I hope this update finds you well…
Thursday, January 21st, marks the end of our first semester. I can not express my appreciation to our students, staff, and parents for their collaboration, flexibility, and commitment this past semester. Admittedly, teaching and learning during a pandemic continues to challenge us and has created greater variance in our success in the classroom. Many of our students have adjusted remarkably well and have prospered, unfortunately, some have not experienced that prosperity. I encourage each family to take some time this weekend to review your student(s) academic progress and to work collaboratively with your student to create a plan to reach a successful conclusion to the semester. For those families looking to see some improved performance, here are some recommended next steps you can take.
- Collaboratively review with your student their graded assignments in Canvas or through Home Access Center to ensure all assignments are complete.
- Verify with your student and their teacher(s) to determine if there are any missed retake opportunities and/or missed assignments.
- Collaborate with your student's teachers to understand the relearning process for any potential retake opportunities.
- Reach out to your student's teacher(s) to understand what steps you can take to support your student in any upcoming class work.
- Make a commitment with your student to participate in office hours daily or FlexBlock with their teachers.
As I shared at the onset of this semester, the collaborative partnership between the home and school is paramount to our collective success. We are absolutely blessed with an amazing staff of caring professionals who will do whatever they can to help our students succeed. I counsel all of our students to use the precious remaining days to take full advantage of the available resources and services to reach a successful conclusion to their semester.
Have a great afternoon, and thank you for a fantastic week of learning at Yorkville High School. Enjoy the weekend, FOXES!
The daily bell schedule for the week of January 10th is listed below:
- Monday, January 10th - A Day
- Tuesday, January 11th - B Day
- Wednesday, January 12th - A Day
- Thursday, January 13th - B Day
- Friday, January 14th - Teacher Institute Day
The daily bell schedule for the week of January 17th is listed below:
- Monday, January 17th - MLK Day
- Tuesday, January 18th - A Day
- Wednesday, January 19th - B Day
- Thursday, January 20th - A Day
- Friday, January 21st - B Day
Included in this update:
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Monthly Calendar - January - updated item
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IVVC Outstanding Winter Students - new item
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YHS Athletics Update - new item
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YHS Activities Update - new item
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End of Semester is almost here - new item
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Spotlight on Learning - Computer Science - new item
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This week in Advisory...- new item
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Digital Citizenship Tip of the Week - new item
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Dean's Update - new item
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22-23 Course Selection is underway - updated item
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Map My Next Move - College & Career Center - updated item
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Hey Seniors - FAFSA available - updated item
In addition to my weekly email updates, I encourage everyone to follow us on Twitter and “like” our Facebook page to learn about all the great things happening at YHS. We have so many great things happening— so don’t just FOLLOW but SHARE our FOX PRIDE within our community—help us build our following!
As always, if this update raises questions, please ask. Thank you for all that you do—it does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. Have a great day! GO FOXES!
With PRIDE,
David S. Travis
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Monthly Calendar - December - January |
Provided for our families is a month at a glance summary.
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A Days are highlighted in "Red" - January 10, 12, 18, 20, 24, 27, 31
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B Days are highlighted in "Gray" - January 11, 13, 19, 21, 25, 28
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C Days are highlighted in "Green" - January 26
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January 14 - Teacher Institute Day; January 17 - Martin Luther King Jr Day
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IVVC Outstanding Winter Students |
Congratulations to Emma Kuncl (Certified Nursing Assistant) and Sienna Nodal (Fire Science) for being named as Indian Valley Vocational Center Outstanding Winter Students! The criteria included for selection are qualities such as outstanding professional work, enthusiasm, attendance, initiative, and demonstrated work ethic. Great job, Foxes! |
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The boys bowling team celebrated senior night on Tuesday, January 4th at home against Lockport. Congratulations to seniors: Michael Crachy, Mark Hellyer Jr., Dylan Middendorf, Jayden Fu, and Ryan Goebel. The Foxes compete this Saturday, January 8th in the SPC Meet at Echo Lanes in Morris!
Congratulations to the Varsity Wrestling team on defeating Minooka 42-21 on Thursday, January 6th. Raymond Cavey, Jack Ferguson, Dominick Coronado, Cole Farren, Luke Zook, Brody Williams, Hunter Janeczko, and Ben Alvarez all received wins! The Foxes are currently 13-0 and 4-0 in the SPC!
Good luck to the YHS JV and Varsity dance teams competing in the SPC meet on Thursday, January 13th at Plainfield Central!
The varsity boys basketball defeated Plainfield East 44-33 on Tuesday, January 4th. LeBaron Lee led the way with 18 points and Jason Jakstys added 14 points!
The Boys Basketball team hosts Joliet Central tonight Friday, January 7th and the boys and girls basketball teams host Sandwich on Saturday, January 8th. All Spectators attending must complete the self-certification linked & show the green checkmark (screenshot) upon entry.
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End of the Semester is almost here! |
All semester grades will be finalized by February 3, 2022. Once the last assessment grade is entered for a class, parents/students will be able to see their final semester grade. These can be viewed by clicking on the Classes icon in the Home Access Center (HAC). Students are able to retake the last assessment at their request (after completing required re-learning) and must sign up for the Den/Testing Center on their own. All retakes must be completed prior to February 3rd.
First semester grades will be posted under the Grades icon on February 4, 2022. Please understand that report cards include G.P.A., credits and Honor Roll calculations. The Grade Point Average (GPA) listed is a weighted GPA that means students who took honors/Advanced Placement (with some additions) receive an additional grade point for a grade of C or better. For example, a student who received a “B” in English 1 Honors would earn 4.0 grade points versus a student who earned a “B” in English 1 who would receive 3.0 grade points.
