HAWK HIGHLIGHTS

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Mission and Vision!

Mission:

To provide a high-quality, inclusive, and equitable education for students to grow, lead, and thrive by empowering staff, collaborating with families, and embracing our diverse community.

Vision:

Gompers will be a collaborative community that provides a sense of belonging and high levels of achievement for all students, staff, and families.

Upcoming Events This Week

Monday, 9.1.25

Labor Day - No School

Tuesday, 9.2.25

Cross Country vs. Dirksen @ Oak Prairie, 4:15p

Wednesday, 9.3.25

Cross Country Gompers @ JJC

Thursday, 9.4.25

Regular School Activities

Friday, 9.5.25

Regular School Activities

Labor Day

On Monday, September 1, 2025, all Joliet District 86 schools will be closed to observe the Labor Day holiday. We wish all families a wonderful holiday weekend with your loved ones and friends, and look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, for a week full of learning.

Digital Awareness Week

The District 86 Digital Awareness Week has come to a close. Still, the resources and lessons provided to students, families, and staff will help us all stay safe and utilize technology to serve our school's purpose and goals best. Please refer to all available resources for digital awareness at any time using the following link.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGniEQpeqs/ryUI7NCoAco8xl8HUYwXOg/edit

After School Tutoring

The Gompers after-school tutoring at Gompers begins on Tuesday, September 9th, from 2:35-3:45. Tutoring will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Three teachers, Mrs. Kirchman, Mrs. Grygiel, and Mrs. Poch, will help your student stay on track, catch up, or get ahead in their studies and assignments. Permission slips are available while space is open. On the 9th, students who have signed up to participate will meet in Mrs. Grygiel's room #15 after school for attendance.

Student Health Requirements

A Physical Examination and required immunization records are required for all Pre-K, Kindergarten, 6th grade, and new transfer students from out of state. Forms must be turned in to the school office by October 15, 2025. Students will be excluded from school beginning October 16 if we do not receive the required information by this date.

Appointment dates past the October 15 deadline are no longer accepted by the State of Illinois. If you have any questions, please get in touch with our school nurse. New students to the District from out of state or outside the country have 30 days from the first day of school to submit a health examination. For immunization resources, please visit https://aptg.co/PT3Yxv

Breakfast and Lunch Menus

The breakfast and lunch menus are posted on our school's District 86 website by CLICKING HERE To view them:

Select "GOMPERS JR HIGH" from the drop-down menu.
Then select "JUNIOR HIGH MENUS" to view the breakfast and hot lunch items.
Select "JUNIOR HIGH COLD LUNCH MENU" to view all the cold lunch options.
All menus are listed by the week.
Select any item to view its nutritional information.

From the Gompers Health Office

As school begins, we would like to address the importance of keeping your children healthy and in school. Health history, medication orders, and care plans must be done every school year.

STUDENT HEALTH HISTORY and LIFE-THREATENING CONDITIONS

If your student has a significant health history, life-threatening allergy, or special medical concern, including asthma, diabetes, seizures, or other medical conditions, please get in touch with the school nurse so that we can create an Emergency Health Care Plan. A PHYSICIAN'S NOTE IS REQUIRED if your child has FOOD allergies so we can provide substitutions. It must be a DIAGNOSED allergy and not just a sensitivity.

MEDICATION AT SCHOOL

If your child requires medication (prescription or over-the-counter) to attend school, you will need a "Medication Authorization Form" completed by a licensed healthcare provider or physician, which must also be signed and dated by the parent/guardian.

DIABETICS

We require a School Diabetic Care Plan on file from your physician, including medication orders (if applicable), in the event of emergencies, and to provide assistance and care for all diabetic students.

If you have any questions, please contact the school nurse, Melissa Quitman, at mquitman@joliet86.org or at 815-727-5276

Arrival/Dismissal Car lines

Thank you to all the families who have been very helpful with our arrival and dismissal car lines. Here are a few guidelines to help the car lines move smoothly, quickly, and safely for all students.

Arrival time is between 7:15 and 7:35 am.

