Hurricane Helene was an unusual event resulting in widespread power outages for an extended period of time, which made it impossible for Greenville County Schools, and most districts in our area, to conduct eLearning during the eight days schools were closed.
In accordance with state law, the State Department of Education is requiring districts to make up three of the days missed during Hurricane Helene, which will then allow our local school board to excuse three days and the State Board of Education to excuse three days.
The district administration is proposing a plan to meet these requirements to the GCS Board of Trustees. Upon approval, Greenville County Schools will make up three days missed from Hurricane Helene using self-paced, asynchronous (no live instruction) eLearning on the following days: Friday, March 14; Friday, April 18; and Saturday, May 10. Students and teachers will not need to be online for these makeup days; teachers will provide students with assignments that can be completed within five school days upon return to school.
Details about how self-paced, asynchronous eLearning will be conducted, the complete plan for making up days, and other FAQs are outlined below.
FAQs
What dates are designated self-paced eLearning makeup days?
Friday, March 14, 2025
Friday, April 18, 2025
Saturday, May 10, 2025
How do self-paced eLearning days work?
The guidelines below for self-paced, asynchronous (no live instruction) eLearning will only be used for this unusual circumstance. Please note that, absent similar extenuating circumstances in a particular situation, this will not be the process for eLearning moving forward, and normal eLearning procedures with live instruction will be utilized in the future as needed for inclement weather.
Self-paced eLearning Procedures for March 14, April 18, and May 10:
- Students/teachers do not need to be online during these self-paced, asynchronous eLearning days.
- Teachers will prepare work/assignments for students and post them in Google Classroom or send home physical assignments before 8:00 a.m. on the self-paced eLearning day.
- Students should complete the assignment on the self-paced, asynchronous eLearning day OR within five school days upon return to school per normal eLearning procedures. Including weekends and holidays, those dates are as follows:
- March 14 work must be completed by March 28 (15 days)
- April 18 work must be completed by April 25 (8 days)
- May 10 (Saturday) work must be completed by May 16 (7 days)
- Teachers will grade or provide feedback on the assignment or plan to review the assignment in class with students.
- Teachers may assign work such as review for tests, prepare for future assignments, preview future upcoming lessons, etc.
Why self-paced eLearning?
Recognizing that students, families, and staff may have existing plans on these dates, the district determined that self-paced, asynchronous (no live instruction) eLearning would provide the least impact and the greatest flexibility while meeting the state requirements within the existing school year.
Why does GCS need to make up days from Hurricane Helene?
Hurricane Helene was an unusual event resulting in widespread power outages for an extended period of time, which made it impossible for Greenville County Schools, and most districts in our area, to conduct eLearning during the eight days schools were closed. In accordance with state law, the State Department of Education is requiring districts to make up three of the days missed during Hurricane Helene, which will then allow our local school board to excuse three days and the State Board of Education to excuse three days. The district’s plan for addressing the eight missed days from Hurricane Helene is as follows:
- 3 Makeup Self-paced eLearning Days (Friday, March 14; Friday, April 18; and Saturday, May 10, 2025)
- 3 Days Forgiven by GCS Board of Trustees (pending approval in February)
- Up to 3 Days Forgiven by SC State Board of Education (pending approval in April)
Is there a concern the state still may not forgive the missed days?
Based on discussions with both the local and state boards, we do not anticipate any issue with having the remaining days forgiven.
How will attendance be tracked on the self-paced eLearning days?
Completion of assignments will indicate a student’s participation in the self-paced, asynchronous eLearning day.
Why was a Saturday chosen?
After utilizing the two teacher/student holidays in March and April, there were no other weekdays left within this school year aside from spring break. Since self-paced, asynchronous eLearning is not conducted live in person and the work can be completed within the 5 school days following return to school, choosing a Saturday was the next best option in order to avoid extending the current school calendar by another day.
Will teachers be available to be contacted on these days?
Teachers will not be available live, but they will return students’ questions in a reasonable timeframe so they can complete the assignments within the 5 school days.
Will future makeup days be self-paced eLearning?
Self-paced, asynchronous (no live instruction) eLearning will only be used for this unusual circumstance. Absent similar extenuating circumstances in a particular situation, this will NOT be the process for eLearning moving forward, and normal eLearning procedures with live instruction will be utilized in the future as needed for inclement weather.