As the end of the semester approaches, two tools used for scheduling have been increasingly relied on: asynchronous days and flexible instruction days (FIDs). 

While both are designed to provide relief during times when they are needed, such as large amounts of snow or ice, these days can affect how the semester wraps up. Both types of days are designed to provide flexibility. Their impact on students, staff and the academic calendar, however, can be very different. 

“Anytime we make an adjustment to the school calendar, we involve the School Board of Directors and the administration team at the district and buildings,” Superintendent Brad Hatch said. “Those decisions can impact all departments including Food Service, Transportation, Building and Grounds, Safety & Security and, obviously, the Academic and student-related services departments.”

Asynchronous days allow students to complete assignments on their own time without live classes. Lessons are delivered through posted materials, and attendance is often measured by completion of assignments. While this can be helpful, it can lead to a surge in deadlines and even an extension of the marking period or semester. 

In contrast, FIDs maintain teacher-led learning through Google Meet. During these FIDs, students are expected to attend school virtually as instructed and complete all work unless they are absent and their parent/guardian plans to send an excuse. If no excuse is sent, the day will be marked as unexcused. 

For some, these asynchronous days seem unneeded. Without a set class schedule, assignments can be postponed or not done at all, leading to a backlog of work that piles up before the end of the semester. 

“If I’m being honest, I feel like there’s no point to having asynchronous days, and they’re kind of a waste,” senior Camden Johnson said. “Let’s be realistic: nobody is putting their entire morning into doing their work, especially when you don’t necessarily have to.”

Due to the use of these days, the semester was rescheduled to end on Jan. 22, but asynchronous days and FIDs will continue to be utilized when needed. 

“The extension of the semester is due to the ‘snow day’ that extended the Thanksgiving Break.  That day will be made up in the fourth marking period on May 19,” Hatch said. “That day was to be a student and staff day off due to elections; however, we will make up the ‘snow day’ on that day with an asynchronous learning day.”

The extension of the marking period is aimed at giving teachers and students additional time to complete coursework and assessments following recent disruptions to the school schedule. As part of that broader effort to manage missed time, the district will continue to evaluate instructional options when the school calendar is strained. 

“We will consider using asynchronous days in circumstances where a FID day cannot be utilized or in circumstances where we would have exhausted the five allotted annual FID days,” Hatch said.