I hope this update finds you well…

My appreciation to our 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students and the YHS faculty for their commitment and support of the PSAT/SAT administration this past Wednesday. Please be on the lookout in the coming weeks for a communication outlining how your student did on the practice administration, the steps we will take as a school over the coming months to ready your student for the actual exam, and supports you can take at home to help. Great job to all!

Linked for our senior families is a recorded version of the Class of 2022 College Application Night held last week. Thanks to Ms. Sims (YHS College & Career Counselor) for providing this resource to our families.

The daily bell schedule for the week of September 20th is listed below:
  • Monday, September 20th - A Day
  • Tuesday, September 21st - B Day
  • Wednesday, September 22nd - C Day
  • Thursday, September 23rd - A Day
  • Friday, September 24th - B Day

The daily bell schedule for the week of September 27th is listed below:
  • Monday, September 27th - A Day
  • Tuesday, September 28th - B Day
  • Wednesday, September 29th - C Day
  • Thursday, September 30th - A Day
  • Friday, October 1st - B Day

Included in this update:
  • Monthly Calendar - August - September - updated item
  • YHS Activities Update - Hollywood Homecoming 2021 - old item
  • Homecoming Shirts on Sale -ends 9/19 - updated item
  • YHS Athletics Update - new item
  • Financial Aid Night - old item
  • Student Peer Tutors Needed - new item
  • Become a Canvas Observer - old item
  • This week in Advisory...- new item
  • Digital Citizenship Tip of the Week - new item
  • Senior Yearbook Pictures - new item
  • Freshmen Physical Requirement - old item
  • Senior Vaccination Requirement - old item
  • SAT National Test Dates - old 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
A - Days
B - Days
C - Days
Monthly Calendar - August - September
Provided for our families is a month at a glance summary.
  • A Days are highlighted in "Red" - September 20, 23, 27, & 30
  • B Days are highlighted in "Gray" - September 21, 24, & 28
  • C Days are highlighted in "Green" - September 22, & 29
  • September 6 - Labor Day (yellow)
Clubs & Activities Update
Homecoming Shirts On Sale Ends 9/19!
Students! Homecoming week will take place the final week of September this year...this year's theme...HOLLYWOOD. Keep an eye out for emails regarding the week's activities! In the meantime, if you are interested in purchasing a homecoming shirt, click on the below link. You can choose a short sleeve, long sleeve, crewneck or hoodie in your class colors or your favorite color. Final day to place an order is Sunday, September 19th! 
You have an option of picking it up at Stevens in Yorkville or picking it up at the high school through Mrs. Messersmith. Any questions? Email Mrs. Messersmith at smessersmith@y115.org.
Athletics Update
Congratulations to the boys and girls golf seniors who celebrated their seniors nights this past week. Thank you to our seniors for their dedication and commitment to the athletic program! Senior boys golfers include: Michael Hilker, Ryan Waugh, Parker Wrecenyar, Payton Tarulis-Morris, and Evan Stribiak. Senior girls golfers include: Madeline Battaglia and Ashlyn Willie. 
Congratulations to the varsity football team on defeating Plainfield South 28-12 on Friday, September 10th. The win moves the Foxes to 2-1 on the season. More important than the win, was the Foxes, for the 4th year in a row, going gold to support Cal’s Angels and their mission to raise awareness for pediatric cancer research. A big thank you goes to our honorary captains, Connor Robinson and Luke Garcia, for representing Cal’s Angels and their own courageous stories. 
Financial Aid Night - September 22nd (in-person & ZOOM)
Hey Seniors! Please plan to attend YHS’s Financial Aid Night Presentation with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission on September 22nd at 6:00 P.M. Please note that this presentation will be in-person and on ZOOM. If you need to learn more about paying for your son or daughter's post-secondary education, this presentation is for you! This presentation will be conducted in English and in Spanish. Please click here to complete the required Health Questionnaire.
Topics covered will include:
  • FAFSA: What is it and why is it important?
  • Financial Aid Timeline: When can I apply? When will I be notified
  • Scholarships: Where do I begin?
  • Grants: How do I qualify?
  • Loans: How do they work?
  • Cost of attendance: Direct vs. Indirect Costs

