Due to the Winter Weather Warning overnight, BVPS will have a WRAP Day on Thursday, February 18, 2021. This will ensure that food goes home with our students and everyone has the proper technology for Thursday and Friday. Stay safe!
Thank you,
Keith Perrigan
Superintendent
Bristol Virginia Public Schools
220 Lee St.
Bristol, VA 24201
(276) 821-5600
@BristolSuper
Preparing Students to Thrive in a Dynamically Changing World
What is a WRAP Day?
Bristol Virginia Public Schools 2020-21 Inclement Weather Plan
Weather-Related Remote Access Plan (WRAP)
Weather-Related Remote Access Plan (WRAP)
The Weather-Related Remote Access Plan (WRAP) is a program that encourages the continuation of academic instruction, and other services, on days when school would otherwise be cancelled. We hope to provide wrap around services to our families and students on these days. The WRAP days are designed to function in a similar manner as our virtual/remote learning day on Fridays. Each school will create plans to deliver instruction to every student in the district and provide for student and teacher interaction on WRAP days, with the ultimate goal of continuing instruction.
These days will count as instructional days for Bristol Virginia Public Schools. The Weather-Related Remote Access Plan process shall be a continuation of learning that is occurring on regular student attendance days. The WRAP will only be implemented when advance warning of inclement weather would dictate a potential school closing. WRAP will not be used when there are sudden or unexpected changes in the weather. In these cases, we will use our normal procedures for altering our school schedule.
Attendance/Duties:
Student
As Weather-Related Remote Access Plan days are considered instructional days, all PK-12 students are expected to participate. We will follow the BVPS guidance for virtual attendance on these days. Schools will track and record attendance in PowerSchool for participation in WRAP instructional days.
Teacher
Weather-Related Remote Access Plan days are considered teacher instructional days and count towards fulfilling the number of instructional days required by contract. As such, teachers are required to work virtually on WRAP days. They do not have to report to the school building but must be available to students during normal school hours. Teachers should be accessible to the students virtually or by other communication methods in case of questions about the coursework. However, other tasks such as calling students or conducting record-keeping tasks may also be assigned at the discretion of the principal.
If a teacher is unable to work on a WRAP day, leave time must be used according to Division policy. A substitute will not be required.
Building Principals and Central Office Administrators
The Building Principals and Central Office Administrators are required to work on WRAP days. It is the Superintendent’s discretion as to the work location and duties.
Counselors/Librarians
Similar to teachers, school counselors and librarians are required to work on WRAP days. It is at the building principal’s discretion as to the work location and duties.
BVPS Community Partners
Community partners are welcome to continue services at their discretion.
Teacher Aides, Interventionists, and Permanent Substitutes
Teacher aides, interventionists, and permanent substitutes will work on-site. Assignments will be made by the principal depending on the needs of the division. Aides, interventionists, and permanent substitute duties may include monitoring the virtual classroom, making “check-in” calls with students, or performing any number of tasks related to typical duties. Aides, interventionists, and permanent substitutes will be compensated for actual hours worked. Remote work is only allowed if prior approval has been received via the Flexible Work Arrangement/Remote Request Form.
Twelve-month Clerical and Technology
Twelve-month clerical and technology staff will work on-site. Twelve-month clerical and technology staff will be paid for actual hours worked and may take paid leave or LWOP (choice). Remote work is only allowed if prior approval has been received via the Flexible Work Arrangement/Remote Request Form.
School Nutrition
The School Nutrition Director will provide a plan for school nutrition personnel to meet any needs in the cafeterias on a WRAP day.
Custodial, SNB Drivers, and Maintenance
Custodial staff, SNB drivers and Maintenance will report to work as normal.
Tier I and Tier II Bus Drivers and Bus Aides
Depending on the needs of the division, Tier bus drivers and bus aides may be assigned responsibilities on WRAP days by their supervisor. Staff will be compensated for actual hours worked.
Meals
Breakfast and lunch will be provided to students in advance of the scheduled WRAP days by distributing meals to the in-person learners as they leave the buildings at the end of the last school day in attendance before the closure. Full remote students will receive food by the normal delivery process with a possible change in delivery day based on weather conditions.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Extra-Curricular activities will automatically default to canceled or postponed on WRAP days. However, as in the past, each day’s conditions will be discussed with school administrators, the Superintendent of Schools, and the Director of Transportation and decisions on activities will be made on a case by case basis.
Instructional Approaches
WRAP Instruction days are not a “free day” for teachers or students. They are considered instructional days where teaching and learning occurs.
The format that will be used for WRAP days is the same as what is used on the virtual/remote learning day on Fridays. Teachers will follow pacing guides and continue providing instruction remotely. There is an expectation that live or on-demand lessons and tutoring through Teams meetings will be made available to students. All meetings previously scheduled will be maintained via virtual meetings or phone calls.
Technology Needs
Students will be instructed to take their devices and chargers home for the WRAP day just as they would for a virtual day. If an in-person student needs a loaner hotspot, the request should go through the Technology Department.
The Division and School websites will have a link dedicated to WRAP days and general information.
Students with Disabilities
BVPS will educate all students on Weather Related Remote Access Plan days. The educational needs of students with disabilities on WRAP days will be met through accommodated and modified instruction with accommodations as outlined in the Individual Education Plan (IEP).
