January 19, 2024
Dear District 67 and 115 Families,
Following our use of two Emergency Days (“Snow Days”) on January 12 and January 16, please read through this email for an update on our Emergency Day and calendar procedures and requirements, the District 67 and 115 e-learning plans, and updates to the calendars for the remainder of this 2023-24 school year.
Why Didn’t Districts 67 and 115 Use e-Learning Days Instead of Emergency Days (“Snow Days”) in January?
In the event of a hazardous threat to the health and safety of students and staff, including adverse weather, the Districts previously allocated non-instructional Emergency Days (what was historically referred to as “Snow Days”) for students and staff.
In 2021, Districts 67 and 115 surveyed families about Emergency Day (“Snow Day”) and E-Learning Day preferences to assist with planning for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year. Out of 930 responses, over 70% of District families felt comfortable or very comfortable with the implementation of two days of non-instructional Emergency Days (“Snow Days”) before the utilization of E-Learning Days.
Based on this feedback, the Districts’ calendars and policies were revised to break the five (5) Proposed Emergency Days into two (2) non-instructional Emergency Days (“Snow Days”) and three (3) E-Learning Days.
How Did the Recent Emergency Days Impact Our School Calendars?
The two non-instructional Emergency Days (“Snow Days”) are not considered Student Attendance Days and do not count toward the 176-day attendance requirement. Since they took the place of days that are needed to reach the 176 minimum Student Attendance Days, they must be made up prior to the end of the school year.
Because of this, the following calendar changes will be implemented:
District 67:
April 19, 2024, originally reserved as an embedded Emergency Day, will now be a Student and Staff Attendance Day
June 5, 2024 (Half-Day of Student Attendance) will now be the last day of the 2023-2024 school year (previously June 4th)
District 115:
March 1, 2024, originally reserved as an embedded Emergency Day, will now be a Student and Staff Attendance Day
April 19, 2024, originally reserved as an embedded Emergency Day, will now be a Student and Staff Attendance Day
June 6, 2024, will remain the last day of school as previously scheduled
What Happens if We Have More Inclement Weather or Hazardous Conditions?
If the Districts experience hazardous conditions for up to three more days, the District 67 and District 115 e-learning plans will be implemented for instructional E-Learning Days.
We ask that all families remind their students to bring home their District-issued technology nightly in the event that an E-Learning Day is called.
How Are Embedded Emergency Days Determined When the Calendar is Created?
Every year, Districts 67 and 115 submit one proposed and one final school Board-approved calendar to the Regional Office of Education and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). ISBE School Code mandates that a final calendar must include five (5) days entered as Proposed Emergency Days and should report no less than 176 mandated Student Attendance Days.
The School Code defines Emergency Days as days when there is a condition that poses a hazardous threat to the health and safety of students and staff, including adverse weather and the Superintendent determines to close all school buildings. Under these or similar circumstances, the District may convert one of its five Proposed Emergency Days and use it as a(n) non-instructional Emergency Day(s).
When Can a District Use E-Learning Days and What Are District 67 and 115 E-Learning Plans?
In Illinois, Districts are not required to adopt a policy for e-learning. If a District has an approved e-learning plan, E-Learning Days may be used when an Emergency Day would otherwise be appropriate. E-Learning Days are limited to five per year.
Both Districts 67 and 115 have approved e-learning plans where students would complete at least five hours of instruction or school work and students would continue to learn material that is relevant to the current unit of study. While this coursework would be completed outside of the traditional classroom environment, it would serve as an extension of previous learning or a bridge to the next day’s lesson.
I know this is a lot of information but we want you to have these important details. As always, student and staff well-being remains at the core of our decision-making.
All my best,
Matthew L. Montgomery, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Lake Forest School Districts 67 and 115
300 S. Waukegan Rd.
Lake Forest, IL 60045
O: 847-604-7420