Digital Learning Days

GCPS periodically conducts Digital Learning Days (DLDs) when school buildings must be closed on a scheduled school day. Individual local schools also periodically schedule Digital Learning Days as part of specific school initiatives. On a called Digital Learning Day, teachers continue instruction via their online course pages and other digital resources, and students are expected to participate in and complete instructional activities with these resources. Schools and teachers will communicate the specific expectations for completing and submitting activities and work. Any students who cannot participate should work directly with their teachers on alternative activities and assignments.

In addition, the school district has four Digital Learning Days built into the 2025-26 school calendar— September 19, November 4, February 6, and March 13. On these four planned DLDs, all students will learn from home, completing assignments at their own pace. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have their district-issued devices at home for planned DLDs.

What does digital learning look like?

Teachers may provide live (synchronous) learning opportunities and/or recorded (asynchronous) lessons and independent work.

This means that students will be required to participate in digital instruction on a specific schedule with their teachers (synchronous learning) and complete activities and assignments (asynchronous learning) on their own time to meet assignment deadlines.

Students will receive quality instruction on all grade-level standards, learning the district’s Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) curriculum.
Instruction and support will be provided by teachers and staff from the student’s local school.
If synchronous learning opportunities are provided, they will occur during the school day.
Students will access assignments in Google Classroom through their Learning Space. Teachers may also use additional digital resources.
Schools will provide specific information to support students and parents around digital learning processes and protocols. Check your school webpages and/or newsletters for more information.
Additional student and parent support resources may be available on the district web page and in the student portal.
ParentVUE makes it easier for parents to see assignments, including missing ones. It also allows parents to access student information, including gradebook data, discipline, report cards, transcripts, calendars, and more.

Will students have a schedule for when they should be online?

Will teachers be taking attendance?

How will students take tests and be assessed?

Assessments play an important role in the teaching and learning process. Teachers are learning new ways to informally and formally assess student learning digitally. These opportunities help teachers gauge a students’ mastery of the AKS and help teachers design a response to each student’s learning. Student participation in these assessments and assignments is key to helping teachers help students. Students will be expected to complete these tasks truthfully and while following teacher guidelines for the use of resources.