• Automated email and text message (if signed up) via ParentSquare 
• Announcement on District 68 website
• Visit the Emergency Closing Center website
• Local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Please ensure that the most current contact information is on file with the district. Any changes can be requested through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

An E-Learning day may be called due to inclement weather if there is sufficient time to ensure readiness (i.e. K-2 iPads are able to be sent home ahead of time).

On an E-Learning day, the following schedules will be followed: 

Early Childhood Center:
ECC teachers will send home activities and materials that the students can do at home with assistance from parents/guardians. Teachers will be available for help between 8:30 - 10:00 and again from 12:30 - 2:00.  Parents may reach out for help through email or Parent Square. 

Elementary Schools:
Kindergarten through Fifth Grade students will attend school virtually through Google Meets from 9:00 - 11:30a.m.  After a lunch break, students will work independently offline on assignments and activities provided by their teachers. The school day will end at 2:30 for elementary students.  Teachers will be available to students and parents through email or Parent Square between 12:40 - 2:30 p.m.  

Junior High:
Old Orchard Junior High students will attend school  virtually through Google Meets between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30p.m.  Short breaks will be given throughout the day, including a lunch break from 11:45 - 12:30.  Students will generally follow their bell schedule with modified times.  OOJH will send out the modified schedule ahead of an E-Learning day. 

Additional Information

Attendance
Attendance online is expected and attendance will be taken by classroom teachers. If a student is sick or unable to log in to a class meeting due to technical issues, the parent must report the absence to the school. 
 

Virtual Platforms
Google Meets links will be shared by classroom teachers through Seesaw (elementary) and Canvas (junior high) as well as through ParentSquare. 
 

E-Learning Expectations

• Students are expected to be present and on time for live (synchronous) sessions.
• Students are expected to actively participate during live (synchronous) sessions with teachers and classmates.
• Students are expected to complete assigned work.
• Parents/guardians are encouraged to identify a space in the home that promotes active learning. 
• Parents/guardians and students are expected to respect the privacy of all students on a live (synchronous) session. District 68 asks that no video or audio recording of lessons occur. 
• Teachers will support students through feedback and online instructional practices that meet the needs of their students.  Teachers are available for help through email and ParentSquare communications. 

In addition to ensuring safety for student arrival and dismissal during inclement weather, Skokie 68 schools make every effort to provide safe opportunities for outdoor activities such as recess and extracurriculars. You can find information and guidelines on inclement weather in the Skokie School District 68 Handbook for Students & Parents/Guardians as well as listed below. 
 

Arrival Times

When planning for inclement weather during arrival, students are permitted to enter the building at the following times:

• Early Childhood (morning), 8:50 a.m. and Early Childhood (afternoon), 12:30 p.m.
• Grades K-5, 8:30 a.m.
• Grades 6-8, 7:45 a.m.

Schools also plan for inclement weather during the school day and have developed contingency plans for activities (indoor recess) using the following guidelines.

Cold Weather Guidelines (for Grades EC-5)

All Skokie 68 schools utilize the Child Care Weather Watch (Illinois State Board of Education) to guide decisions on outdoor activities and The Weather Channel app/website to determine the “feels like” temperature.

NOTE: “Feels like” means how cold it feels, whether caused by wind chill or not (For example, if the direct temperature is 17 °F yet the “feels like” temperature is 14 °F, recess will be held indoors).  Prior to outdoor recess or dismissal, building leaders will evaluate conditions outside to ensure student safety. Precautionary measures for cold weather outdoor recess include:

• Staff evaluate daily temperatures, snow, and icy conditions to determine student safety, including playground equipment and surfaces.
• Parents/guardians and staff ensure that students are properly dressed for outdoor recess during all seasons. During the winter months, students should be reminded to wear coats, gloves, hats, and boots.

For additional information or questions regarding cold weather guidelines, please contact the main office of your child’s school.

Warm Weather Guidelines (for Grades EC-5)

The “Heat index” considers both air temperature and humidity. Precautionary measures for warm weather outdoor recess include:

• Staff evaluate daily temperatures and conditions to determine student safety, including playground equipment and possibly hot surfaces.
• Staff ensure students have access to water before and/or after recess and monitor students for any signs of heat exhaustion or heat-related illness (such as heavy sweating, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, weak pulse, clammy skin, etc.).
• Parents/guardians and staff ensure that students are properly dressed for outdoor recess during all seasons. During the summer months or extended time outdoors, it is recommended that students wear sunscreen when outdoors by arriving to school with sunscreen already applied (NOTE: staff will not apply sunscreen for students).
• Recess Supervisors should be aware of medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, allergy, and medications - especially on warm weather days, and medical conditions may put a student at a higher risk for heat-related illness.

Schools provide access to water and shaded areas as needed for students to cool down and take a break on warm weather days outside.

For additional information or questions regarding warm weather guidelines, please contact the main office of your child’s school.