Remote Learning Days Update - March 29, 2020
March 29, 2020
Dear West Central Family,
On March 13, 2020, Governor Pritzker mandated that all schools in Illinois be closed through March 30, 2020, and declared that those days would be considered Act of God Days. This closure was then extended through April 7. ISBE has now declared that Remote Learning Days will begin for schools statewide on March 31 and will continue until in-person instruction can resume. These days will be considered attendance days and require students to complete the assignments. These Remote Learning Days will continue to provide students with instruction and access to educators through whatever means possible.
The Illinois State Board of Education has been working on a guidance document for schools for these Remote Learning Days. These recommendations were released on Friday, March 27, 2020. We have worked to take the state recommendations and create a plan that will be what is best for West Central students.
The West Central staff understands that this is not easy for our families and students or an ideal way to provide an education. We want our students to feel like we are still a family here at West Central, and we want to maintain and keep the learning moving forward. West Central staff members are trying to provide a variety of opportunities in keeping with our mission but also understand there will be struggles. We absolutely value learning, but above all, we value our students’ health and well-being. We understand that our students are in a variety of situations; therefore, the process of packets and online learning that West Central has been using over the last two weeks will be very similar to the process we will use going forward. There will be a few adjustments which I will communicate some of those to you below and in the next couple days.
Schools may use up to five Remote Learning Planning Days at any time after March 30 to work on Remote Learning Day Plans. West Central will be using a Remote Learning Planning Day on Tuesday, March 31 to finalize our Remote Learning Day Plan, to prepare lessons and to assemble new packets. These new packets will be available for pickup at the building your child attends on Thursday, April 2 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. and every two weeks after that throughout the mandated closure should it be extended. If you would like your packet to be sent with your meals, please email your child’s building administrator and let them know that. On this same date, we will have boxes at the entrance of each building for packets of completed work to be returned. We ask that you place the packet in the appropriate box. Bus drivers and those helping with meal distribution at locations other than the schools will not take the completed packets. They will need to be dropped off at the school at the designated times or kept until we return.
During these Remote Learning Days, we will continue to have students check in with either their 1st hour or classroom teacher by 10:00 a.m. each day. ISBE has communicated that work assigned can review and reinforce previously learned material. In addition, new material can be presented. New material will focus on essential content and skills needed. Our staff will continue to be available to our students during these Remote Learning Days via email as well as the platform each individual teacher has chosen as their communication tool. They will respond to questions and concerns within 24 hours.
ISBE encourages that, "school districts’ local grading policies during Remote Learning Days embrace the principle of 'no educational harm to any child' and that school districts adopt grading models of pass or incomplete." West Central will be using a grading scale of A, B, C, D, or I. Assignments will be graded and feedback will be given. Students will have the opportunity to redo or make up assignments for a better grade. If a student does not complete the assignment, they will be given an incomplete and be asked to make up the work when we return or during the summer to get credit for each class.
Easter break will remain the same, so no lessons will be provided on Friday, April 10 or Monday, April 13.
Remote Learning Days, Remote Learning Planning Days, and Act of God Days count as actual student attendance days. All of these days count toward the minimum length of the school year and absolutely do not need to be made up.
Once we have finalized our Remote Learning Day written plan, we will share it with you, and it will be on our District website for your review. We anticipate that being posted by the end of the day on March 31, 2020. This plan may have to be adjusted as we move through this process. As we value your opinion, we will also be sharing a survey with you in the coming days in order to seek your input on our Remote Learning Day plan and process. We will use your feedback when reviewing the plan and process and consider making any changes that may be needed.
We continue to appreciate your patience, understanding, and support as we continue to row through these unchartered waters. Thank you for your partnership in the education of your children and our students.
Blessings to you all,
Paula Markey, Superintendent
West Central C.U.S.D. #235
