tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347003336753644532024-03-13T11:29:09.285-07:00Blizzard Bags SAU 45This blog is dedicated to the blizzard bag program at Moultonborough School District - SAU 45. For specific information on the blizzard bag program for the Central School, click on the link to the right. Academy blizzard bags are on Schoology.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34700333675364453.post-92211616521808981332017-01-27T09:54:00.003-08:002017-01-27T11:10:38.598-08:00Our First Blizzard BagThree years ago a committee of teachers and administrators sat and planned a <a href="http://blizzardbags.blogspot.com/2014/05/blizzard-bags-at-moultonborough-school.html">blizzard bag program</a> to address weather related issues. Instead of making up a snow day at the end of the year, the thinking was that we would create worthwhile and effective online learning that could be completed from home on a day where it wasn't safe to go to school. In New Hampshire, the Department of Education allows districts to apply for <a href="http://www.education.nh.gov/instruction/blizzard-bags.htm">permission to conduct remote instruction</a> during inclement events. Our plan was that the first snow day would remain a snow day, but then subsequent snow days might become blizzard bag days.<br />
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For grades K-3, teachers created physical bags with folders and activities that went home. For grades 4 through 12, staff created a blizzard bag infrastructure within their courses on <a href="http://sau45.schoology.com/">Schoology</a>, and when the moment came these assignments, discussions, or other activities would be made visible so students could complete them on the day of if they had power at their home, or on the following day if they didn't have Internet or power. Staff would spend time before the day creating material. On the day of a blizzard bag they would supervise their classes and answer student questions. On the day after they would grade students' products and take attendance. Para-professionals and others in the school would be participating in professional development through discussions on Schoology.<br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByTLz_sbyMniWkVTSG9qY252U1E/view">Our plan</a> called for students and staff to complete everything within 24 hours. We needed 80% participation from students throughout the district, and 80% participation from staff as well. It was approved by the Department of Education in 2014, and the 2014-2015 school year we had <a href="https://weather.com/news/news/new-england-boston-record-snow-tracker">several snow days</a>. Unfortunately, all of which were on Mondays or after a vacation. When we met that spring we decided to tweak our blizzard bag program. We kept the first snow day as a day off for staff and students, but we removed the restriction on Mondays and days after a vacation. Now we would experience a blizzard bag as soon as the second snow day struck.<br />
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But as everyone who lives in Northern New England knows, in 2015-2016 the snow did not come. We had a few delays and early releases, but spent the whole year looking at a plan that was gathering dust. For a second year in a row, we did not have a blizzard bag day.<br />
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In 2016-2017, we hoped we would finally get there. We had several close calls in December and early January, and we notified students and staff that a blizzard bag day was a possibility. But all of these ended up being 2 hour delays instead of snow days. So when the weather changed over last weekend with snow, freezing rain and rain all in the forecast from Monday night to Tuesday afternoon, we knew a blizzard bag day had arrived. We notified students on Monday, and the call was made Tuesday morning. Students and staff completed activities throughout the day.<br />
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By the time the day was done and we had tallied attendance, we achieved the following results:<br />
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<li class="li1"><span style="color: black;">Elementary School 92% </span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="color: black;">High School: 84% </span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="color: black;">Middle Level: 87%</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="color: black;">Staff Attendance: 99%</span></li>
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So our first blizzard bag in three years was a success. We're looking forward to doing it again.<br />
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We learned many things from our first blizzard bag. When we created our plan three years ago we did not have an enrichment / recovery period. We also did not have double blocks on a rotating basis, which created some problems with taking timely attendance. Finally, our number of directed studies has increased significantly over the years, so we had to discount those numbers in our attendance calculations.. Another element we had not considered was requiring electronic submissions for students at the high school, even if that meant taking a picture of their work to upload and then submitting their actual work the following day. Overall, staff reported a great experience with their blizzard bags. We are surveying parents and students and will report our findings.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34700333675364453.post-85941936386907867492015-12-07T06:36:00.000-08:002015-12-07T06:36:04.890-08:00How to Take Faculty and Staff Attendance using Schoology.We have created the following short instructional videos for how to take your own faculty or staff attendance using Schoology.<br />
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<b>Moultonborough Academy</b><br />
