CCR Update
St. Charles East-March 17, 2023
St. Charles East Dual Credit Student Earns Art Recognition
Senior Graduation Speaker
Interested in speaking at graduation or the Senior BBQ? The theme of this speech is to reflect on the present and the significance of your graduation day. Applicants must be a senior in good standing. Applicants should share a draft of their speech via Google Docs with Mr. Matthew Gill, Assistant Principal for College & Career Readiness, no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2023. Speeches should be no longer than three, doubled spaced, typed pages in 14-point Arial font. The final version of the speech should be approximately 2 minutes in duration. The graduation speaker and 2 Senior BBQ speakers will be selected by the East High School Leadership Team.
FAFSA Graduation Requirement-Update: 77% of the Class of 2023 has met the requirement
P. A. 101-180 requires all Illinois public high school students to complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma. Additionally, high schools are expected to provide students and their families with any support or guidance necessary to comply with the requirement. For students who choose not to file an application, a waiver may be completed by their parent. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) makes available through their website a FAFSA Nonparticipation Form (English and Spanish) for this purpose. Check out our FAFSA Update for more information.
Did you miss the Illinois Science Assessment?
In compliance with federal testing requirements, Illinois will administer a science assessment to students enrolled in a public school district in grades 5, 8 and 11. The assessment will be administered in an online format and is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Science incorporating the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which were adopted in 2014. The ISA is a comprehensive exam that includes life, physical, Earth and space sciences with engineering and technological design features embedded in the other science domains. The assessment is divided into three tests of approximately 40 minutes each.
- Juniors with last names A-L will make up the Illinois Science Assessment in room F244 during periods 1-4 on Tuesday, 3/21/23.
- Juniors with the last names M-Z will make up the Illinois Science Assessment in room F244 during periods 1-4 on Wednesday, 3/22/23.
- Please review this tutorial to become familiar with the test application and format. ISBE-Learn Tutorial Website
- What to bring: 1) Chromebook, fully charged 2) Calculator & 3) Headphones if you wish to use the text-to-speech feature.
Spring PSAT/SAT
All Juniors will be taking the state-sponsored SAT with Essay on April 12, 2023. This is a state and district graduation requirement. The Makeup date for the SAT is April 25, 2023. Juniors who don't take the SAT this spring will have to take it next spring before they graduate.
Sophomores will be taking the state-sponsored PSAT 10 and Freshmen will take the PSAT 9 on April 12th as well. Makeup dates for the PSAT 9 & 10 will be determined after the initial test date. Seniors will have a non-attendance day.
Grade-specific Student Guides will be distributed through English classes March 20-24 to help students prepare for their exams.
The next step in preparing for your April test date is to link your College Board and Khan Academy accounts, unlocking a free PSAT/SAT study plan. Linking these accounts will give you access to a personalized experience on Official SAT Practice.
More information and resources about testing can be found on the CCR Website’s SAT & ACT Information page. See your counselor with any questions.
College Board Student Search Service
The College Board Student Search Service allows students to connect with a wide range of opportunities to better understand what they want to do after high school. When students join Student Search, they can receive information from colleges and scholarship programs on majors, campus life, and ways to make college more affordable. See the linked flyer for more information.
Important Tip: If you are creating an account or updating an existing account, be sure to use a personal email address instead of your school email address to prevent issues with future access to your account.
Save the Date for Your Counselor Meetings
- Counselors will be meeting with the Sophomore Class on 3/22 or 3/23 via their English classes to discuss career options and to complete the Strengths Explorer career assessment in Naviance.
- Counselors will be meeting with the Junior Class on 4/26 & 4/27 via their Modern American History/AP US History classes to discuss their postsecondary plans and the college application process.
Did You Miss the Spring Into College Event?
Julie Nelson
Assistant Dean of Admission
Xavier University
630-299-9669
Driver Education Summer School
May 31-July 13
St. Charles East HS
Enrollment in the Summer School Driver Education Program is limited; to reserve a space for you, please meet with your counselor to register before May 5, 2023.
For more information, contact:
Steve Smerz-East High School
(331) 228-5722 or Steve.Smerz@d303.org
or
Kristy Harrier-North High School
(331) 228-6268 or Kristy.Harrier@d303.org
Compass Academy
Are you looking for a school that offers:
- the chance to join a small learning community?
- a choice and voice in learning activities?
- opportunities to explore career pathways?
- project-based seminars with hands-on learning?
- a flexible schedule with a later start or earlier end to the day?
If any of these criteria match your academic goals or vision for school, Compass Academy could be an excellent option for you. Compass Academy students can choose to attend either part-time or full-time at Compass, and they still have access to courses, sports, activities, and events at St. Charles East/North as well.
If you would like to attend a tour at Compass, please complete this form and someone from Compass will contact you soon.
Job Shadow Program
The City of St. Charles is offering a career pathway job shadow program to St. Charles high school students interested in exploring a career in municipal government. You may schedule up to three different job shadow experiences per school year, during which you can explore work sites, ask questions, see demonstrations, and learn about education and certifications. Students will be responsible for transportation to and from the City. The date, time, and length of the job shadow will be scheduled outside of school hours directly with the City’s job shadow program coordinator. Please return your completed registration form to Mr. Matt Gill in the College & Career Office.
