CARBONDALE (WSIL) -- As public health alerts continue, the governor of Illinois, along with local health departments, are encouraging residents to "stay home," unless absolutely necessary.
That's prompted most schools in Carbondale to move to fully-remote learning, starting Monday.
Students in Carbondale's Elementary School District 95 were getting in the last of in-person learning Friday morning as they prepare to move to fully remote.
There was some disappointment among students, when a teacher asked a class what they though about the move, one student said they "learn better" in the classroom.
Superintendent Daniel Booth says the school district made a commitment early on to follow the recommendations of the health department and health experts.
"We have to defer to the experts, we've got to trust them, and we also know the virus changes," explains Booth. "With that, we took their recommendation and we're going to follow it."
The Boys and Girls Club of ¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý Illinois closed their doors Friday while they prepared for the increased number of students they expect to see next week.
"Our (Club) families need us, they need to go to work, they need support for the kids so they can be successful in school, they need internet access," says Tina Carpenter, SI Boys and Girls Club CEO. "We have to take care of our community."
Carbondale began the school year fully remote and provided a blended option after returning kids to the classroom. Superintendent Booth says the district is now taking a proactive approach, something the virus has routinely prevented.
"This is one of the few chances that we are able to be proactive, and the Jackson County Health Department giving their recommendations solidifies the fact, that this is the direction that we need to go right now."
Booth says the school is uncertain when they will return to in-person instructions, right now they are hoping it is by the end of the Christmas break.
The Boys and Girls Club of ¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý Illinois provided all-day care, through-out the summer and into the start of the school year. They maintain they are better prepared for this coming influx of students, after the many lessons already learned.
