What really happens on a virtual learning day?

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Between the water crisis in January and recent back-to-back snow storms, schools around Central Virginia have been forced to cancel classes more than normal.

"It's an adjustment," said Richmond Public Schools (RPS) teacher Jason Rodrigues. "A lot of it is about sticking to a schedule. We’ve lost so many days since January and we’re behind on lesson plans.”

Rodrigues teaches 6th grade American History at River City Middle School. He said this year is his first time teaching virtually.

"I think they look at it as a snow day," Rodrigues said. "Out of about 130 students, a total of about 60 did some work -- and I had about 30 of those 60 that did all [of] the work that was assigned.”

In an email to 8News, RPS shared a link to its social media post from Feb. 10, in which the school division explained what a virtual day can look like:

• Asynchronous learning allows students to work through materials and assignments on their own schedule.
  • Elementary students will receive printed work to complete asynchronously -- and will not take Chromebooks home -- in the case of inclement weather.
  • Completed work packets must be returned to elementary teachers upon students returning to school.
• Synchronous learning provides real-time, live instruction where students join lessons via Google Classroom with their teachers.
  • Middle and high school students will continue to take home their Chromebooks in preparation for potential virtual asynchronous and synchronous learning due to building closures.
  • If secondary scholars do not have Chromebooks, they'll receive printed work packets to supplement at-home learning opportunities.

“It’s good for my content, but not necessarily for subjects like English and math, where they need more rigor and the ability to stay focused,” Rodrigues said.

He said that, of the school missed this year, only the past four days have been virtual learning. The rest were just days off, due to the water crisis.

Rodrigues said RPS is finding ways to move forward.

"We're anticipating that we're going to be doing some more asynchronous days -- because of the water crisis, and they don't want to extend the year," he said. "I don’t think extending the school year would be helpful. The asynchronous days gave us a chance to assign work, and those students who wanted to do it, did it.”

The district announced that schools will open late on Friday, Feb. 21, with a two-hour delay.