Alternative Method of Instruction Plan Approved
Paris Schools values every minute of instructional time available. In an effort to continue the flow of education during absences, PSD applied for a waiver for AMI, Alternative Methods of Instruction Plan. The district has received confirmation of approval from the state for up to five AMI days. AMI is a new state-approved program which will allow schools to count snow days or other closures as instructional days.
Paris School District is one of only two school districts in the Guy Fenter Educational Service Cooperative to apply and receive approval for the program this year. This program will allow the approved districts to plan for AMI during days out for inclement weather, loss of power, contagious disease outbreak, etc. These plans will be put into place to combat lost instructional time if inclement weather or other acts force the closure of schools. School will be considered in session on these days even though the students are not physically present in the buildings. The AMI days will be determined by the Superintendent and will be based on the number of days missed during the 2017- 2018 school year
When able to plan ahead, teachers can send assignments home with students prior to the closure to complete within the allotted amount of days before turning it in for a grade. The assignments will vary by teacher and grade level. Assignments could include online activities, pre-loaded thumb drives or paper packets for those without internet access. If the assignments are completed and returned by the due date, the students will not be counted absent for those missed days.
Paris Schools Superintendent, Wayne Fawcett, said the assignments, determined by each teacher, could also include hands-on work, may be measuring the snow fall or interviewing family members.
Parents and students will be notified via school phone message system, the Paris School District website, all social media outlets, and the local radio/television stations. The delivery of the assignments (paper/pencil or digital) will be at the discretion of the teacher and will be required to be completed to the specifications as outlined by the teacher.
Paris Schools hopes this new program will be beneficial to our students, allowing for more instructional time, fewer educational disruptions, and increased student learning.