ASD says remote learning days will be the norm moving forward

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Anchorage School District held a remote learning day Tuesday after Anchorage’s first significant snowfall of the season.

Moving forward, ASD spokesperson Corey Allen Young said parents can expect remote learning days when the weather is poor.

“As long as electricity is working, we will have remote learning days,” Young said. “We agree with families and our community stakeholders that we need kids to be learning every single day, and with technology that we have, we have remote learning days to be able to do that.”

But how much kids are learning is a question parents are asking.

Chelsea Heaton has four children in the district, including two in elementary school. Heaton said her older children do pretty well working online at home, but her younger children have a much tougher time learning at home.

“I think it‘s really hard, especially for younger kids, to pay attention to a screen,” Heaton said. “Or have a packet and be like ’Hey, do some of the work,' because I don’t even see where they have anything that’s regulated on how much work they’re supposed to be doing.”

Young said how much work is assigned on a remote learning day varies by grade level, school, and teacher.

“For example, on the elementary side, a teacher sends out an email by 7:45 [a.m.] remote learning day, giving out class-specific assignments and activities for the day,” Young said. “They do a follow-up email between 8 [a.m.] and 9:30 [a.m.[ just to make sure ... parents understand the plan for the remote learning day with their student.”

Young said Zoom sessions are available for the younger grades but aren’t mandatory. The sessions are also available for secondary students but again, are not mandatory. At the secondary level, students receive notice from each of their teachers about the work that is required that day.

Young said there are optional meetings that students can attend as well as help for parents.

At the secondary level, students are issued Chromebook laptops and chargers, although the district does not provide WiFi or computers for younger children, something some parents say is an issue for their households.

Amber Brophy-King is the parent of 13-year-old twins in middle school. She said she was able to work remotely on Tuesday but feels for parents — especially of younger children — who don’t have that choice.

Brophy-King said her own children finished their required schoolwork on Tuesday in less than an hour and she too wonders how much they are learning at home. She said she would much prefer to see the district keep schools open on snowy days.

“I was born and raised here. We didn’t have this, we figured it out. We went to school. We got the roads plowed like we were promised,” she said. “You know, it seems like ever since we’ve had an out-of-state superintendent, maybe they don’t understand that this is Alaska. You know, we’re gonna have snowfall.”

Young said the district recognizes that remote learning isn’t perfect.

“But obviously, when you are not going to be in school because of weather, that is a good substitute that will work to at least have some work done,” he said. “You know, teachers and staff are on hand, ready to help any student or family that needs help.”

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