SJSD explains process behind AMI days

After area schools canceled in-person classes on Tuesday due to cold temperatures, alternative methods of instruction were an option some utilized to keep learning going.

Instead of opting for a “snow day” the St. Joseph School District was among those choosing an AMI day for its students.

“We take a lot of factors into consideration for this,” said Assistant Superintendent, Ashly McGinnis. “We’ve been out of school for such a long period of time, that it was important that we get our students back into learning.”

An AMI day consists of remote teaching and learning and still counts as a school day. It is one way for the district to having to make up for snow days elsewhere during or at the end of the school year.

Tuesday’s AMI day was SJSD’s first ever.

“We received a lot of positive feed back about that day,” said McGinnis. “Now, we know that from Covid and going through virtual learning, that there’s also going to be hiccups and there’s always going to be students who can’t access the internet.”

It’s also something the district will have to get used to, as Senate Bill 727 states that students need to be in school for 169 days.

Stacia Studer, the district’s director of curriculum and instruction said it was prepared when it comes to planning and implementation.

“We were very proactive as a district and an AMI plan was distributed and, our instructional coach team worked together to supply instructional resources across and that were consistent at each of the grade levels,” said Studer.

And for students who don’t have access to resources to help them complete assignments, the district has a plan for that too.

“They still have that five day period,” said Studer. “And the teachers know and they would to support each and every child everyday.”

Students would also get the opportunity to construct their own schedule whenever they’re learning throughout the day.