Parents

April 28, 2025

Dear Class of 2025,

The culmination of your Stevenson High School experience is just around the corner. We are so excited to celebrate you, your growth and all you have achieved at the Commencement Ceremony at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 5 p.m.

To ensure a smooth process on the day of graduation, we wanted to share more details about what you and your families can expect that day. Everything you need to know is posted to the Seniors: Class of 2025 webpage, but the details are also listed below in this email.

REHEARSAL

On the morning of the ceremony, Friday, May 23, we will hold a mandatory ceremony rehearsal for students here on campus. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. with your counselor in the Field House. Breakfast will be served from 7:30-8:00 a.m. After rehearsal, you will report back to your counselor to receive and sign out your graduation tickets.

THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

Doors will open to the public at 3:30 pm. Graduates should report no later than 4:00 pm. Guests will enter the arena through the main entrance. All graduates will enter the arena through Door 11 (See page 3) when they arrive. At this entrance, graduates will walk through metal detectors. Please have your gown unzipped to expedite the screening process. The actual graduation ceremony will begin promptly at 5:00 pm. The ceremony will also be live-streamed and can be accessed here.

DIRECTIONS TO NOW ARENA

NOW Arena is allowing families to arrive in two cars maximum.

5333 Prairie Stone Parkway
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192

SAFETY

NOW Arena has also implemented a “clear bag policy,” which limits the size of bags entering the arena and requires the majority of bags to be clear to streamline the security screening process and avoid unnecessary wait times to enter the venue. Exceptions will be made for medical, family, or childcare bags or small clutches no larger than 4.5”x6.5”. No outside food or beverages are allowed, with the exception of water and snacks for young children and babies.

GRADUATION TICKETS

Each graduate will receive eight tickets, which graduates must pick up following the graduation rehearsal on Friday, May 23. Do not lose your tickets as they cannot be reprinted.

ACCESSIBILITY FOR GUESTS WITH DISABILITY

Accessible parking and seating will be available; however, wheelchair escorts and wheelchairs will not be available for guests.

CAP AND GOWN
Please press and hang the gown for a sufficient period prior to commencement in order to minimize the number of wrinkles. Tassels are to be worn on the right side of the cap before the diploma is handed out and shifted to the left when your diploma is received. You may keep your cap, gown, and tassel. Caps are not allowed to be decorated.

If you have not picked up your cap and gown yet, you will be able to do so following the graduation rehearsal.

CONDUCT

It is our hope that the commencement ceremony will honor the Class of 2025. We believe that the ceremony should reflect the high standards that characterize the class and Stevenson High School. Accordingly, we expect that all graduates and their guests will conduct themselves in a dignified and solemn manner that reflects the significance of the occasion. The NOW Arena staff will confiscate items causing disruption to the ceremony, including air horns, balloons, beach balls, etc.

APPROPRIATE DRESS

Students are expected to dress formally and in a manner appropriate to graduation, the culminating experience of a high school career. With respect to dressing for the occasion: Shorts, jeans, and purses will not be allowed into the arena. With respect to what shoes to wear: While students are highly encouraged to dress in formal shoes, we understand that for many of our students, this may include clean sneakers that they are proud to wear.

COMMENCEMENT PHOTOS

Photos will be taken by VIP and posted for purchase on their website (www.vipis.com) approximately two weeks after the ceremony.

DIPLOMAS

All diplomas will be mailed home after the commencement ceremony. In order to receive your diploma in a timely manner, please be sure any fees outstanding on your student account are paid. Fees are assessed on an ongoing basis and are available in the fees section of Infinite Campus at any time. Any outstanding end-of-year fees like textbooks will be assessed after the last week of school. If you are planning on moving before the middle of June, please email your new mailing address to residency@d125.org. This will ensure that the diplomas will be received timely.

TRANSCRIPTS AND MORE

As a quick note to our senior families: Starting next week, school counselors will visit with senior Communications Arts classes to guide them through a number of important tasts related to graduation, including the senior survey, ordering final transcripts through Parchment and the transfer of digital files from Stevenson-related accounts.

With commencement quickly approaching, we will keep in close touch. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments and/or concerns. We are looking forward to celebrating the Adlai E. Stevenson High School graduating Class of 2025!
 

Sincerely,
Dr. David Eddy
Director, Student Activities

April 22, 2025

Dear Stevenson Parents and Guardians,

With the summer quickly approaching, we want to reach out with an overview of what to expect as we prepare for the upcoming school year as well as some updates to our annual registration processes. Please review each part of the process below to determine any action needed at this time. We will continue to send detailed reminders and instructions in the coming months.

1. Annual registration form due by June 6. Families may complete their Annual Registration Form via their parent portal on Infinite Campus starting today. Once you log in, under “Shortcuts” in the lower right-hand corner, please click the Patriot Registration button. This will take you to the next screen where you can begin your form. For visual instructions, click here. You may also reach out to data_processing@d125.org for assistance.

• NOTE: Residency verification is handled automatically during this time. No action is needed unless a member of our team reaches out to you to request additional documentation.

2. Fees payment due by Aug. 1. We will reach out again in mid-June to alert families of fees payment. You will not be able to complete this part of the process until your residency has been verified. If you are interested in exploring Financial Assistance, please contact Mandy Johnson at ajohnson@d125.org for more information.

A few other updates for families:

• Summer school. If you signed up to take a summer school course, you will receive information on what to expect in early May.
   

• For incoming freshman families: 

  • Health forms for incoming freshmen are due to the nurse's office on May 1. If you have not completed and submitted this information, please do so at your earliest convenience. Health forms can be found on the Family To-Do list on the Class of 2029 webpage.
     

  • Freshman Orientation Day will take place on Aug. 8. During this day, freshmen will receive their schedules and IDs with more information, including bussing details, to be provided in early August.
     

• For senior families: 

  • Families of seniors must provide proof of their meningococcal vaccine (received on or after age 16). Forms may be submitted via email.
     

  • Parking for seniors only. More information on how and where to purchase will be provided in early June. Please note: Residency verification, registration and fees must be completed before parking can be purchased.
     

• Orientation. There is no 2025-26 school year orientation for sophomores, juniors and seniors. Materials will either be mailed home (ie, IDs) or picked up in class (ie, books).
   

• Schedules. The 2025-26 class schedules will be available to students through Infinite Campus once all steps of the registration process have been completed. Seniors can access their schedules beginning August 4. Juniors can access their schedules beginning August 5. And sophomores can access their schedules beginning August 7.

We will send email reminders and instructions about these important deadlines as we move through the registration process. Please always be assured that we will reach out proactively with reminders and action items as we move through the annual registration process. As always, please reach out to us if you have any questions! We will be in touch again in mid-June. 

April 18, 2025

Dear Students and Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

On April 22nd sophomores will participate in the ACT suite of exams by taking the PreACT at Stevenson.

Test Day Itinerary

• 7:30 a.m. Doors open and check-in begins for All Students

  • As soon as you arrive to school, please go directly to your assigned test room.

  • Students DO NOT need to be in their test room at this time but may check-in.
     

• 8:30 a.m. - (Doors Close) Testing Begins Promptly for All Students
   

• On April 22nd, at approx. 12:00 pm- Testing Ends for the PreACT

  • Test end times will vary for students with pre-approved test accommodations.

  • Students will not be dismissed early.

  • Parents, please do not call or text your student as any phone disturbance is grounds for dismissal.

Your Room Assignment

• Your Test Room is listed in your personalized email

• Testing will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. (This time is accurate even for those students with pre-approved test accommodations).

Getting to Campus; Transportation

• All morning routes will pick up at normal times and all will drop in Lot E - Sports Center.

• Parents/guardians will drop off in lots B and D only.

  • In the afternoon, they can pick up in lot B only.

• 12:30 p.m. - all routes will load as normal in Lots D and E.

• 2:15 p.m. - an early round of activity buses will run in Lot E.

• Activity buses will run as normal (4:30, 5:30, 6:30) in Lot D.

• Juniors may park in any of the senior numbered spots in lots D and E. They may also park in both Port Clinton parking lots.