All car pick-ups and drop-offs must occur at Briggs or Copperfield.
On Briggs, follow the traffic pattern by heading south on Briggs, entering the driveway, and following the pattern. Cars traveling north on Briggs will need to turn around to face south, but no U-turns are allowed on Briggs.
On Copperfield, please be ready to stop to allow students and buses to cross into the Gompers driveway.
At 7:35 am, cars may enter the Gompers main driveway and drop off students at the front door.
At 7:40 am, the Briggs door is closed, and students must be dropped off at the main entrance at Copperfield.
At 7:45 am or later, students are tardy to school. Parents must park their car, enter the vestibule at Door #1, and sign in their student.

Dismissal time is 2:15 pm to 2:35 pm

Families are not to park in our lots and have their children walk across traffic to avoid the car lines. This is unsafe and puts your children at risk of an accident.
On Briggs, please display your Red Gompers Card on your windshield for dismissal. Vehicles without a red card will not be allowed to enter the car line in the afternoon.
On Copperfield, the street is closed to all through traffic until all our students and buses have cleared the area. Please obey all traffic closures and follow the instructions of our staff.
Please be patient! All families need to know their children are safe at arrival and dismissal time. Working together, we can ensure that every student is picked up and dropped off quickly and safely.

Attendance Matters in Joliet

Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance. A missed school day is a lost opportunity for students to learn. Chronic student absence reduces even the best teacher's ability to provide learning opportunities. It is vital that you encourage healthy attendance habits for your children. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Picture Day

On Monday, September 8, 2025, students are asked to bring their smiles and dress their best for their school pictures. Families will have the opportunity to purchase photos from our photographer after Picture Day. The images are used for student IDs, yearbooks, and the school's information system. More details and package options will be available soon. Save the date, and prepare to take a beautiful and professional picture to remember the 2025-2026 school year.

End the Hate

At Gompers Jr. High, we take bullying very seriously. Bullying at school, in the community, or on social media is never acceptable. If your child is experiencing any form of bullying, the first step is to report the incident to an Academic Advisor, Counselor, or Social Worker. The Gompers staff is here to help and kindly requests that you report bullying as soon as you become aware of it. Please contact the following individuals via email or call our office at 815.727.5276 to speak with them during school hours. Your partnership is essential in helping keep all our students safe from bullying.

6th Grade

Davina Morris, Academic Advisor, dmoris@Joliet86.org
Therese Skwarczynski, Social Worker, tskwarczynski@Joliet86.org

7th Grade

Laura Arias, Academic Advisor, larias@Joliet86.org
Brooke Hagadus, Social Worker, bhagadus@Joliet86.org

8th Grade

Courtney Miller, Academic Advisor, camiller@Joliet86.org
Maria Arroyo, Counselor, mgarroyo@Joliet86.org

Let’s Talk

Have a question, comment, concern, or compliment about our school or District? Submit a Let’s Talk message at https://www.joliet86.org/district-info/lets-talk/ 24 hours a day, seven days a week from any computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Gompers Contacts for 2025-2026

Sixth Grade

Academic Advisor: Davina Morris - dmorris@joliet86.org
Team Leader: Robert Pollard - rpollard@joliet86.org
Social Worker: Therese Skwarczynski - tskwarczynski@joliet86.org

Seventh Grade

Academic Advisor: Laura Arias - larias@joliet86.org
Team Leader: Jeremy Poch - jerpoch@joliet86.org
Counselor: Brooke Hagadus - bhagadus @joliet86.org

Eighth Grade

Academic Advisor: Courtney Miller - camiller@joliet86.org
Team Leader: Jessica Pasquale - jpasquale@joliet86.org
Counselor Maria Arroyo - mgarroyo@joliet86.org

School Psychologist: Andrea Gandy - agandy@joliet86.org

Fine Arts Team Leader: Theresa Curry - tcurry@joliet86.org

PE Team Leader: Jennifer Colstock - jcolstock@joliet86.org

Athletic Director: Eric Blaeser - eblaeser@joliet86.org

Nurse: Melissa Quitman - mquitman@joliet86.org

Assistant Principal: Tony Villagomez- tvillagomez@joliet86.org

Principal: Raul Gaston - rgaston@joliet86.org

Newsletter Archives

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