JOLIET, ILL. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Administrators of elementary, high school and colleges in Joliet reported today on how their academic year is wrapping up and how uncertain things will be, for the most part, for the coming academic year.For the past couple of months, there’s been remote learning for the 11,000 students in the Joliet Public Schools. Supt. Dr. Theresa Rouse says surveys have been sent to parents for feedback as the district tries to plan for the coming year. "We sent out a survey this week to all of our parents to get feedback about how remote learning is going and to help us develop plans and scenarios for what's going to happen next year because we all don't know what's going to happen in the fall," she says.Rouse said preparations are underway to have parents pick up their students' belongings at school.
"We’ve purchased graduation caps and gowns for all of our 8th graders since we’re not able to hold an actual graduation ceremony, they can still have a cap and gown to take a picture at home," Rouse said.Joliet West and Central High Schools will have virtual graduation ceremonies in a couple of weeks.
Supt. Dr. Karla Guseman said, "Heavy on my heart right now are the seniors who are missing out on our in-person graduation. But, with sadness and loss comes an awesome story of our community and staff coming together to produce virtual graduation for the Class of 2020.""The program includes heartfelt messages from our principals, Board of Education and student graduation speakers. Central and West [High Schools> alumni serve as graduation name-readers and, as each name is read, an individual slide will appear on the screen with each student's name and photo," Guseman continued.Meanwhile, Dr. Judy Mitchell, president of Joliet Junior College, said enrollment so far for the fall semester is down 40%. Mitchell also said all lecture classes for the fall semester will be online."It’s a bittersweet day for me. That is because today, May 15th, we would have held our Spring 2020 Commencement Ceremony. On this day, I typically do a practice run of my speeches and prepare for very sore muscles after shaking hundreds of hands," Mitchell said.Dr. Arvid Johnson, president of the University of St. Francis in Joliet, said he's looking for guidance from government and public health leaders as he makes plans for next year.
That said, Johnson added, "Our small class sizes of traditionally less than 15 students, make it easier for us to maintain social distancing than many other schools."