• There will be no transportation provided for Tech Campus programs. If students would like to attend, their transportation must be arranged.

Breaks

• There will be scheduled breaks throughout the exam.

• During scheduled breaks, students will be allowed to have a snack or drink at their desks.

• Students may take bathroom breaks as needed, but time will not stop for the exam.

What to Bring

• Fully charged iPad

• Student ID or other Photo ID

  • If you forget your photo ID test day morning, you can have your ID verified at the East Building - Field House Atrium

• Several #2 sharpened pencils; Mechanical Pencils are Not Allowed

• Approved Calculator

  • If you forget your calculator test day morning, you can borrow one at the East Building - Field House Atrium

  • The TestNav app also has a built-in calculator students can use.

• Snack/Drink - to be stored outside of a bag/backpack. Students may not access their bags to get their snack or drink once the exam begins.

  • If you forget your snack/drink. The East and West Commons will be after testing with items for purchase.

Cell Phones Must be Powered Off to Avoid Dismissal

• Students may bring a cell phone or other electronic device to the exam; however, all students will be required to power off and store away all electronic devices (including any smartwatches with access to WiFi, iPads, cellphones, etc.).

• Any student found handling a cell phone, even on a break, or whose phone makes noise during testing or on a break, will be dismissed and their score voided. Handling any prohibited electronic devices is a serious offense to the ACT and could adversely affect a student's potentiality for taking any future ACT exams.

• Parents - please DO NOT text or call your student to see if they are done testing to avoid a possible noise disruption that can lead to dismissal from the exam. Please wait for them to contact you.

Resources

Practice using ACT's digital testing app, TestNav, on your school-issued iPad.

• No need to sign in; simply select the "Practice Tests" link at the bottom of the screen.

For any questions, please email shs_testing@d125.org

GO PATRIOTS!

Best,
The SHS Testing Team

April 7, 2025

Dear AP Student and Your Parent/Guardians:

AP Exams are officially a month away so we wanted to share a few essential items with you. Please click here to view the College Board AP schedule of when exams will be administered.

Students' Schedules and Room Assignments

Students' room assignments will be posted in Total Registration accounts by April 21, 2025. Once room assignments are posted, please continue to monitor your room assignment up until the morning of testing in case of any changes.

Please note: Exams listed in students' College Board accounts may not show CST exam times. We recommend using Total Registration for this purpose.

AP ID Label Sheets

We will distribute AP ID labels before the weeks of testing. You are responsible for bringing your AP ID Label Sheet with you on the days you must test and keeping it secure and presentable (no water or food stains).

Date: April 16 and April 17
Time: 8:00 am - 2:30 pm
Where: West Building Staff Dining Room (Room 1204)

Be sure to stop by and collect yours in preparation for testing.
Please note: Students who are taking all digital AP exams will not receive an AP ID Label Sheet.

Arrival Time

• Morning Exams

  • Students should report for morning exams at 7:30 a.m..

    • Students can be dropped off or drive if they have paid for a parking space for the year/semester.

    • Students are also encouraged to carpool, if possible.
       

• Afternoon Exams

  • Students should report for afternoon exams at 11:30 a.m.

    • Please note: In cases when morning AP exams are running late, we appreciate your patience as we work quickly to get you admitted into your test room.

  • Exams vary in length, and some will run after regular school hours.

    • You may check with your teacher to know how long the exam is.

    • Students testing with accommodations may have different exam end times.

  • Regular afternoon bussing, 3:30 p.m., and activity buses will be available after school at 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m..

    • Students can also be picked up or drive if they have paid for a parking space for the year/semester.

    • Students are also encouraged to carpool if possible.

Please Plan Accordingly for After School Activities/Jobs

Some exams are expected to run long and may even last later than 3:30 p.m. dismissal times. Students will not be allowed to leave early. Students should work with their coach, employer, etc., to ensure they can stay for the exam duration.

Attendance Policy

• If you only have a morning exam:

  • You will be excused from the start of the school day, 8:30 a.m., until the end of your exam (for most approx. 12 p.m.).

  • After the exam, you will proceed to the ongoing lunch period.

  • When the lunch period finishes, you must return to class.
     

• If you only have an afternoon exam:

  • Please follow your regular day schedule until 11:05 a.m.

  • You will take lunch 4th hour regardless if that is your normal lunch period. (If you normally have class 4th hour, you will skip it and go to lunch instead).

  • At 11:30 a.m., you must report to your test room-failure to report to your test room at 11:30 a.m. could affect your ability to begin your AP exam on time.
     

• If you have AP exams all day:

  • You will be excused from classes for the entire day. All students will be responsible for the work they miss on the days they have AP exams.

Please check with your teachers about expectations for makeup work.

• You will be dismissed from testing earlier than other students after your morning AP exam so you can take a quick lunch. Please be sure to pack a lunch so you do not return to testing late for your PM exam. The commons will still be serving food but may be congested during peak lunch period times.

Terms and Conditions

Students will be asked to review and accept the following terms and conditions on exam day.

• Review and accept the exam terms and conditions.

BRING THE FOLLOWING TO THE EXAM:

• Fully charged iPad.

  • If you have AP exams all day, you may carry with you a battery pack to help charge your iPad while you test. The battery pack MUST be placed beneath your testing desk until it's absolutely necessary for you to use it.

• Your Student ID (or driver's license).

• Several sharpened, wooden No. 2 pencils with erasers. Mechanical pencils are not permitted.

  • Students taking fully digital AP exams will be provided with scratch paper.

• Pens with black or dark blue ink for completing areas on the exam booklet covers and for free-response questions in most exams.

• Up to two approved calculators with fresh batteries if you take an AP Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics, or Precalculus Exam.

  • Students may use a 4-function calculator ONLY for the AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics exams. Scientific calculators are not permitted for these exams.

Click here to view the AP Calculator Policy.

• A snack/drink for during the break is to be kept outside of your backpack. Students may not access any bag or backpack during the exam - even on breaks.

• A ruler or straightedge only if you're taking an AP Physics Exam. Protractors are not allowed.

DO NOT BRING THESE ITEMS:

• Cell phone. If you bring it, you MUST TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE and place it in your backpack for the exam duration. You will not be allowed to access your phone during the exam or during breaks, and doing so will result in your exam scores being canceled.

• Electronic equipment such as a cell phone, apple pens, smartwatch, laptop, portable listening or recording devices, cameras or other photographic equipment, devices that can access the internet, or other electronic or communication devices.

• Mechanical or colored pencils or highlighters

• Hats

• Earplugs (unless you are receiving accommodations for this)/Airpods

• Clothing or shoes with subject-related information.

• Apple Pencils/Styluses

If you have any questions, please email shs_testing@d125.org.

Do your best, Patriots. You got this!

The SHS Testing Team

April 4, 2025

Dear students and guardians:

On April 9th, our Freshmen and Juniors will participate in the ACT suite of exams. Our freshmen will take the PreACT 9 Secure and our juniors will take the School day ACT with Writing in person at Stevenson.

Test Day Itinerary

• 7:30 a.m. Doors open and check-in begins for All Students

  • As soon as you arrive at school, please go directly to your assigned test room.

  • Students DO NOT need to be in their test room at this time but may begin checking in.

• 8:30 a.m. - Doors close and testing begins promptly for ALL students

• On April 9th, at approx. 12:00 pm - Testing Ends for freshmen students taking the PreACT 9 Secure

  • Test end times will vary for students with pre-approved test accommodations.

  • Students will not be dismissed early.

  • Parents, please do not call or text your student as any phone disturbance is grounds for dismissal.

• On April 9th, at approx. 1:00 pm - Testing Ends for junior students taking the School day ACT with Writing

  • Test end times will vary for students with pre-approved test accommodations.

  • Students will not be dismissed early.

  • Parents, please do not call or text your student as any phone disturbance is grounds for dismissal.

Your Room Assignment

• Your Test Room can be found in your email

• Your test will begin at 8:30 a.m. (This time is accurate even for those students with pre-approved test accommodations).

