Inclement Weather Guidelines

See below for important information related to communication procedures and e-Learning plans in the event that winter weather disrupts our school operations. The Illinois State Board of Education has granted all schools the option of developing an e-learning plan in the event that a school building has to shift quickly into remote learning. Below is an overview of our plan, approved by ISBE, which may be enacted upon the decision to close school.

Communication and Notification

Closures, e-learning days and delays will be communicated to D204 families through email and text message. 

• When possible, advance notice of an e-learning day will be provided so students may take required materials home.
• Staff will receive a reminder communication outlining expectations each time an e-learning day is implemented.

To ensure you receive all pertinent information this winter, we suggest doing the following:

1. Contact information is gathered from Infinite Campus. If your contact information has changed recently or if you are unsure whether we have contact information on file, you are encouraged to call your campus main office. Or if you prefer to do so, log in to the Infinite Campus Portal, select More then select Family Information from the menu. Submit updates or corrections by clicking on the Update button.
2. If you would like text message notifications about school delays, closures and e-learning days, text the word START to 82290 to enroll. After you receive a reply, text YES to confirm that you would like to receive text messages.
3. Follow D204 on Facebook and X. School delays and closures will be posted to these social media channels.

If you do not receive an email or text or find emergency closing information listed on the website, posted to the District's social media pages or in the media, then assume that school is in session.

E-Learning Day

In the event of inclement weather, if the decision has been made to close school and implement an e-learning day, teachers will engage students for five hours a day.

Teachers will provide an asynchronous lesson by 9am via Canvas. Asynchronous lessons will:

• Students are expected to engage in learning for the equivalent of a regular school day.
• Since students attend seven classes, teachers should provide no more than 48 minutes of instructional or learning activities per class to total approximately 5 hours of engagement.
• Learning activities should align with current instructional goals and be reasonable for remote completion.
• By 9 a.m., teachers are expected to have independent lessons posted in Canvas for students to access.
• Focus only on essential outcomes and skills.
• Demand no more than 48 minutes of student activity, including homework, for each asynchronous lesson for each e-learning day.
• Provide opportunities for students to process new information, request feedback and get help upon return from e-learning.
• Students can complete the work at any time.
• Time will be provided to do work that could not be accessed during e-learning upon return to school.
• Focus only on essential outcomes and skills.
• Teachers will create paper assignments equivalent to online assignments as much as possible for those who run into technology access issues.
• Depending on the length of the e-learning event, paper assignments may not be made available until students return to school.
• Time will be provided to do work that could not be accessed during e-learning upon return to school.

Every effort will be made to ensure students take home their Chromebooks prior to the declaration of an e-learning day.

Technology Access and Digital Platform

• All students are issued a District Chromebook and have access to course materials via Canvas.
• Students who do not have home internet access are provided a hotspot.
• Teachers should ensure posted materials are clearly organized and accessible.

Access to Non-Digital Materials

• When a student lacks access to required technology, teachers should provide hard-copy alternatives whenever feasible.
• Students who cannot complete assignments due to access limitations will be provided additional time upon returning to school.

Support for Students with Special Needs

• Case Managers, Program Coordinators, and Division leadership will collaborate to ensure accommodations and supports are upheld.
• Students and families can communicate with Case Managers via email during e-learning.
• All 504 and IEP meetings scheduled on e-learning day will be rescheduled.

Student Attendance and Participation Verification

• Students will complete a brief District-issued Google attendance form each day which will be sent to students via email.

Overall Expectations

• Teachers will help ensure appropriate learning opportunities for students with special needs.
• All 504 and IEP meetings scheduled on e-learning day will be rescheduled.
• Faculty will be available between 9am and 3pm to provide timely, but not necessarily immediate, responses to student questions via email.
• Zoom/Google Meet will not be used for the asynchronous lessons. Should a school closure extend beyond a few days, additional guidance, schedules and expectations will be shared.

Expectations for Assignments and Flexibility

• Assignments should reasonably match the duration and rigor of a typical class period.
• Students experiencing extenuating circumstances will have two additional days to complete assignments.
• Additional flexibility may be provided based on individual needs.

Evening Events / Extra-curricular Activities

Typically, if the school is closed all evening activities will be canceled as well. However, we may have some unusual situations where we may authorize events in the evening, depending on conditions. In those cases, specific information will be communicated to students and families.

Considered Factors When Making a Decision to Close School or Implement an e-Learning Day

The decision to close school or implement an e-Learning day is based on many factors.

• Campus Conditions
• Do our campuses (North Campus, South Campus, Vaughan Building, The Corral, Transition House, etc.) have electricity and heat?
• Are our parking lots able to be plowed to allow access for buses, cars, etc.?
• Transportation Conditions
• Can employees at Grand Prairie and First Student get to the bus company? 
• Do the buses start and do the drivers feel comfortable driving?
• Local Road Conditions
• Are local roads accessible and continually plowed, and is traffic moving?
• Air temperature Conditions
• Are the temperature and wind chill bearable?

If the answer is yes to all of these questions, most likely the decision will be to keep schools operating on our normal schedule.