Families & Students: 

October is Bullying Prevention Month. At our school, bullying of any kind, by any person, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. All students should be free from worries about being bullied. We encourage all students, staff, parents, and community members to speak up if they witness bullying or any safety concerns. Below are the ways to report an incident or get help: 

• Use the Bullying Report Form — This form allows you to report bullying anonymously or include your name. You can also upload pictures or videos as evidence. 

• Reach out to a staff member or trusted adult — Find contact information in the Staff Directory or use the Contact Us form on our website. 

• Call the School Violence Tip Line — Report concerns anonymously at 1-800-477-0024. 

• Connect with the school counselor — You can also fill out the Request for Support Form and a team of school support staff will review and respond to the request. 

• Mental health resources: 

• Dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 

• Text HOME to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line 

• Contact Safe2Help Illinois: 

• Call: 844-4-SAFEIL 

• Text: SAFE2 (72332) 

• Email: HELP@Safe2HelpIL.com

It’s Okay Not to be Okay  
The Will County Community Mental Health Board and the Joliet Fire Department have partnered to create "Connect Will County." This task force provides individuals, children, and families throughout Will County with access and financial assistance for counseling and psychiatric services. Both in-person and telehealth (virtual) appointments are available. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, or other life challenges, please call (815) 724-3506 for details about available services. 

Get Ready for FAFSA Night: Don’t Leave Money on the Table! – October 7 
Don’t miss our Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) & Alternative Application Completion Workshop on October 7 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Joliet Central. Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and Joliet Junior College representatives and helpful volunteers will be on-site to guide you step-by-step through completing your FAFSA or Alternative Application so your student can unlock free money for their education! This workshop is available for Joliet Central students and their families. Please park in any available Joliet Central parking lot and enter through Door F or J (near the Auditorium doors). For more information and a full list of required documents, click on the event flyer.  

Early Release School Improvement Day – October 8 
October 8 is a School Improvement Day and early release for students. Students will follow the “A” Schedule. Central, West, and Pathway students are dismissed from school at 11:45 a.m. AVAC students are dismissed at 11:30 a.m., and Transition Center students are dismissed at 10:45 a.m. Click on the links below to view the attendance calendar.  

• 2026-2027 Attendance Calendar (English)   

• 2026-2027 Attendance Calendar (Spanish)  

Three Ensembles. One Night of Music. Don’t Miss the Joliet West Showcase Concert! – October 8 
Enjoy an evening of live music as some of our talented choir, band and orchestra students take the stage on Thursday, October 8 at 7 p.m. in the Joliet West Auditorium. Guests can park in any available West lot and enter the building through Door 5. The concert will feature the performances from the Choir, Philharmonia and Symphonic Band. Admission is free and open to the public. 

No School for Students – October 12 
There will be no school for students on Monday, October 12. All classes will resume on Tuesday, October 13.   

Pink Heals Crosstown Volleyball Fundraiser – October 13 at Joliet Central 
Joliet Central will host the annual Pink Heals JT Volleyball Fundraiser on October 13. The Central vs. West cross-town volleyball event takes place in the Joliet Central Gymnasium. Doors open at 4:00 p.m. The JV/Freshman A & B game starts at 4:30 p.m., immediately followed by the Survivor Walk. The varsity game will begin after the Survivor Walk. Enter the building through Door F and park in any available spot.  Admission is free with donations accepted.  JTHS will sell shirts at the event. 

Health Documentation Deadline is October 15 – Students Who Are Not Compliant Will Be Excluded from School   
The deadline to submit health documentation required by the Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/22-105) is October 15. Students may attend school while their required health documentation is pending; however, students who have not submitted the required documentation by October 15 will be excluded from school until the requirements are met. 

• Freshman & Transfer Students: Must submit the completed State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination Form (English) / State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination Form (Spanish). Both sides of the form must be completed, including the “Health History” section, which must be SIGNED AND DATED BY THE PARENT/GUARDIAN. The physical is considered incomplete without this section. Please make certain the healthcare provider has documented the student's height, weight, blood pressure, BMI, and diabetes screening. 

• Seniors: Must submit proof of receiving a meningitis vaccination on or after their 16th birthday. 

Where to Get School Physicals & Immunizations 
For a list of local clinics offering school physicals and immunizations, visit the Community Support Resources Page and scroll to Community-Based Clinics Offering Immunizations & Physicals. 

• Will County Health Department also offers physicals and immunizations. Call 815-727-8480 for physicals and call 815-740-8143 for immunizations.  

• VNA Health Care in Joliet has reserved appointments specifically for JTHS students to receive school physicals, sports physicals, and required immunizations. Call 630-892-4355, Ext. 8520 to schedule an appointment. 

How to Submit Health Documentation 

Central, Transition & Pathways Campuses	West Campus
Submit Electronically: acarroll@jths.org   Submit by Faxing: 815-774-1608   Submit by Regular U.S. Mail:   Joliet Central High School     Attention Health Office   201 E. Jefferson St.    Joliet, IL 60432	Submit Electronically: mfuentes@jths.org      Submit by Faxing: (815) 727-1277 – Please note the change in fax number.      Submit by Regular U.S. Mail:   Joliet West High School      Attention Health Office   401 N. Larkin Ave.     Joliet, IL  60435

Save the Date for October 15: Community Connections Expo Returns to Joliet Central! 
Join us for the annual Community Connections Expo on Thursday, October 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Joliet Central High School! This free community event is open to everyone and features a job fair, community resource tables, food vendors, live music, and workshops on a wide variety of topics tailored to our students and families. Students can also earn up to two (2) hours of community service for attending!

Grandparents Raising Children Support Group – October 20  
Raising children comes with challenges at every stage of life. When grandparents or other family members unexpectedly find themselves stepping into a parenting role, having a village of support can make all the difference. The next meeting is scheduled for October 20 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the JTHS Administrative Center, 300 Caterpillar Drive in Joliet. This month’s presentation will feature AgeGuide in collaboration with Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet. To learn more about Grandparents Raising Children, click here. Don’t forget to like and follow their new Facebook page! Click here to show your support.  
 
JTHS Board of Education Meeting – October 20 at Joliet Central High School 
The JTHS Board of Education invites families and the community to their next regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20 at Joliet Central High School. 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. 

City of Joliet Comprehensive Plan Community Workshop at Joliet West – October 29 
Do you want to know how the City of Joliet plans to strengthen our community and neighborhoods? The City of Joliet share information from its Comprehensive Plan and Analysis at Joliet West on October 29 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. This is your opportunity to make your voice heard and provide feedback on Joliet’s future, including efforts to revitalize your city and guide your tax dollars. To learn more about the findings in the comprehensive plan, please click here. 

Give a Great Teacher the Credit They Deserve! 
Please consider nominating a JTHS teacher for the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s 2027 Great Teacher Award.  The nomination form is below in English and Spanish.  Completing the nomination is a quick process and includes a summary of 300 words or less explaining why you think the teacher you are nominating deserves the award.  The deadline is November 9, 2026, at 4 p.m. Click the links below to get your nomination started! 

Great Teacher Nomination (English)  
Great Teacher Nomination (Spanish)