Families and Students: 
 
As Illinois experiences colder temperatures and wind chills, please make sure your child wears appropriate winter clothing when traveling to and from school. A warm coat, hat, scarf, mittens, and proper shoes or boots will help keep them comfortable in the cold. Exposure to freezing temperatures can lead to frostbite, especially on fingers, toes, ears, and noses, but it is easily prevented with proper clothing. If your family or someone you know does not have the financial means to purchase appropriate winter clothing, JTHS is here to assist.  Contact your student’s school counselor so that we can help.  As a reminder, JTHS will contact families through our ParentSquare message delivery platform if there is a school closure due to weather. 
 
Illinois Senate “Page for a Day” Program – Apply by Dec. 31
Illinois State Senator Rachel Ventura is offering students the chance to participate in the Page for a Day Program in Spring of 2026. Selected students will travel to Springfield to shadow Senator Ventura, assist with documents, observe Senate sessions, and experience the legislative process firsthand. Interested students must submit the Google Form by December 31, 2025. For more details, please click here. If you have questions, please call 331-290-0443 or send an email to liz@senatorventura.com. 
 
Will County Clerk’s Office Seeks Student Election Judges – Apply by Jan. 30 
The Will County Clerk’s Office is currently recruiting students to serve as Student Election Judges during the March 17, 2026 General Primary Election. Student Election Judges provide a critical role in the election process by assisting seasoned election judges with voter check-in, distributing ballots to voters, and ensuring a fair election process. Students will be compensated $220 OR have the option of receiving 16+ hours of community service for serving as a Student Election Judge. To learn more, click here to view the flyer. To submit your Student Election Judge Application, click here. If you have any questions regarding this program, please call (815) 740-4797 or send an email to wcclerkambassadors@willcounty.gov. 
 
40 Community Hours Required for Graduation – Sign Up for the MLK Day of Service 
Students must complete 40 hours of community service to graduate. If you are a student who needs community service hours, we encourage you to participate in the MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 19 at Joliet Central. There is no school on this day. Volunteers can check in and enjoy breakfast from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m., followed by a short Welcoming Ceremony at 8:20 a.m. Volunteer service takes place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the event concludes with lunch and entertainment from 12 to 2 p.m. Students receive five community service hours for participating. Complete the MLK Volunteer Sign Up Form by December 19 to participate. This is a volunteer opportunity for people of all ages. Your family members and friends can also sign up to volunteer. 
 
Calling All Community Partners: Reserve Your Free Resource Vendor Table Today! 
We invite community partners to participate as resource vendors at two upcoming events: the State of the District Address on January 29, 2026 (5:00–7:30 p.m.) and the Community Connections Expo on February 10, 2026 (5:00–7:00 p.m.), both at the Joliet West Campus located at 401 N. Larkin Ave. in Joliet. These events offer opportunities to connect with families, students, and local stakeholders while sharing valuable services and information. There is no fee to participate, simply complete the Community Partner Resource Vendor Registration Form by January 15, 2026, to reserve your table and select your event(s). For questions, contact Kristine Schlismann at kschlismann@jths.org. 
 
Free Resilience Training for Student-Athletes, Families, and Coaches 
The United Way of Will County is offering Mind of a Champion, a free, self-paced online program that supports the mental wellness and resilience of student-athletes, families, and coaches. The training introduces research-based strategies to help students stay focused, manage stress, and build confidence both on and off the field. Educators may also earn 3 Professional Development (PD) hours from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). For more detailed information, click here to view the program flyer. To register for this program, click here. Don’t miss this free and immersive opportunity! 

West Winter Band Concert – Dec. 9 
The Joliet West Winter Band Concert is on December 9 at 7 p.m. in the West Auditorium. Families can park in any available JTHS parking spot and enter the building through Door 5. The concert will feature the Joliet West Concert Band, Symphonic Winds, and Symphonic Band. The students will perform a blend of new compositions and holiday favorites. Various chamber groups from the Symphonic Band will be playing in the halls and on stage before the concert. The event is free and open to the public.  We hope to see you for their final performance of the semester.  

Central Sounds of the Season Winter Concert – Dec. 11  
The Joliet Central Choir and JTHS Orchestra invite families, students, staff, and the community to their Sounds of the Season Concert on December 11 at 7 p.m. at the Joliet Central Auditorium. Join this festive kick off to the holiday season featuring popular holiday favorites. Admission is free and open to the public.   

JRECC Meeting – Dec. 12 
Members of community and faith-based organizations are invited to attend our next Joliet Region Education Community Connectors (JRECC) Meeting on December 12 at the JTHS Administrative Center. Breakfast is available at 7:30 a.m. and the meeting will conclude no later than 10 a.m.  Spanish interpretation is available. Attendees will hear an informative presentation from the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center, followed by a presentation from our Student Services Department on Homelessness and the McKinney-Vento Act. Complete the JRECC Meeting RSVP Form if you will attend.

CEO Program’s Christmas at the Castle – Dec. 12 
Join us for Christmas at the Castle on Friday, December 12, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Joliet Central High School. This free, family-friendly event, sponsored and fully organized by JTHS CEO students, features games, kids’ activities, local vendors, holiday treats, a toy donation center, and photos with Santa. Please use Door G, Door J, or the accessible Entrance I off Eastern Avenue. Parking is available in all school lots, and all guests will pass through the Evolve security system upon entry. 

JTHS Board of Education Meeting – Dec. 16 
The JTHS Board of Education invites families and the community to their next regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. on December 16 at the JTHS Administrative Center. Agendas are posted at least 48 hours prior to the meetings. If you cannot attend in person, meetings are accessible via live stream. Individuals wishing to make public comments must sign up upon arrival before 6:50 p.m.   
 
Semester 1 Final Exams – Dec. 17 - 19 
Semester 1 final exams will be held December 17–19. Please view the English and Spanish exam schedule for the Central and West campuses HERE. The links to the Final Exam Bus Schedule for December 18 and 19 are listed below. Please encourage students to take advantage of our online tutoring resources if they need help improving their grades. Students can sign up for free online tutoring provided by our JTHS teachers.  

• Central First Semester Final Exam Bus Schedule  

• West First Semester Final Exam Bus Schedule 

 Winter Holiday Break Reminder – Dec. 22 to Jan. 7
Winter break begins on December 22, 2025, and goes on through January 6, 2026. Classes will resume on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. We wish our families a safe holiday and a happy New Year! 

 Scholarships for Seniors – Application Deadline March 1  
JTHS is fortunate to have generous donors who provide scholarships specifically for our seniors. We encourage all JTHS seniors to explore and apply for the District Donor and District Committee scholarships. The application deadline is March 1, 2026. Students can also visit the Scholarship Website to explore opportunities posted on the Community Scholarship Board. Scholarships are organized by monthly deadlines, making it easy to plan submissions. Please review all eligibility criteria carefully before applying.