Decision-Making Factors

• Monitoring Current Conditions and Forecasts - Prior to a storm, district personnel monitor forecasts and live radar images to help determine if a weather system is likely to impact the current conditions. 
• Personnel on the Street -  District staff assess road conditions firsthand, beginning between 3:30–4:00 a.m. when storms occur overnight or early morning. Crews also clear sidewalks and parking lots and apply sand or salt as needed.
• Ability to Clear Pathways - We take into consideration whether we will be able to clear school sidewalks and parking lots. If there is too much snow to clear in a timely fashion, or if snow continues to accumulate at a rate in which it cannot be cleared adequately.
• Temperature and Wind Chill - Air temperature and wind chill are evaluated, particularly when they fall below 20 degrees. 
• Changing road conditions - Potential deterioration of road conditions is considered.
• Visibility -  Blowing snow or poor visibility may result in a delay or closure.

Coordination of Information Sources - All of these factors are taken into consideration and a decision is made through communication and data input from many sources.

If a district or school is closed,  students may be required to engage in synchronous e-learning.  The administration building will remain open unless otherwise informed by the superintendent (see Inclement Weather Guidelines listed under Human Resources).

• Students, teachers, support staff, nurses and paraprofessionals do not report to school.  Security, and bus drivers report to school (see Inclement Weather Guidelines listed under Human Resources).
• Administrators, directors, technicians, and clerical staff report to their respective schools as safety allows or per the direction of the building administrator, superintendent or designee.
• Building custodians and maintenance staff (day or night) are to report to their respective work areas.

All bus drivers and schools will start their day 2 hours later than usual. Morning preschool classes will be canceled.

• Afternoon preschool classes will report at the normal time.
• School dismissal will be at the regular time.
• School lunches will be served but the schedule may be different than a normal day. 
• All administrators, clerical, maintenance, and custodial personnel will report to their respective schools as close to regular starting times as safety will allow. 
• Teachers and instructional aides are to report to school two hours later than their contracted starting time.

If school buildings are closed and an e-learning day is put in place for attendance. This will be in the form of:

Synchronous - Students do not attend in-person classes and are required to complete their learning online virtually from home. Students are provided virtual face to face instruction.  In order to be counted as present, students must complete and submit their assignments to the teacher.

• Students and Teachers will follow the regular schedule on-line and adhere to the times that are in place (as if they were in-person).  
• Teachers will provide digital lessons, assignments, or activities via google classroom, Canvas, etc. 
• Students will work independently, join virtual meetings, watch recorded lessons, and/or submit work via an electronic platform.

Asynchronous - Students do not attend in-person classes and are not required to participate in virtual face-to-face instruction.  Instead, teachers are required to post assignments for student completion. 

Hybrid - This teaching model combines in-person classroom instruction with online learning.   The online portion can include virtual lessons, digital assignments, interactive activities, or independent study. 

E-Learning Preparations and Expectations

1. To be prepared for an emergency cancellation, students (K-12) are expected to take their laptop device with charger home daily.
2. Teachers will post agenda and assignments in Canvas for students:
   • The posting may include a message to ‘Please check later’ or ‘The agenda will be posted by ___’ allowing teachers to prepare, record instruction, or resolve technology problems. 
3. If a teacher is having internet connection problems or power loss, students and parents will be notified by alternate messaging from the school office.   
4. Students are expected to complete assigned work by the posted due date on the e-learning day. 
5. If students are experiencing internet connection problems or power loss, 3 days will be allowed for submission of assignments. 
6. Support staff will designate office hours in Canvas to provide support, monitor, interact, or provide feedback.
7. Students will not be counted absent if they are experiencing  internet connection problems or power loss and they are given 3 days to complete upon returning to school.
8. Students having issues with their posted assignments on Canvas or Google Classroom should directly contact their teacher.

Exceptional Education 

• Speech/Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy
  • Services that fall on an e-learning day may be provided through an online activity, teletherapy, or made up at a later date.
• Resource Services
  • Accommodations are available to students via their Canvas assignments. 
  • Intervention activities will be available, if typically provided.
• Self-contained Classes (Applied Skills)
  • For students using Canvas, daily assignments will be posted.
  • For students who are provided paper instructional materials in anticipation of an e-learning day are required to complete the activities.
• Early Childhood
  • Students should access at-home activities during e-learning days.
  • Teachers will use email communication to inform parents of required activities.

• Bus routes for students will reconvene.  Although the weather has improved, there may be other impediments that can delay the arrival of the bus to the designated stops.
• Assess your child's school route and determine if they can walk safely. If not, parents are encouraged to drop-off and pick-up students from school. The process of clearing streets, driveways and parking lots can leave many sidewalks throughout the city impassable. While district crews often work around the clock to clear parking lots and sidewalks around school buildings, it is possible that not all sidewalks will be cleared by the commencement of school. In addition, SCEC is not responsible for clearing sidewalks on private, commercial or residential properties.
• It is suggested that you leave earlier than usual to allow for unexpected situations, road closures, reduced visibility, etc. that has been caused by inclement weather. It is important that every effort is made to drive safely.    
• Large piles of snow mounds (created by snow removals) pose safety hazards. Please Encourage your child(ren) not to play on large piles of snow in SCEC’s  parking lots or along the route between school and home.  In addition, snow removal crews may be working to remove snow piles with heavy machinery which also causes a hazard. Please make your child(ren) aware of these dangers and to avoid hazardous playing conditions.