Remote Learning Frequently Asked Questions

JTHS reviews the decision to learn remotely every six weeks.  If a hybrid/blended option is offered, students who select this offering will attend school in-person one day a week.

If a family chooses to have their child remain remain home for the 2020-2021 school year, how will this impact instruction? Specifically when teachers are teaching in-person 3 out of 5 days what happens to the students who have chosen to remain home?  To the best of our ability, remote students will receive instruction from teachers who are also teaching remotely.  Students will receive the same quality of instruction as those who have selected the hybrid/remote option.

If my student selects the remote option for the rest of the school year, can they participate in clubs, activities, and athletics? Yes.

I am new the Joliet Township High School and I have not enrolled my student.  What documents do I need and how do I enroll?  Registration can be completed online.  For questions about school registration, please call 815-727-6732 for Central or 815-774-1645 for West.  

My student attended JTHS last year and is going to be a sophomore, junior or senior.  Do I need to register them this year or provide proof of residency?  No. 

What immunization requirements are there for my student?  Proof of immunization needs to be provided two times during high school (Freshman and Senior Year) and yearly for student-athletes.  Freshmen also need to provide proof of a dental exam.  New students need to provide proof of immunizations and dental exams as well.  If your student is participating in athletics, the IHSA pre-participation form must be completed and turned in to the Athletic Office prior to tryouts. 
Central Freshman Immunization Requirements  
West Freshman Immunization Requirements 
Central Senior Immunization Requirements 
West Senior Immunization Requirements 
Immunization Form (To be filled out by physician) 
IHSA Pre-participation Examination Form 
Dental Form (To be filled out by dentist)  
***The dental form can be sent to the same location as your student’s immunization form.  See above requirements for location. 

What are the student fees for the school year and how do I pay them?  The $160 Instructional Material and Supply Fee, which covers the cost of items such as laptop computers and textbooks, must be paid online by going to the Online Fee Payment and adding the 2020-2021 Instructional Material & Supply Fee to your cart.  When logging on for the first time, use your student’s ID number for the username, and the student’s first initial and last name –example (jsmith) for the password.  If your student is an incoming freshman, his/her ID number can be found in Campus Parent  For assistance with paying fees online, at Central Campus contact Micky Vanderhyden and for West Campus, contact Debbie Shelby.   

My student is on free lunch or my family is certified (SNAP, TANF, etc.).  Do I have to pay the Instructional Material and Supply Fee?  Students who qualify for free lunch, or whose families are directly certified (SNAP, TANF, etc.) do not pay the $160 Instructional Material & Supply Fee.  The Instructional Material & Supply Fee Waiver Request is included in the free and reduced lunch application.  This form must be filled out and submitted each year to obtain the fee waiver to ensure you do not pay the school fee if qualified. 
 

My Wi-Fi went out unexpectedly and my student was kicked out of their online class.  Will this affect their attendance or grade?  We fully understand technical difficulties.  If this occurs, the student should email his/her teacher as soon as internet connection is restored.  The teacher will make arrangements so that attendance or grades are not affected.

My Wi-Fi went out unexpectedly half way through the school day and my student was not able to attend the rest of his/her online classes.  Will he/she be marked absent and will this affect his/her attendance record or grade in the class?  If this occurs, the student should email his/her teachers as soon as internet connection is restored.  The teacher will make arrangements so that attendance or grades are not affected.

How does my student access their school email for the first time?  View the video here for instructions

Is there a dress code for remote learning or can my student wear whatever he/she wants?  Students should wear school appropriate clothing. 

How can I help my student log on for attendance or help him/her learn to use Campus Student?  Helpful videos can be accessed here.

I need help learning how to use Campus Parent.  Who can help me?  Helpful videos are listed below.

