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H. Rick Bamman - hbamman@shawmedia.com John Pellikan encourages thoughtful questions from the class during a debate of captive whales. Pellikan is one of several Prairie Ridge High School social sciences teachers who have stepped teaching of current events and debates in its U.S. History classes in the absence of a civics course.

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H. Rick Bamman - hbamman@shawmedia.com Prairie Ridge students Katie Burris (left) and Allie Cole discuss thier whale debate topic with teacher and department chairman John Pellikan after class on Monday, Sept. 14. Pellikan is one of several Prairie Ridge High School social sciences teachers who have stepped teaching of current events and debates in its U.S. History classes in the absence of a civics course. Students entering high school starting in the 2016-17 school year will be required to take a one-semester civics course under a law recently signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner.