Weather Closing and Delays
Emergency vs E-Learning Days
Last year, our SD129 Board of Education approved the use of e-learning days. This means that in the event of inclement weather or another crisis, we would have the option to use either an emergency day or an e-learning day. The purpose of this communication is to explain the difference between the two types of days and the scenarios in which they would be applied.
- Emergency Days: In the event that we would have to close buildings for one day, the district plans on using an emergency day. This means that students and staff members would have no school-related responsibilities that day and it would need to be made up later in the year. The first emergency day would be made up beginning on Tuesday, May 30th.
- E-Learning Days: In the event that we would have to close buildings for more than one day, the district plans on using e-learning days. In this scenario, students would engage in virtual learning while staff members would have responsibilities related to their roles. These days would not need to be made up.
- On the morning of an e-learning day, elementary students should reference Seesaw to find Zoom links and codes. Elementary students would then follow the current building schedule via Zoom. If you (or your child) have never used Zoom previously, please reach out to your teacher as soon as possible for directions.
- On the morning of an e-learning day, secondary students should reference each of their course pages in Schoology to find Zoom links and codes. Secondary students would then follow the “Monday Late Start” bell schedule via Zoom.
- On the morning of an e-learning day, elementary students should reference Seesaw to find Zoom links and codes. Elementary students would then follow the current building schedule via Zoom. If you (or your child) have never used Zoom previously, please reach out to your teacher as soon as possible for directions.
Due to the unpredictability of our winter weather, we kindly ask that all students and staff members do their best to bring home devices and chargers each night during the winter season.
Making a Determination
Want to know the district's process for determining e-learning or emergency days? Take a look at this video from February of 2022.
Projected Low Temperatures & Significant Snow Accumulation:
Almost 60% of West Aurora School District 129 students utilize bus transportation services. Additionally, we also have a large number of students who walk to school. As such, we must recognize the potential hazards of exposing students to challenging conditions. Forecasts projecting sustained extreme wind chills will create a significant risk of hypothermia and frostbite. In addition, sustained extreme low temperatures can impact our buses and other essential equipment affecting our ability to transport students.
West Aurora School District 129 consults with the following internal departments and external partners in the community:
- Local Municipalities (road conditions)
- West Aurora School District 129 Transportation Department (busing safety)
- West Aurora School District 129 Operations Department (snow removal)
- National Weather Service (weather updates)
- Surrounding School Districts (information sharing)
Temperaturas Bajas y Acumulacion Significativa de Nieve Proyectadas:
Casi el 60% de los estudiantes del Distrito Escolar de West Aurora 129 utilizan nuestro servicio de transporte en autobús. Además, también tenemos un gran número de estudiantes que se van caminando a la escuela. Como tal, debemos reconocer los peligros potenciales de exponer a los estudiantes a condiciones difíciles. Los pronósticos que proyectan frío extremo por el viento crearán un riesgo significativo de hipotermia y congelación. Además, las temperaturas extremadamente bajas pueden afectar a nuestros autobuses y otros equipos esenciales que afectan nuestra capacidad para transportar estudiantes.
El Distrito Escolar de West Aurora 129 consulta con los siguientes departamentos internos y externos en la comunidad:
- Ciudad de Aurora (Condiciones de las calles)
- Departamento de Transporte de West Aurora (seguridad de transporte)
- Departamento de Operaciones del Distrito 129 (remoción de nieve)
- Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (actualizaciones del clima)
- Distritos escolares circundantes (intercambio de información)
Student & Staff Communication
The decision process begins the evening prior or early in the morning around 4:00 a.m. When conditions threaten the safety of the children and West Aurora School District 129 staff who are walking, driving, or riding buses to school, we may make a decision to alter the normal school day.
As soon as a decision is made, we will share the information through multiple channels of communication:
- Voice blast through School Messenger
- Email blast through School Messenger
- Text message alert through School Messenger
- West Aurora School District 129 Website
- West Aurora School District 129 Social Media Platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
- Chicago news stations and radio stations
We will make every effort to make a decision by 5:00 a.m. and communicate our decision by 5:30 am.
There may be some occasions when it will not be possible to make these times frames as the weather can change unexpectedly. There also may be times when the district will be able to make decisions the day before so that parents, staff members, and students know what will happen the following day. In any event, we will make our best effort to communicate in a timely manner.
El proceso de decisión comienza la tarde anterior o temprano en la mañana alrededor de las 4:00 a.m. Cuando las condiciones amenazan la seguridad de los niños y el personal del Distrito 129 que caminan, conducen o viajan en autobuses a la escuela, el Distrito 129 puede tomar la decisión de alterar o cambiar el día de clases normal:
Tan pronto que se tome la decisión, compartiremos la información a través de múltiples canales de comunicación.
- Mensaje de voz a través de School Messenger
- Correo electrónico a través de School Messenger
- Alerta por texto a través de School Messenger
- Mensaje en la página web del Distrito 129 District 129 website
- Mensaje por las redes sociales del Distrito 129 Facebook, Twitter e, Instagram
- Cancelación de clases se compartirán con estaciones de noticias y radio locales de Chicago.
Haremos el mejor esfuerzo por tomar una decisión antes de las 5:00 a.m. y comunicar esta decisión antes de las 5:30 a.m.
Puede haber ocasiones en las que no será posible hacer una determinación dentro de ese tiempo ya que el clima puede cambiar inesperadamente. También habrá ocasiones en las que el distrito pueda tomar decisiones el día anterior para que los padres, el personal y los estudiantes sepan qué sucederá el día siguiente. En cualquier caso, haremos el mejor esfuerzo para comunicarnos de manera oportuna.