District 219 has announced an e-learning day on Friday, Jan. 23, due to extreme temperatures. The forecast for Jan. 23 predicts temperatures to range from a high of one degree to a low of negative two degrees. The night of Jan. 22 is predicted to drop to negative six degrees, according to Weather.com.
According to the District 219 website, Superintendent Thomas Moore is in charge of making the decision to cancel school by 5:30 a.m. that morning. An e-learning day was announced to students and staff at 11 a.m. on Jan. 22 by an email from Principal Steve Parnther. The district considers multiple aspects when making the decision to cancel school.
“The district decides on school closings based on weather, road conditions, the safety of our buses and buildings, and other factors in the school community,” Deputy Superintendent Roszena Haskins said in an email sent out to staff on Jan. 21. “We also consult with our sender elementary schools.”
All assignments for the e-learning day will be posted on Canvas by 10 a.m. Students who do not have high-speed Internet at home have the option to check out a mobile hotspot through D219 for free. In order to check out the hotspot, students must visit the Technology Service Center in room 2160.
French teacher Catherine Nimtz agrees with the decision to switch to e-learning and is happy with the timing of the announcement.
“I think it’s going to be dangerous for students to be out in the weather, especially waiting for the bus or walking to school,” Nimtz said. “It’s good timing, because the students are still at school and they still have time to meet with their teachers and make sure that there’s a plan for the next day. It’s enough time that, hopefully, families can make arrangements.”
Nimtz plans on assigning Ed-Puzzles to her students, already having the plan before the announcement was made. Junior Taylor Dexl had teachers who also altered plans for Friday beforehand, and is excited for the e-learning day.
“I’m very happy because if we had school, I wouldn’t have gone,” Dexl said. “I got both my tests pushed back for math and health careers.”
There were multiple activities moved, including the boys swim and dive meet at Niles West and both boys and girls basketball games at Niles North. Originally scheduled for Friday, all events were moved to Thursday, Jan. 22. This decision was made before the e-learning day was planned. There was also an ACT preparation bootcamp for juniors on Jan. 24 that has been postponed to Feb. 7. Any conference or state tournaments held the weekend of Jan. 23 will continue.
