Frequently Asked Questions

What is eLearning and what are some of the benefits?

• Utilizes technology to access educational curriculum, also known as blended learning

• Provides the opportunity for staff and students to make-up learning closer to real time instead of making up the days later in the school year

• Minimizes the need to extend the school calendar to accommodate for make-up days

• Asynchronous Learning  - Students may receive recorded lessons, access to assignments and tasks to be completed on their own time within a certain timeframe

• Synchronous Learning - Classes run in real time for at least 50% of the instructional day with students and instructors attending to a schedule together (on zoom) from different locations

How will students make up the learning time on eLearning days?

• Teachers will utilize Canvas to provide instruction and assignments for students to complete as practice and to demonstrate understanding. Students in kindergarten and first grade may receive assignments via Canvas or in other formats in order to complete their work. 

Will staff and students have devices to utilize for eLearning Days?

• All teachers will have school-issued laptops in order to respond to students during their contract hours on an eLearning day. Teachers will share with students the hours that they are available to answer questions via email for each eLearning day.  The hours may differ depending on the type of eLearning day (scheduled vs. unscheduled).      

• Students may use their school-issued device or their families’ own electronic device (i.e., computer, tablet, or smartphone).  

• If this is not possible or if a family does not have Internet access, students have three (3) days to complete their assignments and can access the assignments upon return to school.

Will students need and have access to the Internet?

• Families may access the Internet from a number of Washington Township locations that provide free Internet access.  This may be more applicable during our scheduled eLearning day. However, depending on weather conditions, it may be possible to travel to a free Internet location.  For a listing of these locations, please use the following link: bit.ly/wifimsdwt 

• In the event of power outages or other issues related to the cancellation of school, students will have three (3) days including the eLearning day in order to access and complete their assignments.   

• Families may contact the school social worker at their child's school prior to the scheduled e-learning days in the event that assistance is needed accessing internet services.

How will teachers be contacted during eLearning to support student learning?

• Teachers will post their assignments, availability and contact information on their Canvas course home page under an “eLearning” button. 

• Teachers may be contacted as needed by students, parents and/or principals during the normal school day hours on the eLearning day.  Parents and students will need to follow the directions posted by the individual teachers.

• On weather or emergency-related unplanned eLearning days, teachers and students will be expected to follow the school synchronous eLearning day schedule.

What is the timeline for teachers to assign work on an eLearning day?

The following timeline is in accordance with IDOE guidelines:

• Teachers will inform students of their lessons, activities, and assignments through each teacher’s Canvas home page by 9:00 a.m.   

• If a two hour delay is announced but the district is then forced to cancel school, assignments will be posted by 11:00 a.m.

• Due to the unique learning needs of students in the PACES classrooms, teachers may use flexibility regarding the timeline.

What will be the student workload expectation for eLearning? 

Student “workload” is determined by a student’s grade level.  Teachers strive to take into consideration the amount of time it may take for a student to review any eLearning day instruction and complete the assignments.  

• Grades K-5: Students should expect to have an eLearning assignment for reading/language arts, math, science and/or social studies, and one special area class. On average, 150-180 minutes of instruction including assigned work per class keeping in mind developmental differences across grade levels.

• Grades 6-12:  Students should expect to have eLearning work for each class in their schedule for the eLearning day.  The total amount of engagement and work time should be 30 minutes per class on average. 

• Special Education (Students in the PACES classroom and in developmental preschool at Hilltop):  

  • • Students will be provided assignments to support their IEP goals. Some allowances may be needed regarding completion time expectations due to the individual learning needs of each student.

What is the timeline for students to submit completed work?

• While it is preferred for students to complete assignments on the day of the cancellation or scheduled eLearning day, a three-day window is established to give students adequate time to complete and submit the assignments through their Canvas module page:

• Day one (1) of the eLearning window is the first day of the cancellation.

• The final deadline for submitting completed assignments is the start of class on the third and final school day of the window.

• Teachers will grant an extension for students to complete work when school is canceled for two or more consecutive days.

• Teachers will make determinations on a case-by-case basis to provide extended time for students with learning plans to complete and submit assignments.  

IMPORTANT: The three (3) day window only counts school days. Weekends and holidays are excluded from the eLearning window.

What should a student do if technology is not working for them on an eLearning day?

• Any questions regarding lesson content or related resources should be directed to the teacher.

• If a student has questions regarding technology, students or parents are welcome to contact the Technology Hotline at 317-254-5566.

• In the event of a widespread technology issue, Washington Township will communicate the problem and any solution via our Outbound Call System.  Otherwise, staff will work with the student/parent to address the concern on a case-by-case basis when the student returns to school.

