Lincoln-Way Grade Schools Plan Graduation At Chicagoland Speedway

MANHATTAN, IL — Three Lincoln-Way area grade schools are planning something a little different for their eighth grade graduation ceremonies. District 122 in New Lenox, District 114 in Manhattan and District 159 in Mokena are all planning their own eighth grade graduation ceremonies at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet.

According to a letter from District 114 superintendent Rusty Ragon, the district will a drive-thru graduation celebration at 6 p.m. May 22 at Chicagoland Speedway.

"We wanted to do something special and something that would be memorable," Ragon wrote.

According a letter from New Lenox District 122 superintendent Peggy Manville, the D122 ceremony will be held May 27. Liberty Junior High will graduate at 2 p.m. and Martino Junior High at 4 p.m.

The Mokena Junior High graduation will be held at 2 p.m. May 29, according to a Facebook post on the district's page.

"We sincerely hope that this will be an exciting and memorable way to commemorate and celebrate your achievement as you finish your academic career with us," a letter from Principal Michael Rolinitis said.

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All of the ceremonies will consist of a drive-thru processional and families and graduates will remain in their cars. Mokena District 159 said graduate's names will be announced as they drive through the Winner's Circle of the speedway. The cars will then exit Victory Lane and exit onto Laraway Road.

After the three districts released their plans, the Illinois State Board of Education released guidance April 30 saying drive-thru graduations were prohibited, but it has now updated its procedures as of May 1. In a May 1 letter, State Superintendent of Education Carmen Ayala said ISBE and the Illinois Department of Public Health will release updated joint guidance for ceremonies.

"We thank you for your thoughtful feedback over the past few days and understand the milestone that graduation ceremonies represent in students' lives," Ayala said in her letter.

ISBE has not issued specific guidance saying drive-thru ceremonies are now allowed, but revised guidelines are expected in the coming days.

Manhattan Junior High School principal Ron Pacheco told Patch Saturday that ISBE will issue revised guidelines and the district is "hopeful and confident" that its plans are safe.

"Our community is very excited," Pacheco said.

Patch has reached out to Mokena District 159 and New Lenox District 122 for more information on their plans.

Read more:

• Illinois Coronavirus Update May 2: 56,055 Cases; 2,457 Deaths
• Lincoln-Way D210 Postpones Graduation