Getting to Campus; Transportation

• All morning routes will pick up at normal times and all will drop in Lot E - Sports Center.

• Parents/guardians will drop off in lots B and D only.

  • In the afternoon, they can pick up in lot B only.

• 1:15 p.m. - all routes will load as normal in Lots D and E.

• 2:15 p.m. - An early round of activity buses will run in Lot E (Sports Center).

  • Please click here to view the Activity Bus Directory

• Activity buses will run as normal (4:30, 5:30, 6:30) in Lot D.

• Juniors may park in any of the senior numbered spots in lots D and E. They may also park in both Port Clinton parking lots.

• There will be no transportation provided for Tech Campus programs. If students would like to attend, their transportation must be arranged.

What to Bring

• Fully charged iPad

• Student ID or other Photo ID

  • If you forget your photo ID test day morning, you can have your ID verified at the following locations:

    • West Building - Upper ILC

    • East Building - Field House Atrium

• Several #2 sharpened pencils; Mechanical Pencils are Not Allowed

• Approved Calculator

  • If you forget your calculator test day morning, you can have your borrow one from the following locations:

    • West Building - Upper ILC

    • East Building - Field House Atrium

  • The TestNav app also has a built-in calculator students can use.

• Snack/Drink - to be stored outside of a bag/backpack. Students may not access their bags to get their snack or drink once the exam begins.

  • If you forget your snack/drink. The East and West Commons will be after testing with items for purchase.

Cell Phones Must be Powered Off to Avoid Dismissal

• Students may bring a cell phone or other electronic device to the exam; however, all students will be required to power off and store away all electronic devices (including any smartwatches with access to WiFi, iPads, cellphones, etc.).

• Any student found handling a cell phone, even on a break, or whose phone makes noise during testing or on a break, will be dismissed and their score voided. Handling any prohibited electronic devices is a serious offense to the ACT and could adversely affect a student's potentiality for taking any future ACT exams.

• Parents - please DO NOT text or call your student to see if they are done testing to avoid a possible noise disruption that can lead to dismissal from the exam. Please wait for them to contact you.

Breaks

• There will be scheduled breaks throughout the exam.

• During scheduled breaks, students will be allowed to have a snack or drink at their desks.

• Students may take bathroom breaks as needed, but time will not stop for the exam.

Resources

• Practice using ACT's digital testing app, TestNav, on your school-issued iPad.

  • No need to sign in; simply select the "Practice Tests" link at the bottom of the screen.

• Information for examinees

• If you already have an ACT account, instructions will be provided on test day on how to link your scores to your account.

• If you do not have an ACT account, please read the document below on how you can send your scores for free to colleges or universities of your choice.

  • MyACT Alternate Account Creation Supplement

GO PATRIOTS!

Best,

The SHS Testing Team

April 2, 2025

We would like to invite you to the final night of this year's First Generation to the United States Undergraduate Admission programming series! This event will take place on Wednesday, April 9th, in person. Please check in at door 19 PWC entrance.

Throughout the presentation, families will have the opportunity to ask questions. This is designed for students who are the first in their family to attend a four-year college or whose parents did not receive their education in the United States. These sessions aim to support families by offering various topics tailored to your families' individual needs, helping them navigate the U.S. undergraduate admission process.

To learn more about our April 9th night and what session topics will be available please check out our brochure.

March 10, 2025

Dear Parents/Guardians of the Class of 2028,

On April 22, all ninth graders will participate in a Freshman Wellness Day while sophomores are taking the PreACT. (NOTE: With the exception of juniors and seniors in FMP, all other juniors and seniors will have a non-attendance day on April 22.) The day will consist of several sessions facilitated by SHS staff during which students will explore the theme “Live in Community.” Through a variety of activities, students will develop their ability to:

• Build character and a sense of confidence while appreciating the similarities and differences of others.

• Listen to others and communicate in ways that build empathy and respect.

• Understand what it means to be an effective ally when people are treated with disrespect or injustice.

• Establish and maintain supportive relationships in ways that foster learning.

Freshman Wellness Day will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the PAC and conclude at 12:30 p.m. Students will attend the sessions with their Advisory. A light snack will be provided during sessions. Buses will be in service, arriving at their normally scheduled time and departing from SHS at 12:45 p.m. More information about this program will be shared with students during Advisory as the date nears.

In summary:

• Freshman Wellness Day, which takes place on April 22, will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the PAC and conclude at 12:30 p.m. in the Sports Center.

• Students should bring their SHS ID and wear comfortable shoes for activities.

• Bus service to and from school will be provided. Buses will arrive to school at the regularly scheduled time. Buses will depart from SHS at 12:45 p.m.

• The cafeteria will be open to students before the program begins as it would on a “regular” school day. A light snack will be provided during the day. Students may want to consider bringing a water bottle and packing additional snacks for the day. 

We look forward to the opportunity to engage with our freshman students as they further their commitment to Live in Community!

Kind regards,

Sarah Bowen
Director of Student Services

March 7, 2025

The College Career Center will hold its annual night for freshmen families at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2nd.  The event will be in person in the PAC but can also be streamed live via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/97380902709#success.

The slides and recording for this presentation will be available on the CCC website within one week of the event for families unable to attend.

Post Secondary Counselors Ms. Sara Hanson and Mr. Dan Miller, Counselor Mrs. Jorie Dwyer, and Career Exploration Specialist Ms. Jaime Travis will discuss what students can expect during the next three years as they journey toward post-high school opportunities. Students are strongly encouraged to attend with their parent(s) or guardian(s). 

Families that would like to request a copy of the slide deck in another language can reach out to shs_CollegeCareer@d125.org, or via phone at (847) 415-4517 prior to Friday, March 21st.

We look forward to working with your family,

Sara Hanson, Dan Miller, Jorie Dwyer and Jaime Travis
SHS College Career Center

March 5, 2025

Dear student and parent/guardian:

This coming April, all Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen will participate in the Digital ACT Suite of Assessments, as required by the Illinois State Board of Education. The Digital ACT Suite of Assessments is composed of the School Day ACT with Writing, the PreACT Secure, and the PreACT 9 Secure. Each digital assessment will be administered to its respective grade level: the School Day ACT with Writing for the juniors, the PreACT Secure for sophomores, and the PreACT 9 Secure for freshmen. All students are automatically registered for these tests, and there are no registration fees or costs associated. Below are the dates when each assessment will be given during the school day at Stevenson:

April 9th - Juniors will take the School Day ACT with Writing and Freshmen will take the PreACT 9 Secure. Sophomores and Seniors will have a non-attendance day.

• For details regarding the School Day ACT, please click here. For the calculator policy, please click here. Click here to access the Taking the ACT Test guide, and click here to access a resource to help you prepare for the ACT Test.

  • Graduation requirement - All juniors must take this test to fulfill the State of Illinois' graduation requirement. The School Day ACT with Writing is the only ACT exam administration that meets this requirement; no weekend ACT satisfies this mandate.
     

• For details regarding the PreACT 9 Secure, please click here. For the calculator policy, please click here.

April 22nd - Sophomores will take the PreACT, and Freshmen will come to school this day for Freshman Wellness Day. Juniors and Seniors will have a non-attendance day.

• For details regarding the PreACT, please click here. For the calculator policy, please click here. Click here to access the Taking the ACT Test guide, and click here to access a resource to help you prepare for the ACT Test.

• Freshmen students will participate in special programming on this day. Details about Freshman Wellness Day will be emailed to families the week of March 10th.

Exam Day Information

• There will be no in-school learning on these dates, so students will be excused for the day after completing testing.

• For general information on exam day, please follow this link (students must log into their school email to view the document).

Exam Scores

• Scores from the School Day ACT with Writing are official ACT scores students may choose to report to colleges during their college application process. Please keep in mind that the Writing score will be attached to the multiple choice score; there is no way to report one score without the other.

• You can view your scores using your MyACT account.

  • Go to www.myact.org and follow the on-screen directions to log in to your secure MyACT account. For help accessing your scores, you can also refer to the MyACT Quick Start Guide.

