2023-2024 Back to School Resources

The Student Handbook contains important information about school policies, curriculum, discipline, directory information, attendance, and more.   
View Student Handbook (English)
View Student Handbook (Spanish)

View School Calendar in English HERE.
View School Calendar En Espanol HERE.

On early release SIP Days, 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 11 a.m. 

Parents and guardians should regularly log on to their Campus Parent account to view student schedules, assignments, grades, attendance, and contact information for deans, school counselors, teachers and more. Campus Parent account information is HERE.

If you have concerns about a JTHS student, or if you are a student in need of help or support, please fill out the Request for Support Form for the appropriate campus. Completion of this form initiates a request and a team of school support personnel will review the situation to assign appropriate supports.  
 
Concerns may be related to issues that include, but are not limited to, the following: mental health, poor attendance, addiction, academic difficulties, poor relations with peers or adults, health, and environmental issues. Please be as specific as possible when completing the form and know that you can reach out to the PPS Coordinators for direct and immediate assistance. Please note that the form is not active until the first day of the school year.  

Request for Support Form
 

If a student needs social/emotional support, we urge the parent/guardian or student to reach out to their School Counselor or complete the request for support HERE. Completion of this form initiates a request, and a team of school support personnel will review the situation to assign appropriate supports. Please be as specific as possible when completing the form. Please note that this form is not active until August 16, 2023. 
  
Parents, guardians, and students can access our community resource hub HERE which provides helpful information for dealing with situations such as grief and loss, suicide prevention, mental health, addiction, and more.     
 
Additional Resources

• Dial 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline  

• Text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line  

• Contact Safe2Help Illinois: Dial 844-4-SAFEIL, Text SAFE2 (72332), email HELP@Safe2HelpIL.com  

• Care Solace is a complimentary resource provided by Joliet Township High School at no cost to our students, parents, staff, and families. If you or a family member are looking for help with mental health, substance use, or marital issues, Care Solace can help you quickly find treatment options matched to your needs regardless of the circumstance. If you are interested in counseling-related services for your child, yourself, or another family member, please contact Care Solace for valuable assistance. 

The mission of the JTHS infant Childcare Center is to engage, support and maintain attendance of young parents during high school completion, strengthen their parenting skills and knowledge of resources, support the healthy development and exploration of young children in a safe environment and be a passionate model of best practices in the early childhood community.  More information is HERE.

Specific information concerning course offerings can be obtained in the publication Course Offerings HERE.  
 
Scheduling Process - Students will receive registration materials during the first semester so that parents will have the opportunity to discuss the career academy options and course selections with their students. Each student will meet with the counselor to complete scheduling Students and parents will be able to access course requests through JT Campus Student Portal. 

Any questions regarding the course selections should be addressed to the counselor. All requests for schedule changes must be received by the designated deadline.

Schedule Change Requests - Because the registration process for the next school year begins early in the school year, ample time is allowed for careful planning by counselors, parents, and students. Parents will have an adequate amount of time to review the student’s schedule. Once student schedules are finalized by the deadline in the spring, students are permitted to make changes only when the changes fall within the established guidelines listed below:  

1. A change due to summer school attendance.  
2. A change due to failure in the prerequisite for the course a student has requested.  
3. A change due to an unresolved scheduling conflict.  
4. A change related to health problems. A written statement from the student’s physician is required.  
5. A change made to correct a scheduling error made by the school staff.  

Fall athletic offerings include Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country, Football, Boys Golf, Girls Golf, Boys Soccer, Girls Swimming, Girls Tennis, Girls Volleyball, Cheerleading and Poms/Dance. If you would like to get involved, please contact the coach. 
Central Fall Coaches 
West Fall Coaches 
 
We welcome students, families, staff, and community to our athletic events! View the schedules below. 
View Central Calendar 
View West Calendar

The JTHS Athletic Boosters invite parents to attend their meetings and to get involved.   
All Booster Meetings are held at the Joliet Township High School Administrative Office, located at 300 Caterpillar Drive in Joliet. Meetings start at 6:00 pm. All are welcome.

Booster Meeting Dates (2022-2023)

August 23, 23                                    November 15, 23                              March 13, 24
September 13, 23                             January 10, 24                                  April 10, 24
October 11, 23                                  February 14, 24                                May 15, 24

 
More information is HERE.