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzpvyFJKeh8m7O_YffB7Fxdg5XeqwbH-Vo7thcF9qDIc5cw6F9dVXr8zobQnxGDXZI9LTRm3vEAM8Pirq9W' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b>Moultonborough Central School</b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxezkxvUwr7G7Hbds5EranzNtxHSs8xGRVqpc-waU9cZ0AOYDQWdCx2uXoP5uwVWbZp9Zul9c90qeupWgDO' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<b><br /></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34700333675364453.post-23997139562343424472014-11-21T10:33:00.002-08:002015-11-30T07:21:08.968-08:00Blizzard Bags F.A.Q.<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is a Blizzard Bag Day?</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A Blizzard Bag day is a snow day during which students will work at home on assignments planned by their teachers. Assignments may be completed on computer or using books, pencils, pens and paper. There may also be other types of activities assigned which can be completed at home.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">How will my son or daughter receive instruction?</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The lessons sent home in the Blizzard Bags are meant to enhance direct instruction by having students practice concepts that have been taught, do some independent research, and work on short and long term projects or complete writing assignments. Assignments will vary with age and grade and in some cases individual education plans (IEPs).</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">My child has special needs. How will he/she work on assignments?</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Special education teachers will work with classroom teachers to modify assignments as appropriate. Related service providers will also provide lessons appropriate to the services students receive during the school day. The special education teacher, service provider and classroom teacher will also be available to your child via computer.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do I have to have a computer?</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No. All Blizzard Bag assignments will have an option to complete the assignments by means other than with a computer.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Should my child be on the computer or working on school work for the exact number of hours he/she is in school?</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No. Five to six hours of constant school work without lunch breaks, recess, moving between classes etc., would be difficult for any child. When at school students have many opportunities for learning together and for social interactions. However, with regard to the time frame, it is likely to be a more focused, useful and productive day for students if the time on task is around 4 hours.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Does four hours meet the State requirement?</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The hours of instruction required by the Department of Education are met through this program. In fact, the District has been given approval by the Department of Education. We also want to assure that students are using their time productively. If we do not have a very high percentage of participation, we will not continue the program. Also, required by the New Hampshire Department of Education, is an 80 percent attendance rate.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">How will I know if it is a Blizzard Bag day?</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You will receive an Connect 5 message saying that school is cancelled and that the day has been designated as a Blizzard Bag day.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Will all of our snow days be Blizzard Bag days?</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We don’‛t want children to miss the fun of a good old fashioned snow day; so, the first school cancellation will be a snow day not a Blizzard Bag day. In the first year we will limit our Blizzard Bag days to two.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">When are the assignments due?</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The assignments are due the day following the Blizzard Bag day.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What constitutes attendance?</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When a student hands in the Blizzard Bag Assignments, they are considered present. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What if my child is sick and does not do the assignment?</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A child who is excused due to illness will have the same amount of time to make up the work as with any absence.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">When must teachers be available?</span></b></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your child will have a schedule during which time the teacher will be available online to answer questions or discuss the assignments. Students may contact their teacher between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">If my child does not do the work will they be marked absent?</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes. Missing assignments also affect a student's grade. However, if there is an extenuating circumstance, our policy on absences will be followed and students will be given additional time to complete the assignments if the lack of assignment completion is deemed an excused absence.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">How does my child know what to do?</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your child will be given specific information on exactly how to proceed.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do I need to help my child?