Districts 65 and 202 declare E-learning day, close schools due to snow

Evanston/Skokie School District 65 and Evanston Township High School District 202 issued emails and automated phone calls to families early Wednesday morning notifying them that because of the weather, the districts are shifting to an E-learning day and schools and centers will be closed for in-person learning.

Feb. 2 had been scheduled to be a District 65 School Improvement Day, a half day for its K-8 students, but the District 65 email from Superintendent Devon Horton says, “Based on the condition of roadways and continued snowfall expected throughout the day, this decision was made with safety in mind.”

A notice on the ETHS website reads in part:

“Evanston Township High School District 202 is closed and will have an e-learning day on Feb. 2 due to severe weather conditions. The campus will be closed. All before- and after-school practices, activities and events are canceled.

“Students should check their school email for asynchronous e-learning activities such as forms, assignments and activities that will be used to take attendance, as well as a link to the required check-in form as well as any individual updates from teachers regarding expectations for the day.”

Following is the text of the District 65 email:

Dear District 65 Families –

Due to inclement weather, Wednesday, February 2, will be an E-Learning Day and all District 65 schools and centers will be closed for in-person learning. School will resume as scheduled on Thursday, unless otherwise notified. Based on the condition of roadways and continued snowfall expected throughout the day, this decision was made with safety in mind. As a reminder, today was a scheduled half-day for students.

Lunch will be available for pick-up today for all D65 students at Chute Middle School (1400 Oakton Street) from 11am-12:30pm.

The District will follow it’s E-Learning schedule. The E-Learning Plan is currently available on our website in English and Spanish. Some highlights include:

• All students will have access to five clock hours of instruction which will be a combination of synchronous and asynchronous work based on the age/grade level of the student. At least 2.5 hours will be synchronous or live instruction.
  • Pre-K (JEH): Class starts at 12:30pm.
  • K-5 (including magnets): Class starts at 9:05am. 
  • Middle school students (including magnets): Class starts at 8 AM with a condensed period schedule.
  • Park and Rice: Class starts at 9am.
• Educators will utilize our current online platforms to deliver instruction, directions, and assignments (Seesaw, Google Classroom).
  • Learning assignments and student expectations are posted no later than 8am for middle school and 9am for K-5.
• Plans are in place to support students with IEPs, 504, or Language Support Plans to ensure full access with attention to meeting necessary mandates.  
• All students should have brought home their technology device.

There are many factors that must be taken into consideration when contemplating unscheduled school closings and we know this decision is difficult on families. These include weather conditions throughout the day, most importantly during arrival and dismissal time, the conditions of main roadways and side streets, and the ability of our staff and students to safely get to and from school. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

With safety in mind,

Dr. Devon Horton 

Superintendent

Source: Districts 65, 202