CRC Connection
January 2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
Career Ready Trades Expo at Stevenson High School
Target Audience: All Grades
Date: Thursday, March 2, 2023
Time: 5:00-7:00 PM
Location: Wood Commons @ Stevenson HS
Parking: Parking lots B or E
Navigating College Admission Tests: Webinar for Sophomore Families
Target Audience: Sophomores & Parents
Date: March 7, 2023
Time: 6:30 pm
Last spring, College Board announced a sweeping overhaul to the SAT suite of assessments. Starting in the fall of 2023, paper-based administrations of the PSAT and SAT will be completely replaced by an adaptive, computer-based format. The Class of 2025 will be the first to take the redesigned Digital PSAT and Digital SAT during junior year.
The introduction of a digital assessment comes at a poignant time in today's admission context, where colleges are actively interrogating the value of standardized testing in students' applications. And while many schools have retained test optional policies in the wake of the pandemic, admission offices have demonstrated varying preferences for test scores.
Hear from the experts at Compass Education Group as they lead a thoughtful and pragmatic discussion of the future of college admission testing.
Presentation topics will include:
- The evolving role of ACT, SAT, and AP Exam scores in specific contexts
- Making sense of the subtlety and variety of testing policies
- Fresh admissions data from test score submitters and non-submitters
- Making an informed choice between the ACT and SAT
- The specs and adaptive design of the Digital PSAT & SAT
- Optimal timing and smart approaches to test preparation and testing
The presentation will run for about one hour, followed by Q&A.
Target Audience: All Grades
Date: Thursday, March 9, 2023
Time: 6-8:00 PM
Location: CLC Grayslake Campus, Physical Education Center, Building F
Parking: Parking lots 8 or 9
The CLC Fair is a great opportunity for VHHS students and parents to connect with college representatives. When you register, you get a barcode that colleges scan at the fair to get your information. The colleges you're interested in will send you information about their school, the application process, financial aid, and important deadlines.
140 college and university representatives will be at the college fair, and they'll have only one purpose: answering your questions about college options.
Attend a Session on Financial Aid
During the event, two information sessions on financial aid will be held in Room 706 of the Physical Education Center:
Session 1: 6:30-7 PM
Session 2: 7:15-7:45 PM
Tips from your CRC:
- Don't try to see every college at the fair. Pick 5-10 you'd like to learn more about and visit their tables.
- Not sure what to ask? Start with an easy one: "Tell me more about your college. Why do students like it?" Take a look at page two of this handout for more question suggestions.
- Try not to ask a question like, "Is your psychology program good?" Of course admission reps will say yes. Instead, keep it open: "Tell me about your psychology program."
- If you can only attend for a short time, we recommend the second half of the fair--it's usually a bit less crowded.
Webinar: What to Know When Your Child Turns 18
Target Audience: Parents of Seniors
Date: April 18, 2023
Time: 6:30-7:30 PM
When your child turns eighteen, they are considered legal adults. With this milestone comes some important changes for them, for you and for your family. Once your child becomes a legal adult, your rights to their financial, medical, and educational records are limited without the proper authorization in place. During an unexpected critical situation and without proper documents in place, a parent may find themselves unable to assist their young adult child.
Caren Naidoff and Alan Press from the Shire Law Group will be the presenters for this webinar. This presentation discusses the essential documents that should be put in place as well as other relevant topics related to your child becoming a legal adult.
JUNIORS
It's not too late to sign up for the last two CRC workshops for juniors!
Session Two: Common App Workshop
You will create a Common App account and learn more details about completing the application. This will be a great way to get a jumpstart on an application before VHHS goes on break for the summer.
Dates & Times:
Wednesday, March 15: 4th & 6th periods
Thursday, March 16: 3rd & 5th periods
Location: The CRC
Session Three: College Essay Tips & Summer To-Do Lists
The college essay/personal statement can be one of the most intimidating aspects of college applications. We will talk about what colleges are looking for (and not looking for!) in your essays. You will also leave this session knowing what you need to do over the summer to be ready for application season in the fall.
Dates & Times:
Tuesday, April 18: 4th & 6th periods
Wednesday, April 19: 3rd & 5th periods
Location: The CRC
Mrs. Bellito's appointments are open to juniors!
Would you like to discuss your postsecondary planning process with Mrs. Bellito? Sign up for a 30 minute meeting where you can ask questions, talk about your future goals, and start searching for the right "fit" for you after high school. Students should sign up to meet during one of their free periods, and parents are always welcome to join these meetings.
SAT INFORMATION FOR JUNIORS
SAT ARC Tutor Boot Camp Schedule
VHHS will host the Illinois School-Day SAT on Wednesday, April 12th for all 11th grade students (The Illinois School-Day SAT is a paper test and includes the SAT Essay portion). The Illinois School-Day SAT is a an Illinois graduation requirement.
The ARC will host hands on practice led by VHHS student tutors with strong historic test performance and success with SAT related questions. Please see below for the practice schedule and additional information.
SAT Questions:
- All practice problems are either publicly released SAT questions from previous SAT exams or the most missed SAT / PSAT-NMSQT questions from VHHS students.
Schedule:
- February 22nd: SAT Study/Strategy Tips (designed by tutors), Health & Wellness, & Practice Problems (all areas-**EBRW/*Math)
- March 1st: *Math
- March 8th: **EBRW (focus on grammar/structure)
- March 15th: *Math
- March 22nd: *Math
- April 5th: SAT Strategy Tips & Practice Problems (all areas-**EBRW/*Math)
- April 12th: Test Day
Time:
- Wednesdays from 7:45am - 8:45 am
*Math = Math (Calculator and non-calculator questions)
**EBRW = Evidenced Based Reading & Writing
Practice SAT for VHHS Juniors
Date: Saturday, March 11, 2023
Time: 8:30 AM
Location: VHHS
VHHS has partnered with Compass prep to offer a FREE in-person SAT on Saturday, March 11th at 8:30 AM.
SENIORS
CLC Meeting: Focus on Scholarships
For seniors attending (or considering attending) CLC next year
Date: March 17
Time: 3rd period
Where: CRC
Erin Martin, our CLC admission navigator, will be available to answer questions about next steps, the CLC scholarship application, course registration, and financial aid. Pick up a permission slip in the CRC if you will be missing class to attend.
FAFSA Completion
In order to meet Illinois graduation requirements, seniors must complete ONE of the following:
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Application If you plan to complete the FAFSA, we encourage you to do so by the end of 2022.
D128 FAFSA Nonparticipation Form - If you do NOT plan to complete the FAFSA, please complete the nonparticipation form as soon as possible.
Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid - this allows undocumented students and transgender students to qualify for Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants to attend eligible in-state colleges and universities, and career education programs.
Check out the D128 list of Jobs, Internships, and Volunteer Opportunities
The LHS and VHHS CRC offices are pooling resources to give you a robust listing of jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities in our area. Check back often as we update the list regularly.