When winter weather forced West Greene School District to implement Flexible Instruction Days (FIDs) during the last week of January, the district’s preparation and community support ensured that learning—and essential services—continued without interruption.
“Overall, the feedback has been really positive regarding the implementation of Flexible Instruction Days throughout the last week of January due to the snowstorm,” according to Superintendent Eric Gaydos.
Despite the difficult circumstances, attendance and participation remained high. In fact, Gaydos noted, “We couldn’t have asked for a better outcome despite the circumstances. This highlights the resilience and resolve that are a part of the character and culture of this District.”
Preparation began early as weather models predicted significant snowfall. “As the models started to show a northern shift of the axis of heavier rates of snowfall, we had a good idea that we would be out of school for a good portion of the week,” Gaydos explained.
Teachers were asked to prepare for extended remote instruction and met the challenge head-on and created plans that were appropriate and effective for remote instruction.
The district’s FID plan is tiered by grade level. “Students in grades K-2 are given packets to complete. Students in grades 3-5 are sent home with their Chromebooks to access online instruction and learning resources assigned to them by their teachers. Students in grades 6-12 follow their daily schedule online. Teachers hosted Google Meets, provided instruction and support, and reached out to families as needed.
Two of the women who reflected on the week experienced it from dual roles—as educators and as parents of elementary students in the district.
Mrs. Karlie Wright, K–12 Academic Director and a parent of an elementary student, shared, “I felt the virtual instruction days were effective overall and a great example of how our staff prioritizes student learning, even when unfortunate circumstances require a shift in our delivery”. She was especially impressed with the attentiveness of her kindergarten student’s teacher, noting the “clear communication, thoughtful support, and multiple options for students to meet learning goals in developmentally appropriate ways”.
Mrs. Jill Stoffa, an elementary teacher, who is also the parent of a kindergartener in the district, described her classroom experience: “Virtual days for my third graders during the snowstorm looked similar to in-person instruction in many ways. Students logged into a Google Meet where attendance was taken, and instruction was provided in the core content areas”.
Balancing both roles added another layer to the week. “This year, balancing a class to teach with a kindergartener at home added a new dynamic to our virtual days,” she shared. Still, she emphasized that “administration, teachers, students, staff, and families work together to ensure learning continues and connections remain strong”.
Beyond academics, the district prioritized student well-being. “When it comes to making the call to cancel school, we are always concerned about those who are less fortunate or come from extraordinary circumstances,” Gaydos explained.
Meals were sent home before the storm, and when closures extended, administrators worked quickly to coordinate additional meal distributions despite delivery challenges.
Ultimately, the week of FIDs demonstrated West Greene’s ability to adapt while keeping students at the center of every decision—proving that even during difficult weather conditions, the Pioneer spirit continues to move forward.
