Diocese Of Joliet Schools Could Reopen In Fall

PLAINFIELD, IL — The Diocese of Joliet sent out a survey on Thursday to parents and guardians of students attending its parish schools, seeking feedback regarding remote learning as well as opinion on the possibility of reopening the schools this fall.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker had ordered all Illinois schools to close March 13, in hopes of containing the spread of the coronavirus. Mere hours after that announcement, the Diocese of Joliet had decided independently to close all its parish schools starting March 16. Students, however, were required to participate in home learning activities.

According to Rev. John Belmonte, superintendent of the Diocese of Joliet, among the 3,600 responses they received, about 80 percent were in favor of in-person classes next school year. The survey asked if parents wanted students to go back to school, continue learning at home or preferred a bit of the two.

Armed with the results of the questionnaire, Belmonte said the diocese is coordinating with its bishops in the state, who are working with the superintendents.

"The bishops have told us as superintendents to coordinate a reopening plan for the catholic schools in the state," he said. "So we'll have a meeting next week to discuss that. And then the bishops are working closely with the governor and our political leaders to coordinate the reopening of both the churches and the schools."

Belmonte said the safety of his students and teachers is "our first priority in every case, whether it's a time of pandemic or not."

"And so that is fundamental to what we do. And so we're concerned about that always and certainly most especially during a time like this. That will be part of whatever planning process we put in place," he said.

A part of the survey also dealt with home learning, a program the schools have conducted since March. Belmonte said about 70-80 percent said it was a favorable experience.

"We've surveyed the parents twice, once at the beginning of this pandemic about how at home learning was going on. And then again, with this survey and in both instances, the parents were very pleased at the work that the teachers were doing with their students," he said. "And so that has been consistent throughout. The teachers have really stepped up, have really worked very hard with the principals to continue education and make sure that the students were continuing to learn even at an at-home environment."

Despite the myriad efforts undertaken by the schools to make the best of these extenuating circumstances, Belmonte said none of this would have been possible without the parents who "have really been extraordinarily good about working with our teachers and working very hard to continue the education of their children."

He said they've had very few issues with attendance and the students have been engaged and learning every day, which he believes is a testament to the dedication of their families.

"I think the students will be able to come back in the fall and be prepared for their next grade level because the teachers and the parents have worked very, very hard to make sure that the students kept learning during all of this. So that's been a real positive thing for the diocese."

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