Students are encouraged to join a club or activity. There is something for everyone! Students should email the club/activity sponsor to let them know they would like join. Students can join most clubs and activities at any time throughout the school year. It is never too late to get involved! Our sponsors warmly welcome you their groups.   
View Central Club/Activity Offerings 
View West Club/Activity Offerings

Central
October 4 – Powderpuff
October 6 – Homecoming Football Game at 6:30pm vs. Plainfield Central
October 7 – Homecoming Parade and Dance

West
September 27 - Powderpuff 6pm
September 29 - Football game-630pm v Plainfield south (parade and assembly this day as well)
September 30 - Dance

Central and West Open Houses are August 30 from 6 to 8 p.m.  This is an early release day following the schedule below. More information is coming soon.

Parent teacher conferences take place virtually by appointment on
October 12th from 4 to 7:00 p.m. (early release day)
October 13th from 9 to 3:00 p.m. (no classes)

March 7th from 4 to 7:00 p.m. (early release day)
March 8th from 9 to 3:00 p.m. (no classes)

More information coming soon.

Early Release Schedule for October 12th and March 7th

Agendas are posted at least 48 hours prior to the meeting HERE. Board of Education meetings are live streamed HERE. The public may comment during the public comments section on any agenda item or topics related to the district; however, this is not an opportunity for conversation. Visitors must conduct themselves with respect and civility towards others. Individuals wishing to make public comments must sign up upon arrival before 6:50 p.m. on-site at the JTHS Administrative Center.   
 
View 2023-2024 Board of Education meeting dates HERE.

JTHS participates in the National School Lunch Program and is monitored by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Will County Health Department. Students pay $3.10 for a full lunch meal and $2.00 for a full breakfast. Students that qualify for reduced price meals through the Free and Reduced Meal application process pay $.40 for a full lunch and $.30 for a full breakfast. Directly certified students (SNAP, TANF, FOSTER, MEDICAID) or students that meet the criteria for free meals through the meal application process receive a full lunch and breakfast at no cost. Cafeteria menus are posted weekly on the websites listed below. 
Central Cafeteria Website 
West Cafeteria Website 
 
MySchoolBucks – Cashless Cafeteria 
Cash is not accepted in the cafeteria. Parents and students must create a pre-paid account through the MySchoolBucks web site. By prepaying, parents can assure lunch money is being used for school meals, reduce worries about forgetting or losing money, limit the amount used each day and specify if additional food can be purchased.   

How to Use MySchoolBucks

1. Go to www.myschoolbucks.com or download the mobile app MSB Parent, USA (IOS or Android)  

2. If you have not already done so, create your free parent/guardian account and add your student(s) using their school name/student ID.    

3. Add school items or invoices to your cart  

4. Check out using your credit/debit card or electronic check

If you have questions, contact the Textbook Center.  
Central Textbook Center
(815) 727-6811  

West Textbook Center
(815) 727-6993 

Families that are not directly certified for free meals/fee waiver through an eligible program (SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Foster Child, Migrant) can complete the online application to see if their child qualifies for free/reduced meals and the student fee waiver. Students must qualify each school year for free/reduced meals and the fee waiver.  

Submit your online application HERE. 

Students will be excluded from school if immunization records are not up-to-date by October 15.   
 
Freshmen & Transfer Students 
Freshmen and transfer students must submit the completed State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination Form. The form is a two-sided document and both sides must be filled out. On page 2, there is a section called “student health history” which must be filled out by the parent/guardian and MUST BE SIGNED and dated. The physical is considered incomplete without this section. In addition, please make certain that your student’s healthcare provider has documented the height, weight, blood pressure and BMI on the form and has completed the diabetes screening.  
 
Seniors
All seniors must submit proof of receiving the Meningococcal Conjugate vaccine on or after their 16th birthday.   

The $160 Instructional Material and Supply Fee, which covers the cost of items such as laptop computers and textbooks, must be paid online through the MySchoolBucks system.  All school fees must be paid for students to attend dances. 
View 2023-2024 Fee & Refund Schedule English
View 2023-2024 Fee & Refund Schedule Spanish 
  
How to Use MySchoolBucks  

2. Go to www.myschoolbucks.com or download the mobile app MSB Parent, USA (IOS or Android)  

5. If you have not already done so, create your free parent/guardian account and add your student(s) using their school name/student ID.    

6. Add school items or invoices to your cart  

7. Check out using your credit/debit card or electronic check  

If you have questions, contact the Textbook Center.  
Central Textbook Center  
(815) 727-6811  
  
West Textbook Center  
(815) 727-6993 

Students wishing to park at Joliet Central or West must complete an application and pay the $100 parking fee. More information, including the student parking application, is in the link below. You must use your student email when completing the application as the application form will not accept outside email accounts  

Central Student Parking Information & Application 
West Student Parking Information & Application

Due to ongoing staffing shortages families may experience transportation delays if their student is a bus rider, particularly at the start of the school year and a new school semester. If families are able to provide transportation for students, that is advisable at this time. All student drivers and car riders are encouraged to allow for additional time at the beginning of the school day due to additional students being dropped off by parents. Students who arrive late to class due to JTHS transportation delays are not marked tardy. We appreciate your patience as we work to safely transport students to and from school. 

