#RuralEdChat is a chat that focuses on the needs of the rural educator. This chat has been revised by Tammy Neil (@MathNeil), John Martin (@edventures) and Natalee Stotz (@nataleestotz).
Hello, #RuralEdChat My name is Tammy. I'm from rural North Florida. We may not have snow but our temps are way lower than normal right now. Let us know where you're from and what the weather conditions are right now where you are.
Hello, #RuralEdChat My name is Tammy. I'm from rural North Florida. We may not have snow but our temps are way lower than normal right now. Let us know where you're from and what the weather conditions are right now where you are.
Hey #RuralEdChat! Chiming in from WA. We're missing the worst of the cold front sweeping the midwest right now, but have missed a few days this month already due to cold or ice
Hello my name is Anahi. I am currently a student at Appalachian State in Boone, NC. The weather is extremely cold and it was snowing earlier today but tonight it is windy and a bit of snow. #RuralEdChat
Clearly weather is on the minds of many #RuralEdChat folks. Tonight we will be talking about how the weather closings affect our classrooms and students. We will use the Q1/A1 format unless a conversation breaks out.
Warmer than us. It’s dropped to 36 and the low is 26 brrrr #RuralEdChat fyi— I did undergrad in eastern Idaho during their coldest winter on record. I understand cold that makes snot freeze
Hi -- #RuralEdChat My name is Steve Johnson. I'm from North Dakota. Currently, it is 26 below zero with wind from the north making it 53 below windchill. #WindChillWarning
Hello, #RuralEdChat My name is Tammy. I'm from rural North Florida. We may not have snow but our temps are way lower than normal right now. Let us know where you're from and what the weather conditions are right now where you are.
Uh, I'm a little reluctant to say anything about the weather in this chat. I'm in California and wore a t-shirt and a hoodie today. Y'all might start throwing snowballs or worse at me. ;-) #RuralEdChat
A1: Being in Florida, we don't get many snow days. However, hurricanes are another matter. We may have as much as a week's notice as the forecasts narrow the path of the storm. #RuralEdChat
A1: our admin team strives to make calls by end of business day prior to school closure- but in south, we have more “notice” of inclement weather #RuralEdChat
Yesterday we were told before the end of the day. My district last year had to be ordered my EMA to close. Country Roads were solid sheets of ice and we were told to get in if we could. All roads out of my neighborhood were closed #RuralEdChat
A1: Typically the morning of delay/closing. Sometimes the night before. Due to extreme windchills for tomorrow, we canceled for tomorrow earlier today.
#RuralEdChat
A1: we're usually morning of, since we usually only cancel for road conditions. Cancelled the day before when the temp was forecast to hit ~20. #RuralEdChat
Have travel plans today or Wednesday across the region? Be sure to carry a winter survival kit, including plenty of extra layers for the temperature that is outside, not inside your warm vehicle. If you become stranded, stay with you vehicle. #ndwx#ndag#NoDak#NorthDakota
** Q2 **
With many of you having multiple days away from your students, what are your thoughts on "digital learning" vs "enjoy the day off"?
#RuralEdChat
Ya know what? That puts me in mind of another critical #RuralEdChat topic critical to us rural teacher types - sub shortages. Y'all must have as much of a hard time with that as we do.
We've had funny-not-funny times where our superintendent proposes a district-wide grade band meeting or some other big chunk of us doing something & we all look back like that's crazytalk & say, "Where are you gonna get all the subs to cover that lovely idea?" #RuralEdChat
Although I am a student l,for the class that got canceled today my professor gave us a make up assignment. I think that it isn’t bad to do online makeup assignments if the student understands the assignment and could do it without the teachers help if needed. #RuralEdChat
A2: our district just implemented Digital learning days through google classroom. Even in low wealth/limited broadband area, this option is opening door for positive discussion. #RuralEdChat
** Q2 **
With many of you having multiple days away from your students, what are your thoughts on "digital learning" vs "enjoy the day off"?
#RuralEdChat
A2: I struggle with this. There are assignments I can give that don't require them to be in class at all. They could even ask questions online and I can respond. But how much can we expect students to be in a school day learning mindset without school? #RuralEdChat
** Q2 **
With many of you having multiple days away from your students, what are your thoughts on "digital learning" vs "enjoy the day off"?
#RuralEdChat
** Q2 **
With many of you having multiple days away from your students, what are your thoughts on "digital learning" vs "enjoy the day off"?
#RuralEdChat
We included an option of PBL options upon school return to always provide for all. Those activities are available in case of inclement weather and can be used instead of digital day #RuralEdChat
A2 I'm a solid believer that if the universe sends you a day or 3 to pause and step away from things, take advantage. If there's equity in tech access & it's an opportunity to connect & learn together, go ahead w/what's possible if it saves days/time @ end of year. #ruraledchat
A2: If I can take advantage of #edtech to help students keep learning while we're apart, I like to do it. So many kids tell me they get bored or just watch TV all day when we're out! Above all, though, I push and inspire reading 📚 #ruraledchat
** Q2 **
With many of you having multiple days away from your students, what are your thoughts on "digital learning" vs "enjoy the day off"?
