Emergency Day e-Learning Plan

If District 200 needs to close one or more buildings due to an emergency, pandemic, or inclement weather, the district can still choose between implementing an e-learning day or making up the missed day at the end of the school year as an emergency day.  The contents of this plan will be reviewed periodically, and changes to the plan will be made as necessary based on the current or future circumstances to ensure it meets the needs of all students.

If an e-learning day is necessary, all students will receive at least five clock hours of student engagement. Options for the five clock hours included synchronous and asynchronous instruction designed to further the Illinois Learning Standards. When e-learning days are required, all instruction shall be conducted remotely throughout the district.  

The current plan in District 200 is to have the first two inclement weather days as traditional snow days and make the days up at the end of the school year.  After two snow days, we will move to e-learning days for the next three inclement weather days. 

This process has been shared with our parents and will be shared with our parents and students each year.  

Our families and students know our policy of using the first two inclement weather days as traditional snow days made up at the end of the year and the next three inclement weather days as e-learning days.  

Students will join a Google Meet with the Google Link or code provided by the homeroom teacher. They are expected to join at the time designated on the e-learning schedule sent to their students through Class Dojo. The day will include synchronous and asynchronous activities, as well as specials.

Students will follow the daily bell schedule, and each teacher will design a lesson that includes synchronous instruction to further students’ understanding of the subject area standards. Information on how to access the synchronous instruction and what is expected of the students will be found on the teacher’s Canvas Announcements page or emailed directly to the students.

Every District 200 student has been assigned a Chromebook or other appropriate device to support their ability to learn remotely. According to prior District surveys, 93‐95% of students have access to the internet in their homes. For families identified or who self‐identified as not having access to the internet within their home, the district has been providing wireless access devices (WiFi) to enable connectivity. Additionally, the Woodstock community has several business locations and other spaces, such as the public library, which offers free WiFi for District 200 student devices. If Chromebooks or the internet are unavailable on remote learning days, students will have extended time to complete their work. Students who could not complete the work due to access issues will have two days from the date(s) of the e-learning day(s) to turn in the work once they return to school.

Special education, related services, and accommodations will be provided in conjunction with the student’s teacher and/or in intervention groups outside of general instruction, depending on each student’s IEP.

Student learning in self‐contained classes will occur through remote instruction and interactions with their teacher/therapist(s) via Google Meet. Teachers will deliver remote instruction, model processes, provide an opportunity to practice skills, give students feedback, and support students working independently and in small groups.  Associates should follow their normal schedules and join the synchronous instruction.

This method will also provide therapy for students with an IEP. Some therapy will occur during remote instruction with the whole class, while other sessions will be provided in small groups or individually.

IEP meetings will be held virtually as scheduled.

Students are expected to log in and be in attendance on time. Student attendance will be taken and recorded in PowerSchool. Formative assessments may be used to determine student understanding and to provide reflection for both students and staff.  At the middle and high school level, if a student is not attending an e-learning class or missing a full day of e-learning, the parent/guardian must call the school’s attendance office before 10:00 a.m. to excuse the absence.

Instructional Staff

All instructional staff will be notified of their responsibilities and expectations before using an e-Learning day.

Non-Instructional Staff

All non-instructional staff will be notified of their responsibilities and expectations before using an e-Learning day.

Historical Context

In 2015, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) authorized an e-learning pilot to note the merits of e-learning during emergencies [105 ILCS 5/10-20.56].  Following the pilot, ISBE allowed all districts to utilize e-learning days instead of emergency school closing days [Public Act 101-0012].  In May 2020, an amendment to Senate Bill 1569 updated Illinois School Code sections regarding e-Learning days.

Required Steps to Enact District 200’s e-Learning Plan

• August 28, 2024 - Publication in the Woodstock Independent 10 days prior to the public hearing 
• August 28, 2024 – Electronic notice designed to reach the parents or guardians of all students enrolled in the district 10 days prior to the public hearing 
• August 28, 2024 - Written notice designed to reach any exclusive collective bargaining representatives of school district employees and all those employees not in a collective bargaining unit in the district 10 days prior to the public hearing
• September 10, 2024 – District 200 Board of Education holds a public hearing and approves the D200 e-Learning Plan.