Illinois workNet
Young adults 16-24 needing additional assistance gaining work experience, employment, identifying and starting a career, or furthering their educational goals to complete a certificate or credential may contact the Kane, Kendall and Dekalb County Network of Service Providers or Program Manager Suzanne Markin at 630-762-2076/ MarkinSuzanne@countyofkane.org
College & Career Events
Upcoming Events:
Date: Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Location: Virtual
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
This presentation is a practical discussion regarding the transition to college; particularly behaviors and characteristics that will help assure the transition is a smooth one. The presentation covers common college resources, essential knowledge/skills, and important logistical information.
College Visits-In Person & Virtual
Virtual campus visits are an excellent way to learn more about prospective colleges and universities. These visits can be a precursor to an in-person visit over the summer or in the fall. Virtual campus tour websites are listed below:
All virtual and in-person meetings will be in the LRC (unless otherwise noted) and students must obtain a pass from the Office of College and Career Readiness at least one day prior to attending. This pass then should be signed by the teacher of the class for that period. While we encourage students to attend these meetings, please note that what is happening in the classroom is more important. Teachers may deny the request to miss class if they feel it is in the student’s best interest to be in attendance.
If you have a conflict with a college visit, please email Patty.Hofer@d303.org for the college rep's contact information.
For Scheduled Virtual Visits: Click the link to enter the live virtual conference with a college rep. For the full listing go to the College Visit page on the CCR Website.
Upcoming Visits:
March 22nd @ 9:41/4th Period - Marquette University ( WI)
March 23rd @ 11:48/6th period - Niagara University (NY)
March 23rd @ 1:34/8th period - Southern Illinois University (IL)
Scholarships
Information for local scholarships and select national scholarships is available in the College and Career Office and through the scholarship listing on the CCR website. This list will continue to grow throughout the school year.
The HardyStrong Memorial Scholarship
The HardyStrong Memorial Scholarship
The HardyStrong Memorial Scholarship will award a $1,000 (renewable up to 4 years) to one or more graduating seniors who will be competing in collegiate athletics. Justin Hardy was an involved and admired member of the STCE community. He continued his basketball career at DIII Washington University in St. Louis, valuing both his sport and his academics. Justin harnessed impressive strength and determination while pursuing his goals and impacting the world after being diagnosed with Stage IV Stomach Cancer. Scholarship recipients will share Justin’s grit and commitment. The scholarship application includes academic information, extracurricular involvement, and a 300-500 word essay reflecting on Justin’s legacy. Scholarship recipients will be announced on Senior Honors Night. Completed applications must be submitted electronically to jacquelinehardy.m@gmail.com and nahardy@iu.edu by March 24th, 2023.
The PTO Senior Awards
The Hull-Miller Memorial Scholarship
The Hull-Miller Memorial Scholarship
The Hull-Miller Memorial Scholarship will award a $1,000 scholarship to one graduating senior boy and one graduating senior girl who played soccer for the Saints in the 2022-2023 season. The player did not have to play Varsity. No minimum grade point average is required. If you played soccer for the Saints and are graduating, please apply. Applicants must have applied to at least one college, vocational school, or other post high school institution. Each applicant must write one 300–500-word essay (can be handwritten or typed) that explains what being a Saints soccer player means to you and how the relationships you formed as a result of being a part of the program will help you throughout the rest of your life. Scholarship winners will be announced at the Senior Awards Night. The scholarship may be used by the winner for any college-related expenses. The scholarship application must be submitted by Tuesday, April 4, 2023. All parts of the application must be emailed to Clint Hull at hullclint@att.net or mailed to 3725 Deville Lane, St. Charles, IL 60175. If mailed, applications must be postmarked by Tuesday, April 4, 2023.STCE Athletic Booster Scholarship
STCE Athletic Booster Scholarship
The St. Charles East High School Athletic Boosters will award four $1,500 scholarships to graduating seniors from the Class of 2022. Applicants for these scholarships must have participated in a sport or support activity (Marching Band or Sports Medicine) for at least two years. Applicants must rank in the upper one-half of the Senior class at the end of the seventh semester. Applicants must have applied to at least one college, vocational school, or other post high school institution. Applicants will be judged on leadership, character, school and community service, academic achievement, and activities. Applications and support materials must be postmarked by Tuesday, April 4, 2023 or hand-delivered to the Main Office by 2:00 pm on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.Thomas J. McBride Memorial Scholarship
Thomas J. McBride Memorial Scholarship
This is a $1,000 fine arts scholarship opportunity. Interested students can pick up applications in the CCR Office. Please note that applicants must write an essay of no more than 200 words explaining why the applicant should receive this prestigious award. Return completed application materials to the CCR Office by Wednesday, April 5, 2023.Tyler Brett Caruso Memorial Scholarship
Tyler Brett Caruso Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established in memory of Tyler Brett Caruso, a student of St. Charles East High School who died unexpectedly in 2002. Tyler was a student leader, athlete, musician, and community activist. The criteria for the $1,000 scholarship is evidence of exemplary achievements in many of the following areas: academics, athletics, student leadership and school service, music, along with community leadership and service. Students must complete an application and provide a copy of their high school transcript with two letters of recommendation and a completed essay. Please visit the website for more information. Applications are due by April 15, 2023.College & Career Readiness Team
Website: https://sites.google.com/d303.org/stcharleseast--collegecareer/home
Location: 1020 Dunham Road, St. Charles, IL, USA
Phone: 331-228-5538
Twitter: @STCECCR