JACKSON TWP — Most parents and students in the Seneca Valley School District liked the trial run of the district’s new flexible instruction days, according to school officials.

Seneca is one of the first districts in the region approved by the state to hold flexible instruction days when students stay home, but are able to work on assignments.

The flexible days count toward the district’s minimum number of required instructional days.

Last month, the school board approved the calendar for the 2016-17 school year that includes two snow makeup days. But if the district has to cancel school three or four times because of winter weather, it will use flexible days.

The trial flexible day was Feb. 12 and included a mix of online and offline class assignments. Students had 10 days to turn in the assignments and receive full credit.

After that 10 days, the district distributed surveys to parents and students in grades five through 12.

Of the 1,838 parents who responded, 74 percent said that the flexible day was an appropriate option to a school day cancellation, while 21 percent disagreed and 5 percent were neutral.

“For the most part parents were appreciative that we were trying this innovative approach, and they also provided some comments on how we could make it better,” Tracy Vitale, superintendent, said Monday.

The reaction from students was more mixed, with about 54 percent saying they liked the day.

Some students who disliked the flexible day said they preferred to spend the day at school.

“They really like being here, and they like being in front of their teachers,” Vitale said.

A comment from parents was that the 10-day assignment window allowed some students to procrastinate on their assignments.

But the district cannot change the 10-day due date because it is required by the state so all students have a chance to use a computer.