E-Learning and Snow Day Information

DARIEN 61 E-LEARNING PROGRAM

The Darien School District 61 E-Learning Program continues to be in effect and has been re-approved by the Board of Education and Darien Educational Association with a updated signed Memorandum of Understanding. The Regional Office of Education has verified the E-Learning Program.  The district will continue to review and assess the effectiveness of the plan and adjust the plan as necessary.

On Tuesday, December 20, 2022, The Darien 61 Board of Education approved a Resolution to adopt the use of the E-Learning Days in lieu of the district's scheduled emergency days. This resolution allows Darien 61 to use the agreed upon E-Learning days when there is an emergency school closing.  Using an E-Learning day allows the district to count these emergency days as student attendance days and not have to make up the days at the end of the school year.  

Recently, the district gathered feedback from families and staff on the use of E-Learning Days versus Snow Days. The responses indicated that our community values both options. Based on this input, the district will now use a combination of E-Learning Days and Snow Days when schools are closed.

E-Learning Days: For the first 3 days of closures, and when there is adequate time to inform families and staff, we will implement E-Learning Days.
Snow Days: After 3 E-Learning Days, the district will look to use Snow Days for any additional closures.

Please view the Emergency School Closure and Alert page for further information on how how the district will communicate when schools are closed.

E-Learning vs Snow Days

What is an E-Learning Day?

Even though students and staff may not be at school, learning will still take place using the district’s E-Learning Day Schedule.  The day consists of asynchronous work for students that will be done at home with guidance from your child’s teacher.  
Using the E-Learning during these days allows the district to count that day as an attendance day and not have to make up one of the emergency days at the end of the school year.  

What is a Snow Day?

Just as it sounds! A Snow Day is a day in which school is closed and everyone stays home safe.  Since no type of learning occurs during a snow day, these days must be made up and added to the school calendar.

How will we know that school is closed and what type of day we will be used (E-Learning or Snow Day)?

The district will follow the Emergency School Closure Communication and Alert process.  The announcement will indicate that school will be closed and students should engage in E-Learning activities related to their specific grade, or if we will just have a Snow Day.

What to Expect When the District Uses an E-Learning Day

Even though students and staff may not be at school, learning will still take place using the district’s E-Learning Day Schedule.   An E-Learning day consists of asynchronous work for students that will be done at home with guidance from your child’s teacher.  Using the E-Learning Day during emergency school closing days allows the district to provide continuous learning, and not have to make up the day by adding a day at the end of the school year.  

Staff members will be working with students in their classrooms on how to access materials needed if we were to have an E-Learning Day.  This process will be different at each school, based on the individual needs of the buildings. In order to address questions, you might have we have developed an E-Learning FAQ. 
 

What Does the E-Learning Day Look Like? 

Students are expected to utilize the Darien 61 E-Learning schedule.  Your child’s E-Learning modules and/or assigned work will be available no later than 8:30 a.m.

Please remember our E-Learning day is asynchronous. Students will complete work independently.   While teachers and staff will be off-site, they will be available from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. for virtual support as needed.  Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions about the work or schedule. 

Darien 61 E-Learning Day Schedule

When an E-Learning Day is utilized according to the Board approved plan for such days of instruction and student attendance, the 7 hour and 30 minute workday for teachers, and 5 hours of learning for students shall be scheduled as follows unless otherwise directed: 

8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. - Planning/Preparation 

8:30 a.m. - Learning Modules posted and period of availability, student engagement, instruction, supervision and support as needed begins 

8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - 5-hour block of student engagement, instruction, supervision, monitoring and support as needed 

1:30 - 2:00 p.m. - Duty Free 

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Verification/assessment of student work/engagement, planning/preparation, professional responsibilities.

Please see the E-Learning FAQ for further information.

Other Frequently Asked Questions:

Would the district ever use more than 3 E-Learning Days? Yes. While the plan is to use Snow Days after 3 E-Learning Days, there may be situations where more E-Learning Days are suitable. Illinois State Law allows up to 5 E-Learning Days to be used for school closings.
 

Would the district ever use Snow Days instead of E-Learning Days during the first 3 days of closure? Yes. If circumstances make it difficult to prepare for E-Learning (e.g., unexpected closures, insufficient time for staff to plan, or to communicate with families), a Snow Day will be called.

School Contact Information

Mark DeLay School (Grades K-2):  phone:630-852-0200  Click here for Staff Directory
Lace School (Grades 3-5):  phone: 630-968-2589  Click here for Staff Directory
Eisenhower Junior High School:  phone: 630-964-5200 Click here for Staff Directory