Nearly five years removed from the first reactions to COVID, school leaders in central Illinois say they are still dealing with the consequences of some of the decisions from that time. 

In the summers that followed the pandemic, schools introduced options for kids to recover academically. Superintendent of Bement Schools, Mary Vogt, explains rather than offering traditional summer school as the district did before she became superintendent, they offer a program called APEX Learning - an asynchronous online class that students can use to catch up before graduation. 

Vogt feels the advantage of this program is that it allows the school to save resources. The curricula are constructed to be completed individually, meaning students to not have to be in the classroom to acquire the credits. The Guidance Department keeps track of the students' progress and keeps them on course, rather than being an in-person instructor. 

The learning issues that come with being a student during the pandemic are becoming less and less. Vogt indicates as time goes on, more and more students re-enter in-person schooling at a younger age, making it less of a problem. 

Vogt credits her teachers for having done a great job supporting students academically. The district has specific staff dedicated to supporting students who are struggling, while challenging students who are further along. 

Vogt praises the staff in Bement Schools for working hard to make sure that no child is left behind or struggling.