board of activities will be provided for each elementary grade which will be shared both digitally and via paper copy. Secondary students will have a desktop folder on their school device that will house FID activities for offline access.  If a student cannot access the Internet or the paper copies of the learning activities, he/she will have three (3) school days to complete the assignments. Any student who fails to complete their FID assignment within three school days will be marked as absent on the FID.

Sample 3rd Grade Choice Board

Work Completion and Attendance:  Recognizing that students may face other circumstances or a lack of Internet connection on a day of inclement weather, students will have three (3) days beyond the FID to complete all assignments. Assignments will be submitted either through Google classroom or by returning the paper/pencil activities to the teacher as evidence of completed work. Students that do not complete the assignments within three (3) days for the designated FID will be noted as absent for that day following the District’s attendance procedures. If your child is ill on an FID, follow normal attendance reporting procedures to notify the school. 

Cycle Day: The FID cycle day will be the next consecutive day in the cycle. Multiple FID days in a row will follow the same cycle day schedule. Students will follow the same cycle day schedule as used during the FID upon return to school. This will allow immediate follow-up for work completed during the FID. For example:

Teacher and Staff Availability: Your child’s teacher(s) will be available for assistance via email from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm during the FID.  Your school’s principal, counselor, and nurse will also be available on an FID via email.

School Calendar Impact: Flexible instructional days eliminate the need for a make-up day since students are completing classwork at home. Implementing an FID will not require additional make-up days when school is canceled. These make-up days could shorten the spring break or extend the school year. The District can use up to five (5) FIDs per school year. FIDs are considered a school day and count toward the number of instructional days/hours required under Article 15 of the Public School Code and Chapter 11 of the State Board of Education regulations. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your school principal.

A Video Explaining FID from Mr. Stoudt, Assistant Superintendent