  • If your scores are not included in your MyACT account, contact ACT at https://www.act.org/content/act/en/contact-act.html for assistance. You can also use your MyACT account to access other services, such as requesting and paying for Additional Score Reports (ASRs) or registering to retake the test on a future National test date.

Questions?

• If you have questions about the state-required Digital ACT Suite of Assessments, please schedule a time to meet with your counselor.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ted Goergen
Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning

February 27, 2025

Hello Junior Families,

All juniors and their parents/guardians are invited to the College Career Center Series for Junior Families. Our second night of the series is on Thursday, March 20th from 7 pm - 8 pm in the West Auditorium and streamed via Zoom Webinar: https://zoom.us/j/93201457327.

Students are highly encouraged to attend this program with their families.

• Post Secondary Counselors Sara Hanson and Dan Miller will discuss:
• How Colleges Admit Students “Holistic” Admission Process
• Letters of Recommendation Essays
• Admission Plans
• Application Process & Timeline

The slides and recording for this presentation will be available on the CCC website within one week of the event for families who are unable to attend.

Families that would like to request a copy of the slide deck in another language can reach out to shs_CollegeCareer@d125.org, or via phone at (847) 415-4517 prior to Thursday, March 13th.

We look forward to working with your family,

Sara Hanson, Dan Miller
SHS College Career Center

February 26, 2025

The College Career Center will hold its annual night for sophomore families at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12th. The event will be in person in the PAC but can also be streamed live via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/91630430709

The slides and recording for this presentation will be available on the CCC website within one week of the event for families unable to attend.

Post Secondary Counselors Sara Hanson and Dan Miller, and Career Exploration Specialist Ms. Jaime Travis will discuss:

• What families can expect during their junior year as they embark on the college and career exploration process.
• Naviance, an online tool to assist Stevenson students with college planning.
• Career planning options, including internships, job shadowing, and more.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend with their parent(s) or guardian(s) and have their iPads ready to explore Naviance during the presentation.

Families that would like to request a copy of the slide deck in another language can reach out to shs_CollegeCareer@d125.org, or via phone at (847) 415-4517 prior to Tuesday, March 4th.

We look forward to working with your family,

Sara Hanson, Dan Miller, and Jaime Travis
SHS College Career Center

February 21, 2025

Stevenson Students & Families.

Stevenson High School’s Career Ready, Trades, and Military Expo is on Wednesday, March 5th! The event will take place in the Wood Commons, West Commons, and Upper Forum. During 8th period, the expo will be open exclusively to Stevenson students with 8th period free. From 4:00pm to 6:30pm, parents, families, and students from surrounding Lake County high schools are invited to attend.

This event will highlight careers that have limited (if any) educational requirements after high school. While the Expo will be available for students of any grade level to visit, it will be especially well-suited for seniors seeking information from local businesses regarding full-time career opportunities, apprenticeships, and advancement options. Most of the opportunities will require either on-the-job training, certificate programs (12-15 months), or associate degrees (no bachelor's degree required).

Some sample careers that will be represented on this night include real estate agent, traditional trades (plumbing, HVAC, electrical, etc.), cosmetology, manufacturing, pharmacy technician, dental assistant, auto body repair, police, fire, and EMT. There will also be representatives from the College of Lake County to discuss how their programming can help prepare students for some of these types of careers.

Check out more information here: Career Ready, Trades & Military Expo. Feel free to contact the CCC (shs_collegecareer@d125.org) with any questions. Note, that this is a family event, so students should feel free to bring along a parent or guardian starting 4:00pm-6:30pm!

Thank you!
College Career Center

February 11, 2025

Dear students, parents and guardians:

Out of an abundance of caution, we are closing campus tomorrow, Feb. 12, due to the oncoming snowstorm. Stevenson will utilize a Remote Learning Day, and students will learn and complete their work asynchronously.  

Teachers will share lesson plans with students by 9 a.m. tomorrow morning through our learning management system Canvas or through email. Student attendance will be verified by the completion of required assignments, which must be turned in by the beginning of class on Friday, Feb. 14.

Additionally, all after-school co-curricular activities are canceled.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please stay safe, Patriots!

January 13, 2025

Dear Stevenson families,

On behalf of the District 125 Board of Education, I am proud to share that tonight we have appointed Dr. Wendy Custable as superintendent of Stevenson High School, effective July 1, 2026. She will succeed Dr. Eric Twadell, who will retire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 school year. During the 2025-26 school year, Dr. Custable will serve as associate superintendent, working side by side with Dr. Twadell to ensure a smooth and successful transition.

Throughout her decades of service at Stevenson, Dr. Custable has demonstrated a commitment to student learning. While her track record as a veteran educator and administrative leader speaks for itself, we believe it is Dr. Custable’s deep understanding of Stevenson’s culture and Vision & Values that will continue our tradition of excellence. The Board would like to thank Dr. Twadell for his nearly 20 years of leadership as Superintendent. Under his guidance, Stevenson has become a nationally recognized school district, having been named the best public school district in America for four years in a row. We are confident that Dr. Custable will maintain Stevenson’s reputation as one of the nation’s top public high schools.

Dr. Custable brings more than 25 years of experience in education and administrative leadership experience, beginning her career as a technology education teacher at Rock Island High School. She then joined Stevenson High School in 2000, teaching engineering and architecture in the Applied Arts Division.

In 2004, Dr. Custable was appointed Director of Applied Arts, where she spearheaded the modernization of course offerings and expanded STEM opportunities. Her work included implementation of Project Lead the Way programming and the creation of the Division of Computer Science, Engineering, and Technology.

Starting in 2022, Dr. Custable took on a senior leadership role as Assistant Principal of Teaching and Learning, a role that is closely aligned with the District’s goals of supporting student achievement. Under her leadership, Stevenson maintained high SAT scores and saw over 90% of graduates complete at least one college-level course, even amidst post-pandemic challenges.
Now serving as Assistant Superintendent of Leadership and Organizational Development, Dr. Custable works closely with the Superintendent and district leadership on strategic planning efforts, data-driven initiatives and professional development. She also oversees the implementation of college and career pathways and family engagement programming, driving efforts to support student success and organizational growth.

When Dr. Custable takes up the Superintendency in 2026, she will be the first female superintendent to oversee District 125 in its 60-year history. 
Throughout her decades of service at Stevenson High School, Dr. Custable has exemplified an unwavering commitment to our mission of Success for Every Student. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Custable. We look forward to partnering with her to support student learning and have no doubt in our community benefiting from her leadership for years to come.

Sincerely,

Amy Neault
President, District 125 Board of Education President

January 7, 2025

Dear Class of 2025 students and families,

Welcome back! We hope that you had a wonderful winter break and are ready to take on the last semester as a Patriot! We know this is an exciting time for you as you wrap up your journey at Stevenson and begin your next post-secondary adventure.

The spring semester of the school year is an especially busy time for seniors, filled with many opportunities to celebrate your student’s high school experience and accomplishments. With that in mind, we want to be sure that all of our Class of 2025 families get a few dates on the calendar now. Please stay tuned to the Daily Digest for more detailed information and reminders about these events. You can also visit the Class of 2025 webpage anytime.

• April 16: Senior Awards

• April 26: Prom

• May 1: Senior Sunrise

• May 22: Senior Class Boat Trip

• May 23: Graduation

Details about all other events will be shared via the Daily Digest, so please stay tuned for more! If you have any questions along the way, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Have a wonderful start to your second semester!

January 6, 2025

Dear Stevenson students and families,

Happy New Year! We sincerely hope that everyone had a wonderful winter break and is having a fantastic start to the new year. As you may have heard, the State of Illinois has transitioned to the ACT as the state’s federally required high school accountability assessment starting this school year. This means that your student will take the digital ACT with Writing on Wednesday, April 9. 

While this change may seem significant, we are confident that — because of how we have built our teaching and learning experience in the classroom — students’ preparedness and testing experience will be minimally impacted. 

What should we expect with the digital ACT?

The ACT is split into several smaller sections, whereas the SAT is split into two longer sections. All ACT assessments will be conducted digitally during the school day using student school-issued iPads. No fees are associated with these exams, and all students are automatically registered. For more information about the ACT, click here.