• How to Log on to Campus Parent for the First Time
• Changing Your Campus Parent Password
• How to Download the Campus Parent App
• Setting Campus Parent Notifications
• Campus Parent Language Preferences
• How to View Your Student’s Schedule

If you still need assistance, contact the Family Engagement Liaisons.
Central Campus Family Engagement Liaison  
West Campus Family Engagement Liaison    

How do students access their online classes? Teachers email course information to students at their jths.org email addresses or post work in Campus Student.  Your student MUST consistently check his/her email and Campus Parent.  If your student does not know his/her jths.org email address, you should immediately contact the Technology Help Desk at (815) 727-6860 and select option 1 for Central or option 2 for West.  You can also receive assistance by emailing helpdesk@jths.org. 

How can I view my student’s schedule?   Schedules can be accessed through Campus Parent, an online system (website and app) that allows parents to view grades, assignments, attendance and more.  Our Family Engagement Liaisons are available to assist parents and guardians (in English and Spanish) with logging on to Campus Parent if help is needed.    
Central Campus Family Engagement Liaison  
West Campus Family Engagement Liaison    

On the Campus Parent /Student site when you look at schedule it shows Blended and Remote. My student only has Remote listed and has students from both Central and West in his/her class.  My student also has a teacher from West when he/she attends Central? Why is this? All of our teachers in the district are JTHS Teachers.  Depending on the year, we have to shift staff from one building or program to another.  This is even more so the case this year.  We had to set up a Remote Building for students who chose remote when surveyed because if we are able to go to the hybrid structure, those students would still remain remote as they chose.  We assigned staff based on their expertise.  Students from West and Central are combined in the Remote Building so that we could offer as many chosen electives as possible.

What are the school supplies for this year? Teachers will inform students of what is needed for each class.  This is usually communicated through the course syllabus. 

Do students have to show their face during the Zoom calls?  Our goal is to ensure we build a community in each class.  We ask that students show their face on the Zoom calls as they are participating in class.  If there is a specific concern a parent has with utilizing the video feature, the parent should reach out to the building principal. 

How can I monitor my student’s assignments and grades?  Assignments and grades can be viewed through Campus Parent.

What is the Remote Learning school day schedule? During Remote Learning Days, students will participate in a structured class schedule each day where teachers take attendance each class period.  Below is the Remote Learning schedule for a typical 5-day school week.  The schedule will be modified for weeks with holidays, teacher institute days, remote planning days for staff, and at the beginning and end of the semester.   
View Remote Learning Schedule    

How will I know if my student is logging on to online classes every period as required?  Parents and guardians can monitor attendance using Campus Parent.  Log in instructions, usernames, and passwords will be sent to parents and guardians as soon as they are available. 

How can I monitor my student’s assignments and grades?  Assignments and grades can be viewed through Campus Parent. 

When will we return to in-person learning?  Every six weeks, the decision to deliver instruction remotely will be evaluated based on the IDPH data that is available. When it is safe, we will resume in-person instruction following the re-opening plan that was previously shared.  

Will Drivers Ed be offered this year?  We are offering one after-school driver’s education course at each campus. This course will be available only to students who are 18 years old or whose 18th birthday is on or before November 12, 2020. The classroom portion will be conducted remotely; there will not be any in-person instruction. The course will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. from September 10, 2020 until November 12, 2020. There will not be any behind-the-wheel time with an instructor. Please complete the online survey if your student meets the age requirements for this course.  Completion of the survey does not guarantee a seat in the course. 

Will band, orchestra and choir be offered this year?  Yes. 

Will there be yearbook photos this year?  We are planning to have yearbook photos.  Information will be communicated as it becomes available.  

There is a mistake in my student’s schedule.  Who do I contact?  JTHS will only make changes to student schedules if there is an error.  Please contact your student’s school counselor. 

Attendance Procedure
Attendance will be taken each class period by the teacher. 

Students will be marked present if:
1. They are visually seen by the teacher during an online session.
OR
2. The teacher receives a completed assignment from the student for the scheduled school day. 

Teachers will always communicate to students how they plan to take attendance each day.

What if my student was actively participating, but the internet stopped working and they were unable to attend the whole class?  If this situation occurs, the student should email their teacher to let him/her know about the situation and to get the assignment for the day.  If your student completes these steps, he/she will be marked present.

