Leaders,

As you meet with your staff, please review the guidance provided below for RCSS PowerUp Asynchronous Learning Days. Following the Instructional Guidance below, teachers should begin communicating expectations two weeks prior to the PowerUp Asynchronous Learning Day. PowerUp Assignments must be assigned in Canvas. All asynchronous assignments should be digital. Teachers should not send "paper packets" unless the packets support their digital assignments. As a reminder, all teachers should have an active Canvas Course with the minimum criteria outlined here: RCSS Canvas Course Essential Practices and Features Checklist.

✔ Instructional Guidance

Instructional Guidance and Resources for Students: The PowerUp instructional guidance documents are available in Richmond Ready! Modules 5.2, but we have linked them here for your convenience:

- PK to 2nd Asynchronous Learning Day
- 3rd-5th Grade Asynchronous Learning Day
- Middle School Asynchronous Learning Day
- High School Asynchronous Learning Day
Please give your staff guidance about creating and assigning meaningful digital learning assignments in Canvas . iReady Personalized MyPath assignments are appropriate supplements, but they should not be the only assignment given. Digital learning assignments should be aligned to the curriculum map and pacing guide for the course. See grade-band guidance above.
Remind staff that assignments should be open/available from the evening of the last in-person school day until midnight before the return to in-person instruction. 2025-2026 Timelines are outlined below:
- After school on Wednesday, October 8 until Midnight on Tuesday, October 14
- After school on Thursday, April 2 until Midnight on Monday, April 13
Students who do not submit assignments prior to the end of the PowerUp Asynchronous Learning Day windows outlined above will have their scores reduced by 5% for each day the work is late. Late assignments after the fifth day will not be accepted.
If you have any questions about the instructional expectations, please reach out to Kinesha Ponder, Jason Medlin, Owen Fletcher, or your Digital Learning Specialist.

✔ Technology Guidance

Technology Distribution Timeline and Resources: Please review the linked PowerUp Process Resources. All student devices should be assigned to individual students by the second week of school. All schools are expected to distribute devices for students to work at home during the four PowerUp Asynchronous Learning weekends. If you have questions about device distribution, please reach out to Carolyn McCord, Daryl Craig, or your school technician.

✔ Attendance

Student Attendance: Students who complete their assignments -OR- log in during the PowerUp Asynchronous Learning windows outlined above will be marked present for the PowerUp Asynchronous Learning Day (October 9 and April 3).

✔ Staff Expectations

Staff Expectations: Employees are expected to report to the school to work in-person on PowerUp Asynchronous Learning Days.

Schools may operate on their regular school work hours or principals may follow the 8:00-4:00 Teacher Workday Schedule.
This day is designed for teachers to work asynchronously. Appropriate activites include
- planning collaboratively,
- analyzing data,
- assessing student work with feedback, and
- conferencing with parents, as scheduled.
Principals should NOT schedule synchronous meetings or trainings with staff on these days.
Paraprofessional do not work on PowerUp Asynchronous Learning Days. See the Work Calendar for specific questions.