What should families do to prepare?

1. From a technology perspective, students will have everything they need for the test. If students wish, they can access practice tests in the TestNAV app on their school-issued iPad. Students can choose to take any subject test — timed or untimed — as often as they wish, to become comfortable with digital testing.

2. ACT has released free sample questions and a practice tests. You can even time the tests so that your student has a “feel” for the pacing of the test. Click here to take advantage of these free sample questions and test.

3. Juniors can also register for a free practice ACT on Saturday, Feb. 1. The practice test will take place from 7:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. in our Field House. Registration is open on a first come-first serve basis and will close Jan. 24. 

This proctored practice test will help your student build testing endurance and give a snapshot of their testing performance. While this test will be paper-based, the questions and format will be similar to the digital exam given in the spring.

As always, our Teaching and Learning Division will be in touch in the coming months to ensure your student has all the information they need to prepare for the April 9 ACT. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.

December 3, 2024

Dear Parents/Guardians of the Class of 2029:

We would like to take the opportunity to welcome you and your child to the Stevenson family! We know that your child’s transition from eighth grade to high school is both exciting and filled with many questions. This letter will provide a general outline of the transition process and share information regarding the important steps which families must complete in order for incoming ninth grade students to attend Stevenson High School this fall. 

Everything you need to know regarding the transition process may also be found on the Incoming Freshman section of the SHS website:  www.d125.org/incoming-freshmen. We encourage families to check this section of the website frequently for the most current information.  

Orientation

The Incoming Freshman Orientation Evenings will be held on January 8 (last names A-G), January 9 (last names H-O) and January 14 (last names P-Z) beginning at 7:00 p.m in the Performing Arts Center (PAC).  During Orientation, students and their families  will learn more information about Stevenson’s course offerings and co-curricular opportunities from our students, directors and our principal. Each family will receive a packet containing the 2025-26 coursebook, summer school catalog, co-curricular brochure, Transitions booklet and other resources during this evening. Following Orientation, directors will be available to answer questions. If you are interested in participating in a school tour before the Orientation program, please meet at the PWC entrance (parking lot D) or the Forum entrance (parking lot B or E) beginning at 6 p.m. While we ask that you attend the date that corresponds to your last name so that we may try to balance numbers, please choose an alternate date if necessary. There is no need to inform us of the change.

Enrollment

Enrollment is the one-time process of gathering important information about our students and families. The enrollment process will be completed online using Infinite Campus, our student management system. During the week following winter break, your family will receive an email with instructions on how to use Infinite Campus to complete the enrollment process.  Enrollment may be completed beginning January 8 and is due  by January 24.

Course Selection

Course selection is the process of choosing the courses your student will take during the 2025-26 school year. 

During the week of January 13, families will receive a letter sharing your child’s course recommendations. Shortly after this information is mailed, we will host three virtual course selection evenings for incoming freshman students and families on January 16 (last names A-G), January 21 (last names H-O), and January 22 (last names P-Z). While we ask that you attend the date that corresponds to your last name so that we may try to balance numbers, please choose an alternate date if necessary. There is no need to inform us of the change.  During these evenings, families will have the opportunity to meet with a Stevenson school counselor or director some time between 4 and 7 p.m. to choose classes for the  2025-26 school year. Zoom links and instructions for attending the course selection evenings will be posted on the Incoming Freshman Families section of our website in mid-January. Specific course selections must be completed by January 24.

Stevenson High School offers two e-newsletters to help students and families stay informed. The Daily Digest is a daily newsletter published on school days for students and families. It features a mixture of Stevenson news, student announcements and varsity sports results. The e-Minuteman is a monthly newsletter for parents and guardians. It includes important deadlines and reminders, key updates and announcements. All students and families are automatically subscribed to both newsletters each school year.

The time from now until the first day of high school marks the beginning of an important partnership between home and school to ensure that your child has a wonderful high school experience. Please know that we are here to answer any questions/concerns you may have through this process. Kindly reach out to Regina Anderson (847.415.4502/reanderson@d125.org) or Deborah Carver (847.415.4500/dcarver@d125.org) with questions. 

We look forward to working with you and your child!

Kind regards,

Sarah Bowen
Director of Student Services
 

December 2, 2024

Dear Students & Parents/Guardians of the Class of 2025:

As we shared earlier this fall, students must either file a FAFSA or submit a waiver in order to graduate from any public high school in Illinois. More information about the options for meeting this graduation requirement are outlined below. 

We are happy to share that the 2025-26 FAFSA is now available for completion! Families are encouraged to consider completing the FAFSA as soon as possible as this does increase the likelihood of receiving the financial aid and state-based MAP grant aid for which your student may qualify. Families with unique circumstances which may impact financial aid are encouraged to connect directly with the Financial Aid Office of the college.

Below is more information about the three options for meeting the FAFSA graduation requirement:

1. File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to apply for financial aid options available through the federal government as well as some state aid options such as the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant. The FAFSA may be completed by US citizens, permanent residents (Green Card holders), and some VISA holders. Click to learn more regarding eligibility requirements to complete the FAFSA. Please see the note below about support for completing the FAFSA.
    
2. File an Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. The alternative application allows qualifying undocumented students who are not eligible for federal financial aid to apply for aid through the state or specific college, university, or trade school. The alternative application should only be completed by students not eligible to submit the FAFSA. More information regarding eligibility requirements for the alternative application may be found here. Please see the note below about support for completing the Alternative Application.
    
3. Parents/guardians who wish to opt their child out of this graduation requirement (or whose child does not meet the eligibility criteria to file the FAFSA or alternative application) must submit the FAFSA Nonparticipation Form using their ISAC portal. Directions for completing this process may be found here.

To provide assistance with the FAFSA and Alternative Application process, the College Career Center will be hosting an in-person workshop on Tuesday, December 17th from 4 - 7 p.m. in the Patriot Wellness Center (PWC) room 5120 by appointment only. Senior families who have specific questions and/or need help completing their FAFSA/Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid may meet individually with trained staff. Families who are completing the FAFSA are strongly encouraged to have their FSA ID/accounts created and to have started the FAFSA prior to attending. This will not be a general presentation, but rather an opportunity to ask the individual questions your family may have about completing the FAFSA/Alternative Application.

Families who wish to attend this program must complete either our registration form, email SHS_CollegeCareer@d125.org or call Caroline Hille at 847-415-4517 to secure an appointment. If families need an interpreter, please request so by Tuesday, December 10th. 

After spring break, we will follow-up with families who have not completed one of the three steps described above to be sure this requirement is fulfilled prior to graduation.  Please reach out to your counselor with any additional questions/concerns you may have.  

Kind regards,

Sarah Bowen
Director of Student Services

November 25, 2024

Dear Senior and Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

We wanted to make you aware of two events coming up hosted by the College Career Center.

Preparing for Admission Decisions and the Next Steps

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 7:00 pm; Zoom only: https://zoom.us/j/91504950987 

We heavily encourage seniors and their families to watch together.

Topics will include:

• How and when students will be notified of college decisions

• Tips on processing the news and supporting students 

• The next steps after the decisions are released

• Deferrals, waitlists, and letters of continued interest

This webinar will be recorded and the slides and recording will be uploaded to the College Career Website within one week of the event. Families that would like to request a copy of the slide decks in another language are asked to email shs_CollegeCareer@d125.org, or contact the CCC at 847-415-4517 by Tuesday, December 3rd.

FAFSA and Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid Workshop - By Appointment Only

Tuesday, December 17, 2024 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, registration is required.

Senior families who have specific questions and/or need help completing their FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid may meet individually with trained staff.

Prior to registering for an appointment, we ask families who are completing the FAFSA:

• Create their FSA Accounts/IDs.  FSA Accounts/IDs can take a few days to process.

• Start the FAFSA (open now!) often families can complete it without any assistance

  • Please note families should be completing the 2025-26 FAFSA

This event will not be a general presentation, but rather an opportunity to ask the individual questions your family may have about completing the FAFSA/Alternative Application.

Families who wish to attend this program must complete either our registration form, email SHS_CollegeCareer@d125.org or call Caroline Hille at 847-415-4517 to secure an appointment. If families need an interpreter, please request so by, Tuesday, December 10th. 

Sincerely,

Ms. Sara Hanson & Mr. Dan Miller
Post Secondary Counselors

October 28, 2024

Greetings,

We would like to invite you to this year's First Generation to United States Undergraduate Admission programming series. Thursday, November 7th will be our second of four evening events geared toward students who are the first in their family to attend a four-year college, or students whose parents have not been educated in the United States. On these nights, families can select from a variety of topics based on their personal needs to help them better understand the U.S. undergraduate admission process.

On November 7th we will have sessions available to watch over Zoom. We will also be providing a space in the building for families to watch these Zoom sessions in-person as an option. During the Zoom sessions, families will have an opportunity to ask questions. Please save the dates for additional First Generation Nights during the 2024-25 school year, taking place on February 4th and April 9th. Please note that many of the sessions will be repeated throughout the series.

November 7th Session Topics

Please utilize our brochure for additional evening details, including descriptions of the sessions and future sessions. We look forward to having you join us. Families unable to attend can find the videos to the series on our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@shsccc

Translated slides and directions to view videos ahead of time in other languages can be viewed here.

Sincerely,

Emin Ademi, Aileen Aragones, Dan Diambri, Sara Hanson, Irina Kogan, Lara Mangialardi, Dan Miller, Natalia Ruiz, Giuliana Scardina, Jaison Varghese & Hector Vazquez

Stevenson High School Staff

October 25, 2024

Hello Junior Families,

All juniors and their parents/guardians are invited to the College Career Center Series for Junior Families. Our first night of the series is on Tuesday, November 12th from 7 pm - 8 pm in the West Auditorium and streamed via Zoom Webinar: https://zoom.us/j/99036131831.

Students are highly encouraged to attend this program with their families as we will have interactive components.

Post Secondary Counselors Sara Hanson and Dan Miller, and Career Resource Specialist Jaime Travis will discuss the following on each respective CCC Junior Night program:

• Junior Night 1 (November 12, 2024) Topics Include:

  • Options after High School How to Search for Colleges and Build a List
  • Financial Costs How to Effectively Use Naviance
  • Questions to Ask Career Exploration Supports
     

• Junior Night 2 (March 20, 2025) Topics Include:

  • How Colleges Admit Students “Holistic” Admission Process
  • Letters of Recommendation Essays
  • Admission Plans Admission Timeline

The slides and recording for this presentation will be available on the CCC website within one week of the event for families who are unable to attend.

Families that would like to request a copy of the slide deck in another language can reach out to shs_CollegeCareer@d125.org, or via phone at (847) 415-4517 prior to Tuesday, November 5th.

We look forward to working with your family,

Sara Hanson, Dan Miller, and Jaime Travis
SHS College Career Center

October 22, 2024

The November 8, 2024, AP Registration deadline is fast approaching, please take the time now to check your AP Exam Registration! To confirm registration you must check two separate systems: Total Registration and College Board student accounts. For steps on how to register, please see information on the d125 website here.

Students can double-check their accounts by logging into their College Board accounts at https://myap.collegeboard.org. Exams must show as "Registered for Exam". Exams will not be ordered unless College Board accounts reflect this message for all exams and are partially paid for in Total Registration . (Payments cannot be made in College Board accounts.)

Students MUST complete both steps in the two separate systems to make sure they are fully registered. If one or both steps are incomplete, exams will not be ordered.

Please keep in mind that a minimum payment of $40 per exam is required to order first-semester-only and full-year course AP exams by the November 8 deadline, with no College Board issued $40 late fee. All exams must be paid for in full and balances must show $0.00 due in students' Total Registration accounts at https://user.totalregistration.net/AP/143550 by March 7, 2025. AP exams will also not be ordered if minimum payment is not received.

Changed Your Mind and Need to Cancel?

To cancel an AP exam and receive full or partial refunds of monies paid, minus any fees, please log into Total Registration https://user.totalregistration.net/AP/143550.

Can I Still Register After November?

Yes! Students have until March 7 to register for AP exams. Fees may apply for certain exams as outlined here. College Board's late registration fee is an additional $40 per exam. Please follow the instructions here to complete registration in the two separate systems.

Should you have any questions, please email shs_testing@d125.org.

Best,

The SHS Testing Team

October 2024
 
Dear Junior and Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

The College Career Center invites you to participate in a Post Secondary SCoPE (P-SCoPE) meeting. This is a 45-minute individual family appointment (student and parent/guardian). I serve as your student's post-secondary counselor to discuss options after high school and answer questions your family might have.

Participating in a P-SCoPE meeting during your junior year can enhance our ability to assist you in the college admission process in the fall. Families may make one such appointment per Junior student.

P-SCoPE meetings are conducted from mid-November through mid-June, with limited Saturday offerings, as well. To ensure the availability of appointments for the Class of 2026, we request the worksheet be returned by Friday, March 7th . Interpreters can be available for the meeting with proper advanced notice.

Steps to scheduling your Post-Secondary SCoPE meeting :

1. Complete the College/Post Secondary Planning Worksheet either via this Google Doc or the writable PDF in the email attachment.  

2. Submit the completed worksheet via email to shs_collegecareer@d125.org or drop it off at the CCC (1123). If scanning/taking a picture, please ensure the photo is clear.

3. Once received, we will email you a Calendly link to schedule your meeting within 2-3 school days.

Please consider viewing our related evening events that will help further our discussion
More information regarding upcoming events will be emailed ahead of each program.

• Financial Aid Night (presented on Sept. 30th), recording is located on our website: www.d125.org/academics/college-career-center/college
• First Gen to US Undergraduate Admission Series: Nov. 7th, Feb. 4th, April 9th
• College Career Center Night for Junior Families Series Part 1 of 2,  Tuesday, Nov. 12th, 7 pm.*
• College Career Center Night for Junior Families Series Part 2 of 2, Thursday, Mar. 20th, 7 pm.*
• *In person (West Auditorium), Zoom, and recorded.

We also encourage you to check out the CCC YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/@SHSCCC, where you will find several short, helpful videos about the college search and selection process.

Please know that together, with your school counselor, I am here to serve as a resource for you during this process.

Most Sincerely,
 
Mr. Dan Miller                
Post Secondary Counselor (West Side)    

P.S. Share your passion! The Career Exploration Program is always looking for professionals to volunteer to host students for job shadows, give career presentations, and participate in other career events at Stevenson. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out this form or contact our Career Exploration Specialist, Ms. Travis, at jtravis@d125.org.

October 2024
 
Dear Junior and Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

The College Career Center invites you to participate in a Post Secondary SCoPE (P-SCoPE) meeting. This is a 45-minute individual family appointment (student and parent/guardian). I serve as your student's post-secondary counselor to discuss options after high school and answer questions your family might have.

Participating in a P-SCoPE meeting during your junior year can enhance our ability to assist you in the college admission process in the fall. Families may make one such appointment per Junior student.

P-SCoPE meetings are conducted from mid-November through mid-June, with limited Saturday offerings, as well. To ensure the availability of appointments for the Class of 2026, we request the worksheet be returned by Friday, March 7th . Interpreters can be available for the meeting with proper advanced notice.

Steps to scheduling your Post-Secondary SCoPE meeting :

1. Complete the College/Post Secondary Planning Worksheet either via this Google Doc or the writable PDF in the email attachment.  

2. Submit the completed worksheet via email to shs_collegecareer@d125.org or drop it off at the CCC (1123). If scanning/taking a picture, please ensure the photo is clear.

3. Once received, we will email you a Calendly link to schedule your meeting within 2-3 school days.

Please consider viewing our related evening events that will help further our discussion
More information regarding upcoming events will be emailed ahead of each program.