The most current and up-to-date bus route schedules are posted on the Transportation Website.

The activity bus route schedules are posted on the Transportation Website.

Activity Bus Regulations: 

1. Activity buses are operated for Joliet Township High School students only. Students must be enrolled in a school-sponsored program or be a participant/spectator at a school-sponsored activity.  

2. Students should report directly to the bus loading area at the conclusion of the program/activity and ride the first available bus.  

3. Students must show the driver a Joliet Township High School ID to get on the bus. Students without an ID may ride the bus if the coach/sponsor/security person or school staff completes a referral and the student gives the referral to the driver. The driver will forward the referral to the dean.  

4. Students more than 1.5 miles from school should be dropped within three blocks of their home. Students who reside within 1.5 miles of the school should be dropped within five blocks of their home.  

5. Activity routes operate in designated attendance areas only. Drivers are not allowed to transport students from one school attendance area to another. Students must ride activity buses from their respective school (i.e. West students cannot ride a Central bus unless pre-approved by the Transportation Office).

Pay Attention to Attendance: Keep your Student on Track in High School   
Showing up for school is one of the biggest factors of a student’s academic success.  Research indicates that students who miss even a few days of school each month are at a far greater risk of academic failure and dropping out than students who attend regularly.  Academic performance suffers whether these absences are excused or unexcused.
 
Attendance Matters!
A Calendar Year Has 365 Days
A School Year Has 176 Days
This Leaves 189 Days for Family Time, Vacations, Medical Appointments, Etc.

DID YOU KNOW? 

• Most of the work that is missed when absent is never made up. 

• Students who enroll in summer school to recover credit have missed an average of 39 school days in a semester. 

• Students who attend school regularly (one day or less a month) are more likely to graduate and find good jobs. 

• Students who miss less than 5 days a semester earn average to above average grades.  

• Students who earn at least one “F” in a class missed an average of 7.4 days in a semester. 

• A high school graduate makes $1 million more than a dropout over a lifetime. 

 
WHAT YOU CAN DO 

• Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day and make that the expectation.   

• Show your student that attendance matters by not allowing them to miss days unless truly sick.  Complaints of headaches or stomach aches may be signs of anxiety.   

• Avoid planning family vacations/trips during the school year.  Take advantage of school breaks.  

• Try not to schedule medical or dental appointments during the school day. 

• Help your student maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.   

• Find out if your student feels engaged by his/her classes and feels safe from bullies and other threats.  Make sure he/she is not missing class because of behavioral issues.   

• Stay on top of academic progress by checking the Parent Portal on a regular basis. Seek help from teachers or tutors if necessary. 

• Stay on top of your student’s social contacts.  Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.   

• Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, including sports and clubs.   

ATTENDANCE TRACKING TOOL
Regular attendance is defined as students missing fewer than 5% of school days per year. The chart below helps you track your student’s absences.  If your student is at risk of missing too much school, complete the Request for Support form.

TRACK YOUR STUDENT’S ABSENCES

ASK FOR HELP
Complete the Request for Help form if you need help getting your student to attend school or if you have concerns about your student’s mental health, addiction, academic difficulties, poor relations with peers or adults, health, or environmental issues.  Completion of this form initiates a request and a team of school support personnel review the situation to assign appropriate supports.  Use the QR below or visit bit.ly/JTRequest4Support

Attendance Office Info & Procedures

• If a student is absent or tardy to school, the parent or guardian must telephone the dean’s office the same day stating the reason for the student’s absence or tardiness (24-hour voice mail is available).   

• Failure to contact the dean’s office by telephone on the day of non-attendance may result in an unexcused absence or tardy. The absence may also be considered truancy unless there is parental contact.  

• At no time are students to leave the school campus while school is in session. No student may leave school before the regular day ends unless excused by the dean, scheduled for early release, or sent home by the health service. Any other early departures will be listed as truancy and will be treated as unexcused absences. 
   
  Central/AVAC/Transition Center Attendance Office
  (815) 727-6801   
   
  West Attendance Office
  (815) 727-6900  
    
  Pathways Attendance Office
  (815) 727-6810 

Regular attendance is essential for academic success. The state laws of Illinois are very specific concerning the matter of pupil attendance in public schools. It is assumed that students will always be in school except for cases of illness or serious family crisis. 
 
