E Learning (SNOW & COLD DAYS) 

E-Learning Information 

I will post assignments on GOOGLE CLASSROOM. 

Alternative Learning Day (E-Learning Day) 

Nettle Creek School Families,

I am very excited to announce that Nettle Creek Elementary School is planning an innovative approach to dealing with inclement weather and emergency days.  School Code Section 10-20.56 made sweeping changes to education by creating flexibility in the definition of an “instructional day” and creating E-Learning Days.  

         In the past, if a snow day was called, an “Emergency Day” was tacked on to the end of the school year. After discussing this new concept with our staff and school board, we felt an Alternative Learning Day integrated during the year could be more effective than an additional day at the end of the year for many of our students.  Unpredictable circumstances may still require us to use “Emergency Days” that will be added to the end of the year.  We reserve the right to call an “Emergency Day” instead of an “E-Learning Day.”

What is an Alternative Learning Day?

An Alternative Learning Day approach allows us to provide an “instructional day” even if our building is not open due to weather/road conditions/etc.  On these days, teachers will send home assignments, lessons, and enrichment activities for students to complete.  There may also be links established by teachers that allow students to complete work online at home.  Teachers will be available via e-mail to answer questions.  Please do not text a teacher with questions.  They will respond within 30 minutes of receiving your email.  They will be available from 9:00-11:00 and then 12:00-3:00pm.  

Won’t this look different at each grade level?

Each grade level looks uniquely different every day, so yes, this Alternative Learning Day may look different. Our teachers have collaborated and will continue to collaborate to collectively develop lessons that are grade level appropriate and a continuation of what has been happening in the classroom.  You will receive an email from your child’s teacher by 9:00am with all of the information you will need for your child to complete the assignments.

Will students that cannot complete the work online be penalized?

Absolutely not!  We understand that internet and digital access may not be available to everyone and that some students may not be able to complete all online tasks assigned by teachers.

We also want to be clear, not all activities will need the internet to be completed. These days are meant to enhance learning and be formative in nature.  However, to be counted as a day of attendance, you must email your child’s teacher by 11:00 A.M. to state that you have received the assignments for the day.  If your child does not return with the paper assignments completed, they will be marked as absent for the day.

**More information is provided on the following pages**

If we need to utilize an E-Learning Day, we will need your feedback.  Just like any new initiative, there will be snags and things will come up that will cause us to make changes to our plan.  Please let us know so that we can make this experience as easy as possible for you and your child.

As always if you have questions, comments, or concerns please don’t hesitate to email or call.

Mrs. Marissa Darlington, Superintendent/Principal

(815) 942-0511  marissa.darlington@nettlecreek.org

Nettle Creek Community Consolidated School District 24C

Plan for use of e-Learning Days

e-Learning Day Plan

Nettle Creek CCSD #24C plans to utilize e-learning days on a case-by-case basis beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, subject to approval by our district’s Board of Education and as required by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Purpose of e-Learning Days

School districts are required to have five emergency days built into their calendar each year.  Under Public Act 101-0012, districts may create a plan for the use of e-learning days in lieu of traditional snow days or days taken for other emergency closures when the entire day is canceled.  If implemented effectively, e-learning days can help teachers continue with instruction by utilizing innovative methods that are already encouraged and supported.

District Philosophy

We believe that there is no substitute for site-based classroom instruction.  With that in mind, we intend to be open for a full day of school as often as possible.  However, we also recognize that some circumstances can make it unsafe or impossible for students to attend school.  Traditional snow/emergency days and e-learning days will be utilized only as a last resort when the information we have available makes it necessary to close the school.

Notice

If we cancel school, an announcement will be made via Blackboard, our notification system.  This system generates automated phone calls and text messages to everyone in our database.  The message will indicate whether it is an e-learning day or a traditional snow/emergency closure.  We will also post a notice on the front page of our website, www.nettlecreek.org and through our local news media.  

If the decision is made to call an e-learning day, the determination will be made by 9:00 P.M. on the evening before the closure.  When possible, students will be notified at school the day before that forecasted conditions suggest the possibility of an e-learning day.  That will allow students the opportunity to bring materials home.

If school is canceled for any reason after 9:00 P.M. the night before, then we will use a traditional snow day/emergency closure.  Such days will be added to the end of the school year.

Communication and Availability on e-Learning Days

All electronic communications between students and teachers will occur through either Google Classroom or Nettle Creek e-mail accounts.  Teachers are required to post assignments for all of their classes no later than 9:00 A.M. and students and/or parents MUST send an email to verify that they have received the assignments for the day no later than 11:00 A.M.  This will be considered their attendance for the day.  We do NOT expect teachers or other staff members to be in constant communication with students throughout an e-learning day.  We DO expect teachers to monitor their e-mail periodically (every 30 minutes) throughout the day so that they can respond to student questions or concerns.  Students and teachers do NOT have to be online at the same time.

Non-teaching faculty and staff members will be expected to utilize e-learning days as work-from-home days and, as with teachers, to check e-mail periodically and be available to answer questions.

E-learning day assignments and taking attendance

Students are required to email their teacher (this can be done by either students and/or parents) by 11:00 A.M. to verify they have received the assignments for the day.  Teachers will then submit their attendance online in TeacherEase no later than 1:00 P.M. on that same day.  Any student who has NOT emailed their teacher by 11:00 A.M. will be marked unexcused for the day.

Assignment Expectations

Teachers are expected to give reasonable assignments that do not overwhelm students.  Students are expected to submit their assignments, either online or via paper, by the deadline indicated by each teacher, which will be no sooner than the start time of their next scheduled class (next SCHOOL attendance day).  For K-5 students, this will be 8:15 A.M.  For our 6-8 students, this will be at the beginning of their respective classes.

Student Online Access

Accommodations will be provided for students who do not have access to a device that would allow them to complete the missed work, provided that the student/parent informs the teachers of this circumstance.  When sufficient advance notice of a potential e-learning day exists, paper copies of assignments will be provided to students who do not have access to a device.  In the event that a student has difficulty accessing the internet or Google Classroom, the student will be given one additional day to complete the missed work, provided that this is communicated with the teacher.

Students with Special Needs/Accommodations

Students who require special accommodations to complete their assignments will be given the appropriate time after their return to school to receive those accommodations.

Plan Modifications

It is possible, once we begin using e-learning days, that modifications will need to be made to this plan.  We will communicate any plan changes as they occur.

Total Days Used

The total number of e-learning days used and traditional snow/emergency days used will not exceed five days.  It is possible that we may still utilize late starts or interrupted days, which count as days that do not have to be made up at the end of the school year.

School Access

On an e-learning day, as with traditional snow/emergency days, the Nettle Creek CCSD #24C campus will be CLOSED.  No students, parents, or employees are to be on campus without administrative approval.  No access to lockers or other parts of the school will be provided.

Extra-Curricular Activities/Practice

All extra-curricular activities (games, contests, practices) that would occur before or after school, will be canceled on an e-learning day.

Questions

Students or parents who have questions about e-learning days should always feel welcome and encouraged to ask questions of their teacher(s) and/or administration.