• Financial Aid Night (presented on Sept. 30th), recording is located on our website: www.d125.org/academics/college-career-center/college
• First Gen to US Undergraduate Admission Series: Nov. 7th, Feb. 4th, April 9th
• College Career Center Night for Junior Families Series Part 1 of 2,  Tuesday, Nov. 12th, 7 pm.*
• College Career Center Night for Junior Families Series Part 2 of 2, Thursday, Mar. 20th, 7 pm.*
• *In person (West Auditorium), Zoom, and recorded.

We also encourage you to check out the CCC YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/@SHSCCC, where you will find several short, helpful videos about the college search and selection process.

Please know that together, with your school counselor, I am here to serve as a resource for you during this process.

Most Sincerely,
 
Ms. Sara Hanson                
Post Secondary Counselor (East Side)  

P.S. Share your passion! The Career Exploration Program is always looking for professionals to volunteer to host students for job shadows, give career presentations, and participate in other career events at Stevenson. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out this form or contact our Career Exploration Specialist, Ms. Travis, at jtravis@d125.org.

October 17, 2024

Dear Class of 2025 students and parents/guardians,

On Tuesday, Oct. 22, Stevenson is encouraging all families to engage in a “Let’s Talk About Your Future” discussion. While our freshman, sophomore and junior students are having family conversations about the 2025-26 course selection process, we hope to create an opportunity for our seniors and their parents/guardians to have conversations about their plans for after high school. We know that post-secondary planning and discussions are ongoing; however, we are hopeful that this evening will provide students and their families an opportunity to connect about these topics during a busy time of the school year.  This will be a “no homework” evening to provide time for these conversations.

Some topics that may be helpful to consider during your family conversations include:

• Where are you in the college application process? Be mindful of the components and deadlines for each application.
• What type of support do you need with your post-secondary plans? Schedule an appointment with your school counselor or one of our CCC post-secondary counselors. Calendly links to schedule appointments are located on the Student Services website.
• Do your post-secondary plans include options besides attending a four-year college?
  • Learn more about opportunities provided through our Career Exploration Program.
  • Consider attending a Gap Year Fair.  More information regarding potential fairs and their formats will be posted here as it becomes available.
  • If you would like to learn more information about the opportunities available through many of the community colleges in our area, representatives will be visiting Stevenson during the week of Feb. 3-7.
  • If you would like information about a career in the military or trades, representatives from many of our military branches, academies and trades will be visiting Stevenson during the week of March 4-7.

Please know that our counselors and post-secondary counselors are here throughout the school year to provide support and guidance with the post-secondary planning process. Should you have any questions/concerns, please contact your counselor.

Kind regards,
Sarah Bowen
Director of Student Services

October 17, 2024

Dear students and parents/guardians,

While it may seem as though this school year just started, students will begin selecting courses for next school year over the next several months. In order to support students in selecting courses which align with their goals and interests, Stevenson will host a two-day “Let’s Talk About Your Future” program!

Tuesday, Oct. 22 — Family Discussion

On this evening, we encourage families to discuss your student’s interests and goals for the future so they feel prepared to make decisions about which courses they will take for the 2025-26 school year. This will be a “no homework” evening to provide time for these conversations. During your family conversation, we encourage you to visit the Let’s Talk About Your Future website. On this page, you will find many resources, some of which are highlighted below, to support your conversations about course selection. 

• Discussion flashcards will help guide family conversations about your student’s future.

• The wellness wheel, which families may consider reviewing prior to a discussion about specific courses, allows students to determine the time needed each day for sleep, movement, and self-care and to build a course schedule that fosters these wellness practices.

• A Co-Curricular Commitments Resource identifies an approximate time commitment for each SHS co-curricular activity to support students in finding balance.

• A Four-Year Planning Tool allows students to create their own list of courses of interest for next school year and beyond. NOTE: This resource is for planning purposes only. Students will sign-up for courses during their course selection appointment with their counselor.

• The Career Pathways Booklet outlines courses and co-curricular activities which provide an opportunity to explore each of the National Career Clusters.

• The 2025-26 coursebook, which is organized by academic division, provides a comprehensive listing of classes offered with course descriptions and pathways. NOTE: This will be posted on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

Friday, Oct. 25 — Academic Expo

Students are encouraged to attend the Academic Expo, which will be held during their lunch period in the Glass Commons. Students will have the opportunity to connect with teachers from each division as well as school counselors to:

• Learn more about course offerings in each division for the 25-26 school year.
• Explore connections between courses, post-secondary goals and career interests.
• Ask questions that came up during their family discussion about course choices.
• Enjoy candy and prizes.

We also encourage students and parents/guardians to follow the Student Services instagram account @shs_studentservices to learn more information about the Let’s Talk About Your Future program. Stevenson families will also receive continued reminders and information in the Daily Digest.

As in past school years, students will select their courses during a course selection appointment with their counselor. Course selection appointments will take place during early November for sophomores, late November for juniors, and December for freshmen. More detailed information about the dates and process for course selection will be pushed out in the Daily Digest in the coming weeks. Should you have any questions regarding course selection, please contact your counselor.

We look forward to working with you throughout the course selection process to create a schedule that helps our students explore new opportunities and continue to grow as learners.


Kind Regards,
Sarah Bowen
Director of Student Services 

October 4, 2024

Dear Students and Your Parents/Guardians:

You are scheduled to take the PSAT/NMSQT at Stevenson High School on Wednesday, October 9. Students will be excused from class while testing, however, you are still responsible for any missed work, quizzes, or tests. Please read the information below for more specific test day details.

Room Assignment

Your customized assigned testing room is in...

*The test room indicated above is accurate for all students testing with or without accommodations.

Testing Schedule

• 8:00 a.m. - Doors open and check-in begins.
• 8:30 a.m. - Doors close and testing begins. Please arrive at your room assignment early so we may begin the Readiness Check process. There will be two scheduled five minute breaks, during which time students may stand, stretch at their desk, eat their snack/drink water, or use the bathroom. As always, students may also take bathroom breaks as needed during testing but time does not stop for the exam.
• Approximately 12:30 p.m. - Testing concludes, except for students with certain testing accommodations who will conclude at approx. 1:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m. Students are expected to return to their classes once testing concludes. If students miss their lunch period, they may take 20 minutes to eat their lunch before returning to class.

Preparing for Exam Day

Please review the 2024 PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide here. Please also bring the following materials with you to your exam:

• Your school issued iPad FULLY charged with the Bluebook app downloaded.
  • Before test day: Update the Bluebook app on your school-issued iPad. Simply open the Bluebook app; there's no need to sign in.
• Student ID or other state issued identification
• Pencils (several sharpened, number 2 pencils), sharpener, and eraser.
• Approved calculator

  (We will not provide batteries on test day)

• Snack and drink in a gallon size ziploc baggie to have during the break at their desks.
• Backpacks are permissible and will be stowed away from students' desks during the exam time.

Electronic devices (Cell phones, smart watches, apple pens, etc.)

Students may NOT use any electronic device at any time - not even on a break. Students should turn off and stay away from any electronic devices until after testing. Students will be dismissed from the exam and their test voided immediately if they use an electronic device at any time during testing.

Accommodations

We recommend students with extended time accommodations pack a lunch as the cafeteria closes shortly after testing concludes.

Scores

Scores will be available in students' College Board accounts six to eight weeks after this exam. For more information about PSAT/NMSQT scores click here. Your counselor is the best resource with whom to discuss the PSAT/NMSQT exam and post-secondary plans. If you have more questions about the PSAT/NMSQT or about testing with accommodations, please email shs_testing@d125.org.

Sincerely,
The SHS Testing Team

September 23, 2024

Greetings,

We would like to invite you to this year's First Generation to United States Undergraduate Admission programming series. Wednesday, October 9th will be our first of four evening events geared toward students who are the first in their family to attend a four-year college, or students whose parents have not been educated in the United States. On these nights, families can select from a variety of topics based on their personal needs to help them better understand the U.S. undergraduate admission process.

To kickoff our first night, we will have a mix of sessions that will be available on zoom as well as in person. Families will have an opportunity to ask questions during all sessions. Please save the dates for additional First Generation Nights during the 2024-25 school year, taking place on November 7, February 4th, and April 9th. Please note that many of the sessions will be repeated throughout the series.