Special education teachers should develop a plan relating specifically to how IEP accommodations will be met on WRAP days (WRAP days are defined as virtual/remote learning days due to inclement weather.) The WRAP days are designed to function in the same manner as the virtual/remote learning day on Fridays. It is especially important to understand what type or level of parental support the student will have at home on WRAP days before deciding on an educational plan for WRAP days. WRAP day procedures would vary depending on a student’s individual needs but could include, for example, the regular classroom teacher adjusting the lesson to meet accommodations, the special education teacher creating student specific lessons, or the regular education and special education teachers working together to adjust or create lessons. Procedures for WRAP days could also include (but are not limited to) sending familiar manipulatives home with the students, downloading lessons or educational games onto a tablet and sending it home, creating lessons focusing on life skills, or using technology to create face-to- face learning experiences.
The regular education and special education teachers must be available to students virtually, or by other communication methods in case of questions about the coursework. All meetings previously scheduled will be maintained via virtual meetings or phone calls
English Learners should continue to receive services on WRAP days:
WRAP day procedures would vary depending on a student’s individual needs. The English Learner teacher will be available to students virtually, or by other communication methods in case of questions about the coursework.
Procedures for Decision Making
BVPS will begin informing families in early November about the Weather-Related Remote Access Plan Program, before inclement weather creates schedule changes. WRAP will be used when weather conditions can be forecast well enough in advance for families and employees to plan to provide division wide remote instruction. WRAP will not be implemented in short notice situations.
Continuously- Transportation Director and Superintendent monitor weather forecasts.
The Manager of Emergency Services for Bristol Virginia provides updates from the National Weather Service. Multiple online weather sites are checked. TV and radio forecasts are considered. Occasionally, Superintendents and Transportation Managers from other divisions are in communication. Decisions to use WRAP Days or an altered schedule will be made as early as reliable information is available to make a sound decision.
In addition to using WRAP days for the 2020-21 school year, Bristol Virginia Public Schools may also close traditionally, utilize a two (2) hour delay schedule, or less often, use the three (3) hour delay schedule.
In addition to using WRAP days for the 2020-21 school year, Bristol Virginia Public Schools may also close traditionally, utilize a two (2) hour delay schedule, or less often, use the three (3) hour delay schedule.
5:30 AM- Start Checking Roads
The Transportation Team drives routes to check conditions of streets that several buses will be traveling. These streets are typically the most troublesome streets, and they include streets
in traditionally shady, slick, or areas that seem to be more troublesome due to their steepness, accessibility, width, etc. A decision to alter the schedule may be made at this time. If not, then:
6:00 AM- Re-Check Weather Conditions
The Transportation Director checks the weather forecast again for the day. He then calls Transportation Team members and asks for an update on the road conditions near their homes. If things have changed drastically, some streets may be checked again.
The Director of Public Works and the Police Department for the City of Bristol may be consulted for an overview of road conditions and predictions about improving/deteriorating road conditions.
A decision to alter the schedule may be made at this time. If not, then:
6:00 – 6:15 AM- Superintendent Notified of all Street Conditions by Transportation Manager
The Transportation Director calls the Superintendent to provide an update on road conditions. A decision is then made about schedule alterations.
If the schedule is altered - 6:15 – 6:30 AM- Calls to Radio/Television Stations, Etc.
Central Office Staff begins calling radio and television stations. The Superintendent
and/or Chief Technology Officer sends out a message via Social Media, email, voice call, and/or text message. The School Division website is updated.
7:30 – 8:30 AM- Delayed Schedule to CLOSED
If the delayed schedule needs to be changed to Closed, Central Office Staff calls radio and television stations. The Superintendent and/or Chief Technology Officer sends out a message via Social Media, email, voice call, and/or text message. The School Division Website is updated.
Temperature concerns
When temperatures are expected to be below 10 degrees, the Division will consider making a schedule change. Factors to be considered during these conditions include cloud cover, wind chill, radiant heat factor, and hourly temperature changes. When temperatures drop to single digits during the time of normal bus routes, a delayed schedule may be used. This will enable custodial and maintenance staff more time to ensure that all areas of the buildings are heated properly prior to the arrival of students and staff and that buses are able to start and warm appropriately prior to departure for routes.
Emphasis on Safety of Students and Employees
The safety of our students and staff are the most important factor when decisions are made to alter school schedules. Other factors include current road conditions, future weather predictions, and comfort/function of buildings. Example: Roads might be snow/ice covered at 5 AM with forecasts showing more snow/ice to follow, and there would be a need to close; however, if roads are snow covered and the forecast is calling for the snow to stop and temperatures to rise quickly, a two-hour delay schedule could be utilized. Forecasts are not always accurate, so it is necessary to continue checking roads throughout the morning on a day of a delayed schedule.
The transportation team recognizes the burden that is placed upon parents when a decision is made to change the school schedule. The team will always try to consider the importance of parental convenience when making decisions to alter school schedules. However, student and staff safety will be the primary factor that is considered.
The goal is to have the announcement of the schedule change to radio/television stations by:
- If a schedule is altered (2-hour delay) notifications to families and the community will be made by 6:30 AM.
- If the delayed schedule needs to be changed to closed, the decision will be made no later than 8:30 AM.
Possible Decisions for 2020-21 School Year:
- 2-hour delay
- 3-hour delay virtually
- Closed
- Weather-Related Remote Access Plan Day- Division wide remote/virtual learning- Teachers do not report to schools, but must be available to students during normal school hours, or by other communication methods in case of questions about the coursework
- Early dismissals as needed
*On 2 and 3-hour delays, alternate bus routes/stops may be used as deemed necessary.
Updated on 02/17/2021 by administration to better meet the needs of the division