Back to school takes on new meaning for Fox Lake-area students
Students in Fox Lake and Ingleside were back in class Thursday and trying to return to a sense of normalcy after two days of disruption, school officials said.
Local schools were locked down Tuesday and classes were canceled Wednesday as a result of a manhunt for three men suspected of killing Fox Lake police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz. No one has been apprehended.
The school day was going "extremely well" at Grant Community High School, said Christine Sefcik, superintendent of Grant High School District 124. The school on Grand Avenue and Devlin Road has about 1,900 students.
"I think we were all ready to attempt to get back to a sense of normalcy today. Counselors and therapists are available, as they are every day, and meeting with any students that need assistance," she said.
How many used those services was not immediately known. Students were locked down Tuesday in darkened rooms for several hours.
"This has been a very trying time for the community and Grant Community High School as Lieutenant Gliniewicz has worked with many students and staff over the years and was well respected by all," Sefcik said.
"I've heard many people say in the last two days this is a tight-knit community and as part of this wonderful community, Grant is no different. Our students and staff came together on Tuesday to do everything we needed to do to remain safe, they stood together at the vigils last night, and are supporting one another today," she added.
Big Hollow Elementary District 38 houses 1,800 students in primary, elementary and middle schools on one campus at 26051 W. Nippersink Road in Ingleside. It was on a soft lockdown, meaning no outdoor activities for students, shades drawn and no one in the hallway without supervision, according to Superintendent Bob Gold.
"We were a little farther away from the action and tried to keep things as normal as possible," he said. Middle school students knew why school was out on Wednesday. Social workers were available.
"We had a few more parents drive their kids to school today (but) otherwise it's been a pretty normal day," Gold said.
Bus services was canceled Tuesday and students were dismissed individually to parents or others on their emergency contact list. Some waited two hours in their vehicles on Nippersink Road, Gold added.
Back to School night at Grant, which allows parents/guardians to share the experiences of attending high school by following their student's class schedules, was set for Thursday night.
"I couldn't be more proud of our students, our staff, and our parents. Speaking on behalf of all of us at Grant, our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Lieutenant Gliniewicz," Sefcik said.
Schools in Fox Lake Elementary District 114 and Gavin Elementary District 37 also were open Thursday.