My student will miss class for a reason such as a doctor’s appointment or will be absent the whole day or will leave early/arrive late, do I  need to notify the school?  Yes.
For Central Campus, contact your student’s dean.
For West Campus, call 815-727-6900.
 

Will there be sports this year?  This depends on guidance from IPDH and IHSA.  We are following the guidance and modified schedule of the ISHA.  Guidance and restrictions continue to be provided. 

My student plans on participating in athletics. Do I need to provide an athletic physical?  Yes.  Prior to tryouts, the IHSA Pre-Participation Examination Form needs to be completed and turned in to the Athletic Office.  Athletic Physicals are valid for 13 months and all athletes must have a valid physical on file to participate.  Please keep a copy of the completed form for your records.  View IHSA Pre-Participation Examination Form 
 

• For Central Campus, fax the completed form to 815-727-6833 or email to Renee Rink.  You may also mail it to the attention of the Joliet Central Athletic Office, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Joliet IL, 60432. 
• For West Campus, fax to the completed form to 815-774-6567 or email to Christi Cardwell  You may also mail it to the attention of the Joliet West High School Athletic Office, 401 N. Larkin Ave. Joliet, IL 60435. 

Will there be clubs and activities this year?  Yes.  Staff will submit proposals for approval, and we will communicate club and activity offerings when we have this information. 

Will there be Homecoming this year?  As football is potentially occurring in the spring per the modified IHSA schedule, we are hopeful that Homecoming can as well. Information will be communicated when we receive more guidance. 

How do I know my student’s counselor and dean?  Contact information for your student’s counselor, dean, and all teachers’ contact information can be found in Campus Parent.  Information and videos on how to access Campus Parent will be sent to parent and guardian emails soon. 


How will I know my student’s ID number?  ID numbers can be found in Campus Parent.  Log in instructions for Campus Parent will be sent to parents and guardians soon. 

How will my student build relationships with teachers and students when all instruction is online? In addition to teaching content, the first three weeks of school will be devoted to relationship building and acclimating students to online learning.  Skills such as Zoom and email etiquette, using an outlook calendar and additional technology skills will be taught.  Teachers will engage students in interactive activities designed for getting to know one another and their classmates. 

What if my student needs social/emotional support?  Social workers, school counselors, and school psychologists will still be available to support students remotely through video conferencing such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.  For student and family supports, contact John Randich at Central and Tecara Parker at West Campus 

What if my student is struggling with Remote Learning?  How can he/she receive extra help?  Time for extra help and teacher office hours have been built into the Remote Learning school day structure from 1:00 to 2:55 p.m. when teachers are not participating in professional development.  Email or call your student’s teacher if they need additional help.  Teacher contact information can be found in Campus Parent. 

My student is experiencing bullying or knows of a bullying/intimidation/harassment situation or potential school violence threat.  Who should I contact?  Students, parents, and community members can complete the Report Form for Bullying and School Violence.  In addition, you can call the School Violence Tip Line at 1-800-477-0024 if you know of a security or safety issue.  Students and parents can also reach out to JTHS staff.  

How does my student access their school email for the first time?  View the video here for instructions.
 

How does my student log on to the internet from home?  View this video or read this document.

I don’t have internet at home.  How is my student going to complete his/her assignments online?  Parents can apply for a free Wi-Fi hotspot. 

My student’s computer and/or hotspot is not working.  Who do I contact?  Call the Student Help Desk at (815) 727-6860 and select option 1 for Central or option 2 for West.  You can also receive assistance by emailing helpdesk@jths.org. 
 

Will the high school provide breakfast and lunch for students?  Yes. 

Families can receive meals at no cost at Joliet Central High School or Joliet West High School. The Illinois State Board of Education recently received a waiver from the USDA to offer a universal student feeding program, which allows JTHS to serve meals at no cost to children up through 18 years old regardless of their previous meal eligibility through December 20, 2020. 

JTHS will distribute curbside meals on Mondays (one breakfast and lunch per student), Tuesdays (two breakfasts and lunches per student), and Thursdays (two breakfasts and lunches per student) on days that JTHS schools are open.

