Joliet Public Schools District 86 Student Advisory Group Empowers Student Voice

The Joliet Public Schools District 86 Student Advisory Group brings junior high students together to strengthen school culture, belonging, and engagement. The students will receive Community Building Circles training equipping them to facilitate meaningful conversations, listen to peers, and gather student feedback at their schools.

The group made up 27 Dirksen, Gompers, Hufford, and Washington Junior High sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students will meet each trimester to identify shared themes, exchange ideas, and explore ways to help students feel connected, supported, and engaged. The feedback gathered will complement existing school improvement efforts and help administrators better understand student experiences and identify meaningful actions.

“It is so important for us to listen to student voice, especially in our junior high schools where our students are developing into young adults,” said Joliet Public Schools District 86 Deputy Superintendent Dr. Tanisha Cannon, “When students know their opinions matter, they become more invested in learning, strengthen their problem-solving skills, and develop leadership skills needed to inspire and support their peers.”

Participating students include Yaretzi Aguilar, Washington Junior High; Jayce Banks, Hufford Junior High; Izabella Brown, Washington Junior High; Donald Connors, Washington Junior High; Miah Correra, Dirksen Junior High; Christopher Cruz, Dirksen Junior High; Amyrah Davis, Washington Junior High; Cadence Galvan, Hufford Junior High; Leonel Garcia, Gompers Junior High; Elizabet Gonzalez, Gompers Junior High; Sophia Gonzalez, Dirksen Junior High; Jaylah Hernandez, Hufford Individual Education (I.E.) Program; Molly Hill, Hufford I.E. Program; Arionna Kemp, Hufford Junior High; Logan Krawiec, Washington Junior High; Sofia Luna, Washington Academy; Roberto Marmolejo, Dirksen Junior High; Gabriel Medrano, Dirksen Junior High; Katalina Moffett, Dirksen Junior High; Maleah Murphy, Gompers Junior High; Katelyn Olivo, Hufford Junior High; Alan Perez, Washington Junior High; Dana Petrek, Washington Academy; Alondra Rodriguez, Gompers Junior High; Major Simmons, Washington Academy; Dario Torres, Gompers Junior High; and Jorge Zamudio, Gompers Junior High School.