I cannot believe we have already begun the third trimester of the 2025-2026 school year! March is always a busy month for our students and staff. Students in grades 3-8 will be taking the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) testing their skills in English Language Arts and mathematics. Our schools are also having a friendly, but competitive, student attendance competition this month to encourage strong attendance. It is especially important for students to be at school and arrive on time during testing. Which school will take home the trophy this year for Best Student Attendance in March?
Congratulations to all the students who received Superintendent Awards for the second trimester. It is always a joy to surprise students with this special recognition. One student from each District 86 school is recognized each trimester. Congratulations as well to the students who were named to the Honor Roll for the second trimester. The complete list will be posted on our website by the end of the month.
I am proud to announce that 26 teachers will be named this month by the Joliet Chamber of Commerce and Industry as Joliet Area Great Teachers, including seven of our teachers:
· Vanessa Barrera, M.J. Cunningham Elementary
· A.J. Galli, Pershing Elementary
· Mariann Homerding, T.E. Culbertson Elementary
· Clifford Hunt, Hufford Junior High
· Amy Johnson, Gompers Junior High
· Cynthia Morgan, Lynne Thigpen Elementary
· Julie Savaglio, Gompers Junior High
District 86 parents and guardians please do not forget to take the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. The survey is available through March 13, 2026. The results will provide us with important information to help drive improvement within the District and in our schools. The survey, available in English and Spanish, can be found at https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/survey/parent/. Thank you, in advance, for your support.
Spring Break will take place March 23-27, 2025. All schools will be closed, however, the J.F. Kennedy Administrative Office will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. I hope students and staff have a chance to enjoy time with family and friends during this time.
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.