WHS Student Services
December 2017
WELCOME!
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
During the months of November and December, members of the student services team have been hard at work supporting our students. Counselors have been meeting with students individually to discuss course selection for the 2018-2019 school year. Students are encouraged to make an appointment with their counselor if they have any questions about course selection and registration.
On November 28th, the counselors hosted part two of the “College Chat” series after school. During this session, students were able to research and apply to scholarships with help from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and Harper College representatives. During the week of December 11th to the 15th, the counselors and career advisors went into Ms. Castro's AP Spanish classes to provide additional support to juniors and seniors around scholarship applications, resume writing, and career assessments.
The Advanced Placement (AP) Group for students wrapped up on November 29th after seven weeks of supporting AP students with time management, organization, and study skills. On December 8th, counseling and social work interns ran their monthly Social Norms campaign during lunch periods. Specialists, social workers, and counselors continue to lead a variety of social-emotional groups to support our students. They have also put in extra hours of family outreach this holiday season!
COURSE SELECTION
Here are some important points to keep in mind for course selection for the 2018-2019 school year:
Students will be automatically moved into the next course sequence via Infinite Campus for core content classes (English, Math, Science). For example, a freshman student currently enrolled in Written and Oral Communications, will automatically roll into World Literature & Composition for their sophomore year.
Current freshman students will have their choice of social studies course for their sophomore year.
Content teachers will be able to make recommendations to counselors for students to move into higher level courses.
Course offering sheets by grade level are available (see links below).
Students will select their own electives via Infinite Campus. Elective choices SHOULD be aligned with the student’s career pathway.
Videos promoting electives will air on the morning announcements prior to winter break.
There will be an elective fair in the main hallway January 8th -January 12th.
Counselors will visit all study halls January 10th -January 12th and assist students in selecting their electives. If students do not have a study hall, counselors will meet with the student individually.
At any time, students and/or parents can schedule meetings with the school counselor by calling 847-718-7022.
COLLEGE UPDATES
On December 5th, Ms. Gil and Ms. Sanchez took a group of Wheeling High School students and attended the district's first ever “Logra Tu Meta,” a college fair for Spanish-speaking students. Ms. Amador-Zapata, our college counselor, hosted a Scholarship workshop on November 29th and a FAFSA completion workshop on December 1st. She also ran a combined “Scholarship & FAFSA Completion” workshop on December 11th. Representatives from Benedictine University, North Park University, and Concordia University were on site at Wheeling High School during the week of November 28th to December 1st. These universities conducted free onsite admissions and awarded merit scholarships.
AVID UPDATES
CAREER ADVISING
Never has there been more choice in post secondary options, occupations, and pathways for students! It is helpful for students to identify one out of 16 possible career clusters or pathways a student may aspire to. With a career interest area identified, students are able to take academic courses or look into taking career and technical education courses that align with their given career pathway. It is beneficial for students to consider what career interests them because WHS and the district offers specific classes, career treks, and professional speakers in a given career cluster that can provide opportunities to students who have indicated interest in that area.
Don't know where to start? Our career advisors are here to help students identify values and personality traits that influence their career interest areas. Kawther Marrero is our new EL Career Advisor. She joins our Career Advisor, Mary Czulno, and works with students who are undecided on a career interest area. Students can also talk to their respective counselor if they have an interest area that they would like to add to their student profile. Together, we hope to support our students to lay the foundation at school to be successful in their work in the future.
New Aviation Pathway
The district has also developed a relationship with Lewis University relative to certificate and degree programs. Lewis has a long history of providing programs in aviation. Depending on your grade level, there are different next steps to these exciting career options. Students who are interested in this cluster should see their counselor or one of our career advisors to get more information about the pathway courses offered by the district.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday break!
IMPORTANT DATES
December 20th-21st: First Semester Final Exams
December 21st: Last Day of Second Quarter/First Semester- Winter Break begins December 21st at the close of classes
January:
- January 8th: First Day of Classes/ Start of Third Quarter
- January 15th: No School- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- January 16th: Incoming Student/Freshman Parent Night
- January 25th: Junior Parent Night