CUSD#66 e-Learning/Remote Learning Plan- updated 3/28/20
Regional Office of Education (ROE) Approval:
The Regional Superintendent, John Meixner, approved the CUSD#66 e-Learning Plan on Sunday, March 15, 2020, at 7:30PM. The CUSD#66 Board of Education received an update on the plan and ROE approval at the March 15 regular meeting. Details of the plan implementation are being discussed and designed during the closure by CUSD#66 administration and teacher leaders. We WILL be prepared if the closure is extended to provide a continuity of education for our students.
Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Guidance- as of March 27, 2020:
ISBE is announcing that remote learning will occur for the duration of the suspension of in-person instruction. Districts must develop instructional remote learning to allow for student engagement and continuity of instruction. School districts will not be expected to extend their school year calendar. All Act of God days, remote planning days, and remote learning days will count as actual days of pupil attendance. For more information please visit: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/covid19.aspx
CUSD#66 Updated School Calendar- as of April 7, 2020:
Please click HERE to see the latest school calendar.
Plan Summary: Many of the details, due to this unprecedented time, will be adapted as needed.
The CUSD #66 may implement an e-Learning/Remote Learning Day in the event school must be cancelled. An e-Learning/Remote Learning Day may be issued in place of an emergency day, as defined by the Illinois State Board of Education. In most cases, an e-Learning/Remote Learning Day would likely be used in the case of closing school due to poor weather conditions but could be used for other emergency situations (loss of power, water, mandated closures, or other need to close one or all school buildings). This document summarizes the District’s plan for implementing an e-Learning/Remote Learning environment. e-Learning refers to students who are online, either with personal devices or district-issued devices grades 2-12. Remote Learning refers to students who are non-online and are utilizing print learning materials.
Issuing an e-Learning/ Remote Learning Day:
In the event conditions are such that school must be cancelled, administration will do its best to make that determination by 6:00am. Sometimes this is not possible, as conditions can change rather quickly in Central Illinois, but the goal will be to make the determination by 6am. Once the decision is made, students, staff, and parents will be notified (in order of sequence):
● through our District call system
● through the main page of our Facebook website
● through local tv stations
If an e-Learning Day is implemented, everyone will be notified in the same manner as when school is cancelled. Students will be expected to utilize the day to work on their required assignments/activities as described below in the Student Assignments/Activities section.
Student Assignments/Activities:
Expectations for student assignments/activities are going to vary greatly based on grade levels and subject matter. Learning materials will be designed for engagement time per day as follows: 1.5 hours for PreK-1st Grades, 2 hours for 2nd Grade, 2.5 hours for 3rd and 4th Grades, and 3 hours total for grades 5-12. However, it is important to remember that activities, especially at the primary grade levels where students are not issued a Chromebook to take home, should be about reinforcement and review of already learned material. In the event of a long-term closure, materials will build upon already learned material and introduce new concepts. Learning materials will be offered in a variety of ways either to be returned to the teacher or materials to be signed off by a parent, guardian or caregiver (digital assignments, projects, print material, sign-off Choice Boards of activities, etc.). It is also important to realize that many students may have other responsibilities (shoveling snow, watching siblings, helping on the farm, etc.) or be in a different environment (at a grandparent’s house, in daycare, at work with a parent, etc.). For those students with multiple classes, remember that they will have work from each teacher.
● PreK – 4th Grade: Teachers will provide students with a “choice board” that will be sent home and/or electronically available to students/parents as soon as possible. It is important that the choice board not be solely dependent on the use of technology, as many grade school students may not have access to a device/internet during an e-Learning Day. Depending on student access to technology, it may be possible to add a “choice” to the choice board involving teacher communicated assignment. Teachers will provide students with an announcement on Google Classroom or other class communication programs announcing their assignment(s) by 9:00am on the morning the e-Learning Day is initiated.For example, one choice under one row could state “email assignment”. This might help with upper grades where teachers may want to add more timely, relevant assignments, understanding that not all students will have access to email and could therefore choose another available option. The district will make every attempt to provide learning materials prior to an e-Learning Day, but may use a variety of delivery methods if e-Learning Days are issued in an emergency situation.
