January 11, 2024 – Hartford, Wi – With a winter storm watch now elevated to a winter storm warning Hartford Union High School has already called a snow day for Friday, January 12, 2024. However, Principal Kelly Lam said it won’t be an off day for students or staff as the school will be using its virtual abilities and classes will be held on Friday.
Hartford Union High School implemented virtual learning during the school year in 2021 when schools nationwide were closed as a response to COVID.
According to HUHS public relations coordinator Katrina Cravy, “virtual learning on the second day of snow during a semester is the district’s protocol.”
Calls are being placed to other schools across Washington County, WI to see if they too will utilize virtual learning or will it be an off day for students.
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The district website for Hartford Union HS indicates school will be closed because of “dangerous weather conditions” however classes will be held virtually.
Keep in mind, because Monday, January 15, 2024, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, most schools are closed Monday as well.
Click HERE for the latest snowy forecast from the National Weather Service
A message from Principal Lam is below.
Hello HUHS Families,
Each school year, we anticipate school closures based on inclement weather and plan accordingly. The first inclement weather day per term is a true “snow day” and each day after is a virtual learning day. In term 2, we already had one “snow day” and we want to provide you with information regarding expectations on a virtual learning day in case there is another school closure due to inclement weather before January 18.
The Impromptu Virtual Learning Schedule below provides a block-by-block checkpoint, in which students will meet with their classmates and teachers for an overview of the day’s learning goals. Checkpoints are intended for teachers to provide students with direct instruction, assignment overviews, instructional goals, or feedback. Teacher discretion and student needs will dictate the structure of this time.
Students must attend each of their courses. Attendance will be taken based on arriving at the beginning of each checkpoint and participating in the Google Meet via the link in Schoology. The schedule is abbreviated to allow for student flexibility in their learning. Team Time / Office hours are reserved for students to seek additional support by appointment with their teachers. Student attendance is expected on virtual learning days.
Impromptu Virtual Learning Daily Schedule
Zero Hour – Checkpoint 8:00 a.m.
Block 1 – Checkpoint 8:30 a.m.
Block 2 – Checkpoint 9:15 a.m.
Block 3 – Checkpoint 10:00 a.m.
Block 4 – Checkpoint 10:45 a.m.
NO ORIOLE TIME ON VIRTUAL DAYS
Team Time / Office Hours 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Kewaskum School District will be closed on Friday, January 12, 2024, calling it a snow day. Superintendent Mark Bazata was asked if they would implement a virtual learning day, similar to HUHS.
“We are not doing virtual,” he said. “We took a look at the number of students who have internet access as well as the number of students who just couldn’t get internet access because where they live doesn’t have the ability to do that so we would have kids that wouldn’t have access to online learning.
“Partly too, our philosophy is kids shouldn’t have to worry about school on snow days. I don’t know, maybe I’m old fashioned.”
During COVID, Bazata said they had some students who came into school to pick up packets that parents could pick up ever two weeks and take them home.
Questioned whether packets were not a possibility anymore, Bazata said, “It depends on the day. Obviously today we made the announcement at 4 p.m. and all the kids were gone and the teachers so we wouldn’t have that.”
Questioned whether the school anticipated having more than one snow day during a school year, Bazata said they were “up in the air.”
Questioned how many snow days the district generally averages, Bazata said he would have to go back and look.
Since Hartford Union HS now has leaned into its virtual learning ability, Bazata was asked if KSD would also use its virtual learning like it did in 2021-2022. “The difficult part for us, if we’re calling snow days at 5 a.m., the difficult part for us is we just wouldn’t have a way to reach students to get them the materials they would need,” he said.
On a side note – the Friday, January 12, 2024, high school girls’ basketball game featuring the Shining Stars Dance Team at half time has been cancelled.
Other districts that have also cancelled class on Friday, January 12 include:
- West Bend School District
- Germantown School District
- Kettle Moraine Lutheran
- Slinger School District
Keep in mind, because Monday, January 15, 2024, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, some schools are closed Monday as well.