Click here for the ZOOM link. We hope to connect with you!
Student Peer Tutors Needed!
We are excited to bring back our DEN Peer Tutoring center this year! Tutoring will take place during the FLEX block at both campuses. Marketing materials and student applications to be a tutor will be posted the week of 9/20. If your student is interested in serving as a peer tutor, applications will be emailed to all students this weekend. Students may also access the application by scanning the QR code on the Peer Tutoring posters hung at both buildings. This is a great way to earn service hours and connect with peers!
During the school year, 7th-12th grade students and teachers will use the Canvas Learning Management System as a common space to engage in learning and share important resources.
As a parent, you now have the option to become an Observer in your student’s Canvas classes. The Observer role allows you to view lessons and activities provided to your students, check for missing assignments, know when upcoming assessments will occur, and communicate with teachers. To become an Observer in Canvas, download the Canvas Parent app from your Google Play or Apple device, then follow the steps outlined in our Using the Canvas Parent Portal video. You can also view this document for instructions. Thank you for partnering with us in your child's learning.
This Week in Advisory...
This past week, students had the opportunity to explore their academic and personal goals and aspirations. Students completed the "Map My Next Move" Survey, which is completed yearly for all students as a part of the Counseling Curriculum. The "Map My Next Move" Survey provides students the opportunity to consider their post secondary and career aspirations. During the social-emotional lesson, students reflected on their own behavioral and communication styles to build self-awareness and positive interactions between others.

Listed below is a summary of the Academic and Social Emotional Lessons that will be taking place in your student's Advisory period for the upcoming week:

Monday, September 20th (Academic Lesson): Students will reflect on their current academic progress, devise a plan to attain their academic goals and identify additional support that may be needed to reach those goals. 

Thursday, September 23th (Social Emotional Lesson): YHS Building Administration will review behavioral expectations for Homecoming, as well as review key components from the Student Handbook via Zoom. 
Digital Citizenship Tip of the Week
With more and more time spent in the digital world it is important that we equip our teens with some online safety knowledge. This article offers some good tips to consider for your teens Online Safety.
Senior Yearbook Pictures

The remaining 106 senior Students who have not been photographed for the Yearbook will have a last chance "Yearbook Only" picture taken by Van Gogh School Photographers on Friday, October 29th during school hours. Picture packages will also be available for purchase.  
Freshman Physical & Dental Requirements
As a reminder, all students entering 9th grade are required to have a physical exam on the Certificate of Child Health Exam form, and updated immunizations on file by October 1st, 2021 to avoid being excluded from school.  Appointment dates will not be accepted.  Additionally all 9th grade students are required to receive a dental examination by May 15, 2022. Here is the proof of dental examination form that must be submitted.  If you have any questions please contact the Building Nurse at Yorkville High School Academy, Arlene Anderson, at 630.553.4385 ext. 4925.  Don’t delay, do it today! 
Senior Vaccine Requirements
As a reminder, all seniors must show proof of having had the meningitis vaccine for school attendance this year.  Seniors must have at least 1 does of the meningitis vaccine after their 16th birthday.  Additionally, as you were notified previously, proof of having the vaccine is required in order for students to complete the registration process. If your student has already had this vaccine and you have not yet turned in proof, please  contact Jamie Anderson (alphabet A-Kt) at jaanderson@y115.org or Caitlyn Jess (alphabet Ku-Z) at cjess@y115.org.  If your student has not had this vaccine yet, please do so ASAP— don’t delay, do it today!
The YHS Counseling Department was so excited to conduct our first college visit field trip of the year on Wednesday, September 15th. A group of senior students attended an official college visit to Aurora University. On this college visit, they learned about the application and scholarship processes, and toured the campus! 
Hey Seniors...
To maximize your post secondary options and merit based scholarship opportunities we encourage you to take the SAT or the ACT. Please consult with our College & Career Counselor Kendall Sims at ksims@y115.org if you have any questions in regards to test options and college admissions. Senior Counseling Lessons will also showcase the testing experience to support your student's decision. Test registration dates are approaching! 

National SAT Test Dates in Early/Late Fall 2021
Test Dates:
October 2, 2021
November 6, 2021
December 4, 2021
*Go to www.collegeboard.org for test day registration information 

National ACT Test Dates in Early/Late Fall 2021
Test Dates:
October 23, 2021
December 11, 2021
*Go to www.act.org for test day registration information 

Good Luck!