HAWK HIGHLIGHTS

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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.

Monday, 3/3

• Casimir Pulaski Day - No school

Tuesday, 3/4

• Regular school activities

Wednesday, 3/5

• Regular school activities

Thursday, 3/6

• Orchestra Field Trip to Olivet Univ, 11a-3:15p

• Regular School Activities

Click Here for All 2024-2025 Calendar Events at Gompers

Every morning, our students receive the daily announcements in English and Spanish. Visit our slides at any time to learn more about our student announcements. The slides are updated each weekend for the following week, but updates can happen daily. Visit https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1hlYLkNzdk13_FdSXAy5IVJdnv3zA1UhtLfGOMv7ReWQ/edit?usp=sharing for the Dialy Announcements at Gompers!

Completion rates as of Friday, 2.28.25:

• Students: 95%
• Families: 6%
• Staff: 52%

We encourage all parents and guardians to take the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. The survey is available through March 31, 2025. The results will provide us with important information to help drive improvement at our school. Our goal is to have at least 50% of all families complete the survey. Go to https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/survey/parent/

Thank you for your support.

Monday, 3.3.25, is recognized as Casimir Pulaski Day. All District 86 schools and offices are closed. Please have a wonderful, restful, and safe 3-day holiday weekend with your family. We look forward to welcoming all students back at school on Tuesday, 3.4.25, for a regular day of school.

On Tuesday, 2.25.25, we celebrated and recognized a number of amazing students with a victory parade. These student groups accomplished some great things this Trimester. They are:

• Trimester 1 & 2 Students - Isabella Salgado (T1) & Juan Cruz Sanchez (T2).
• Science Fair Champions with Gold, Silver, and Bronze finishes.
• Varsity Boys Basketball with their Regional Championship.
• Varsity Girls Volleyball with their D86 Quad Championship
• Wrestling with medal finishes at the Crosstown meet.

Goooo HAWKS!!!!

Congratulations to all the Gompers students competing in the D204 Math Meet at JTHS. The mathematicians competing this year are:

7th Grade

• Juan Banda, Liam Casillo, Luis Corrales, Allison Gaitan, Jesus Gonzalez, Kevin Gonzalez, Pablo Hernandez, Jovanny Ibarra, Claudia James, Jimena Jimenez, Yandel Leon, Jesslyn Macias, & Sofia Perez

8th Grade

• Amy Alarcon, Michelle Arteaga, Edgar Cornejo-Murillo, Giselle De La Cruz, Victoria Diaz Reyes, Luis Islas, Sandra Jimenez Chavez, Emiliano Lara, Neifran Mendez, Vanessa Murillo, Aidan Murphy, Patricio Salcido Garcia, Jerardo Vigil, Keyna Villa, & Cesar Zepeda

A special thanks to Mrs. Fujiwara and Mr. Poch on coaching our students to do their best.

- - - - - o 0 o - - - - -

The Competition Results

• The 7th grade STATS event took home second place ribbons
• The 8th grade GROUP event took home third place ribbons.
• Two students earned perfect scores on their events Juan Banda (for Stats) and Luis Corrales (for Sigma).

An additional 5 students earned near-perfect scores, missing only one of their questions:

• Luis Islas (for Line Segments)
• Vanessa Murillo (for Literal Equations),
• Jimena Jimenez (for both Sigma and Stats),
• Alisson Gaitan (for both Square Roots and Stats)
• Jovanny Ibarra (for Sigma).

Please enjoy a few photos of our team and our medalists as we celebrate such fantastic academic success by all of our amazing Hawks!

Managing Negative Social Media Posts: Strategies for Parents

In today's digital world, social media plays a significant role in student's lives. While it provides opportunities for connection and learning, it also exposes them to risks like cyberbullying and harmful content (Caring for Kids: Let's Talk About Social Media, 2025). Therefore, parents must take proactive steps to help their students safely navigate social media. The following is an outline of several straightforward strategies for parents to manage negative social media experiences for their student effectively.

1. Maintain Open Communication: Keeping open lines of communication with student about their social media activities is essential. When students feel comfortable discussing their online experiences, they are more likely to share any negative posts or interactions they encounter. Encouraging regular conversations about their social media use can also help parents understand their child's feelings and perspectives, promoting a supportive environment for discussing any challenges.
2. Set Clear Boundaries: Establishing guidelines regarding social media use is another critical step. Parents should create rules about what content is appropriate to share and when social media can be used (Understanding How Social Media Is Changing Parent-Child ..., 2023). For instance, limiting social media use during homework time or family meals can help promote healthy habits. Creating tech-free zones in the home can also foster quality family time and reduce unwanted online influence (Caring for Kids: Let's Talk About Social Media, 2025).
3. Monitor Social Media Activity: Parents should actively monitor their child's social media accounts. This may involve checking their profiles, following/friending their student and using parental control apps designed to filter content and track online interactions. Establishing a routine for reviewing social media use can ensure students remain safe online. However, it's essential to balance this monitoring with respect for the student's privacy, and parents should communicate openly about why they are monitoring their student's activity.
4. Teach Online Safety: Educating students about online safety is paramount. Parents should explain the importance of not sharing personal information and recognizing potential dangers online (Caring for Kids: Let's Talk About Social Media, 2025). Teaching students how to block unwanted users and report inappropriate content will empower them to handle negative situations independently.
5. Prepare for Negative Incidents: Parents should be ready to respond appropriately if their student experiences negative experiences. It is important to validate the child's feelings and reassure them they are not alone. In serious cases, like cyberbullying, parents may need to take further action by reporting the incident to the social media platform and contacting school officials. In severe cases of threats to harm your student, contact the local law enforcement authorities immediately.
6. Promote Positive Behavior: Encouraging students to interact positively on social media is also crucial. Parents can teach students the value of empathy and kindness by modeling respectful behavior online. Encouraging students to think before they post helps create a supportive online community and reduces harmful interactions.

