With more snow expected, District 65 and ETHS stick with e-learning Thursday

With more snow in the forecast, Evanston/Skokie School District 65 and Evanston Township High School District 202 have decided to keep their campuses closed and conduct a second day of e-learning Thursday.

ETHS families were notified of the decision Wednesday afternoon by email and automated phone call. In the email, Superintendent Eric Witherspoon also apologized for the late notice given when the administration decided to shift to e-learning Wednesday.

District 65 families got word of the ongoing e-learning Wednesday evening. The email said, “Based on the condition of roadways and the anticipation of significant lake effect snowfall expected throughout the day, this decision was made with safety in mind and to provide as much notice as possible.”

As of Wednesday evening, the National Weather Service had a Winter Weather Advisory in effect from 9 p.m. Wednesday until 6 p.m. Thursday for northern Cook County, including Evanston.

The weather service predicted additional nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches overnight, mainly after 1 a.m. On Thursday the forecast called for 1 to 3 inches more snow and continued blustery weather, with snow largely falling before 9 a.m.

Here is the text of the District 65 email:

Dear District 65 Families –

Due to inclement weather, Thursday, February 3, 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 Friday, unless otherwise notified. Based on the condition of roadways and the anticipation of significant lake effect snowfall expected throughout the day, this decision was made with safety in mind and to provide as much notice as possible.

Lunch will be available for pick-up 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. As a reminder, E-Learning Days do not need to be made up. 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 8:35 a.m. for AM session; 12:30 p.m. for PM session
  • K-5 (including magnets): Class starts at 9:05 a.m. 
  • Middle school students (including magnets): Class starts at 8 a.m. with a condensed period schedule.
  • Park and Rice: Class starts at 9 a.m.
• 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 8 a.m. for middle school and 9 a.m. 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

The following is the text of the District 202 email in English and Spanish:

Dear ETHS Staff, Students & Families, 

Due to the prediction of continued severe weather and poor travel conditions, Evanston Township High School District 202 will be closed and will have an asynchronous orange e-learning day on February 3. We understand that the severe weather response on February 2 was later than anticipated and we apologize for the issues caused by the late notification.  

All 12-month safety staff, exempt safety staff, custodians, engineers, and grounds people should work their regularly scheduled shifts. All other ETHS employees should stay home. 

The campus will be closed and all before-school and after-school practices, events and activities are canceled. However, certain afternoon sports team practices and evening sporting events may be held at the discretion of the athletic department. Student athletes will be notified by their coaches directly. 

An e-learning day is an approved attendance day of school when students and teachers work remotely from home. 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 individual updates from teachers regarding expectations for the day. For more information about e-learning days, please visit the ETHS website. 

School officials will continue to monitor the weather. ETHS will use the automated voice message and email system, as well as the ETHS website to inform students, staff and parents/guardians of any additional closures, e-learning days, or delays. Please do not call the high school. School closures or delays will also be announced on local television and radio stations via the Emergency Closing Center. 

For updates, check the ETHS website, tune in to your local television and radio stations or visit the Emergency Closing Center website. 

Sincerely, 
Eric Witherspoon, Ph.D.
Superintendent

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 [ASUNTO]: El 3 de febrero es un Día de aprendizaje virtual asincrónico en ETHS 

Estimado Personal, Estudiantes y Familias de ETHS,  

Debido a la predicción de clima severo continuo y malas condiciones de viaje, la Escuela Preparatoria del Municipio de Evanston Distrito 202 estará cerrada y tendrá un día de aprendizaje virtual naranja asincrónico el 3 de febrero. Entendemos que la respuesta de clima severo el 2 de febrero fue más tarde de lo anticipado y nos disculpamos por los problemas causados por la notificación atrasada. 

Todos los miembros del personal de seguridad de 12 meses, personal de seguridad exempto, custodios, ingenieros y las personas de terreno deben trabajar sus turnos programados regularmente. Todos los otros empleados de ETHS deben quedarse en casa. 

El campus estará cerrado y todas las prácticas, eventos y actividades antes y después de clases están canceladas. Sin embargo, ciertas prácticas de deportes por la tarde y eventos deportivos en la noche pueden llevarse a cabo a discreción del departamento de deportes. Los estudiantes deportistas serán notificados por sus entrenadores directamente. 

Un día de aprendizaje virtual (e-learning) es un día de asistencia escolar aprobado donde los estudiantes y maestros trabajan desde casa. Los estudiantes deben revisar su correo electrónico escolar para las actividades de aprendizaje virtual asincrónico tales como: formularios, asignaciones y actividades que serán empleadas para tomar asistencia, así como actualizaciones individuales de los maestros sobre las expectativas para el día. Para más información sobre los días de aprendizaje virtual, e-learning days, favor de visitar la página electrónica de ETHS.  

Los funcionarios escolares continuarán monitoreando el clima. ETHS empleará y usará el sistema de mensaje de voz y correo electrónico automatizado, así como la página electrónica de ETHS para informar a los estudiantes, personal y padres/tutores, de cualquier cierre adicional, días de e-learning o retrasos. Por favor no llame a la escuela. Los cierres de la escuela o retrasos serán también anunciados en la televisión local y estaciones de radio mediante el Centro de Cierres de Emergencia.  

Para actualizaciones, revise la página electrónica de ETHS (www.eths.k12.il.us), sintonice su televisora local y estaciones de radio o visite el Centro de Cierres de Emergencia: www.emergencyclosingcenter.com. 

Atentamente,  
Eric Witherspoon, Ph.D.
Superintendente

Source: Districts 65 and 202