September 2025 Parent Pride Newsletter

Hello JCA Parents,

 

Welcome to the start of a new school year! I, along with Dawn Prack, will serve as your 2025-2026 Presidents for the JCA Parent Association.


Our years at JCA started in the Fall of 2022 when our Daughters, Ella and Maggie started their Freshman year! We are now entering our daughters' senior years as well as my son Carter's sophomore year! We hope you will find the same warmth and fellowship that we have found in the community of Angel and Hilltopper parents and students.

 

Whether you are just beginning or nearing the end, high school is a time to make memories and from bonds that will last a lifetime. The JCA experience and feeling of family is not exclusive to the students. Parents, too, are an integral part of the JCA family. Supporting your child’s academic efforts, being present at their award ceremonies, attending performing art shows, and sporting events are just a few ways to be active in the JCA community. 

 

One of the most productive ways to get involved as a parent at JCA is through volunteering. The Parent Association is tasked with planning and implementing events and activities throughout the school year. We work with the Administration to ensure the students, and their families, have a positive experience at JCA. 

 

The following are some of the events planned by the Parent Association and are a place where you may want to get involved: Homecoming Week Activities, Hospitality at Open Houses, Pops and Lollies, Lads and Ladies, our Mass and Family Breakfast, Catholic Schools Week, Senior Bowl, Prom Red Carpet, and Teacher Appreciation Recognition.

 

Every year our events improve because of parents like you. You are an integral part of the success of these events. Not only do we want your participation in these activities, but we also often need extra hands to make these events successful. By getting involved, you can get to know other JCA families. We invite you to share your time and talents with us by volunteering for one of our events. Whether your talent includes decorating, managing concessions, flipping pancakes, or selling a 50/50 ticket at football games…there is a spot for you. 

 

Our promise as your Parent Board Presidents, will be to involve each of you in an event that is sure to enhance your experience as a JCA parent. Our students will always remember the efforts you gave as a parent during their time at JCA and you will be enhancing your own experience along the way. Let’s Make it a Great year! 

 

Carrie Heinen and Dawn Prack 

JCA Parent Board Presidents


cheinen143@gmail.com

dprack@troy30c.org


Christian Service Hours

All Joliet Catholic Academy students are required to complete Christian Service hours. Please encourage your son/daughter to work on their service hours and find opportunities to give back to so many deserving people and institutions. 


Christian Service | Joliet Catholic Academy




Dean's Office

How do I get ahold of the Dean’s Office? 

·       Dean’s Office Attendance Line: 815.741.0585

·      Dean’s Office: Mrs. Borio is the Dean’s Office Secretary her extension is 223 


How do I call my student in sick? 

·       If your student won’t be at school, call the attendance line and leave a message including the student’s name, grade level and reason for the absence. If your child visits a health care professional bring the note upon his/her return to school.  


What do I do if I need to pick my student up early from school? 

·       Please call as soon as possible to let the dean’s office know you must pick up your student. Your student will receive a pass indicating the time they will be leaving. If it is an emergency, please be patient, it will take a while to contact your student’s classroom and for him/her to gather their belongings. The student will sign out in the dean’s office. Parents do not need to come into the school to sign the student out. 


What do I do if my student will be late to school? 

·       If your child will be late, call the attendance line- 815.741.0585. Leave a message with the student’s name, grade level, estimated time of arrival and reason for tardiness. 


My student forgot something and needed it today, what do I do? 

·       You can drop something off for your student. It is the student’s responsibility to pick the item up in the Dean’s Office. Please do not drop off food from fast food restaurants. All lunches should be in a lunchbox or plain bag.


My student has a detention, what should he/she do? 

·       If your student gets a detention, they will receive a hard copy detention slip. You will receive an email indicating the reason for the detention and the serve by date. Students may serve detentions before the serve by date. Detentions may be served in the Dean’s Office any morning at 7:15 a.m. or 3:00 p.m. after school Monday – Friday.


Excel Driving School


Did you know Excel Driving School offers driver’s education to JCA students at the school?


Click here for more information and class schedules.


Counseling Department

Greetings from the Counseling Department! As the school year gets into full swing, we want to remind our families of the resources available to them through our Counseling Department and share some important dates and events. We look forward to working with your family! We will focus on the holistic development of our students. 

 

Mission

Driven! Faith in Action – Every Day. 

+Spiritual 

+Social/Emotional 

+Academic 

+College/Career

Readiness  

 

Counselor

Roles 

Mr. Mickey Palmasani – 9th and 10th Grade (A – K) 

Mrs. Kris Horn – 9th and 10th Grade (L – Z) 

Mrs. Kerri Voltz – 11th and 12th Grade (A - K) 

Mrs. Jackie Pullara – 11th and 12th Grade (L - Z) 

Mrs. Aimee Batchelor – Student Services Counselor 

Don’t Miss Out! 

  

Looking ahead: 

FAFSA (College

Financial Aid)is scheduled to open Oct 1. 

 

October 15th is testing day for 10th and 11th graders! 

Sophomores – PreACT and PSAT

(for Honors Program Sophomores) 

Juniors – PSAT 

 

JJC College Fair – Coming soon… October 22, 2025 

100+ Colleges will be in

attendance 

 

Follow the Counseling

Department on Social Media: 

Twitter: @jcacounseling 

Instagram: jca.counseling 

Facebook: jcacounseling 

Diversity & Inclusion

Latinx Empowerment Conference


Event Details

Theme: Tejiendo el Futuro (Weaving the Future)

Date: Friday, October 10th, 2025

Time: 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Location: Joliet Junior College


If your student is interested in attending, they must register with Ms. Kisha Cameron.

lcameron@jca-online.org

Athletics





The Official JCA Athletics Android/iPhone App! This is great for everyone; Alumni, Families, Students, and JCA Fans! Download today and sign up for notifications!

Campus Ministry

Sacrament of Confirmation


Any student who is interested in receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation should reach out to Campus Ministry for more information. Preparation meetings will begin soon and will all take place during the students’ homeroom periods. You can reach Mrs. Ferro (ext 262) or Dr. Bailey (ext 263) in the Campus Ministry office room 206 any time during the day or email them at jca-ministry@jca-online.org.

Upcoming Events & Alumni Relations

Our very own Mrs. Peg Stoiber along with Ms. Marina Kuchinski is participating in an exhibit at the University of St. Francis Art Gallery (25 East Van Buren St., Joliet) until October 7, 2025. Gallery hours are Tuesday - Thursday from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Congratulations to Mrs. Stoiber on her continued art success!

School Calendars


Please follow the link below to access our school calendars including the 2025-2026 At-A-Glance Calendar. For your convenience, you can subscribe to our online School Calendar on your mobile device.



1200 N. Larkin Avenue
Joliet, IL 60435
P - (815) 741-0500
F - (815) 741-8825  
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