Schools
Graduation Ceremonies At Chicagoland Speedway Canceled
District 157-C in Frankfort will instead hold a drive-thru graduation processional at Lincoln-Way East High School.
FRANKFORT, IL — When the Illinois State Board of Education issued new guidelines for graduation ceremonies, the planned Lincoln-Way area middle school ceremonies at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet all fell under the approved guidance. Now, Chicagoland Speedway notified District 157-C in Frankfort, District 122 in New Lenox, District 114 in Manhattan and District 159 in Mokena that the districts can no longer use the facility.
Meredith Dobes, Public Relations Coordinator for District 157-C said the district was told late Thursday about the cancellation.
Chicagoland Speedway President Scott Paddock said the Speedway contacted the governor's office and were told the event would be in violation of the stay-at-home order since the Speedway is a non-essential business.
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"We promised our eighth graders a proper and memorable sendoff, therefore, we have been working together to come up with an alternate solution to the Chicago Speedway event," Dobes told Patch.
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District 157-C, in coordination with Frankfort Police Department and Lincoln-Way District 210, will host a graduation procession at Lincoln-Way East starting at 3 p.m. May 28. Families will be allowed to enter one car in the procession and the eighth grade staff will be along the procession route holding signs and cheering.
"We are excited that our staff will now be able to participate in this celebration while practicing social distancing," Dobes said. "At the end of the procession, the graduate's name will be announced and a small group of district officials will be on hand to demonstrate our congratulations to the Class of 2020."
The district also continues to work on the virtual graduation ceremony that will be released to families on May 28.
Patch has reached out to District 122 and District 159 for more details on their respective ceremonies.
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