WOLF LAKE, Ill. (AP) — Students are back in class at a southern Illinois high school after it was closed for a week due to flooding, taking time to discuss the effect of flooding on their families. Although waters have started to subside, Illinois in recent weeks saw flooding along rivers including the Mississippi, Sangamon and Illinois. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner issued state disaster declarations for 23 counties, largely in central and southern Illinois. Damage assessments are ongoing to see if any areas are eligible for federal assistance. The Southern Illinoisan reports students returned to Shawnee High School Monday for the first time since flooding closed the Wolf Lake school. Social studies teacher Jamie Nash-Mayberry asked students to document their experiences for historical record. Eight of 10 students in Nash-Mayberry’s class said they evacuated their homes.