Senior Class

We look forward to celebrating Class of 2023 graduation festivities! We will conduct graduation ceremonies on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in the Joliet Central Main Gym Each in groups of up to 400 students. Each graduate will receive five tickets for family and guests to attend, which will be distributed during the Class of 2023 Check-Out on May 19.

(Friday, May 19) AVAC Graduation
Seniors in the AVAC program can participate in this program and the one of the ceremonies on May 20.

(Saturday May 20 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.) Graduation Ceremonies  
Students/families will sign up for a ceremony via a Google Form. The link to sign-up will be active on April 21, 2023 at 7:00 a.m. Students must use their JTHS emails to sign-up using this link:
Joliet Central Graduation Sign Up.

Students will receive confirmation and details regarding arrival time and instructions for line-up and family viewing. 

During these ceremonies, students will receive their diploma cover. Only students on track for graduation as of May 12, 2023, will participate in one of the ceremonies. Only students who meet all JTHS graduation requirements will officially graduate and receive a diploma via mail after May 26, 2023. Please contact your student’s school counselor if you have questions about their graduation status.

Date	Time	Session
May 20, 2023	11:00 a.m.	Session 1
May 20, 2023	2:00 p.m.	Session 2

 

Arrival:
Graduates must arrive one (1) hour before the graduation ceremony. Graduates enter at F or G Door and report to the Auditorium for line-up and instructions. 

Ticketed guests will be allowed to enter beginning one (1) hour before the start of their session. Guests enter at F or G Door and report to the Main Gym. There will be chairs available for handicapped accessible seating. 

Ceremony Details 
Dress: The graduation ceremony is a formal event and students are encouraged to dress in a way that appropriately reflects the occasion.  

Tassel:  The tassel starts on the right side of the mortarboard and is moved to the     left side when directed by administration.  

Diplomas:  Only the jacket covers to the diplomas will be handed out during the graduation ceremony.  Diplomas will be mailed after graduation.  

Live Streaming:  In-person graduation and virtual graduation can be viewed via YouTube with the following link:  http://bit.ly/Central2023Grad

Other Important Reminders: 
Professional photos will be taken. Graduates will receive an email from the photographer that includes purchasing options.

The Class of 2023’s official graduation date is May 26, 2023.  This date will appear on diplomas and transcripts.

Friday, May 12 – Students will be cleared to participate in the graduation ceremony 

Only students who are on track for graduation as of this date will participate in one of the graduation ceremonies.  

Graduation sign-up began on 4/21 and was completed by students via a form. 

Thursday, May 18 – Last Day of Senior Attendance 
Pay all outstanding fees online before Thursday, May 18.  If you need assistance, please contact Mrs. Vanderhyden at mvanderhyden@jths.org.  

Senior Tailgate-Thursday May 18 (6-7:45am) 
All senior students are invited to join the senior tailgate located in the student parking lot off Cassiday Drive.  Breakfast will be provided. 

Senior Banquet-Thursday, May 18 (6-9pm) 
The senior banquet will be held at the Jacob Henry Mansion (20 S Eastern Ave, Joliet, IL) from 6-9 p.m. Tickets are on sale starting May 1st and can be purchased through the district webstore or the school bookstore.  Cost is $25 per ticket.  1 ticket per student (non-transferable)  

Friday, May 19th – Check-out, Book/Device Return, Graduation Pickup, & Senior Sendoff Enter through the Main Entrance starting at 9:30 am until 1pm to complete the following: 

• Complete check-out process 

• Return any remaining devices, power cords, and textbooks  

• You will be given the opportunity to do this with your teacher during the last week, but some outstanding items may remain and should be returned. 

Starting at 10 a.m. after completing check-out inside, students will report to the Steelmen Stadium for Class of 2023 Senior Sendoff!  Celebrate one last time with your classmates. We will have a food truck, music, games, and other activities. More details coming soon! 

This is where students will pick up cap & gown, yard sign, and graduation tickets (5 tickets per student). 

March 15 – Cap & Gown Orders Due
All caps and gowns must be pre-ordered and paid for through Jostens. If you have not already ordered and paid for your graduation items, please do so at jostens.com. If you have any questions regarding caps/gowns, please call Jostens at 630-963-3500. We are unable to collect money or distribute items unless they are pre-ordered and paid for in full.

April 19 – Graduates Select Time for In-Person Graduation
Joliet Central is hosting two live graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2023. On April 19th, students will receive a link allowing them to select their in-person graduation session: Saturday, May 20th at 11:00 am or 2:00 pm. The event sign-up closes on April 28. Only students will be able to sign up for the event using their JTHS emails.

May 3 – Senior Awards/Ivy Night
Parents and guardians will receive an invitation if their student will be recognized at this event, but everyone is welcome.

May 5 – Joliet Central Prom
Crystal Grand Banquets
12416 S. Archer Ave.
Lemont, IL. 60439

May 12 – Student Obligations Due
All obligations due must be paid online prior to picking up your cap and gown. Credit and debit cards are accepted for your convenience. Any questions regarding obligations/fees due please call the Textbook Center at 815-727-6811.

May 18 – Last Attendance Day for Seniors
Students should copy electronic files they wish to keep to a non-JT account because all files are deleted at the end of the school year. Graduates will not have access to their JT account after graduation. All school issued devices, textbooks, uniforms, instruments, etc. must be turned in by this date.

May 19 – Senior Sendoff and Cap, Gown & Ticket Distribution
We will share details about this event once plans are finalized. Each graduating student will receive five (5) tickets to the ceremony.

May 20 – Graduation Ceremonies at 11:00 am or 2:00 pm
Ceremonies will be held in the Main Gym. Graduates must report to the auditorium one hour prior to the ceremony for staging and instructions. Ticketed guests are also allowed to enter at that time. Please allow enough time for heavy traffic and parking.

Only students who are on track to meet all JTHS graduation requirements will be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony. Please contact your students’ school counselor if you have questions or concerns about their graduation status.

Students will receive an empty diploma cover during the graduation ceremony. We will mail diplomas on June 5th, once we have reviewed final transcripts. Only students who have met all JTHS graduation requirements will receive an official diploma.

This is a reminder to check your My School Bucks cafeteria account balance.  Per District policy, balances less than $10 dollars are not refunded or transferred.  Seniors with a low balance should spend their money before graduation.  Seniors with a lunch balance greater than $10 dollars can request a refund or a transfer of funds to pay school fees for themselves or a sibling.  To request a refund or transfer, email bshaw@jths.org.  My School Bucks cafeteria account balances for freshmen, sophomores and juniors will automatically transfer to the next school year.  For more information click HERE.

Your JTHS student email is deactivated after you graduate.  Please complete the Class of 2023 Contact Info Update Form so that you can receive class reunion information and school/district updates.  Make sure to include your personal email address.  You can also scan the QR code below to access the form.

Central Prom is Friday, May 5, 2023 at Crystal Grand Banquets, 12416 South Archer Avenue in Lemont from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased HERE.

Tickets cannot be purchased if student fees have not been paid.  Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable.