Emergency Remote Instruction Plan

In accordance with Education Law § 414(1) and NYSED’s Remote Instruction Under Emergency Conditions requirements, this plan outlines how Edgemont UFSD will ensure continuity of instruction when onsite learning is disrupted due to emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, facility failures). The plan addresses:

• Instructional expectations (K–12)
• Device and connectivity access
• Synchronous vs. asynchronous time
• Services for students with disabilities
• Instructions for students without technology access
• Staff expectations
• Estimated instructional hours for State Aid claims

This plan ensures that remote instruction during emergency conditions is instructionally sound, equitable, accessible, and developmentally appropriate, and complies with all NYSED guidelines.
 

The district may implement remote instruction when emergency conditions prevent the safe operation of school buildings, including:

• Severe weather (snow, ice, flooding)
• Power outages or heating failures
• Building emergencies
• Other conditions as determined by the Superintendent

In such cases, the district will announce a remote instruction day with a two-hour delayed start to allow families and staff to prepare.
 

Requirement #1 & #2

Devices

• Grades 5–12: All students have district-issued Chrome Books.
• Grades K–4: Devices may be sent home if an extended closure is anticipated.
• The district will maintain an inventory of loaner devices.

Connectivity

Families will be notified that if internet access is disrupted:

• Students may complete printed learning packets (K–6) or offline assignments (7–12).
• Schools will maintain procedures for families to request connectivity support (hotspots if available, supervised pick-up locations when safe, or paper alternatives).

NYSED requires that asynchronous work be supplementary, not the primary mode of instruction.

The following plan assumes connectivity is available.

Elementary Schools (K–6)
Structure

• Two-hour delay to start the day.
• Teachers available for virtual check-ins/questions during posted hours.

K–5

• Primary instruction is delivered through printed and/or digital learning packets prepared in advance.
• Activities are designed to be completed offline, acknowledging possible power/internet disruption.
• Teachers provide synchronous check-ins (Google Meet)

6th Grade
Students engage via:

• Google Classroom
• Online tools (Chromebooks)
• Printed packets
• Ongoing projects/assignments
• Teachers are available daily via Meet and email.

Specials Teachers — Collaborate with grade levels to add developmentally appropriate activities to learning packets.

Secondary (Grades 7–12)
Structure

• School follows a two-hour delay bell schedule for remote days.
• Teachers post assignments on Google Classroom.
• Synchronous availability provided during the scheduled class period (Meet or email).
• Assignments should allow students to complete even if they temporarily lose connectivity.

Instructional time expectations

• Grades 9–12: ~50 minutes of work per scheduled subject per remote day.
• Grades 7–8: ~40 minutes of work per scheduled subject per remote day. 

Work is due the next school day by 3:00 PM unless otherwise stated.

For students who cannot access remote instruction digitally due to:

• Lack of internet
• Power outages
• Device malfunction

The district will ensure:

• K–6: Printed learning packets allow for fully offline completion.
• 7–12: Teachers design assignments that can be completed offline; deadlines may be extended.

Schools will track individual student situations to maintain equitable access.

The district will ensure the continued provision of FAPE during remote instruction:

• Special education teachers will provide modified assignments aligned to each student’s IEP goals.
• Select related service providers (speech, counseling) will offer:
  • Virtual sessions
  • Telephone check-ins
  • Printed resources/activities for use during closures
• Case managers  will contact students regularly to support timelines, check progress, and provide accommodations. 
• The district will document all attempts to provide services.
   

All teachers will:

• Post assignments by the start of their instructional window.
• Provide synchronous “availability time” (Meet/email) for student questions.
• All teachers will respond to student and family email inquiries within 48 hours, contingent upon reliable internet access and provided that administrative consultation is not required.
• Provide accessible materials (print/digital).
• Ensure consistency with NYSED’s expectation that asynchronous instruction is supplementary, not primary.

Building administrators will:

• Ensure communication is sent home in advance of remote days.
• Monitor access, equity, and instructional expectations.
• Support staff with technical and instructional needs.

Edgemont UFSD will claim instructional hours for remote emergency days under Commissioner’s Regulation § 175.5 using these daily hour equivalents:

• Grades K–6: Equivalent to a full in-person school day through a combination of packets, assignments, and synchronous support.
• Grades 7–12: Instructional hours align to the two-hour delay schedule and required work posted for each class.

The district will maintain documentation demonstrating that remote instruction provided educational value equivalent to an in-person day.

All materials designed for various home contexts (multiple caregivers, limited time, special needs).
Offline options are prioritized due to possible power outages.
Materials are sent home proactively when additional closures are anticipated. 

The district will notify families:

• Through email, the district website, and classroom platforms.
• At Coffee Nights and curriculum evenings, where the plan is reviewed.
• In advance, when potential remote days are likely (when snow-day count is nearly exhausted). 
   

This plan will be reviewed annually and updated based on:

• Feedback from students, families, and staff
• Updated NYSED guidance
• Changes in technology access and resources