What if my student receives accommodations?

• For those students who require accommodations to meet their individual needs, teachers will work very closely with school staff, students and their families to ensure assignments reflect Individual Education Plans, 504 plans and Individual Learning Plans as well as expected learning objectives for the class.  For students with disabilities who do not use an online platform for learning, appropriate educational materials and learning activities will be provided.

Will eLearning assignments be graded?

• Assignments on eLearning days are equivalent to regular classroom work and will be assessed according to school grading practices in a similar fashion to what takes place on a regular school day.  

How does eLearning account for attendance?

• Washington Township eLearning days are considered official school days for students and teachers.  Students must engage in learning tasks and complete the assigned school work to be considered in attendance for asynchronous eLearning days and need to follow their synchronous eLearning Day schedule in the event of a cancellation.

• Students who do not engage in learning tasks and complete any work during the eLearning day or do not log into Canvas to obtain and complete their assignments may be marked absent.

• Students will have three (3) school days, including the scheduled or non-scheduled eLearning day, to complete any assigned work. 

• Students and parents who have communicated a pre-arranged absence with the school will be marked absent during an eLearning day unless they provide updated documentation with the attendance office/front office of their school.

Has Washington Township established a maximum number of eLearning days? 

• The guideline for utilizing unplanned, synchronous eLearning days has no limit as long as 50% of the instructional day is synchronous. Planned, asynchronous eLearning days are limited to 3 total per a minimum of 180 school days.  Washington Township Schools has 181 school days; therefore, we are able to plan for a fourth asynchronous eLearning Day. 

• Washington Township Schools will allow for a maximum of three consecutive eLearning days in case of emergency or inclement weather.  This guideline can be changed at any time by the Superintendent.  In the event that unplanned school cancellation days exceed the guideline, the Superintendent may choose to hold school on the weather make-up days at the end of the school year in accordance with the board-approved calendar.

What guidance will parents receive about how to support their children during eLearning events?

• Parents should visit our eLearning website that will include further information on how to support their child(ren) during an eLearning day.

• The eLearning website address is: https://bit.ly/msdwtelearninginfo

Will adult supervision be required for eLearning experiences?

• Assignments for eLearning days are designed to be completed by the student with little or no parent involvement required unless specifically stated by the teacher. Some content may be new, but accessing the assignments and using technology should be something students are able to do independently, understanding our primary grade students may need some parent/care-giver support.

How will eLearning days impact after school activities?  

• After school activities will be treated the same as if school were closed.  All elementary activities will be canceled.  Middle School and High School activities will be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the weather and road conditions.

Will AYS (At Your School) be open on eLearning days?

• AYS will be open during planned eLearning Days in the Spring (March 6, April 8) at Willow Lake and Clearwater (AYS will NOT be available September 20 or November 7). 

Additional FAQ for Washington Township Teachers

Do I have to use Canvas for eLearning Days?

• Yes, teachers will need to post assignments via Canvas for eLearning Days. Teachers will need to follow their building-specific, synchronous eLearning Day schedule which will require live instruction up to 50% or more of the instructional day in the event of inclement weather or school closure

What grade levels must use Canvas for the eLearning Day?

• Grade levels 2-12 must use Canvas. Students in kindergarten and first grade may receive assignments via Canvas or in other formats in order to complete their work.

Am I required to be available on planned, asynchronous eLearning Days to answer questions?  How long?

• Time will be provided to teachers to check email and respond to students or families who are in need of guidance or support.   

• Lessons must be available to students by 9 a.m.

What happens if I am absent on an unplanned or planned eLearning Day?

• Teachers will mark their absence as they are normally required in AESOP.

• Teachers will be required to have lesson plans posted to Canvas on planned or unplanned eLearning days as this is a regular school day for students.  This process is similar to a teacher absent on a regular school day and providing substitute lesson plans.  

• Teachers must also add a message in Canvas that they are not available to answer email inquiries on eLearning assignments and that they will follow up with students in class regarding their assigned work.

• Teachers who are absent on an unplanned eLearning day may extend the window for students to submit assignments by one day.   

What happens if we have an extended school closure? 

• Should we close schools for an extended period of consecutive school days, teachers need to follow our current eLearning protocols and practices.  

• Once we return from extended school closure, teachers will provide time for instructional review of eLearning content provided to students during the closure window. Teachers should provide time for students to complete the eLearning work assigned routinely over the course of 5 school days once school resumes as well as allow for the necessary accommodations granted through ILP, IEP, or Section 504 Plans.