#RuralEdChat
Yummers. I so wish I had that in front of me right now instead of the hummus and Triscuits I'm currently munching on. Although, I shouldn't whine too much. I also have some bourbon. #RuralEdChat#TrueConfessions
#RuralEdChat -- That is a tough question as there is more to school than sitting on your devices. Kids love to be with kids and not having school takes them away from their friends not only in class but activities.
** Q2 **
With many of you having multiple days away from your students, what are your thoughts on "digital learning" vs "enjoy the day off"?
#RuralEdChat
Hello #RuralEdChat My name is Chris Janssen and I'm a supt in West Central Illinois. Tonight we are headed to windchills of 40 below, so yep...a few snow days here.
I did have quite a few turn in late work and flipgrid responses today. I wasn’t going to push it. I know *i* didn’t spend the day thinking about school #RuralEdChat
A2b: I incorporate E-Assignments on a regular basis via class discussion threads, postings, online math assignments, etc. so students are accustomed to seeing such assignments.
#RuralEdChat
** Q2 **
With many of you having multiple days away from your students, what are your thoughts on "digital learning" vs "enjoy the day off"?
#RuralEdChat
Wow. Holy cow. You keep wowing me. I need some kind of adequate Wow gif on autodial I can have on hand to paste into #RuralEdChat posts. Like, how big is this one building. Wait. How many grades in this one building? How many combos do you have? I have Qs.
A2: Generally when we have a weather day, it's really bad so we don't expect students to work from home. However, I can see how it might be helpful to have them doing enrichment activities over the material we've already covered. I also want to let kids be kids. #RuralEdChat
On paper we are two schools. The left building is elementary and the right is 7-12. We share a library, cafeteria and gym. Around 850 total enrollment. Only public school in county #RuralEdChat
A2: Our state has actually opened the door to allow for digital or alternative learning. Each local district is allowed to establish what they consider a learning day and we can then count that as an attendance day. #RuralEdChat
Kids are expected to learn more and more at younger and younger ages. It always warms my heart to watch middle schoolers just play and have fun. #RuralEdChat
I gotta believe that's pretty universal among us #RuralEdChat types. I mean, unless it is a one-room schoolhouse sitch and the local retired teacher is willing to sub sometimes or something in that fantasy neighborhood.
I agree. That is a major concern of mine with e-learning days is that it doesn't become another way the digital divide gets bigger rather than smaller. #RuralEdChat
I teach all 58 10th graders and 39 of the 55 9th graders. My dh teaches math, science social studies, career prep and a remediation class at the same school #RuralEdchat
S'funny. As I posted that I thought, Dr. Nathan is gonna come in here & say that is an urban problem too. ;-) Here's the thing. I think the reasons for that in #RuralEdChat areas are fairly obvious. Why is that also a problem in urban areas?
I agree. That is perhaps our biggest challenge in e-learning days. I have less students now with home internet access than we had 6 years ago when we started one to one. #RuralEdChat
It's really expensive to have the access that affords ease of online course navigation in many areas. That's interesting to note the changes. #RuralEdChat
I'm not exactly sure but it might have to do with pay - somewhere between 80 - 100 or so a day (I think), minimum of 45 days substituting required / year), typical urban school problems, respect for substitutes causing schools to split classes #RuralEdChat
Not many do. The recommendations are to stay home and stay inside! Lucky me that means I get to spend a few days worrying more about our cattle than our students.#RuralEdChat
Exactly. And then if the actual weather is less serious than forecasted, the critiques are swift. I'm grateful there was widespread predictability with this for everyone who had to make the call. #RuralEdChat
We have parts of our county where not even @verizon has coverage. satellite internet on my car craps out too. Plus for some insane reason Ss can’t login to chromebooks w out WiFi #RuralEdChat
A3: continues to be an issue- we have encouraged and expected schools to provide extension activities that can be done as part of PBL at home or use the digital assignment in google. Goal is to encourage self directed learning using variety of formats. #RuralEdChat
A3: Not all of my students have computers or internet access at home, so "digital learning day" means "here's extra work you can't do now and have to cram in later" for them. #RuralEdChat
b) we have some loaner laptops for our course specifically, but that doesn't solve internet
I agree there as well. When we first started 1:1 six years ago, I had to stress to staff, make sure your assignments don't assume home internet access. #ruraledchat
#RuralEdChat Some of my greatest memories as a kid were #SnowDayFun and showing how tough we were dealing with #WinterStorm#NorthDakotaTough I remember my friends/family not what we didn't learn in class that day!
