UPDATE: Indian Prairie School District 204 has officially renewed its e-learning plan, enabling remote instruction in place of traditional emergency days. The plan, approved during a school board meeting on Monday, extends until 2028 and aims to strengthen educational continuity amid potential disruptions.
This renewal is crucial as it allows District 204 to maintain student learning during severe weather or other emergencies without extending the school calendar into the summer. Deputy Superintendent Louis Lee emphasized the importance of this plan, stating, “E-learning days are district-wide days that allow student instruction to continue in lieu of the district’s scheduled emergency days.”
The e-learning framework was initially developed in the 2018-19 school year and implemented in 2019-20, making District 204 one of the first in the state to adopt such a strategy. Lee noted that the foresight of the board was pivotal, especially as many districts struggled to establish e-learning protocols during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
Under the updated plan, an e-learning day will provide students with five hours of instruction. On the first day an e-learning is called, instruction will be asynchronous, with assignments posted to Google Classroom or communicated via email. If a second consecutive e-learning day is mandated, synchronous instruction will occur. The district has capped e-learning days at five per year.
To ensure all students can participate, District 204 has made provisions, including 300 hotspots for those lacking internet access. However, unforeseen issues such as power outages may require special arrangements for affected students. Lee confirmed that professional development for staff on remote instruction will continue, enhancing the overall e-learning experience.
There were no public comments during the hearing, leading to unanimous approval of the plan by the board. Following this meeting, the plan will be submitted to the DuPage Regional Office of Education for final approval.
Laurie Donahue, President of the District 204 Board, reassured parents, stating, “It doesn’t take away snow days, but it gives us more options for protecting our calendar and not having to go into the summer.”
As e-learning becomes more integral to education strategies, this renewal underscores the district’s commitment to adapting to challenges while ensuring educational standards remain high. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
