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Principal’s Message

Message from the Principal

 

Joe Sweeney in front of a brick wall

Hello OQ Families,

When I was hired to be the principal of Old Quarry Middle School, I knew it was truly a dream come true. The Lemont community welcomed me with open arms, and what we’ve been able to accomplish together over the past six years has been nothing short of amazing. I’m proud to share that Old Quarry has now earned back-to-back Exemplary Ratings on the Illinois School Report Card and received our second Illinois Schools to Watch designation. These accomplishments are a direct reflection of what I believe to be the three most important ingredients to a successful school: dedicated teachers who embrace a "whatever it takes" mentality, supportive parents, and—most importantly—amazing students. Thank you for being the most incredible parents in the world.

To all of our new families: please know that I will treat every student as if they were my own. Thank you for trusting us with your most prized possessions—your children.

As we shift from summer mode into school mode, please remind your child that every interaction matters. Continue reinforcing that kindness always wins. Demonstrating kindness can be as simple as helping a classmate with a problem, complimenting someone’s shirt, or sitting with someone who might be alone. As I tell the students every morning during announcements:
“If it’s not helpful, insightful, or kind, don’t text it, Snapchat it, TikTok it, or post it on Facebook… Just be kind!”

 

At Old Quarry, regular student attendance is crucial for academic success and overall growth. Being present allows students to fully engage in learning, develop meaningful relationships, and stay connected with our school community. While we understand that illness happens, we need every student here daily to thrive.

We also understand that students occasionally forget things at home. Rest assured—our school is equipped with all the tools and support they need to succeed. To reduce interruptions, if your child forgets something, please contact the main office directly, and we’ll take care of the rest.

In that same spirit, we’re asking families to avoid picking up students after 2:15 PM, unless absolutely necessary. Early pickups in the last 15 minutes of the day cause disruptions during crucial wrap-up time. We also ask that you do not use Uber Eats or other delivery services to send food during the school day, as we do not know the delivery drivers and want to limit non-essential visitors.

To keep your child focused and our classrooms distraction-free, we are asking all students to keep their cell phones in their lockers from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. With your partnership and reminders at home, we can maintain a learning environment free from unnecessary distractions.

Thank you once again for trusting us with your children. Our goal is that, as they move through middle school, they grow more confident, better prepared, and become not just great students—but even better people.

Warmly,
Joe Sweeney
Principal, Old Quarry Middle School