</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Your child should be able to complete most activities independently, though they may want to email, or go online with their teachers. Teachers will be available during the day to: clarify directions, answer questions, make suggestions for additional resources, and to explain concepts. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34700333675364453.post-84476128783653950132014-11-13T10:34:00.000-08:002014-11-13T10:34:07.621-08:00Blizzard Bag Slideshow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is our Blizzard Bag presentation that was shown at the Academy's assembly on Thursday, November 13, 2014.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwZp6AKkFwyq_yvweCSuJsNTEYwL_mas1PRmvZzIDNsR0qTQT-S1l7yhLa7nlFA62jGlXHRs2Lb7xer7Y8p' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34700333675364453.post-75811598224488799852014-05-15T14:48:00.000-07:002018-01-20T15:16:25.273-08:00Blizzard Bags<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Blizzard Bags at Moultonborough School District.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br /></b></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What is a Blizzard Bag Day?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A Blizzard Bag Day is used when school is closed for weather or other conditions on a regular school day. Classroom teachers will have assignments or school work for students to complete at home on these days. Students will work online and teachers will be available to assist students. Documents will also be available for students who do not have internet access. The Department of Education allows for up to 5 Blizzard Bag Days a school year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Why have a Blizzard Bag Day?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A Blizzard Bag Day allows our students and faculty to not have to make up a snow day in June. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What does a Blizzard Bag Day Look like?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On a Blizzard Bag Day, families will receive a notification that school is not in session and that the day will be a Blizzard Bag Day. Classroom teachers will have prepared materials and school work for students in advance. Teachers will be available online via email and our Learning Management System to assist students. About 4 hours of school work is the expected amount of time that students will work on school work. The same as an early release day. Extra time is given to complete work if needed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What decides a Blizzard Bag Day? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Generally a Blizzard Bag Day will not be called for on the first closure day. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Consideration is given to whether a storm forecast may call for power outages in which case, a regular snow day is called. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Implementation.</b></span></span></div>
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Applied for Blizzard Bags with state in school year 2014-15<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByTLz_sbyMniWkVTSG9qY252U1E/view">Our Plan</a><br />
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<b>Usage</b><br />
School Year 2016-17: We used 4 blizzard Bags. See the summary presentation <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1QCvHVUbJZ-4-RGQcH-zez58BpZqi-5FoU8qKDX2pnjc/pub?start=true&loop=true&delayms=10000#slide=id.g35f391192_00">here: </a><br />
School Year 2017-18: we have used 2 Blizzard Bags so far<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Blizzard Bags F.A.Q</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Click on this <a href="http://blizzardbags.blogspot.com/2014/11/blizzard-bags-faq.html">link</a> to get the Academy's F.A.Q.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Blizzard Bag Days in New Hampshire</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.education.nh.gov/standards/documents/advisory19.pdf"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Technical Advisory from Department of Education with Plan Outline</span></a></div>
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<b>Other Districts' Blizzard Bag Pages</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://sites.google.com/a/govwentworth.k12.nh.us/bbkrms/"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Governor Wentworth School District</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.hampstead.k12.nh.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=388:online-learning&catid=25:-principals-message-&Itemid=85"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Hampstead Middle School</span></a><br />
<a href="http://pembrokeblizzardbags.wikispaces.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Pembroke School District</span></a><br />
<a href="http://conval.edu/district/assistant-superintendent-curriculum/blizzard-bags/blizzard-bags-1"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Conval School District</span></a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCgQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barnstead.k12.nh.us%2FBlizzardBagJan2013.pdf&ei=1Xx2U_W3H_O1sAS-wYDADw&usg=AFQjCNHU-ALS73PBaqvBZ3m9i1MqNC9-ZQ&bvm=bv.66917471,d.cWc"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Barnstead Letter from Superintendent</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.kearsarge.org/blizzard-bags"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Kearsage Blizzard Bags</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>News Articles</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.derrynews.com/derry/x1909758854/Pinkerton-Academy-pilots-blizzard-bags"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Pinkerton Academy pilots Blizzard Bags</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.unionleader.com/article/20140221/NEWS04/140229797"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Londonderry Union Leader</span></a></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com