If a student is absent or tardy to school, the parent or guardian must telephone the dean’s office the same day stating the reason for the student’s absence or tardiness (24-hour voice mail is available).

Central/AVAC/Transition Center Attendance Office
(815) 727-6801  

West Attendance Office
(815) 727-6900 
 
Pathways Attendance Office
(815) 727-6810

Failure to contact the dean’s office by telephone on the day of non-attendance may result in an unexcused absence or tardy. The absence may also be considered truancy unless there is parental contact. In any case, parents are requested to call when they receive a truancy notice. At no time are students to leave the school campus while school is in session. No student may leave school before the regular day ends unless excused by the dean, scheduled for early release, or sent home by the health service. Any other early departures will be listed as truancy and will be treated as unexcused absences.

Students are not permitted to leave the building during the school day without permission. There are rare occasions when students must leave during the school day. When such a time arises, parents must call the attendance office with the date, time, and reason for early dismissal. Students will receive a “permit to leave” the building for the designated time. Please note due to the volume of calls and availability of staff, requests for permission to leave campus should be made at least two days in advance. 
 
Central/AVAC/Transition Center Attendance Office
(815) 727-6801  

West Attendance Office
(815) 727-6900 
 
Pathways Attendance Office
(815) 727-6810  

JTHS has approval from the Illinois State Board of Education to use Emergency E-Learning Days for unscheduled school closures. On Emergency E-Learning Days, students do not report to the school building and assignments are completed online. More information about our Emergency E-Learning Day procedures, including instructions for students, is HERE.  
 
School Closure Announcements
JTHS will announce the Emergency E-Learning Day or school closures by 5 a.m. the morning of the closure through email, text message, phone call, social media and the Emergency Closing Center.  

At JTHS, all students receive their own netbook computer to use on a 24/7 basis. For support using this technology, JTHS students can visit the Student Help Desk located on campus. Help Desk hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during regularly scheduled school days. 

After-hour technology phone support is available by calling (815) 727-6860. More information is HERE. 

Inappropriate electronic communication and technology usage can lead to disciplinary action if electronic conduct is harmful or disruptive toward our school, students or staff, or if it indicates that a student is in violation of School Board Policy. JTHS incorporates lessons on internet safety and responsible electronic usage into our curriculum. In addition, we encourage parents and guardians to talk to their student about the consequences of inappropriate electronic communication and technology usage by monitoring their child’s use of all electronic devices and applications, including his or her computer, cell phone and social media use. Please discuss electronic safety at home with your student.   

Students and parents should report inappropriate communication that is used to bully, harass, and intimidate or compromises the safety of our school community. Concerns can be reported to the student’s dean or any member of the JTHS staff.  Students and parents can also anonymously report inappropriate electronic communication or instances of bullying and security/safety issues to the School Violence Tip Line at 1-800-477-0024 or online HERE.   

If you need assistance speaking with your child about the topic of responsible technology use, contact your student’s guidance counselor.   

This is a reminder that there are items that are not allowed on school property because they are considered a weapon per Board Policy 7:190. If a student brings one of these items on school property or to a school-sponsored function, regardless of whether the student intends to use the item or not, he/she can face an expulsion recommendation and the involvement of the Joliet Police Department. Items include, but are not limited, to the following:  
  
Airsoft/Pellet Gun  
Gel/Water Gun  
Gel/Orbeez Gun  
BB Gun  
Gun/Rifle  
Mace  
Brass Knuckles  
Kubaton  
Pocket Knife  
Taser  
Box Cutter  

Bringing items to school property that look like a gun or weapon can lead to an expulsion recommendation and involvement of the Joliet Police Department as well. Realistic lookalike weapons can cause panic and disruption in the school and can be used as a method of intimidation, even if the item is not real. 
Additionally, Gel Guns, such as Orbeez Guns, are also prohibited. We are aware of an associated social media challenge that encourages students to shoot the gel/water pellets at people. There are instances of students bringing these Gel Guns to school with the intent to use them after school. These items can and do cause harm, especially when individuals are hit in the face and eyes. These Gel Guns are not allowed on school property.
Parents, please talk to your students about the importance of not bringing these items, or any item that could cause harm to another, on school property or to school-sponsored events. Even if a student unintentionally brings the item to school property or if they do not intend on using the item to harm another, the student will face expulsion recommendation and involvement of the Joliet Police Department. A more extensive list of items prohibited on school grounds can be viewed HERE.

