Principal's Newsletter

A Message Dr. Gibson: This newsletter highlights important topics for the month of March, including the Census, scholarships, and other opportunities. Have a great weekend.  

Census 2020: Why it Matters
In mid-March, homes across the country will begin receiving invitations to complete the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. 

The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and your community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data.

The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

Participating in the census is required by law, even if you recently completed another survey from the Census Bureau. A complete and accurate count is critical for you and your community, because the results of the 2020 Census will affect community funding, congressional representation, and more.

Learn more at https://2020census.gov/ 

Enroll for Summer School Session I by March 20
Parents/guardians have until March 20 to enroll their student in Session I of Summer School 2020. Courses include Credit Recovery and Advancement options. Spots are filled on a first come, first served basis. Click here to visit the Summer School webpage for complete details.

March Scholarship Bulletin
Now is a great time to apply for scholarships! Make sure to visit the Joliet West Scholarship Bulletin to see a list of available scholarships with deadlines this month and later this semester. Also, JTHS District Scholarships are now available! All scholarship applications are due by Friday, March 20 unless otherwise noted on scholarship criteria. 

March 7: Financial Literacy Workshop
Boys and girls ages 13 to 19 are invited to a Financial Literacy Workshop being hosted by the BeYoutiful Movement on Saturday, March 7 from 11:45AM to 4:30PM at the Joliet Public Library on 150 N. Ottawa Street. There is no set cost to attend, although donations of any amount will be accepted toward to program via the Cash app @$BeYoutiful815. Students will learn money management, savvy shopping tips, understanding credit scores, and much more. Snacks will be provided. Click here to register online. 

Student Job Opportunity: Weed Man Community Outreach Representative
Excellent part-time opportunity for students! Join Weed Man's spring marketing team as a Community Outreach Representative, where sun-soaked green lawns are your office. America's #1-rated lawn care franchise is looking for you. Apply now! Click here for more details. 

Summer 2020 ACES Pre-College Programs
Are you interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)? Apply today to spend three weeks discovering your interests in STEM-based careers through lab tours and mini science projects in the food, human and environmental science fields on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Students who are current sophomore and juniors, rank top 25% of your class, have B grades or higher in Math, Science and English should apply. Click here to visit the website with more details and the application. 

• March 8: JTHS Foundation Trivia Event
• March 12: SIP A Day (Late Start)
• March 16: Board of Education Meeting
• March 20: JRIEC Meeting
• March 23-27: Spring Break (No School)

Joliet West High School presents “Matilda the Musical”
Joliet West High School’s Vocal Music Department invites the public to their 2020 Spring Musical, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, on Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14 at 7:00 PM and on Sunday, March 15 at 2:00 PM in the Joliet West Auditorium, located on 401 N Larkin Avenue in Joliet. The musical is inspired by Roald Dahl’s popular novel, Matilda, that tells the inspiring story of a magical young girl who dreams of a better life. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Saturday, February 1, 2020. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.jtwestchoir.org for $7.50.  Walk up sales are also available at the door for $10.00. 

VISIT THE CALENDAR FOR MORE DETAILS.

Joliet West Athletic Update
Visit the Athletic Calendar to see next week's athletic events. Go, Tigers!
Visit the Athletic Calendar

A Message Dr. Gibson: Please take a moment to review your student's progress report this weekend, as well as the many upcoming opportunities mentioned in this newsletter. I hope you have a great weekend. 

Notification Regarding Student Accounts or Profiles on Social Media Networking Websites

Parents, Guardians, & Students,

Please read the Notification Regarding Student Accounts or Profiles on Social Media Networking Websites which contains important information.

Tip of the Week: Review student's Progress Report on HAC #JTAchievesTogether
See your progress report on Home Access Center (HAC) online or using the Eschool Plus Family App on your smartphone or tablet.

Electronic progress reports ensure that parents and students receive the most current, up-to-date grades. Please remember that student grades, attendance, and assignments can be viewed at any time throughout the year. 

For Home Access Center help, please call (815) 727-6860. You may also contact our Family Engagement Liaison, Lisa Guzman, at lguzman@jths.org | (815) 727-6776 | Room B244. 

Enroll for Summer School Session I by March 20
Parents/guardians have until March 20 to enroll their student in Session I of Summer School 2020. Courses include Credit Recovery and Advancement options. Spots are filled on a first come, first served basis. Click here to visit the Summer School webpage for complete details.

JTHS Teachers Receive 2020 Joliet Chamber Great Teacher Award
Congratulations to the Joliet West High School recipients, Ms. Catherine Cerri and Mr. Eric Wellman! They were selected to receive the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Joliet Area Great Teachers Award in a special ceremony on February 6, 2020 at the Jacob Henry Mansion. The winning teachers were selected from an extensive list of educators from the Joliet area who were nominated by their students, peers, administrators and members of the community.

February 22: Teens Overcoming Pressure Summit 
The National Hook-Up of Black Women will host the Teens Overcoming Pressure Summit on Saturday, February 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 1705 Richards Street in Joliet. To register, visit www.bit.ly/jolietts.

February 24: Coffee & Community Conversation with JTHS Leadership
Superintendent Dr. Karla Guseman and the Board of Education invite you to a Coffee & Community Conversation, from 7 to 8 p.m., at the Spanish Community Center Gymnasium, 309 N. Eastern Avenue on Monday, February 24. This is a great way to connect with JTHS leadership in a relaxed setting.

February 25: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
All grandparents raising children are invited to join JTHS Bridge Builder and grandparent, Mary White, for fellowship, support, and resources on Tuesday, February 25 at 9 a.m. at the JTHS Administrative Center, located at 300 Caterpillar Drive in Joliet. RSVP to Kristine Schlismann at kschlismann@jths.org or call (815) 727-6967.

February 29: Youth Speaks Oratory Contest
The public is welcome to listen to youth speakers compete at the NHBW  Youth Speaks Oratory Contest, which will be held on Saturday, February 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 1705 Richards Street in Joliet. Click here to learn more.

March 3: JTHS Robotic Cyborgs Team Community Exhibition
The JTHS Cyborgs Robotics Team will unveil its newest robot during the 8^th Annual Community Exhibition from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3 in the JTHS Administrative Center Board Room, 300 Caterpillar Drive in Joliet. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP to Ms. Farias at afarias@jths.org.

March 3: BPAC Census Presentation
Are you a Spanish-speaking parent? We invite you to the Bilingual Parent Advisory Council Meeting on Tuesday March, 2020 from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Joliet Central High School Multi-Purpose Room A. At this meeting, Ms. Verenise Alvarez will give a presentation in Spanish about the U.S. Census 2020. Childcare will be provided. If you have questions, please contact Lourdes Paramo at lparamo@jths.org or (815)727-6820. 

March 4: Census 2020 Presentation at JJC City Center Campus
Joliet Junior College is partnering with the Spanish Community Center and the U.S. Census Bureau to host an educational event regarding the US Census on Wednesday, March 4 from 10AM to 11AM at the JJC City Center Campus Library. Many of the services and resources you depend on
receive funding based on census results. If there is an undercount, those resources could be lost and our state could lose political representation in Congress. Click here for more details. 

• February 24: Coffee & Community Conversation
• February 25: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
• February 27: SIP B Day (Late Start) 
• March 2: Casimir Pulaski Day (No School)
• March 3: JTHS Cyborgs Community Exhibition
• March 3: BPAC Census Presentation 

Joliet West High School presents “Matilda the Musical”
Joliet West High School’s Vocal Music Department invites the public to their 2020 Spring Musical, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, on Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14 at 7:00 PM and on Sunday, March 15 at 2:00 PM in the Joliet West Auditorium, located on 401 N Larkin Avenue in Joliet. The musical is inspired by Roald Dahl’s popular novel, Matilda, that tells the inspiring story of a magical young girl who dreams of a better life. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Saturday, February 1, 2020. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.jtwestchoir.org for $7.50.  Walk up sales are also available at the door for $10.00. 

VISIT THE CALENDAR FOR MORE DETAILS.

Joliet West Athletic Update
Visit the Athletic Calendar to see next week's athletic events. Go, Tigers!
Visit the Athletic Calendar