● 5th – 12th Grade: Teachers will provide students with a Google Classroom announcement announcing their assignment(s) by 9:00am on the morning the e-Learning Day is initiated. For students who may not have access to the internet, it is recommended that teachers have “alternative” assignments/activities organized on a Choice Board that students may work on that are not dependent on technology. These alternative assignments/activities should be communicated to students/parents prior to the possibility of an e-Learning Day…sending a “choice board” or packet home with the student(s) that is kept at home and ready to be completed if an e-Learning Day is initiated. The district will make every attempt to provide learning materials prior to an e-Learning Day, but may use a variety of delivery methods if e-Learning Days are issued in an emergency situation.
● Special Education and Related Services: Special education personnel will be available to students through electronic sources as applicable, based on student need and IEP goals. Modifications and adaptations will also be included in all assignments, based on the needs of the student and IEP goals. Individual goals and objectives will be addressed through assignments and activities provided by case managers.
● Most teachers will be utilizing Google Classroom as their online Learning Management System. Please click HERE for a Parent's Guide to Google Classroom.
Student Accountability:
Students will be accountable for completing the assigned tasks either online or by printed materials in the same manner as any other school day. Students will only receive a “present” for attendance once work is completed. Incomplete work will be considered incomplete. Teachers are encouraged to hold students accountable for completing work as they would with any missing assignments. During an e-Learning Day, student work can only positively impact a student’s academic standing (as per ISBE Guidance Document March 27, 2020). Completed work can either be turned in online or on an upcoming Exchange Day (more info and schedule coming late April 2020).
Teacher Availability:
Teachers are expected to be available to students/parents from 9:00am to 2:30pm by email. For many teachers, other systems may work better than email (Google Hangouts, SeeSaw, Google Classroom, etc.) and staff are encouraged to utilize these other communication tools as the situation dictates. However, all teachers will check their email at least once per hour and provide feedback and guidance to students/parents on an as needed basis. The District understands that many teachers have their own responsibilities that may arise with these days (supervising their own children, shoveling snow, etc.). The District also understands that there will be time spent in follow up activities after the e-Learning Day (reviewing completed assignments, providing support for students without internet access, encouraging students to complete assignments, etc.). Staff will respond to all communication requests in a timely manner (within 24 hours) during scheduled hours. Teachers may communicate outside of office hours as needed.
Live Video Conferencing Sessions:
Google Meet will be one of the primary video conferencing tools used to host live class sessions in communication with students during e-Learning Days for online learners. If your child is unable to attend a live session, the classroom teachers may provide either notes or a recorded version of the session. In order to avoid conflicts with other classes/multiple children in a home, staff will use the times below when scheduling synchronous (live) sessions.
- Click HERE for a tutorial that describes how to join a video conference using Google Meet.
- Click HERE for the district-wide session schedule.
- Click HERE for Video Conference Etiquette.
Internet Filtering at Home:
To help protect students against harmful and inappropriate online material, as well as to keep a “scholarly” focus when learning online, Canton School District 66 uses online services provided by GoGuardian. This web-based protection operates both when in school and at also at home for school managed accounts (i.e. when a student is logged into Chrome or a Chromebook with their school email address). There are two GoGuardian policies that we employ; “At School Policy” and “After School Policy”. The At School Policy blocks websites like social media, Netflix, online gaming. This policy starts at 7:00am until 3:30pm. The After School Policy is a more lenient policy allowing social media and online streaming sites like Netflix. The After School Policy starts at 3:31pm until 6:59am.
While filtering takes place both at school and at home, parents play an important role in supervising their child's internet access and usage. Parents are encouraged to discuss rules for appropriate internet usage, and reinforce lessons of digital citizenship and safety.
Student/Parent Technical Support:
In the event of an issue with student’s District assigned device, please either use the online Students Helpdesk Form (see below) or call the school office to have the secretary log a Helpdesk call.
Student Helpdesk Form- Students may use this form on any designated e-Learning Day for technology/device support. Upon receipt, the CUSD#66 Technology Team will send submitted forms to appropriate staff to troubleshoot. Please be patient as this is a new process.
Canton High School (309) 647-1820
Ingersoll Middle School (309) 647-6951
Eastview Elementary School (309) 647-0136
Lincoln Elementary School (309) 647-7594
Westview Elementary School (309) 647-2111
The Regional Superintendent, John Meixner, approved the CUSD#66 e-Learning Plan on Sunday, March 15, 2020, at 7:30PM. The CUSD#66 Board of Education received an update on the plan and ROE approval at the March 15 regular meeting. Details of the plan implementation are being discussed and designed during the closure by CUSD#66 administration and teacher leaders. We WILL be prepared if the closure is extended to provide a continuity of education for our students.
Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Guidance- as of March 27, 2020:
ISBE is announcing that remote learning will occur for the duration of the suspension of in-person instruction. Districts must develop instructional remote learning to allow for student engagement and continuity of instruction. School districts will not be expected to extend their school year calendar. All Act of God days, remote planning days, and remote learning days will count as actual days of pupil attendance. For more information please visit: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/covid19.aspx
CUSD#66 Updated School Calendar- as of April 7, 2020:
Please click HERE to see the latest school calendar.
Plan Summary: Many of the details, due to this unprecedented time, will be adapted as needed.
The CUSD #66 may implement an e-Learning/Remote Learning Day in the event school must be cancelled. An e-Learning/Remote Learning Day may be issued in place of an emergency day, as defined by the Illinois State Board of Education. In most cases, an e-Learning/Remote Learning Day would likely be used in the case of closing school due to poor weather conditions but could be used for other emergency situations (loss of power, water, mandated closures, or other need to close one or all school buildings). This document summarizes the District’s plan for implementing an e-Learning/Remote Learning environment. e-Learning refers to students who are online, either with personal devices or district-issued devices grades 2-12. Remote Learning refers to students who are non-online and are utilizing print learning materials.
Issuing an e-Learning/ Remote Learning Day:
In the event conditions are such that school must be cancelled, administration will do its best to make that determination by 6:00am. Sometimes this is not possible, as conditions can change rather quickly in Central Illinois, but the goal will be to make the determination by 6am. Once the decision is made, students, staff, and parents will be notified (in order of sequence):
● through our District call system
● through the main page of our Facebook website
● through local tv stations
If an e-Learning Day is implemented, everyone will be notified in the same manner as when school is cancelled. Students will be expected to utilize the day to work on their required assignments/activities as described below in the Student Assignments/Activities section.
Student Assignments/Activities:
Expectations for student assignments/activities are going to vary greatly based on grade levels and subject matter. Learning materials will be designed for engagement time per day as follows: 1.5 hours for PreK-1st Grades, 2 hours for 2nd Grade, 2.5 hours for 3rd and 4th Grades, and 3 hours total for grades 5-12. However, it is important to remember that activities, especially at the primary grade levels where students are not issued a Chromebook to take home, should be about reinforcement and review of already learned material. In the event of a long-term closure, materials will build upon already learned material and introduce new concepts. Learning materials will be offered in a variety of ways either to be returned to the teacher or materials to be signed off by a parent, guardian or caregiver (digital assignments, projects, print material, sign-off Choice Boards of activities, etc.). It is also important to realize that many students may have other responsibilities (shoveling snow, watching siblings, helping on the farm, etc.) or be in a different environment (at a grandparent’s house, in daycare, at work with a parent, etc.). For those students with multiple classes, remember that they will have work from each teacher.
● PreK – 4th Grade: Teachers will provide students with a “choice board” that will be sent home and/or electronically available to students/parents as soon as possible. It is important that the choice board not be solely dependent on the use of technology, as many grade school students may not have access to a device/internet during an e-Learning Day. Depending on student access to technology, it may be possible to add a “choice” to the choice board involving teacher communicated assignment. Teachers will provide students with an announcement on Google Classroom or other class communication programs announcing their assignment(s) by 9:00am on the morning the e-Learning Day is initiated.For example, one choice under one row could state “email assignment”. This might help with upper grades where teachers may want to add more timely, relevant assignments, understanding that not all students will have access to email and could therefore choose another available option. The district will make every attempt to provide learning materials prior to an e-Learning Day, but may use a variety of delivery methods if e-Learning Days are issued in an emergency situation.
● 5th – 12th Grade: Teachers will provide students with a Google Classroom announcement announcing their assignment(s) by 9:00am on the morning the e-Learning Day is initiated. For students who may not have access to the internet, it is recommended that teachers have “alternative” assignments/activities organized on a Choice Board that students may work on that are not dependent on technology. These alternative assignments/activities should be communicated to students/parents prior to the possibility of an e-Learning Day…sending a “choice board” or packet home with the student(s) that is kept at home and ready to be completed if an e-Learning Day is initiated. The district will make every attempt to provide learning materials prior to an e-Learning Day, but may use a variety of delivery methods if e-Learning Days are issued in an emergency situation.
