UPDATE: Indian Prairie School District 204 has just approved the renewal of its e-learning plan, enabling remote instruction during emergency days, a decision made during a school board meeting on Monday. This plan, which extends until 2028, ensures that students continue their education without interruption during inclement weather or other emergencies.
District 204 Deputy Superintendent Louis Lee presented the plan, highlighting its significance in maintaining educational continuity. “E-learning days are district-wide days that allow student instruction to continue,” Lee explained. This renewal marks the third presentation to the school board, underscoring the urgency of the decision as it prepares the district for future challenges.
The e-learning program allows the district to conduct remote learning instead of canceling school, effectively avoiding the need to extend the academic year. Lee noted that the district was an early adopter of this approach, having developed the plan in the 2018-19 school year and implementing it in 2019-20, just before the COVID-19 pandemic forced many schools to pivot to remote learning.
During the meeting, Lee emphasized the strategic foresight of the board, stating, “As other districts were scrambling to get (e-learning) plans, many districts were formed based on ours.” The approval allows the district to offer up to five e-learning days per year, ensuring that students receive a minimum of five hours of instruction on these days.
On the first e-learning day, learning will be asynchronous, with assignments posted to Google Classroom or emailed to students. If a second consecutive e-learning day is called, instruction will shift to a synchronous format. The district has also made provisions for students who may lack electronic access, with 300 hotspots available for use.
“E-learning days don’t take away snow days, but it gives us more options for protecting our calendar and not having to go into the summer,” stated District 204 Board President Laurie Donahue during the meeting.
The plan will now move to the DuPage Regional Office of Education for final approval. There was no public comment during the hearing, reflecting a consensus on the importance of continuing this educational approach.
As schools prepare for possible emergencies, the e-learning plan ensures that education remains accessible, enhancing the resilience of the academic calendar. Parents and students can find more information and a sample schedule for e-learning days on the district’s website.
Stay tuned as this story develops and learn more about how e-learning is shaping the future of education in Indian Prairie School District 204.
