Principal's Newsletter

 A message from Dr. Gibson: Your student will take final exams next week. Please talk to your student about the information in this newsletter.

Tip of the Week: Reduce your teen's stress over tests  #JTAchievesTogether
Is your student feeling anxious about taking final exams next week? The stakes may feel higher to them, which can fuel their anxiety. These tips may help reduce your teen’s stress over tests.

See tips to reduce exam stress

Final Exams: Final Exams are December 18 – 20. Final Exam Makeups are by appointment only on Wednesday, December 19th and Thursday, December 20th for students who missed a Final Exam. Please contact your student’s teacher(s) if your student needs to make up an exam. 

Please click HERE for the final exam schedule.

Winter Weather School Closing Reminder
Because the winter weather season has arrived, JTHS would like to remind parents of the ways we announce weather-related school closing information. The announcement is made through the following means: 

• Text notification is sent first to your mobile phone. You must text “Yes” to 67587 to receive our text messages.
• Information is posted to the District website – www.jths.org
• District’s School Messenger  notification system (email and telephone calls)
• Local television and radio stations
• Emergency Closing Center's website 
• District’s social media accounts, Facebook and Twitter (@JTHS_204)

Please note that JTHS will only contact parents if schools will be starting late, dismissing early or closed. Otherwise, the day is scheduled as normal. For more information, visit www.jths.org.

Report Cards 2018
Report Cards will be available online through the Home Access Center on January 3.  If you would like a print copy of your student’s report card, please contact the principal’s office. For HAC help, please call 815-727-6860.

IL 5Essentials School Survey
Through January 18, JTHS asks our parents/guardians to take this survey to help identify strengths and weaknesses in their school.

Take Survey Here

Scholarship Bulletin
Click here to see the Scholarship Bulletin. 

Volunteer Opportunity: Toys for Tots at the Spanish Community Center
Spread Christmas joy by organizing and distributing Toys for Tots gifts at the Spanish Community Center located at 309 N Eastern Avenue on December 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, and 20. Sign up online.

Joliet Junior College Kids College
Designed for students ages 3 to 17, these classes provide enrichment for imaginative young minds. Click here to see the JJC Kids College Spring catalog. 

Job Opportunity: Work at Wendy's on Larkin
Wendy’s on Larkin (Store # 707)  is looking for employees who are available to work Monday thru Friday from 4 to 10 and have availability on the weekends.  Apply at Snagajob.

Job Opportunity: Southern Belle Café in Crest Hill
Southern Belle Café in Crest Hill is in search of bus boys, servers, and hostesses. Visit www.thesoutherncafe.com/employment. 

2019 MLK Day of Service Jan. 21 at Joliet Central High School
Residents of all ages and backgrounds are invited to advance the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 2019 MLK Day of Service on January 21.  Join hundreds of volunteers in making it a “day on, not a day off” by completing service projects throughout the community.

The event kicks off in the Joliet Central High School Student Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, with volunteer registration at 7:30 a.m., followed by the program launch and breakfast. Participants then depart to complete service projects from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., before ending the day back at Central for lunch and a project re-cap. 

Volunteer
To volunteer, register by completing the Volunteer Sign Up Form and email to ewilliams@cc-doj.org or call (815) 724-1142 no later than January 14.  Participants will complete a variety of projects such as painting, beautifying schools, serving meals, and more.

Service Projects Are Needed
The Day of Service is not possible without service projects to complete on this day. Non-profit organizations are invited to submit their (3) hour project requests to the United Way of Will County.  Complete the Service Agency Project Submittal Form and email to mike@uwwill.org no later than January 7.


Upcoming JWHS events include:

• December 18-20: Final Exams
• December 21 - January 4: Winter Break
• January 7-8: Full Day Teacher Institute (No school)
• January 9: First Day of Classes - 2nd Semester

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: We have less than a month left for this semester. Please be sure to check your student's grades and attendance this week, and encourage your student to take advantage of the resources our school has to offer. I hope to see you next week at the Eighth Grade Preview Night. Have a great weekend.

Use HAC to check homework, grades, attendance, and discipline 
Families, please regularly check grades, attendance, tardies and discipline through the Home Access Center (HAC). Parents have their own unique usernames and passwords to regularly check grades, attendance, tardies and discipline through Home Access Center (HAC). You may click here to retrieve your password. If you need assistance, please email hachelp@jths.org or call 815-727-6860. 

Tip of the Week: Get free academic help in school and community  #JTAchievesTogether
Does your student want to get better grades? Here are some of the resources at school or in the community:

• Ask your teacher for help: Upon request, teachers may meet with students before or after school or during advisory to help. The teacher may also connect the student in need with a peer tutor if available.
• NHS Tutoring: The National Honor Society has tutors every Wednesday in the library from 3:15pm - 4:00pm. Please register at JT Learn. Any Joliet West student can also send an @tutoringjw text to 81010 through Remind for help with quick questions.
• AP Help Room: West students may also attend the AP Help Room (E158/159) during advisories or the Freshman Help Room during advisory (4^th – E255, 5^th – E152).
• Free Tutoring from JTHS Ambassadors at Mt. Carmel Church: JTHS Ambassador students offer free tutoring every Friday from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at Mount Carmel Church, 205 E Jackson St., Joliet, IL 60432. Walk-ins welcome.
• Free Tutoring from JTHS Ambassadors at Lively Hope Church: JTHS Ambassador students offer free tutoring every Tuesday from 5:45pm to 7:00pm at Lively Hope, 308 North Midland Avenue, Joliet, IL 60435. Walk-ins welcome.

Congratulations, Front Lot Parking Pass Winners!
Joliet West High School congratulates our Front Lot Parking Pass winners: Kendall Kobe, Lucas Pirc, Gabriel Gutierrez, and Keelyn Tyrell!

They were awarded passes to park in the Front Lot per Dr. Gibson for one week and entrance through Door 1 for having “NO TARDIES” over the past two weeks.

Encourage your student to attend every day! Joliet West High School selects one student winner each week. The student has to have no tardies to date. They also must already have a parking permit.

December 6 is a SIP A Day - JTHS School Improvement Day
Students will follow this schedule on SIP A Days: 

Schedule A	Time
Period 1	11:20 AM -  12:15 AM
Period 4A	12:20 PM - 12:45 PM
Period 4B	12:50 PM - 1:15 PM
Period 3	1:20 PM - 2:15 PM
Period 2	2:20 PM - 3:15 PM

On SIP A Days, the standard-sized large buses arrive 4 hours later than regularly scheduled pick up time.  For example, if your student’s regularly scheduled pick up time is 6:30 a.m., his or her bus would arrive at 10:30 a.m. For SIP Day Special Education bus routes, please call the Transportation Office at 815-727-6873.


December Mobile Food Pantry in Will County
Click here to see the flyer with the dates, times, and places in which the Mobile Food Pantry will giving free food in Will County.

December 1: JTHS Alumni Association Santa 5K and 1-Mile Stroll Relocated
Due to hazardous track conditions and a bleak weather forecast, the Santa Celebration is being relocated to the Joliet Central High School Field house. Running/walking events will start at approximately 7:30, and the event will conclude no later than 9:30. Both the 5K and 1-Mile Stroll will now be held indoors without timing and scoring. A timed and scored make-up option will be offered and held at Chicagoland Speedway in the spring. The exact date of the event will be announced at a later time.To register, go to https://www.active.com/joliet-il/running/distance-running-races/santa-5k-fun-run-and-santa-stroll-1-mile-walk-2018 

JTHS is hiring additional bus drivers! Apply online or call us.
If you or someone you know needs a job, give us a call at 815-727-6873 or apply online at www.jths.org and choose JTHS Employment. JTHS School bus drivers are integral to a student’s educational and extra-curricular activities. Did you know JTHS provides service to 38 different schools and has one of the largest fleets of vehicles in the County? JTHS needs quality individuals such as yourself, your family, or your friends to join our team. As an employee of the school district, you will earn $15.45 per hour, have access to fantastic medical, vision and dental insurance; earn paid holidays and sick days; guaranteed daily hours and extra hours driving athletic trips. The School District will pay all the licensing and physical fees and you get paid for part of the training time.  This is a great opportunity, so call us now or go online and apply ASAP.


Upcoming JWHS events include:

December 5: Joliet West Eighth Grade Curriculum Preview
Joliet West High School will host its annual Campus Curriculum Preview for incoming freshmen students from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5 at Joliet West High School, 401 N. Larkin Avenue in Joliet. 

Curriculum Preview Night provides eighth grade students and parents with important information regarding registration, testing, athletics, activities and more.  The night will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. in the West Campus Auditorium with an informational presentation about the Freshman Academy.  At 6:40 p.m., students and parents will proceed to various classrooms to learn about elective course offerings.  Representatives from athletic teams, clubs and activities will be in the field house to answer questions and provide information.

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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