I hope this update finds you well…
Thank you to our amazingly talented performers and our awesome directors for helping us celebrate the holiday season at the 13th annual PRISM concert last week. It was wonderful to have our community join us for some holiday cheer!
Please note that my next update will arrive after January 3rd --I hope everyone has a safe, restful and blessed holiday break—I look forward to everyone’s safe return!
The daily bell schedule for the week of January 3rd is listed below:
- Monday, January 3rd - A Day
- Tuesday, January 4th - B Day
- Wednesday, January 5th - C Day
- Thursday, January 6th - A Day
- Friday, January 7th - B Day
The daily bell schedule for the week of January 3rd 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
Included in this update:
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Monthly Calendar - November - December - updated item
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YHS Athletics Update - new item
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YHS Activities Update - new item
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John Ernser - YHS Staff Member of the Month - new item
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Spotlight on Learning - Art - new item
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This week in Advisory...- 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
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SAT National Test Dates - 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 3, 6, 1, 12, 18, 20, 24, 27, 31
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B Days are highlighted in "Gray" - January 4, 7, 11, 13, 19, 21, 25, 28
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C Days are highlighted in "Green" - January 5, 26
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December - 20 -31, January 1-2 - Holiday Break; January 14 - Teacher Institute Day; January 17 - Martin Luther King Jr Day
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Congratulations to the girls basketball team on defeating Oswego on Thursday, December 16! The Foxes jumped out to a 10 point lead in the first quarter and went on to win 49-28! Courtney Morse led the way with 16 points, followed by Alex Stewart with 11. The Foxes travel to New Trier and North Central College over winter break to compete in the We Grow The Game Holiday Tournament. Their first tournament game is Monday, December 20th against Norcross (GA) at 11:00am at New Trier High School.
The Boys Basketball team hosts Oswego, tonight Friday, December 17th. All Spectators attending must complete the self-certification linked & show the green checkmark (screenshot) upon entry. The varsity boys compete in the Dekalb Holiday Tournament. The first tournament game is Monday, December 27th against La-Salle Peru at 1:30pm.
Congratulations to the Varsity Wrestling team on defeating Oswego East 70-6 on Thursday, December 16th. Raymond Cavey, Dominic Recchia, Dom Coronado, Cam Peach, Mike Bass, Cole Farren, Luke Chrisse, Nick Sinopoli, Kayden Kleckner, Colten Stevens, Ben Alvarez & Justin Wiesbrook all received wins!
Congratulations to the varsity cheerleading team on placing 4th out of 11 teams at the Stevenson Invite on December 12th!
Congratulations to the JV and Varsity bowling teams on a program sweep over Plainfield East on December 13th! The high scorer of the night was Dale Horstmann with a 732 series. Go Foxes!
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Student Ambassadors Get Into the Giving Spirit!
Yorkville High School's Student Ambassador Club continued their tradition of honoring our custodians at YHS and YHSA during the holiday season for all of their hard work throughout the year. Student Ambassadors assembled goody bags and wrote each custodian a thank you note expressing their gratitude. The students realize that our school wouldn't be as safe and healthy without the custodian's contribution to our buildings.
Student Ambassadors will be available January 24th to help with the transition to a new semester. If any student is wondering where one of their classes are located in the building, please look for a Student Ambassador in their club t-shirt and they will help you find your way.
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YHS Staff Member of the Month |
Congratulations to Mr. Ernser, Staff Member of the Month. Mr. Ernser was nominated by staff and recognized for his leadership, serving as Physical Education/Health and Driver Education Department Chair. Mr. Ernser provides an engaging experience for all of his students, and his efforts do not go unnoticed. Way to go, Mr. Ernser!
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Spotlight on Learning - YHS Art Department |
The Art Department has had a busy second quarter. If you attended P/T Conferences, you saw several pieces of student artwork displayed in the lobby. We also recently had our first anonymous art show in the Learning Stairs, and are preparing for a second in-person art show during the Fine Arts Festival in the spring. Our Foxes have talent!
The World Language department recently featured a Q&A session with our International Exchange Students during Flex time, in cooperation with our German & Spanish Honor Societies and Clubs. Students representing Italy, Spain, and Germany shared cultural aspects of their home countries and their unique experiences living in the United States.
