Update On Coronavirus Mandated Closure - Remote Learning Days
March 28, 2020
Good afternoon West Central Family,
On Friday evening, March 27, we received a 62-page document of recommendations from ISBE with regard to the mandated closure days after March 30. ISBE has declared March 31 through the remainder of the mandated closure, currently through April 7, to be Remote Learning Days where students are provided with instruction and access to educators through whatever means possible. Remote Learning Days, like Act of God Days, are not required to be made up at the end of the school year.
Each district has to look at their demographics, resources, and challenges and develop a plan that works best for their district. As you know West Central has chosen a mixture of engaged learning paper packets and online learning. Our staff and students have done an amazing job adjusting to this new method of teaching. Much of what we have been doing during the Act of God Days will remain the same during the Remote Learning Days. I have a Q & A conference call with ISBE on Sunday. After that call, we will be providing you with additional information about our Remote Learning Days. This information will address a variety of topics including collecting completed work and distributing new packets, grading, etc. Please be looking for this information on Sunday afternoon or evening.
State assessments for spring 2020, including the Constitution exam have been suspended. This means there will be no state assessments, including the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR), Illinois Science Assessment, SAT, and Dynamic Learning Maps-Alternate Assessment, for the 2019-20 school year. ISBE recognizes the free SAT provided by the state is the only opportunity many students get to take a college entrance exam. They are working with the College Board on developing options to allow current 11th grade students to take the SAT in the fall.
Seniors, please visit our District website at www.wc235.k12.il.us for time-sensitive scholarship opportunities. Go to Schools, West Central High School and Guidance Counseling for this information and applications.
Throughout this closure the safety, health, and wellness of our students, staff, and community members has been our #1 priority, and it will continue to remain #1. We will continue to provide free meals to students 0-18 who are enrolled in the West Central School District throughout the mandated closure. You can still sign up for these meals by visiting our website and filling out the order form. If you have already filled out an order form, you do not need to do it again.
A focus on keeping children emotionally and physically safe, fed, and engaged in learning will be our priorities during this unprecedented time. Our staff will continue to be accessible to our students for support, instruction, and questions.
Thank you for your continued patience, understanding, and support. Please be watching for more information tomorrow. Stay positive, stay strong, and most importantly stay healthy.
Blessings,
Paula Markey, Superintendent
West Central C.U.S.D. #235
