With the National Weather Service predicting snow for Thursday — and possibly Wednesday and Friday as well — Albuquerque Public Schools is reminding families that class is still in session when the weather’s nasty.
The district in 2023-24 replaced snow days with “asynchronous learning days,” and that policy continues this school year.
That means that instead of playing in the snow or discovering soap operas, APS students will be expected to complete lessons at home on days schools are closed due to inclement weather.
APS employees, except for teachers and education paraprofessionals, will be expected to report to work as soon as safely possible, according to a district news release. Teachers and educational assistants may work from home or at their schools on those days.
Asynchronous learning days could see teachers:
- Create and post assignments for students to complete on their own via Google Classroom or another platform.
- Maintain office hours online to support students with assignments, or offer tutoring.
- Use other instructional practices to ensure students are learning.
APS says students who don’t have access to digital devices or the internet will be given additional time to complete assignments in class when they return.
“When inclement weather hits, our top priority is making sure students and staff are safe,” district spokesperson Martin Salazar said. “But right behind safety is ensuring continuity in student learning. That’s where asynchronous learning comes in. It gives students the ability to continue their lessons at their own pace at home with support from their teachers.”
He said the process helps students stay on track academically, and avoids having to add days to the calendar at the end of the school year.
APS says asynchronous learning will not be used when weather causes a delayed start.
More information about weather delays is available here.
Some asynchronous learning days are planned without respect to weather. Those include high school testing days, parent/teacher conferences and graduation days.