We are also preparing for the upcoming Seal of Biliteracy test, which takes place in March. Any student in Spanish / German III Honors or higher is encouraged to participate to try and qualify for this prestigious recognition. More information will be coming out next month. Please see any of our Language teachers for more information.
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This past week, students had the opportunity to get into the holiday spirit by decorating their classroom doors with classmates. Students also worked on their "Passion Project" and students who finished began to share with their classmates.
Listed below is a summary of the academic and social emotional lessons that will be taking place in your student's advisory class as we return from break:
Monday, January 3rd: Students will have the opportunity to present their "Passion Projects" to their classmates. Afterwards, students will complete an academic check with their teacher.
Thursday, January 10th: Students will reflect on their "Passion Projects", articulate what they learned about themselves and how they can use this knowledge to drive their future goals and aspirations.
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Hello parents, as we begin our Winter Break, we ask everyone to double check their car insurance and parking tags. Please remind your child to park in their space only once returning from break. Arrive as early as possible to avoid traffic and to always wear masks in the car when traveling with friends. |
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Course Selection is Underway at YHS! |
YHS counselors and teachers encourage students to make meaningful decisions and use two important resources to select classes and navigate the course selection process year to year.
YHS Steps to Success
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Step 1: Learn the Graduation Requirements - Every high school has a set, minimum curriculum that students must complete in order to earn their diploma. You need 23 credits to earn a YHS diploma, plus course specific courses outlined in our guide. Planning is more than just credit counting. Ask yourself: How many credits in each subject do I need in order to graduate on time? What credits is my potential college asking for? Did I consider taking AP or Dual credit courses?
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Step 2: Ask Yourself the Right Questions & Perform a Self-Evaluation with Research - Start asking yourself questions about who you are, what you want, and what you need to do. Check in with yourself, and consider talking through your self-evaluation with your parents, coaches, teachers, or mentors.. Complete Career Cluster Inventories & Strengths Explorer on Naviance while researching career pathways of study. The honest answers to these questions will push you to be realistic about your goals and help you determine the best path to take. Knowing the areas in which you excel and how they align with your interests will help you narrow down the choices to make, the electives to take, and the activities to focus on.
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Step 3: Choose Electives that Interest You & Stand Out to Colleges or Careers - Start to research which electives you might want to take. Electives help you explore areas of study that you might be interested in and dive more deeply into subjects that may only be introduced briefly in your core classes. Use your elective options to learn what you like and dislike and where you excel. Your choices in elective courses show college admissions counselors what you are passionate about, the type of student you are, and how well you can manage a busy schedule. Taking interesting, well-planned electives shows that you take education seriously. Taking interesting, well-planned electives shows that you take education seriously, so ask your school counselor and upperclassmen about any special electives that might be a good fit for you.
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Step 4: Extracurricular Activities, Field Experience & Community Service Plan - Not only are extracurriculars fun, but they also look pretty great on a college app or resume, Sports, clubs, and community service organizations help you get creative, build a network, and stay motivated both outside and inside the classroom. And although you are first and foremost a student, it’s important to have other passions outside of academics.
Colleges want to see that you take initiative and are able to handle a full, well-rounded schedule—especially one that has you spending time with others and working in or leading a team. Internships or Field Experience at YHS is a great way to try it on and gain meaningful work related experience. The YHS Field Experience has a robust network of partners in a variety of businesses in and near Kendall County. For any questions about Field Experience, please contact Melissa Wojowski at mwojowski@y115.org.
Keep the planning process going...Tangible goals and clear timelines are key to preparing for life after high school. There’s no “one size fits all” option for a path to a dream college or career, but these steps are a great start. The earlier you start preparing, the easier it will be to do your research and set yourself up to face whatever challenges come your way. Your advisors, counselors, and parents can help you perfect your four-year plan and make any adjustments as you move through high school.
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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, December 8, the Map My Next Move survey completion rate is as follows:
Class of 2022 (Seniors): 439/512; 86% completion rate
Class of 2023 (Juniors): 390/496: 79% completion rate
Class of 2024 (Sophomores): 469/517; 91% completion rate
Class of 2025 (Freshmen): 490/536; 91% 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, December 12th, 258 families have completed the FAFSA graduation requirement!
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