JTHS communicates in the following ways. 

• Phone messages are used to communicate high priority information and school closings.

• Email and text messages are sent on a weekly basis from your campus principal or superintendent.  To receive text messages, text “Yes” to 67587  

• Like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and  Twitter.  

• Visit www.jths.org for important dates, staff contact information, program information, and more. 

At JTHS, we communicate to our families in English and in Spanish. If you need to change your language preference from English to Spanish, or from Spanish to English, please contact the individual below for the campus in which your student attends.  
  
Central
Ms. Maria Arana  
(815) 727- 6741  
marana@jths.org  
 
West
Ms. Ronda Orasco  
rorasco@jths.org
(815) 774-1644 

As part of the Joliet Township High School community relations and recognition programs, the District periodically releases information to the public about our students, their classwork, and/or accomplishments. To highlight student success, your child’s name, picture, video, classwork, and/or information pertaining to their accomplishment may appear in various District and non-District publications, which includes but is not limited to, newspapers, web pages, social media, print and electronic communication. 

Any media permission approved by the school will be positive, focusing primarily on student successes. If you DO NOT wish to have your child’s information shared or spotlighted in any of the local, school, or District and/or non-District media coverage, please complete the Refusal of Permission for Media Participation Form HERE. 
 
If there are any extenuating circumstances you feel the school should be made aware of, please contact the school principal to further discuss your concerns.  

JTHS Family Engagement Liaisons are dedicated to welcoming parents and helping them find ways to support your child’s success. They speak Spanish and can assist with interpreting and translating at school.

Student safety is Joliet Township High School’s top priority. We encourage parents and students to join us in fostering a safe and supportive learning environment by reporting any concerns to school officials or anonymously through the School Violence Tip Line at 1-800-477-0024. In addition, important information pertaining to school safety can be found below. 

Offender Community Notification Laws 
Las leyes de notificación de delicuentes en la comunidad 
 
Letter to Parents Regarding Student Safety 
Carta a los padres respecto a la seguridad del estudiante 

Underage Drinking Letter  
Carta sobre el consumo de alcohol entre menores 
 
School Visitation Rights 
Los derechos de visita a la escuela 
 
Teen Dating Violence 
La violencia entre novios adolescentes 
 
Notification Regarding Student Accounts or Profiles on Social Media Networking Websites 
Notificación sobre cuentas o perfiles de estudiantes en sitios web de redes sociales

School bullying of any kind is unacceptable. We should all be on the lookout for bullying. Parents, students, staff, and community members can report bullying through the Bullying Report Form. This form can be submitted anonymously online, or in person at Central in room 280-0, at West in room B-129, and in the Main Office of the Pathways Campus and Transition Center. 
 
Memo to Parents/Guardians Regarding Bullying and School Violence - English 
Memo to Parents/Guardians Regarding Bullying and School Violence - Spanish

Insurance plans are available to help meet the cost of medical and hospital charges if an accident occurs. View plans HERE.

The McKinney-Vento Program (MVP) assists children and youth in transition lacking a fixed, adequate, or regular housing situation. If a student and his or her family are currently residing in a shelter, motel, vehicle, campground, streets, abandoned building, or doubled-up with family or friends due to hardship, he or she may qualify for program assistance. More information is HERE.

View Central Campus Map
View West Campus Map

Yearbook pictures are free, and proofs are emailed within 2-3 weeks by VIP with an option to purchase.  Dates and times are listed below by campus.

Joliet Central High School Yearbook Photo Information
Joliet Central High School photos for the yearbook take place following the schedule below during PE, Health, JROTC, Driver’s Ed. and Band classes.  If a student does not have any of these classes, they should go during their advisory period.  Photos take place in the East Gym from 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
 
September 11 – Freshmen  
September 12 – Sophomores 
September 13 - Juniors  
September 15 – Seniors 
October 17 - Retakes 

Joliet West High School Yearbook Photo Information
Joliet West High School photos for the yearbook take place by grade level following the schedule below during PE, Health, JROTC, Drivers Ed. and Band classes. If a student does not have any of these classes, they should go during their advisory period.   Photos take place in the Field House from 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Retakes take place in the Café Rotunda during all lunch/advisory periods. 
 
August 21 - Freshman and Sophomores - Field House  
August 22 - Juniors and Seniors - Field House  
September 25 - School Picture Retakes - During Lunch/Advisory Periods in the Cafe Rotunda 
 

JTHS communicates Board of Education policies and mandated communication.  Use the link below to view.

Mandated Notices and Board of Education Policies

Click on the link below to view the Illinois School Report Card.

View Report Card