● Special Education and Related Services: Special education personnel will be available to students through electronic sources as applicable, based on student need and IEP goals. Modifications and adaptations will also be included in all assignments, based on the needs of the student and IEP goals. Individual goals and objectives will be addressed through assignments and activities provided by case managers.
● Most teachers will be utilizing Google Classroom as their online Learning Management System. Please click HERE for a Parent's Guide to Google Classroom.
Student Accountability:
Students will be accountable for completing the assigned tasks either online or by printed materials in the same manner as any other school day. Students will only receive a “present” for attendance once work is completed. Incomplete work will be considered incomplete. Teachers are encouraged to hold students accountable for completing work as they would with any missing assignments. During an e-Learning Day, student work can only positively impact a student’s academic standing (as per ISBE Guidance Document March 27, 2020). Completed work can either be turned in online or on an upcoming Exchange Day (more info and schedule coming late April 2020).
Teacher Availability:
Teachers are expected to be available to students/parents from 9:00am to 2:30pm by email. For many teachers, other systems may work better than email (Google Hangouts, SeeSaw, Google Classroom, etc.) and staff are encouraged to utilize these other communication tools as the situation dictates. However, all teachers will check their email at least once per hour and provide feedback and guidance to students/parents on an as needed basis. The District understands that many teachers have their own responsibilities that may arise with these days (supervising their own children, shoveling snow, etc.). The District also understands that there will be time spent in follow up activities after the e-Learning Day (reviewing completed assignments, providing support for students without internet access, encouraging students to complete assignments, etc.). Staff will respond to all communication requests in a timely manner (within 24 hours) during scheduled hours. Teachers may communicate outside of office hours as needed.
Live Video Conferencing Sessions:
Google Meet will be one of the primary video conferencing tools used to host live class sessions in communication with students during e-Learning Days for online learners. If your child is unable to attend a live session, the classroom teachers may provide either notes or a recorded version of the session. In order to avoid conflicts with other classes/multiple children in a home, staff will use the times below when scheduling synchronous (live) sessions.
- Click HERE for a tutorial that describes how to join a video conference using Google Meet.
- Click HERE for the district-wide session schedule.
- Click HERE for Video Conference Etiquette.
Internet Filtering at Home:
To help protect students against harmful and inappropriate online material, as well as to keep a “scholarly” focus when learning online, Canton School District 66 uses online services provided by GoGuardian. This web-based protection operates both when in school and at also at home for school managed accounts (i.e. when a student is logged into Chrome or a Chromebook with their school email address). There are two GoGuardian policies that we employ; “At School Policy” and “After School Policy”. The At School Policy blocks websites like social media, Netflix, online gaming. This policy starts at 7:00am until 3:30pm. The After School Policy is a more lenient policy allowing social media and online streaming sites like Netflix. The After School Policy starts at 3:31pm until 6:59am.
While filtering takes place both at school and at home, parents play an important role in supervising their child's internet access and usage. Parents are encouraged to discuss rules for appropriate internet usage, and reinforce lessons of digital citizenship and safety.
Student/Parent Technical Support:
In the event of an issue with student’s District assigned device, please either use the online Students Helpdesk Form (see below) or call the school office to have the secretary log a Helpdesk call.
Student Helpdesk Form- Students may use this form on any designated e-Learning Day for technology/device support. Upon receipt, the CUSD#66 Technology Team will send submitted forms to appropriate staff to troubleshoot. Please be patient as this is a new process.
Canton High School (309) 647-1820
Ingersoll Middle School (309) 647-6951
Eastview Elementary School (309) 647-0136
Lincoln Elementary School (309) 647-7594
Westview Elementary School (309) 647-2111
e-Learning/Remote Learning Teacher and Parent Resource Page:
Click HERE for a website developed to give teachers and parents resources for technology integration. This page includes resources gathered by the Illinois State Board of Education, technology standards as developed by ISTE, and access to our district technology integration curriculum map, and access to the district e-learning materials. The other pages are organized by our Four Pillars For Student Success: Collaboration, Problem Solving, Innovation, and Creative Thinking. Resources that promote that type of learning will be posted within those pages.
Click HERE for a website developed to give teachers and parents resources for technology integration. This page includes resources gathered by the Illinois State Board of Education, technology standards as developed by ISTE, and access to our district technology integration curriculum map, and access to the district e-learning materials. The other pages are organized by our Four Pillars For Student Success: Collaboration, Problem Solving, Innovation, and Creative Thinking. Resources that promote that type of learning will be posted within those pages.