"Our teachers have had extensive google classroom training and use it as a typical instructional tool"
#RuralEdChat
Probably unsurprising to this audience, but it's funny how when I hear of a good practice, it's back by good PD and regular use
Our teachers have had extensive google classroom training and use it as a typical instructional tool. Much of the digital day will be an extension of what has been in place... and we established very minimum “online” presence times to keep students motivated.
And I don't mean we begrudge subs. But it feels like having $20 and deciding between food, shelter, or shoes. You wanna eat, but then you realize you're gonna need shoes for everything else, so you pay your last $20 on the shoes & wince. #RuralEdChat
A3: The largest equity issue is internet access and right now we don't have a solution. We've provided the devices, but we can't afford to give everyone internet access. #RuralEdChat
I know that sounds a little dire, but surely y'all get my meaning & sentiment here. It would be nice to have food, shelter, AND shoes. It would be nice to have good teacher pay, all the supplies & facilities you need, AND good pay for plenty of quality subs. #RuralEdChat
@SHuggins67. Did your school lose time due to the fires in your area last year? And if so how did you proceed to make up the time lost. We are two weeks behind, and we are trying to think of best ways to support students (honestly, it feels like we are months behind) #RuralEdChat
Our discussion is now with our elected officials. Rural counties have support through chamber commerce as this lack of broadband is a barrier to econ dev. #RuralEdChat
Our district provides a ton of resources. We have more than I have had at any other district esp compared to the urban system where my kids go #RuralEdChat
I'm sorry, hang on, I just reread your Tweet. They have to complete a minimum of 45 days of subbing per school year to earn the money? Is that right? #RuralEdChat
I assigned reading and flipgrid. Nothing too major. My deal with my Ss is that I won’t ask them to do things outside of class that I wouldn’t enjoy doing outside of class. #ruraledchat I’m fairly anti homework
Okay, another observation & possible new topic...as I read all this, it occurs to me the education profession is like emergency triage. I'm feeling less "Northern Exposure" and more "M*A*S*H" right now. #RuralEdChat
#RuralEdChat Superintendents in North Dakota spend early mornings and late nights talking to neighboring school districts' superintendent trying to make group decisions that will keep kids and staff safe. VERY Stressful
A3: Access - whether that be due to lack of internet, phone service, regular living space, . . .
The district/teacher provides extra time. Also, provides access to the school and computers outside of normal hours.
#RuralEdChat
YES, OMG, YES. Literally months at a time multiple times. Likeone month one year. A month and a half another year. Two months another year. Can I get bold and flashing light highlight in here? We have lost SO MUCH TIME due to fire & smoke. tbc #RuralEdChat
I have a para for a class that doesn’t have any kids needing services, a coteacher, all the tech I could dream of. We get extra pay, training that’s useful #ruraledchat
So one of the things we did, that was great, but then became an albatross...let me explain...was something we call Wheel. We came up with a leveled intervention-targeted afternoon rotation. tbc #RuralEdChat
I know. It’s insane. The admin trust us to teach. I can’t figure out why teachers leave this place... other than they don’t know how bad it could be #RuralEdchat
A5: I think that is a key to successful e-learning is it is just an extension of the classroom so coming back is just a natural part of the process. #RuralEdChat
Ok, chatters. Stay safe out there. Must bundle up and go start the car since we are headed to -28 overnight. Thanks for leading us tonight for #RuralEdChat@TG_Neil
We gathered all our assessment data. Got in a group in the library. Put all the kids names w/all their highest needs on the table. Then we divvied them up based on most-critical need/subject/level regardless of age/grade. tbc #RuralEdChat
"something we call Wheel"
Oh gosh, if I've learned anything, it's to be skeptical of geometrically named solutions to learning and social problems #RuralEdChat
I’m trying not to think about how crazy it’s going to be. I may have to put in my strict face and power shoes to let them know I mean business #RuralEdChat
We also put all the staff members, including aides, on the table 2. Then we tried 2 come up with smaller numbers (not much smaller) w/ targeted area instruction & gave aides a group as long as they were under the credential roof of a teacher in the same room. #RuralEdchat
Let's have some #RuralEdChat Snow Day fun...whenever you think about it this week, post a GIF of your mood, activity, etc. Don't forget to add #RuralEdChat
Throw GIFs not Snowballs (or maybe a snowball GIF)
A4: Monitor email for those that do have access and will be working, grade, take wife to work since she doesn’t get the day off, catch up on reading/writing, shovel, check on in-laws, . . .
#RuralEdChat
So the kids would B in homeroom/regular grade. Then after lunch they would all rotate to their specialized class for 45 minutes & then rotate back. It was successful. But because it was successful, it got written in2 the LCAP (budget rules) & now we cannot NOT do it. #RuralEdChat
The other thing we did was get budget approval to pay teachers to teach another hour after class for the kids who needed the most help. Smaller groups. Topic/task specific. After school intervention. #RuralEdChat
