September 3, 2019–7:54 a.m.

NEWS RELEASE

In addition to the standard Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 2, there will be no school on Tuesday, September 3 as well, as Rome City Schools participates in a Flexible Learning Day.

According to Dr. Leslie Dixon, Director of School Improvement at Rome City Schools, a Flexible Learning Day is an opportunity for students to continue their learning at home with a variety of options that include digital resources, paper, and pencil assignments and hands-on activities while teachers participate in Professional Learning Communities.

Teachers at every school will provide short, grade-appropriate lessons for each student to enrich the standards introduced in class. Assignments will not contain new material or subject matter; they will serve as practice or extension of the standards.

In addition, because Flexible Learning Days are considered an instructional day for students, they can be used in a variety of scenarios, such as inclement weather or parent conference days.

“Flexible Learning Days provide an opportunity for teachers to participate in Professional Learning Communities across the system, which gives teachers time to collaborate vertically or horizontally across grade and content areas,” explained Dr. Dixon. “As educational leaders, we have a shared responsibility to develop and support opportunities for our teachers to learn and grow in their craft. Flexible Learning Days provide time for teachers to reflect on shared teaching strategies and resources, examine student work and focus on the academic needs of their students.

“Research has shown that effective Professional Learning Communities can have a powerful impact on student achievement,” she continued. “Providing this opportunity for collective efficacy and collaboration demonstrates Rome City Schools’ continued commitment to academic excellence.”