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, 9.8.25

Picture Day

Tuesday, 9.9.25

STAR Testing - Reading
Cross Country @ Channahon, 4:15p

Wednesday, 9.10.25

Regular School Activities

Thursday, 9.11.25

STAR Testing - Math
Cross Country vs. Washington, 4:15p

Friday, 9.12.25

Regular School Activities

From the Principal's Desk

Gompers Junior High School extends its profound gratitude to parents for their unwavering commitment to prioritizing student attendance, a cornerstone of academic and personal success. This vital partnership between home and school has demonstrably improved student presence, with a commendable 0.5% increase in attendance during August 2025 from August of 2024 year and an even more significant 3% rise from August 2023. These statistics, derived from internal school data, reflect countless instances of students being present, engaged, and benefiting from educational opportunities.

As we celebrate these gains with a "Hat & Hoodie Day" for students, we thank you for your ongoing vigilance in regular student attendance and reducing tardies to school through your proactive efforts such as establishing routines for consistent school attendance. Gompers Junior High is dedicated to continuing this collaborative journey, offering support and resources to families to ensure every student achieves their full potential within a thriving educational environment.

Thank you!

Raul Gaston, Principal

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.

The form below was sent home with students. Use the QR code to place your orders.

6th Chromebooks are in!

On Monday morning, the 6th-grade students will receive their new Chromebook and charger during their EC period. Students need to bring their old Chromebook to receive their new one. Students must remove all personal items and stickers from their Chromebooks before arriving at school on Monday morning.

STAR Assessments

All students in all grades will be taking the STAR assessments this week. These assessments provide valuable insights into your student's understanding of key concepts in reading and math, helping our staff to offer the necessary supports, interventions, and appropriate placement to best meet their academic needs.

The STAR-Reading test will be administered on Tuesday, 9/9/25, and the STAR-Math test on Thursday, 9/11/24. These tests are administered three times a year—fall, winter, and spring—during your student’s regular ELA or Math class, ensuring no disruption to their schedule. The results will reflect your student's progress in reading and math.

To help your student perform their best, please partner with us by providing the following:

The night before the test, encourage your student to get plenty of sleep and ensure their Chromebook is fully charged.
On the morning of the test, provide a healthy breakfast, ensure they arrive at school on time, and encourage them to do their best on the test.
After each test, ask your student how they did on the test. A preliminary score is provided immediately.

With your support, your student will be well-prepared to show their strengths and areas for growth in reading and math. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure your student’s success.

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

Take the Survey!

We encourage you to take the @TheCityofJoliet Comprehensive Plan Community Survey. The survey is part of a two-year planning process that will shape the future of Joliet.

http://joliet.gov/comprehensiveplan

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

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.

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

Newsletters for the week of...

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