Principal's Newsletter

 A message from Dr. Gibson: This email contains opportunities and events happening this summer. Have a wonderful summer break!

2nd Semester Report Cards are now available
Semester 2 Report Cards can now be viewed online through Home Access Center. If you would like a print copy of your student’s Report Card from West, please call 815-727-6940. For Home Access Center help, please call (815) 727-6860. 

Khan Academy: Free online learning resource
Looking for ways to prevent the summer slide? Create an account on khanacademy.org and access Khan Academy's coaching tools. To watch a YouTube tutorial, please click here.

JTHS Required Summer Reading Program
Joliet Township High School requires all students to participate in the JTHS Summer Reading Program. Click here to learn more. 

Attention Class of 2020: Senior Portraits
Prestige Portraits will be photographing senior portraits at Joliet West High School from July 11 - 24, 2019.  You MUST be photographed by Prestige Portraits to be included in the yearbook. Click here for more details.

Summer Office Hours
During summer break, our offices will be closed on Fridays and will be open Monday through Thursday for the following hours:

• Principal's Office: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Textbook Center: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• Student Help Desk: 7:15 AM - 1:15 PM
• District Office: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

2019 - 2020 School Year Calendar
If you will be having a student attending our school this fall, check out the 2019 -2020 School Year Calendar, now available on our website. Click here to see the 2019 - 2020 calendar.

Summer Meals
An Illinois State Board of Education program provides free meals during the summer to all children 18 and under, regardless of income level. For more information, call (800) 359-2163 or text FOODIL to 877877 or visit www.SummerMealsIllinois.org. 

June 11: Jump on the Bus Program
Morning Star Mission will offer new school supplies and clothing for low-income families in Will County. Register by June 11 at Morning Star (slots limited). This program is on a first come first served basis. Click here to learn more. 

June 25: Grandparents Raising Children Meeting 
JTHS Bridge Builder Mary White invites grandparents and relative raising children to the next meeting on June 25, 2019 at 9 a.m. in the Board Room of the JTHS Administrative Center.  The meeting topic is “Adoption, Guardianship, Adult Guardianship, and Back Up Planning", presented by Patti Fell, Director of Development and Community Outreach for the Center for Law & Social Work. To RSVP, please contact Kristine Schlismann at (815) 727-6967 or email kschlismann@jths.org. Click here to download the flyer.

July 27:Volunteer Opportunity: South End Community Fair
The South End Community Fair will take place on July 27, 2019 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Volunteers are needed to assist with the food truck and to provide guest assistance.  To donate or to volunteer, contact Cecil at hawkc40@yahoo.com or call (815) 514-7522.

August 1: 27th Annual Back to School Fair
Save the date - August 1, 2019 - for Catholic Charities' 27th Annual Back to School Fair, a one-stop health and human services event for low-income families with children ages newborn to 18 years living in Will County. Click here to learn more. 

Upcoming JWHS events include:

• June 10: Summer School Session 1 & AVAC/Transition ESY Begins
• June 18: Board of Education Meeting
• June 20: Retirement Reception Honoring Dr. Cheryl McCarthy
• June 20: JTHS Alumni Choir Concert on the Hill
• June 25: Grandparents Raising Children Group Meeting
• July 4: Independence Day - Offices Closed
• July 8: Summer School Session 2 Begins
• July 16: Board of Education Meeting
• August 5 - 8: Central Schedule Distribution
• August 19: First Day of Classes

VISIT THE CALENDAR FOR MORE DETAILS.
Joliet West Athletic Update
Visit the Athletic Calendar to see next week's athletic events. Go, Tigers!

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 A message from Dr. Gibson: Today was the last day of classes for seniors. I look forward to their graduation on May 31. Please take the time to read these important messages regarding finals, graduation, and volunteer opportunities. Have a great Memorial Day weekend. 

May 27: Memorial Day Ceremony at Joliet Central High School
On Monday, May 27, 2019 JTHS families and the public are invited to honor those who have fallen in military service at the Memorial Day Ceremony at Joliet Central High School. This hour-long program begins at 11 a.m. in the Joliet Central Main Gymnasium located at 201 E. Jefferson Street in Joliet. Click here to learn more. 

May 31 - Shortened Schedule
All students will follow this shortened schedule on May 31.

