KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Thursday was a snow day in the Liberty School District, but that didn't stop kids from participating in class.
"It's a different kind of class; I think it's fun because it's novel and unique," Liberty High School teacher Tim Baldwin said.
Classes are unique in the sense that teachers like Baldwin can still have class without ever leaving home.
Thursday was the first day the Liberty School District utilized flexible learning.
On snow day number five of this school year, the district said it is trying something new to prevent the year dragging out past Memorial Day.
"The fact that we have seen a lot of interruptions in learning over the last several years and to be able to have access, with students and staff having access to devices to be able to communicate, it seems like a no brainer," district spokesperson Dallas Ackerman said.
Flexible learning will keep the last day of school scheduled for May 22, but it will also help keep kids on the right track.
"An hour in February is a little bit more valuable then 45 minutes in May," Baldwin said.
Baldwin is the coach of the Liberty High School debate team. In the middle of prepping for the season, Baldwin said he's utilizing video conference calls to teach his students.
"Our season sort of peaks in March and we have snow days in January and February," he said. "A lot of the kids want to do some preparation when we can't meet in school."
Each class and grade level utilizes flexible learning in their own way. For high school students, teachers will post an assignment by 8:30 a.m., and host one hour of office hours to help students with assignments and answer any questions.
Ackerman said the first day of flexible learning went well.
With the first day under their belt, the district is turning its focus to work through issues like getting hot spots in the homes of families that need them so that every student can participate.
