Bartow County Schools Introduce Digital Learning Days

CARTERSVILLE, GA — The Bartow County School System has rolled out digital learning days as part of its inclement weather plan. These days will be used to lessen the impact on calendar changes that can occur when schools are forced to close.

Digital Learning Days will primarily be assigned when students miss more than one day of school due to inclement weather closures. No more than two of these days will be issued during one school closing event. During a Digital Learning Day, students will either be encouraged to work on printed materials distributed prior to the school closure or their school-issued laptop to access assignments in Schoology, the district's earning management system.

Teachers will provide short, grade-appropriate lessons to enrich standards addressed in class. Assignments will not contain new material or subject matter. Teachers will also have virtual office hours to assist students as needed. In the event families experience power outages or internet issues, additional time and resources to complete assignments will be provided to students upon return to campus.

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Amber Bunce, an instructional technology specialist with the Bartow County School System, said she began researching ideas that would blend teaching and learning during inclement weather days. She indicates that 96 percent of BCSS staff members were in favor of this initiative, and 85 percent of the responses from the community "agreed that this is a viable plan."

"During the planning process, District leaders were also in communication with at least four
other nearby school systems that successfully implemented this initiative," Bartow County
School System Superintendent Dr. Phillip Page said. "We have the desire, technology, platform, and ability to apply this new procedure. School closures impact the continuity of instruction for our students and can change the school calendar. By designating Digital Learning Days, the BCSS
will be able to lessen those impacts."

Additional school and grade-level specific information on Digital Learning Days will be issued
this month in messages, newsletters, and other general school communications.

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