I cannot believe we are already two months into the school year and the holidays are right around the corner! We have certainly lucked out with beautiful weather so far, but we know that, being in the Midwest, the weather can change on a dime. Recently we had the opportunity to welcome community members into our schools to showcase all the wonderful work happening in our buildings each and every day. These special guests served as honorary principals for the day, giving them an inside look at all that makes our schools so special. It was especially nice to see so many Joliet District 86 alumni returning to our schools, some for the first time since they graduated! What a wonderful reminder of the lasting connections our schools create within our community. Our honored guests included:
T.E. Culbertson Elementary: Ruben Warren, Hollywood Casino Joliet;
M.J. Cunningham Elementary: Illinois State Representative Natalie Manley;
Dirksen Junior High: Caprisha Neal, Joliet Junior College/District 86 Alum;
Eisenhower Academy: Kelly Rohder Tonelli, KRT Consulting;
Farragut Elementary: Ulises Huitron, Herencia Residential & Commercial/District 86 Alum;
Forest Park Individual Education: Brenda Noriega, Noriega Risk Partners;
Gompers Junior High: Rosie Cardenas, Social Butterfly Coffee/District 86 Alum;
Hufford Junior High: Jaron Nabors, 2morrowstartz2day/District 86 Alum;
Thomas Jefferson Elementary: Sergeant Dirk Obermayer, Will County Sheriff’s Office;
Edna Keith Elementary: John Lukancic, Will County Emergency Management Agency;
Marycrest Early Childhood Center: Gwendolyn Ulmer, Former District 86 School Board Member/District 86 Alum;
Pershing Elementary: Jeremy Fears Sr., Joliet Public Schools District 86 Alum;
Sator Sanchez Elementary: Amy Sanchez, Community Activist/District 86 Alum;
Carl Sandburg Elementary: Jeremiah Anderson, Will County Center for Economic Development;
Isaac Singleton Elementary: Edna Brass, Retired Joliet Township High School District 204 Administrator;
Taft Elementary: Pastor Nate Smith, The Table Church;
Lynne Thigpen Elementary: Deputy Chief Burke Schuster, Joliet Fire Department;
Thompson Instructional Center: Uxmar Torres, Poet Laureate of Joliet;
Washington Junior High: Char Boyd, BP Events/District 86 Alum;
Woodland Elementary: Tyrell Hundley, Rage Cage Joliet/District 86 Alum.
During November community members, parents, and colleagues have the chance to nominate one of our deserving teachers for the Joliet Chamber Foundation's 2027 Great Teachers Program. Applications must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2026, for a teacher to be considered. Details can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GreatTeacherNoms2027 or
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PGTCRVL
Also coming up in November is Illinois School Board Members Day on November 15, 2026. Please join me in thanking our Board of School Inspectors for generously volunteering their time, serving as advocates for District 86, and demonstrating their commitment to the Joliet community and our students. We appreciate their dedication and service!
Matthew J. Pritz, President
R. Emil Standfield, Vice President
Jesse M. Smith
Sandra Aguirre
Naurice D. Moffett
Deborah K. Ziech
Andrew K. Smith
Remember, 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.