July, 2020
Dear Parents and Criminal Justice Students:
Welcome to G.A.V.C. (Grundy Area Vocational Center) and the Criminal Justice Program. Students in the Criminal Justice Program will have the opportunity to learn the origins of the criminal justice system and how it works. Your son or daughter will be introduced to the many components of the criminal justice system and how they effectively work together. Additionally, the students will be acquainted with personnel from many agencies, including departments from the local, county, state and federal levels that are involved within our criminal justice system.
Professionals with a wide variety of experience in the criminal justice field will present as guest speakers and field trips to various criminal justice agencies are utilized in the program as well. Students generally find field trips an interesting part of the program. Due to the very nature of the field, students may sometimes hear explicit language and see graphic videos or photos as we explain the functions of dealing with the current issues in society.
Students enrolled in Criminal Justice II (second year) may have the opportunity to participate in a Job Shadow Program. This is an excellent opportunity to have the students observe how agencies perform their duties. In order to job shadow, the student must meet certain criteria. They must have a “B” average in the program, good attendance, and no disciplinary issues, including arrests or several police contacts, a mature attitude, a valid driver’s license and car insurance as they drive to the sites, and good moral and ethical values. The instructor and the agency have the final discretion in placing the students, and the instructor will abide by the recommendations of the agency whether the student is accepted in the program.
Students may also have the opportunity to participate in SkillsUSA, which is a nationwide organization for the promotion and advancement of career and technical education. This event has a state and national competition that affords the students the opportunity to compete in Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) and/or a Police Officer Skills competition.
Joliet Junior College may require students to qualify for enrollment in ENG 101 in order to receive dual credit for Criminal Justice courses. Typically, GAVC Instructors will advise students in the first week of classes if JJC has made this a requirement. If so, students would have to take placement testing at JJC, or provide documentation of qualifying ACT and/or SAT scores. When JJC has required said placement testing, the following has been the threshold for qualifying scores:
➢ ACT English: 20 or higher
➢ SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 480 or higher
If students wish to take placement testing over the summer, students may contact JJC directly to arrange for placement testing. The JJC Academic Skills Center may be reached at 815-280-2261.
**The following fees are due and can be paid online at: http://www.gavc-il.org after August 1st.
GAVC Course Fee: $20.00
Program Shirt: $15.00
Total: $35.00 (Checks can be made payable to GAVC)
Below are two (2) additional documents, a Physical Training Program letter and a Course Content letter. Please read each letter and complete the bottom of both forms. Detach the bottom of each letter and either mail the completed forms to GAVC or have your student bring the form the first day of class. We look forward to working with you in the upcoming school year. If you have any questions, please contact us at the numbers below.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Brent Dite Jeff Hanley
Criminal Justice Instructor Criminal Justice Instructor
Morris Campus Coal City Campus
(815) 942-4390 Ext. 4254 (815) 942-4390 Ext. 4230
Email: bdite@gavc-il.org Email: jhanley@coalcityschools.org