Lastly, please note that we do not mail home paper reports. Families who don’t have access to technology or would like a paper copy should contact Patty Luptak at pluptak @y115.org or 630.553.4380 ex. 5358 for paper copies or for Home Access Center issues.
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Spotlight on Learning - Computer Sciences |
In November, we were introduced to the The Career & Technical Department (CTE). YHS Foxes students need to earn 7 credits of elective classes to graduate. The Career & Technical Department (CTE) has a variety of opportunities to fulfill the graduation requirement, as our CTE Department covers several divisions.
This week we are highlighting the Computer Sciences Division. If your student is interested in a career in technology, AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) offers an entry point to future computer and technology courses at YHS, as well as Dual Credit opportunities through Waubonsee Community College.
In AP CSP, students begin by building a background on digital concepts, networks, and the internet before delving into programming practice by creating their own apps. Students also have opportunities to explore current digital dilemmas as well as advanced programming techniques in preparation for the AP test in the spring. AP CSP is an accessible technology course that builds technological skills and is available for all types of students in any grade at YHS.
If you have any questions about The Career & Technical Department, or it’s course offerings, please contact us! Department Chair, Mr. Joel Wyeth at jwyeth@y115.org, or your student’s guidance counselor.
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This past week, students had the opportunity to present their "Passion Projects" to the class, articulate what they learned about themselves and how they plan to use this knowledge to drive their future goals and aspirations. The lesson topics for the following week are listed below.
Monday, January 10th: Students will complete an academic check with their advisory teacher. The advisory teacher will help guide students to identify available supports during FlexBlock and Office Hours.
Thursday, January 13th: Students will reflect on ways to transfer positive attributes to various areas of their life by writing positive attributes about themselves and sharing their responses with peers. Students will then reflect on how their mindset differs between passions and areas that would not be considered a passion.
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Digital Citizenship Tip of the Week |
Parents and Students, attached is an article that identifies some common emotions we have when viewing social media and some strategies for avoiding the pressure we feel as a result. This article can be used as a great conversation starter on the importance of distinguishing fact from fiction on social media platforms.
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Hello parents, please remind your student to drive slow in the parking lot with possible ice. Also, please remind your student to dress appropriately for the weather, especially if they are walking across the street for class. |
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Course Selection is Underway at YHS! |
Students from the class of 2023-2025 are currently meeting one on one with their counselor to select classes for next year. We have sent course selection appointment reminders to the student email. A reminder email will be sent 24 hours in advance of your appointment. Teachers will excuse students to their appointment, no pass is needed in advance.
If you are at home during your scheduled course selection appointment and are well enough to join via Zoom, please use the link below for your counselor to attend your appointment at your originally scheduled date and time.
It always helps to be prepared for your appointment. Here are some helpful hints:
Have conversations at home about how this year is going and what classes aid in continuing on the path of success.
Consider post-secondary plans and options to get experience, such as our Field Experience program.
Talk with current teachers and club sponsors about good fits related to career pathways of interest.
Seek support from our College & Career Counselor, Ms. Kendall Sims at ksims@y115.org if you are undecided on plans for the future.
Complete your course selection worksheet or enter course requests into Home Access in advance of your appointment.
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Map My Next Move Update - College & Career Center |
Each year, the Counseling Department requires that all students complete the Map My Next Move survey, detailing their individual post-secondary plans. This survey allows Counselors to collaborate with students and families to support the college and career aspirations for all students.
Post-secondary planning involves evaluating all options for students to pursue after high school graduation. These plans may include: entering the military, going straight into the workforce, attending a trade and/or vocational school, and attending a 4 year college or university. As a Counseling Department, we strive to ensure that all students have identified a post-secondary plan, and have the tools to help that plan turn into a reality.
Post-secondary plans should be attainable, researched and have a "back-up" plan. In the event that your student is planning on attending college, that means that they should have an identified "safety" school to apply to. Safety schools are defined as those in which a particular student has a 75% chance or better of being accepted.
Please click here to have your student complete the survey.
As of Wednesday, January 7, the Map My Next Move survey completion rate is as follows:
Class of 2022 (Seniors): 90% completion rate
Class of 2023 (Juniors): 80% completion rate
Class of 2024 (Sophomores): 93% completion rate
Class of 2025 (Freshmen): 94% completion rate
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Hey Seniors - Let's Complete the FAFSA! |
Senior Families: Completing the FAFSA or the FAFSA waiver is an Illinois state high school graduation requirement--in order to graduate, you MUST complete it! The FAFSA is the free application for federal student aid, that must be completed to qualify for federal grants, state grants, and institutional scholarships provided by colleges and universities. Remember, grant money is obtained by completing the FAFSA on a first come, first served basis! The FAFSA application is open now!
Each year, the amount of Illinois grant money runs out earlier and earlier. By completing your FAFSA as soon as possible beginning October 1st, you put your student in line to receive the money for which they qualify. The FAFSA application is based on your tax documents from the previous year; no need to estimate or update!
Six years ago, only 59% of the Class of 2015 grads completed the FAFSA, with less than 30% completing prior to the announcement that state grant money was depleted. Last year, 58% of the Class of 2020 completed their FAFSA prior to the announcement that state grant money was depleted.
As of Sunday, January 2, 265 families have completed the FAFSA graduation requirement!
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