Schedule A	Time
Period 1	7:20 AM - 8:15 AM
Period 4A	8:20 AM - 8:45 AM
Period 4B	8:50 AM - 9:15 AM
Period 3	9:20 AM - 10:15 AM
Period 2	10:20 AM - 11:15 AM

Important Graduation Information

• Joliet West 2019 Graduation Checklist: Please read this information carefully and follow ALL the procedures to graduate. Click here to read the Joliet West 2019 Graduation Checklist. 
• JTHS Graduation Ceremonies Streaming: Central and West graduation ceremonies will stream live on Facebook on Friday, May 31 at 7 p.m. CST. To view, visit: https://www.facebook.com/JTHS204

Device Collection
Your student's laptop will be collected and inspected on June 5 (Seniors should have already returned their computers). If you notice damage, please contact the Help Desk to see if you are eligible for Accidental Damage Insurance. You will receive a more detailed email about device collection on May 28. 

Final Exams Spring 2019
Final exams for freshmen, sophomores and juniors will take place June 3 - 5.  Final Exam make-ups are by appointment only. Please contact your student's teacher(s) if he or she needs to make up an exam. Click here to see the Final Exam Schedule. 

Tip of the Week: Prepare for Final Exams  #JTAchievesTogether
Finals week can be the most stressful time for a student. Ensure you’re prepared for your exams with these study tips, which can help you conquer your finals. Read 20 study tips for finals.

JTHS Required Summer Reading Program
To avoid the “summer slide” Joliet Township High School requires all students to participate in the JTHS Summer Reading Program. Students will document the number of pages they read throughout the summer using the Joliet Public Library Individual Readers Log. When students return to school in the fall their English teachers will require students to complete activities and assignments related to their summer reading. Click here to learn more. 

Attention Class of 2020: Senior Portraits
Prestige Portraits will be photographing senior portraits at Joliet West High School from July 11 - 24, 2019.  You MUST be photographed by Prestige Portraits to be included in the yearbook. Click here for more details.

Parking Permit for 2019-2020 School Year
Juniors looking to buy a  parking permit for the 19-20 school year during text book registration must complete the senior parking survey on JTLearn prior to the end of the school year. This survey will be used to select students for the senior lot.  The senior lot holds 100 vehicles.  Parking in this lot will be generated through a lottery system.  Senior students will given first priority.  In addition to the lottery, senior students with perfect attendance and no discipline will also be given additional chances in the lottery. All Senior permits will be distributed during text book registration.  All other permits will be distributed the first week of school.

Volunteer Opportunity: South End Community Fair
The South End Community Fair will take place on July 27, 2019 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Volunteers are needed to assist with the food truck and to provide guest assistance.  To donate or to volunteer, contact Cecil at hawkc40@yahoo.com or call (815) 514-7522.

University of St. Francis "Pay It Forward" Service Experience
Incoming sophomore, junior and senior high school students are invited to participate in a four-day service experience to gain service hours in a unique way. Each day, students will meet at the University of St. Francis, then travel to one of four different local worksites including the Joliet Hope Center food pantry, Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, the Will County Forest Preserve and Habitat for Humanity. The work groups will then return to the University of St. Francis each afternoon for lunch and large group sharing about the experience. A certificate acknowledging the service hours will be sent to each participant’s high school. Click here to download the flyer with more details. 

Cathedral Area Preservation Association Scholarship
The Cathedral Area of Joliet Preservation Association (CAPA) will award up to two $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors residing in the Cathedral Area of Joliet for their pursuit of higher education beyond high school. Click here for the application. The application deadline is June 14, 2019. For questions, please contact Andrew at achemers@gmail.com.

Grandparents Raising Children Meeting May 28
JTHS Bridge Builder Mary White invites grandparents and relative raising children to the next meeting on May 28, 2019 at 9 a.m. in the Board Room of the JTHS Administrative Center.  The meeting topic is “Senior Services and Self Care” and will be presented by Barry Kolanowski, Executive Director for Senior Services of Will County. To RSVP, please contact Kristine Schlismann at (815) 727-6967 or email kschlismann@jths.org. Click here to download the flyer.

Upcoming JWHS events include:

• May 27: Memorial Day Ceremony (No School)
• May 28: Grandparents Raising Children Group Meeting
• May 31: SIP Day A; Graduation
• June 3 - 5: Final Exams for Freshman, Sophomores, and Juniors

VISIT THE CALENDAR FOR MORE DETAILS.
Joliet West Athletic Update
Visit the Athletic Calendar to see next week's athletic events. Go, Tigers!

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