Families and Students: 

From student-led initiatives to upcoming events and opportunities, here are a few highlights happening across our district. 
 
Free Summer Meals for Children under 18
The Illinois State Board of Education program is offering free summer meals to all children under the 18 throughout Joliet-area sites offering breakfast, lunch, or both. For details, call 1-866-348-6479, send a text with the message “SUMMER” to 914-342-7744, or visit www.HungerFreeAmerica.org.  

Food Support for Families through SUN Bucks (EBT) Program
The 2026 Summer SUN Bucks EBT Program is a USDA-funded program providing families with an EBT benefit of $120 per eligible child ages 6 to 17 beginning late May 2026. The criteria for eligibility include students who are directly certified through the Illinois SNAP and TANF programs, are eligible through Medicaid, or those identified as foster, homeless, and other approved programs. Families can learn more by visiting the Illinois Summer EBT website or calling (833) 621-0737. Joliet Township High School does not manage, administer, issue benefits, EBT cards, or determine eligibility for the SUN Bucks program. 

Student Essay Contest Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary
The Office of Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton invites students in grades 6–12 to participate in the “Illinois to America: Stories that Shape Us” essay contest celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary. Winning essays will be displayed in the Lt. Governor’s Chicago and Springfield offices and featured at the Illinois State Fair. Additionally, winners will receive a personalized letter, certificate, and Challenge Coin from the Lt. Governor. The contest is open April 13 through May 31 (11:59 p.m. CST). Winners will be announced on July 4. For details and to apply, visit the contest website: Illinois to America: Stories That Shape Us. 

Community Service Opportunity for Students – Bicentennial Bluffs Street Cleanup May 2  
The Bicentennial Bluffs Neighborhood Council is hosting a Neighborhood Cleanup Day on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event will also feature a craft and bake sale. Cleanup supplies will be provided, and volunteers will receive a complimentary lunch, raffle entries, and community service hours. For more information, please click here.  

Joliet West Spring Choir Concert – May 5
The Joliet West Choir will hold its Spring Choir Concert at 7 p.m. on May 5 in the Joliet West Auditorium. The free concert is open to the public.  Enter the school through Door 5 (Cafeteria). 
 
Spring Orchestra Concert – May 7
The JTHS Spring Orchestra Concert is on May 7 at 7.p.m. in the Joliet West Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public. Enter the school through Door 5 (Cafeteria). 

Community Service Opportunity at Preservation Park – May 7
Joliet Public Schools District 86 invites students to volunteer at their 5th Annual District Math Night at Preservation Park on May 7. Assistance is needed with facilitating activity stations. Volunteers will work from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and will receive community service hours. To sign up, please contact Mrs. Gleason at lgleason@joliet86.org. 

Youth Voices Needed: Bicentennial Bluffs Community Workshop – May 7
Students living in Joliet’s Bicentennial Bluffs, downtown Joliet, and nearby neighborhoods are invited to participate in an interactive Youth Workshop as part of the Bicentennial Bluffs Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI), in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Joliet. The workshop will be held at the Boys & Girls Club of Joliet located at 226 E. Clinton Street from 4 – 5:30 p.m. Participants will share their experiences getting around their neighborhood, discuss safety, and highlight the places and programs that matter most to them. Their ideas will help shape the future Bicentennial Bluffs Choice Neighborhood Plan. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. To learn more, click here. 

AVID Students to Host a Community Sip & Thrift Sale – May 8 & 9
Freshman and sophomore students in the AVID programs at Joliet Central and Joliet West are hosting a community Sip & Thrift Sale, where every item is $3 or less. The sale will take place Friday, May 8 from 3:20 to 5 p.m. and Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Joliet West  Cafeteria. Proceeds will benefit the Joliet Central Follow Your Dreams Kermés Scholarship fund, Hopeful Tails Animal Rescue, and the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center. The event is part of AVID’s service-learning work, giving students the opportunity to support local causes while providing affordable clothing to the community. Guests can park in any available school parking lot and enter Joliet West using Door 5. For more information, click here to view the flyer. 

Volley4Vets Showdown – May 12
Cheer on the Joliet Central Steelmen and Joliet West Tigers boys’ volleyball teams as they face off in the Volley4Vets Showdown on May 12 in the Joliet West Gym. Games are at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Enter the building through Door 13 (Near the Field House off Glenwood Avenue). Tickets are available on Go Fan. This crosstown rivalry isn’t just about volleyball—it’s about honoring Will County veterans and raising critical funds for veterans in our community. The planning team is seeking donation of raffle baskets and basket items. To donate, email tlitwicki@jths.org. 

Joliet West Spring Band Concert – May 12 
The Joliet West Band invites you to their Spring Band Concert on May 12 at 7 p.m. in the West Auditorium. The free public concert features the Joliet West Concert Band, Symphonic Winds, and Symphonic Band.  Enter the school through Door 5 (Cafeteria). 
 
Joliet Central Choir Concert – May 12 

The Joliet Central High School choir program is hosting their final concert of the year "To the Stars" on May 12 at 7 p.m. in the Joliet Central auditorium. This concert is free and open to the public. Enter the school through J Door on Eastern Avenue. 

Joliet Central Spring Band Concert – May 14 
The Joliet Central Band invites you to their Spring Band Concert on May 14 at 7 p.m. in the Central Auditorium. Enter through auditorium/J-doors off Eastern Avenue. 

Will County Land Resource Management Plan Community Open Houses – May 14 
Will County residents are invited to share their ideas and help shape the future of our community as part of the Will County Land Resource Management Plan. Community open houses will be held on May 14 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at multiple locations across Will County. Residents can learn about the planning process and provide input on important topics such as housing, transportation, environment, economic development, and more. Families are welcome to attend these drop-in events. For more information, please consult the flyer by clicking here. 

Community Service Opportunity for Students – Family Fitness Day May 16  
Joliet Public Schools District 86 is organizing a Family Fitness Day on Saturday, May 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Joliet Memorial Stadium located at 3000 W. Jefferson Street. Volunteers are needed to set up the event, register families, supervise various fitness stations, and assist with other tasks. Please plan to arrive by 10 a.m. For more information, please click here.  

JTHS Board of Education Meeting – May 19   
The JTHS Board of Education invites families and the community to their next regularly scheduled meeting on May 19 at 7 p.m. at the Administration Center. Agendas are posted at least 48 hours before the meeting. Meetings are live-streamed. Individuals wishing to make public comments must sign up upon arrival before 6:50 p.m. Please be aware of the construction project at the Administration Center which is scheduled through the end of July. Guests wishing to attend the meeting have two options to enter the building. Guests may enter through Door 1 using the south lot off McDonough Street or guests can enter through Door 3 using the north lot off Caterpillar Drive near the Mary Sears Children’s Academy. All guests will be required to pass through the security system upon entry.   

Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremonies – May 23 
Graduation takes place on Saturday, May 23 with Graduation Ceremonies at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Events and information for the Class of 2026 are in the links below. 
Joliet Central Class of 2026 Senior Information 
Joliet West Class of 2026 Senior Information 

JTHS Foundation Golf Outing – June 4 
On June 4, the JTHS Foundation will host the 25th Annual Brent Wadsworth Alumni Golf Outing. The event is open to alumni, staff, business partners, and community members. All proceeds support grants for District 204 students and staff, scholarships for deserving seniors at both campuses, the principal’s emergency fund, summer school support, and ACT and PSAT testing assistance. The Foundation is currently seeking donations, sponsors, and volunteers to support this event. Please click here to view the Foundation Golf Announcement for event details and participation opportunities. 

Juneteenth Family Fair – June 20 
The East and Southeast Regional Alliance is hosting a fundraising event on June 20 at the WWHN Radion Station Grounds located at 530 Adella Avenue in Joliet from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This family summer event aims to support community efforts and raise funds for scholarships that will be given to graduating seniors at Joliet Central. The event will feature music, games, local vendors, a bouncy house, raffles, and so much more. For more information, please click here to view the flyer. If your organization would like to participate as a vendor, please click here for more information.