2024-25 Inclement Weather Guidance

As winter approaches, we want to ensure our District 15 families and staff are fully prepared for potential inclement weather closures and e-Learning Days. Here’s everything you need to know about our processes, expectations, and resources available to support you during these days:

As you know, this school year began later than usual to allow time for summer construction projects related to Moving 15 Forward. To keep the school year on track for an on-time finish, District 15 will implement e-Learning in cases of severe weather that impact travel safety or other emergencies. When severe weather is forecasted, materials will be sent home with your child the day prior in anticipation of a possible e-Learning day.

To inform you of school closures due to inclement weather, District 15 will send notifications through multiple channels:

• Email, text message, and phone call notifications via our mass notification system.
• Website updates on the District 15 and individual school websites.
• Social media posts on the District’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
• Mobile app notifications via the CCSD15 mobile app.

Please ensure your contact information is current in Infinite Campus to avoid missing critical updates. For assistance updating your contact information, please contact your child’s school.

To verify the effectiveness of our mass communication system, District 15 will conduct an emergency test message on Thursday, November 21, 2024, between 12:00 - 1:00 PM. You will receive test messages via email, text, phone, and the mobile app. If you do not receive one or more of these communications, please fill out this Communications Support Form so we can assist you with ensuring accurate contact information.

On e-Learning Days, students and staff will transition to virtual learning from home, following their regular school schedule. This means:

• Students should sign in to Google Classroom following their normal school schedule and join live sessions or access assignments as directed by their teachers.
• Live virtual instruction will be provided, mirroring the structure of a typical school day, to ensure continuity of learning.

To prepare students for successful e-Learning Days, each school will hold a PRACTICE e-Learning Day in November at school. Parents should receive further details, if they haven't already, about the Practice Day for your student’s school from their principal. Here’s what to expect:

• Classroom Practice: During the practice day, students will join their Google Meet link from the classroom and complete an online activity to become familiar with accessing Google Meet from home in the event of an e-Learning day.
• Device Preparation: All students, including those in grades K-2, will bring home their Chromebook devices, cases, and chargers.
• Home Wi-Fi Connection: Students will be asked to connect their devices to home Wi-Fi and log in to complete a simple online activity. For help connecting Chromebooks to your home Wi-Fi, refer to our Connect to Wi-Fi Guide.

For comprehensive answers and additional resources, visit our D15 e-Learning Plan page. Key topics covered include:

• Attendance & Schedule: Expectations around student attendance and virtual learning schedules on e-Learning days.
• Device Support: Guidance for connecting district-issued Chromebooks to home Wi-Fi, logging into Google Classroom, and accessing online resources.
• Assignment Submission & Teacher Support: Information on how assignments are shared and submitted, as well as ways for students to get help from their teachers throughout the day.
• Technical Troubleshooting: Tips on common technical issues, such as accessing Google Meet, adjusting Chromebook settings, and resolving Wi-Fi connectivity challenges.

Visit the page for more details to help prepare for e-Learning and address any potential issues that may arise.

We understand that some families may face challenges with reliable internet access.District 15 offers resources to support internet access for all families, ensuring students can fully participate in e-Learning. Below are some available options:

• District-Provided Hotspots: District 15 offers limited hotspots for families in need. Contact your school’s main office to inquire about availability.

• EveryoneOn: This program helps eligible families connect with low-cost internet services and devices. Visit EveryoneOn for more information.

• Comcast Internet Essentials: Comcast provides affordable internet plans to qualifying families. To see if you’re eligible, visit Comcast Internet Essentials.

• AT&T Access: AT&T offers low-cost internet service for qualifying households. Visit AT&T Access for more details.

For more information or additional support, please visit our Internet Options for Families page or reach out to your school’s main office.

• Review eLearning Protocols
• Check the Emergency School Closings/Severe Weather webpage.
• Update Contact Information on Infinite Campus
• PRACTICE e-Learning Day in November (more information to come from the principal of your child's school)
• Emergency Communication Test Message on Thursday, November 21 between 12:00-1:00 PM
• Fill out this Communications Support Form if you DON'T receive the scheduled test message
• Look into Affordable Home Internet Options to ensure connectivity

Questions? If you have questions or need additional support, please reach out to your school’s main office or our technology department for tech related inquiries. We’re here to help!

This winter, District 15 is committed to maintaining a safe and uninterrupted learning environment for our students. Please reach out to your school’s administration if you have questions specific to your child’s school or additional support needs. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our community informed, prepared, and ready for all possibilities.