Conclusion

Parents must actively promote a safe online environment as students increasingly engage with social media. Parents can better protect their student by maintaining open communication, setting clear boundaries, monitoring activity, teaching online safety, preparing for harmful incidents, and encouraging positive behavior. These strategies will help students develop resilience and a healthier relationship with social media, allowing them to enjoy its benefits while staying safe.

Reference

• American Psychological Association. (2023). Social Media Use and Youth Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/social-media-parent-tips
• Child Mind Institute. (2024). Managing Children's Social Media Use. Retrieved from https://childmind.org/article/understanding-childrens-social-media-use/
• Kaspersky. (2024). Online Safety for Children: Tips to Keep Kids Safe Online. Retrieved from https://usa.kaspersky.com/resource-center/preemptive-safety/kids-online-safety
• Pew Research Center. (2023). Parental Monitoring of Teen Social Media Use. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). Social Media and Harm to Children: The Need for a Safety-First Approach. Retrieved from https://eppc.org/publication/social-media-and-harm-to-children/
• U.S. Surgeon General. (2023). Social Media and Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK594760/

Safety is a top priority at Gompers and District 86. Part of that safety is the requirement of all staff, students, and visitors wearing an ID at all times at school. On Monday, all students without an ID will be asked to bring their ID daily. However, starting on Tuesday any student without an ID will be charged $5 for an ID replacement. Temporary IDs are no longer being issued due to safety issues. Please ensure your student brings their student ID daily.

The Gompers 8th grade team is excited to announce the return of their annual Pi Day fundraiser! Starting March 3rd through March 13th, teachers will collect donations from students during lunch. For each dollar donated, students can be entered into a raffle to get a chance to throw a pie at their teacher! Teachers who earn more than $31.42 (ten times pi) will have a pie thrown at them during an assembly for all 8th graders on March 14th. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards 8th grade graduation activities - including decorations, refreshments, and even free tickets to Six Flags (for eligible students)!

The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) is the state assessment for all students in grades 3-8 that measures students’ progress in English Language Arts and Math. Our students will take the IAR during March 10-21, 2025. Please ensure that your child gets a good night’s rest and eats a healthy breakfast before the test. If you have any questions, contact your child’s teacher.

Additionally, the ISA tests for 8th grade will begin the week of March 31st. It is essential for all students to be present and perform their best on these tests. Consistent school attendance during the two weeks before and after spring break is one of the best ways to ensure your student performs well and does not fall behind. Your student has been practicing and preparing for these tests with their teachers through all their classes. Let's make their hard work pay off. Thank you for making every effort to ensure your student is in attendance during these critical weeks of school.

Although the weather outside may not evoke thoughts of spring break, it is only five weeks away. This time of year, attendance can become an issue due to various factors, such as weather conditions, common illnesses, and extended vacations. We encourage all families to focus on maintaining consistent daily attendance over the next five weeks. Each day of attendance provides valuable opportunities for learning, growth, connection, and experiences that cannot be replaced.

If you or your student need assistance in ensuring regular school attendance, please reach out to our counselors and social workers, whose contact information is listed at the bottom of this newsletter. Remember, attendance matters, and we appreciate your support!

There are times that you need to pick up your student early from school for a doctor's appointment or another important need. Due to our dismissal, bussing line, and end of the day traffic in and out of the building, all early pickups must be completed prior to 2:15 pm. After the 2:15 pm time, parents must join the regular carline at the back of the school for the regular 2:35 pm dismissal time. Please plan accordingly so your student is picked up prior to 2:15 pm when necessary and remember that students are not called down until you arrive and sign them out. Thank you!

Don’t miss the chance to secure a yearbook for your student! Yearbooks are $20 and must be pre-ordered to guarantee availability.

• Online Orders: Deadline is March 20th. Use this link: https://inter-state.com/yearbookentry/92323k
• Cash Orders: Deadline is March 20th. Order forms are available in the school office.

Please note: Only students who pre-order will receive a yearbook. There is no guarantee of extra copies available after the deadline. Order today!

Do your best to keep your children healthy. Dress your children warmly in the cold weather and encourage them to wash their hands regularly. Handwashing is a huge preventative measure against illness. Also, eating a healthy breakfast can give the body the energy it needs for the day. The healthier students remain, the less school they’ll have to miss due to illness!

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.

Sixth Grade

• Academic Advisor: Laura Arias - larias@joliet86.org
• Team Leader: Robert Pollard - rpollard@joliet86.org
• Social Worker: Brooke Hagadus - bhagadus@joliet86.org

Seventh Grade

• Academic Advisor: Courtney Miller - camiller@joliet86.org
• Team Leader: Jeremy Poch - jerpoch@joliet86.org
• Counselor: Jessie Moore - jmoore@joliet86.org

Eighth Grade

• Academic Advisor: Dan Wikert - dwikert@joliet86.org
• Team Leader: Jessica Pasquale - jpasquale@joliet86.org
• Social Worker: Therese Skwarczynski - tskwarczynski@joliet86.org

Bilingual 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

Interim Assistant Principal: Bill Sanderson- bsanderson@joliet86.org

Principal: Raul Gaston - rgaston@joliet86.org

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