Watervliet City School District > Virtual Learning Day Protocols

Virtual Learning Day Protocols

When a decision to shift to a virtual learning day is made, families will be notified via our ParentSquare messaging system. An announcement also will posted on the district’s website and on local media websites (Times Union, WTEN, WNYT, WRGB, etc.) We will do our best to provide as much advance notice as possible to families to help ensure that your child’s technology is ready and available for a virtual learning day.

When a virtual learning day is called, all prekindergarten to grade 12 students will log onto their Chromebooks and learn from home that day. Families or older siblings should assist younger students with technology, if needed.

Tech Support

Students or families in need of technical support (such as a password reset or connection to Google Classroom, etc.) or questions about connectivity should email the district’s Tech Support at servicedesk@vlietschools.org. This email account will be monitored throughout the virtual learning day.

What would a weather-related Virtual Learning Day look like for my child?

If a virtual learning day is called, all prekindergarten to grade 12 students will log onto their Chromebooks from home.

Teachers will provide instruction via students’ email and/or Google Classroom and will generally follow the same schedule as a regular in-person school day. All students will receive assignments from their teachers via Google Classroom, and will receive Google Meet or Zoom meeting links.

Students will be responsible for joining Google Meet or Zoom for instruction and using Google Classroom to access and complete work. Teachers will check for understanding in a variety of ways that may include collecting the learning activities the next day of attendance, having students submit their work electronically, or checking the log of electronic/web-based/app activities for completion.

Please remember between virtual classes or sessions to take a break from the computer screen to stretch or grab a healthy snack. 

Virtual Learning Day Recap: Grades 6-12

  • In the event of a virtual day all middle school and high school students will log in with their Chromebooks and follow their regular class schedules. View the bell schedule
  • Your child has access to their teachers Google Meet/Zoom link through their Google Classroom, or can contact their teacher via email.
  • Attendance will be taken during virtual learning days.
  • Students will not need to attend a virtual homeroom, study hall, or lunch.
  • If a student has a counseling session their counselor will email them with a link for their session.
  • Students with disabilities and ENL students will continue to receive supports throughout the virtual learning day as they attend their scheduled classes. 

Services and counseling opportunities will be available for children who receive these. Counselors, social workers and other service providers will reach out to students and/or families during the virtual learning day.

When a virtual learning day is called, there will be no out-of-district transportation available and BOCES Career & Technical Education programs and P-TECH will be canceled.

Please email any of the principals if you have questions or concerns during the virtual learning day.

Virtual Learning Day Recap: Grades UPK-5

  • In the event of a virtual day all elementary school students will have virtual instructional sessions (view schedule). 
  • Grades UPK, kindergarten and grade 1 students will have activity packets sent home in advance for students to complete on virtual days. Students will also attend virtual classes using a home device. Follow the schedule and meeting links on the class Google Classrooms or email from the teacher.
  • Grades 2-5 students will have activities/classwork posted on their Google classroom. Follow the schedule and meeting links on the class Google Classrooms or email from the teacher.
  • Services, interventions, and counseling opportunities will be available during the virtual learning day for children who receive these services. Counselors and social workers will reach out to students and/or families directly.
  • Additional sessions will be provided for students with disabilities, ENL students and any students who receive reading or math interventions.

Please email a principal or UPK director if you have questions or concerns during the virtual learning day.

All afterschool and athletic practices/games will be canceled when a virtual learning day is called.

With the capacity to provide classes remotely through 1:1 technology, our schools are prepared to shift to virtual teaching and learning due to extreme weather events. We will evaluate whether to use a traditional snow day OR shift to a virtual learning day for weather-related events on a case-by-case basis. Virtual learning days count towards the minimum 180 required days of instruction under state law.

Please remember that neighboring districts have unique needs and challenges and may make different decisions regarding school closings, delays, and remote learning days. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child(ren)’s building principal.