Emergency Days and E-Learning Days Information
Good morning West Central Families,
1) In our 2021-2022 school calendar, we have 5 emergency days built into the calendar. As of today, we have used four of our five built-in emergency days. These days are required to be made up at the end of the school year.
2) In the past Act of God days have been emergency days used in excess of the built in emergency days. These days, traditionally, have been forgiven by ISBE and were not required to be made up. Just recently, we have been notified by ISBE that they will no longer approve Act of God Days, so any days missed after the first 5 will be required to be made up unless an e-learning day is used.
3) A maximum of 5 e-learning days can be used in lieu of emergency days. West Central opted to use the first 5 emergency days as traditional "snow days" (We now have 1 left). The next 5 emergency days, if needed, will be e-learning days.
4) Unfortunately, it sounds like we have some possible inclement weather coming in the next few days and again early next week. I was hoping the bad weather was behind us, but it seems that might not be the case.
5) Our next emergency day cancellation will be a traditional snow day. Each cancellation after that (up to 5 days) will be an e-learning day. Any days missed past that (hopefully none) will be required to be made up.
6) Fourth - 12th grade students will take their Chromebooks home, and assignments on e-learning days will be posted by 8:00 a.m. on Google Classroom. West Central Middle School and High School staff members will schedule a Google Meet, provide any necessary instruction, and be available during the time each class is offered on the normal in person classroom schedule.
7) West Central Elementary will send e-learning packets home with Pre-K thru 3rd grade students today in the event that an e-learning day is needed.
8) All staff will be available electronically from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on e-learning days.
9) For attendance purposes, students should check in with their homeroom or 1st hour teacher by 10:00 a.m. each e-learning day. This can be done in a variety of ways using Seesaw, Google Classroom, Google Meets, email, etc. Completed assignments will also demonstrate attendance on these days.
Hopefully, we will not need to use any e-learning days. We appreciate your patience, cooperation and understanding in the event that we do. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child's classroom teacher, building administrator or myself.
In Partnership,
Paula Markey
