Inclement Weather Update - January 2024

Inclement Weather Update - January 2024

Triad CUSD #2

January 5, 2024

Triad Families,

As we enter the season where snow and ice are possible in our forecast, we wanted to remind families of how the Triad District will deal with inclement weather if and when it occurs in the coming months. 

It is important to know that the district will do its best to inform families as soon as possible when school is canceled.  Traditional snow days with no student attendance are called “emergency days”.  Emergency days must be made up by adding a school day to the end of the school calendar whereas E-Learning days count as school attendance days.  When an E-Learning day is announced, attendance will be taken; however, there will be procedures in place if students miss school due to special circumstances (i.e. internet availability, childcare issues, sickness, or other excused absence).

For the 2023-24 school year, Triad will plan to use the first five inclement weather days as E-learning days.  The Illinois State Board of Education has set a maximum number of five E-Learning days for a school year, so any inclement weather days above and beyond the first five will be emergency days with no student attendance that must be added to the end of the school calendar. 

Some of you may ask why the district is utilizing five E-learning days first before going to the more traditional emergency days with no student attendance.  In 2022, all parents as well as Triad faculty were surveyed to determine preferences for emergency days vs. E-learning days. Over 1200 parents responded to the survey.  83.1% of 6-12 grade parents, 75.5% of pre-K through 5th grade parents, and 90% of Triad faculty preferred to use E-learning days instead of emergency days as long as they knew about the E-learning day the day or night before.  As you can see below, the E-learning schedule has remained the same as last year in order to have the student day end by 1 PM which should allow time in the afternoon for students to enjoy the winter weather if they so choose. 

Please be aware that it is still possible that Triad could call an emergency day instead of an E-learning day even in the first five inclement weather days. E-Learning is not an option if staff and students are not equipped with their devices and necessary materials needed to successfully teach and learn from home.  It is also not possible to have an E-learning day if there are widespread power outages in the area.  All messages that go out to families will be clear as to whether the day is an E-learning day or an emergency day.  

On an E-Learning day, students will follow the schedules below.  Attendance will be taken by the students’ teachers in the morning at the Kindergarten through 5th grades and it will be taken hourly at the 6th through 12th grades.  Students who are absent will be allowed to make-up work missed following the school’s procedures on make-up work outlined in the Student Handbook. 

Schedules:

Pre-Kindergarten: The students’ teachers will share the daily schedule using Seesaw. Teachers will be assigning different activities on seesaw and teachers will send an activity chart home prior to the snow day/ emergency day if able.  Teachers will not be scheduling live instruction but will offer taped instruction for students to view and students will have time for independent practice and time to interact via Seesaw with their teachers during the day.   Each teacher will share their schedule and assignments with students and activities for the school day.

Kindergarten- 5th Grades (8:00 AM - 1:00 PM): The students’ teachers will share the daily schedule using Seesaw. The students will not be expected to be online throughout the entire school day.  There will be scheduled live instruction and time set aside for independent practice. Each teacher will share their schedule after taking attendance at the beginning of the school day so parents and students will understand the expectations for the school day.

6th - 12th Grades (8:00 AM - 1:00 PM): The normal instructional day will be 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. TMS/THS students are expected to follow their normal class schedule and log into their Google Meet virtual classroom (posted in Canvas) at the start time indicated for each period.  The teacher will provide instruction for 20-25 minutes and then provide independent practice where students are able to ask questions for each period. Students do not need to check in during their study hall/homeroom period. If students would like to meet with a teacher individually, they can meet with their teacher during office hours from 12:40 PM - 1:00 PM.

TMS/THS Remote Learning/Weather Event Bell Schedule (Times are slightly different from the regular schedule, so please pay close attention.)

  • Early Bird - 7:20 AM
  • Period 1 - 8:00 AM
  • Period 2 - 8:40 AM
  • Period 3 - 9:20 AM
  • Period 4 - 10:00 AM
  • Period 5 - 10:40 AM
  • Period 6 - 11:20 AM
  • Period 7 - 12:00 PM
  • Teacher Office Hours - 12:40-1:00 PM

Families can expect information regarding the closing of school, an early dismissal, or using an E-Learning Day to be released to the following platforms: