October is National Principals Month - a special time to honor and celebrate the incredible leaders who make a difference in our schools every day. Please join me in showing appreciation for our amazing principals and recognizing their unwavering dedication, strong leadership, and commitment to creating safe, supportive, and inspiring learning environments for every student and staff member. I am truly grateful and proud of our outstanding principals who continue to lead with purpose, passion, and heart. Together, they are helping make a difference - every voice, every dream, every day.

Our Joliet Public Schools District 86 Principals are Kesha Brown, T.E. Culbertson Elementary; Marysol Sandoval, M.J. Cunningham Elementary; Dr. Teresa Woodard, Dirksen Junior High (interim); Nicole Bottigliero, Eisenhower and Washington Academy; Larry Tucker, Farragut Elementary; Jacob Darley, Forest Park Individual Education (I.E.) School; Chris Latting, Gompers Junior High; Kyle Sartain, Hufford Junior High & I.E. Program; Consuelo Ramirez, Thomas Jefferson Elementary; Carrie Busse, Edna Keith Elementary; Kathleen Prado, Marycrest Early Childhood Center; Melissa Crosby, Pershing Elementary; Yadira Gomez-Munoz, Sator Sanchez Elementary; Luis Salto, Adaptive Behavior Communication (ABC) Administrator, Sator Sanchez Elementary; Megan Pritz, Carl Sandburg Elementary; Dr. Jamie Max, Isaac Singleton Elementary; Doriane Henderson, Taft Elementary; Chelsea Plarski, Lynne Thigpen Elementary (interim); Jennifer Braun, Thompson Instructional Center; Dr. Shavon Pittman, Washington Junior High; and Ben Meinert, Woodland Elementary School.

October is also National Bullying Prevention Month - a time to remind our students, families, and staff that kindness and respect matter every day. At Joliet Public Schools District 86, we are committed to creating safe, welcoming schools where every student feels valued, included, and supported. Together, we can make a difference by practicing empathy, speaking up for others, and choosing kindness. When we work together as a school community, we can help ensure that every child feels safe, respected, and ready to learn.

Reminder, all physical examination and required immunization records for all PreK, Kindergarten, sixth grade, and new transfer students from out of state must be turned into our school offices by October 15, 2026. Students will be excluded from school beginning October 16th if we do not receive the required information. Please call your child’s school nurse with any questions.

If you have a question, comment, concern, or compliment about one of our schools or the District, send us a Let's Talk message by visiting our District website http://www.joliet86.org/ and clicking on "Let's Talk" at the top of the page.