The site information is as follows:

Joliet Central High School
Hours: 1:00pm to 2:30pm
201 East Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL 60432
Enter on Herkimer Street from Cass and proceed towards the main entrance (Door D).
Cafeteria Menu webpage

Joliet West High School
Hours:  1:00pm to 2:30pm
401 N. Larkin Avenue, Joliet, IL 604335
Outside Door #6 on the north side of the building.
Cafeteria Menu webpage

I am not receiving communication from the district or school.  How can I get on the communication list?  It is very important that you are receiving our communication.  All parents and guardians should log on to their Campus Parent account to review, verify and/or correct their contact and emergency contact information.  Accurate phone numbers and email addresses are essential to ensuring that you receive important information.  If your information is not accurate in our system, you will not receive our communication. 

To update information in the Campus Parent portal, go to the left sidebar and click on “More” then “Family Information” and “update.”  To receive our automated messages, make sure to update your information in the correct fields.  Use the “Cell Phone” field to enter the number in which you wish to receive text messages; use the “Other Phone” field for the number you wish to receive phone calls; and use the “Email Address” field for your preferred email account.  Note that automated emails will not be sent to the email address in the “Secondary Email Address” field.  When you have finished updating your information, click on the blue “Update Button” at the bottom of the screen.  If you have updated your cell phone number, you will need to opt in to receive our text messages by texting the word “Yes” to 67587. 

Primary household contacts listed in our system may also request to update or add non-household contacts by clicking on “More” and “Demographics.”  Non-household contacts are the student’s emergency contacts.

Please note that if you have one or more student, you need to review, verify and/or change the contact information for each.   Due to the volume of requests, updates for the next couple of weeks could take a week to process.  We thank you for your patience.

View the VIDEO or read the HANDOUT for instructions.  For instructions on how to use Campus Parent click HERE.

How will teachers communicate with me?  Teachers will communicate with parents via the Remind app, email, Campus Parent and phone. Please notify teachers and staff if you have a preferred communication method. 

Who can I contact to receive information in Spanish?  If your communication preference is Spanish, please contact Vickie Clark at Joliet Central or Jodie Casagrande at Joliet West.

Does JTHS communicate via Social Media?  Yes.  You can follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and view photos on Flickr.

I need help and I am unsure of who to contact.  Who can assist me? If you cannot find the information you are seeking, please submit your questions using the “Contact Us” form.  A JTHS employee will respond to you within one to two business days.    

How can I receive text messages?  You must sign up to receive text messages by texting “yes” to 67587. 
 

My student has special needs or an IEP Plan.  How will he/she be accommodated?  During Remote and Hybrid Learning, our special education staff (which includes special education teachers, speech and language pathologists, social workers, school psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and paraprofessionals) will provide special education services using a variety of different strategies and online platforms based on an individual student’s needs.  For questions regarding Special Education, contact Iman Ellis Bowen.  View IEP Accommodations 

My student has a 504 plan.  How will he/she be accommodated?  For questions regarding 504 plans, contact Iman Ellis Bowen.  

My student is in the ELL Program.  How will he/she be accommodated?  Students that are enrolled in the ELL Program will be taught by licensed ESL and/or bilingual teachers.  These teachers will continue to support their students using ESL best practices or the native language (Spanish) to support them in their core courses.  Additional tutoring options will be provided by our ELL staff.  For questions about the ELL Program, contact Paul Oswald. 

Will counselors still assist students with college/career planning and scholarships?  Yes.  school counselors and senior teachers will continue to provide college and career preparation remotely.  In addition,  

Central 
Principal’s Office 
Family Engagement Liaison (Bilingual Spanish) 
Technology Help Desk 
 
West 
Principal’s Office 
Family Engagement Liaison (Bilingual Spanish) 
Technology Help Desk 
 

Please submit an additional question you may have for the 2020-2021 school year below. 

Do current seniors have to complete their community service in order to graduate?  No.
The Community Service requirement has been waived for current seniors.