District 58 seeks feedback on draft e-learning plan

District 58 seeks feedback on draft e-learning plan

Dear District 58 Staff and Families,

Over the past few months, the Board of Education has discussed the possibility of e-learning days for District 58 and would appreciate our community’s feedback. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) allows school districts to use e-learning days in lieu of traditional emergency days (often thought of as snow days). In order to do this, a school district must submit an e-learning plan that meets a variety of criteria.  We invite you to view the details of the plan, particularly the first few pages which outline the structure of an e-learning day, by clicking here.

It is important to recognize that these days are emergent in nature; this would not be an exact replica of the remote learning scenarios that we experienced last school year.  However, there may be the opportunity for continuity of learning, and the ability for the district to decide not to add additional student attendance day(s) in June if emergency days are used. 

It is also important to recognize that the approval of an e-learning plan does not require the Board or administration to utilize an e-learning day in lieu of an emergency day, but rather provides the option to do so. With an approved plan, the administration would use e-learning days judiciously, and would still have the ability to use a traditional emergency day (and add a student attendance day at the end of the year). Without an approved e-learning plan for the 2021-22 school year, District 58 would only be able to access traditional emergency days.  If approved, the e-learning plan is valid for three school years. 

There will be a public hearing on this plan on Wednesday, Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Board of Education Meeting at Downers Grove Village Hall.  We also ask you to please fill out the brief survey linked below to indicate your thoughts on the e-learning plan, which will help our Board members as they consider it.

Again, the details of the plan are linked above to help you answer the survey questions. If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Justin Sisul at 630-719-5867 or jsisul@dg58.org. Thank you for your time.