As the weather turns colder, it's time to review our Hazardous Weather practices. With the addition of an E-Learning Plan, IWHS now has more than one option for those days where we experience hazardous weather.
The current Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Illini West High School Education Association states, "In cases of inclement weather, E-learning will be the standard option for the school day in accordance with Illinois School Code. E-learning days may be called the morning of a school day with inclement conditions."
As such, E-Learning days will be used for inclement weather closures unless there are extenuating circumstances. I will do my absolute best to make this decision by 9 PM the night before or, alternatively, prior to 6 AM the day of an event. Notification for a weather-related E-Learning day will take place through School Messenger, the district website, Twitter, the district Facebook page, and through local TV and radio stations.
Below are some of the key components of the E-Learning Plan that will be of interest to parents.
Teachers will provide students with an email and an announcement the morning of an E-Learning day by 8:30 AM that outlines a range of assignments and activities that students may choose from including some activities not dependent on technology, allowing for flexibility based on the home learning environment.
Assignments will be structured in a way that allows students to complete their work at their own time and pace.
Students with special needs will have assignments modified or provided based on their IEP goals from their special education teacher or related service provider.
Teachers will be expected to be available to students and parents through “office hours” from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm via email and/or phone.
Meals (breakfast and/or lunch) will be available for pick up to those who request it. Families may request meals for their students by emailing IWHS Principal Jim Short at short.jim@illiniwest.org before 8:30 AM on the E-Learning Day. Pickup sites for meals will be IWHS, La Harpe Main Street Park, and Dallas City Elementary at 10:30 AM, weather permitting. Families requesting meals will be notified if the weather does not permit meal pick up.
The use of E-Learning days has some distinct advantages for our families as opposed to a traditional snow day. First, school is not canceled, we are simply modifying the manner in which the instruction is delivered. Should the weather improve throughout the day, as it often does, we will continue with our scheduled extracurricular activities. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Shuttle buses will be provided for practices on these days (to and from).
Second, the use of an E-Learning day eliminates the need for the district to use an emergency day (listed on the calendar in May) as a future day of instruction. Circumstances may occur where the need for a traditional school closure is warranted and that remains an option for the district, but if that occurs I will communicate that to our families at that time.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Mr. Harnack
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