Over 10,870 Joliet Public Schools District 86 students returned to school for the 2019-2020 school year. Students at Dirksen, Gompers, Hufford, and Washington Junior High Schools were also welcomed back on the first day of school to cheers and high fives from volunteers from All Nations Church of God in Christ, Buffalo Soldiers, Joliet City Council, Joliet Black Police Officers Association, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, NAACP – Joliet Branch #3018, New Covenant Worship Center, Will County Board, and the Will County Circuit Court.
In addition, school supplies and/or backpacks were donated by the following businesses and local churches for District 86 students: AT&T, Bolingbrook Best Buy/Geek Squad, Community Christian Church, Diageo, Faith Lutheran Church, First Presbyterian Church, Forest Park Community Center, Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., Hickory Farms, Ingalls Park Methodist Church, Jennie Lee Circle of the Will County Union of King’s Daughters and Sons, Joliet Junior Woman’s Club, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Presence Villa Franciscan Ascension Living, Ten Thousand Girlfriends, and the Zeta Phil Beta Sorority, Inc./Eta Chi Zeta Chapter.
“We are so thankful for the outpouring of support for our students,” said Joliet Public Schools District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse, “These donations and support mean so much to us and our families."
AT&T Employees through their “AT&T Tools for Learning Campaign” donated backpacks filled with school supplies to students at Woodland Elementary School and donated $507 to Thomas Jefferson Elementary School to purchase new games and supplies for students to use when they have indoor recess. This is the 14th year AT&T has partnered with Joliet Public Schools District 86.