October 9th Session Topics

Please utilize our brochure for additional evening details, including descriptions of the sessions and future sessions. We look forward to having you join us. Families unable to attend can find the videos to the series on our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@shsccc

Translated slides and directions to view videos ahead of time in other languages can be viewed here.

Sincerely,

Emin Ademi, Aileen Aragones, Dan Diambri, Sara Hanson, Irina Kogan, Lara Mangialardi, Dan Miller, Natalia Ruiz, Giuliana Scardina, Jaison Varghese & Hector Vazquez

Stevenson High School Staff

September 19, 2024

Dear Class of 2026 students and families,

We are a little over a month into the 2024-25 school year, and we sincerely hope that your students have enjoyed the start of first semester! As you may have heard, Illinois will transition to ACT as the state’s federally required high school accountability assessment starting in 2025. However, your junior student will take the PSAT/NMSQT as planned on Oct. 9.

The test will serve as a practice exam for future assessments and offer students the opportunity to qualify for scholarships through National Merit Scholarships. Beginning in the new year, state assessments will be in the PreACT and ACT format. More information will be provided after winter break.

What should families do to prepare?

The College Board’s Bluebook app is required for the PSAT/NMSQT. Students complete and submit their tests directly to the College Board using the app.

Juniors should already have the Bluebook app downloaded to their school-issued iPad. If not, please download the app from the Self Service app. If you have issues, please contact the Stevenson SMARTdesk or stop by Room 3014.

From there, juniors use their College Board credentials to log into the Bluebook app. If you don’t remember your College Board credentials, contact the College Board for assistance via phone (866-756-7346) or inquiry form.

Once you log into the Bluebook app, you can take practice tests, watch an overview of the test experience, and more.

We will continue to be in touch with you and your student in the run-up to the PSAT/NMSQT in October. If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Teaching and Learning Division.

Sincerely,

Troy Gobble
Principal

September 16, 2024

The College Career Center will hold its annual Financial Aid Night at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30 in the PAC as well as live-streamed via Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/95296140065). This event will be recorded and the slides and recording will be available on the College Career Center website within a week of the event.

Post Secondary Counselors Ms. Sara Hanson and Mr. Dan Miller will partner with Mr. Jerry Cebrzynski, Associate Vice President for Financial Aid at Lake Forest College, for this presentation, which is meant primarily for families who have current juniors or seniors.

Details about applying for college financial assistance through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be discussed, along with the types of financial aid available, and how eligibility for aid is determined. Families with seniors typically complete their FAFSA form in October (for the class of 2025, the FAFSA will open on December 1st).

Junior and Senior families that would like to request a copy of the slide deck in another language are asked to e-mail: shs_CollegeCareer@d125.org, or contact the CCC at (847) 415-4517 by Monday, September 23rd.

Sincerely,

Ms. Sara Hanson and Mr. Dan Miller
SHS Post Secondary Counselors

September 6, 2024

Dear Students & Parents/Guardians of the Class of 2025:

As our seniors and their families know all too well, a post-secondary education can be quite expensive!  To that end, an important part of the post-secondary exploration process for many families is the consideration of financial aid, which may be provided through a variety of sources.  The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an application used by colleges and other post-secondary institutions to determine a student’s eligibility for need-based federal financial aid such as grants, loans, and work-study programs. 

To ensure that families receive information regarding the FAFSA and resources to assist in completing this application, the Illinois General Assembly passed Public Act 101-0180 in 2020.  This legislation amended the Illinois graduation requirements for any public high school student to include one of the following steps which must be completed to earn a high school diploma:

• File a 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The FAFSA is used to apply for financial aid options available through the federal government as well as some state aid options such as the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant. The FAFSA may be completed by US citizens, US permanent residents, and some VISA holders. Click to learn more regarding eligibility requirements to complete the FAFSA.
• File a 2025-26 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.  The alternative application allows qualifying undocumented students who are not eligible for federal financial aid to apply for aid through the state or specific college, university, or trade school. The alternative application should only be completed by students not eligible to submit the FAFSA.  More information regarding eligibility requirements for the alternative application may be found here.
• Parents/guardians who wish to opt their child out of this graduation requirement (or whose child does not meet the eligibility criteria to file the FAFSA or alternative application) must submit the FAFSA Nonparticipation Form using their ISAC portal. Directions for completing this process may be found here.

Please note:  The 2025-26 FAFSA is undergoing a revision process and is not expected to be available for families to complete until December, 2024.  The FAFSA Nonparticipation Form is also not available for families to complete until December, 2024.  

Once the FAFSA becomes available, we encourage families to complete it as soon as possible as this does increase the likelihood of receiving the financial aid and state-based MAP grant aid for which your family may qualify.  In addition, families with unique circumstances which may impact financial aid are encouraged to connect directly with the Financial Aid Office of the college.  After spring break, we will follow-up with families who have not completed one of the three steps described above to be sure this requirement is fulfilled prior to graduation.

On September 30th, our post-secondary counselors, Mrs. Sara Hanson & Mr. Dan Miller, will partner with Mr. Jerry Cebrzynski (Associate Vice President for Financial Aid at Lake Forest College) to host a Financial Aid Program for families.  The presentation begins at 7:00 pm and will be held in-person in the West Auditorium as well as remotely via Zoom https://zoom.us/j/95296140065. On December 17th, our post-secondary counselors will host a FAFSA Completion Workshop by appointment.  More information about this program will be shared with families as the date nears.

In addition, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission provides SHS with a representative who is able to meet individually with students and families to provide assistance with the FAFSA completion process. Our ISAC representative, Emily Coveny, may be reached via email (Emily.coveny@illinois.gov) or by phone (847-309-4510).

Please know that we are here to support your family with the FAFSA completion process.  Please contact your school counselor or one of our post-secondary counselors with any questions you may have.

Kind regards,

Sarah Bowen
Director of Student Services

August 15, 2024

Hello Senior Families!

The College Career Center will hold its annual Senior Family Night from 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday, August 26th. The event will be in the PAC and live-streamed through Zoom https://zoom.us/j/92935034765. It is open to all parents and guardians of seniors at Stevenson.

During the presentation, Post Secondary Counselors Sara (English) Hanson and Dan Miller will discuss how to apply to colleges. Topics to be covered include types of applications (Common App, for example), admission plans (including Early Decision), deadlines, obtaining a transcript, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, essays, and scholarships.

The slides and the recording will be accessible on our website within a week of the event.

Families that would families like to request a copy of the slide decks in another language are asked to email shs_CollegeCareer@d125.org, or contact the CCC at 847-415-4517 by Monday, August 19th.

Sincerely,

Ms. Sara Hanson and Mr. Dan Miller
SHS Post Secondary Counselors

August 14, 2024

Dear Parent(s):

As we prepare to start the 2024-2025 school year, I am pleased to extend an invitation for you to attend one of our annual Open House evenings. We fully realize that the communication and support between home and school is an important part of the successes our students experience. We very much look forward to these nights because they provide us with an opportunity to meet the parents of our students, inform you about the curriculum in the courses your child is taking, and showcase many of the resources we offer to students and families of Stevenson High School. 

Open House is scheduled for two nights, one of which parents should attend based on their last name:

• Wednesday, August 21, from 7:00 - 9:30 pm: Last Names A – L
• Thursday, August 29, from 7:00 - 9:30 pm: Last Names M – Z

If you have a calendar conflict with the designated evening, please feel free to attend on the other date. There is no need to inform us of the change. We encourage all parents to attend one of the two nights.

To help you in your planning, we have attached a blank schedule with the times of each period indicated. Please have your child fill in their courses, room numbers, and teachers’ names before attending Open House. You may also choose to print your child’s schedule via the Infinite Campus portal. Please bring this schedule with you.

Maps of the school will be provided at all main entrances to facilitate your visit, or your student may pick up a map prior to Open House in Room 2400 or 3046. We will also have students from our Freshman Mentor Program stationed throughout the two buildings to help direct you to any location.

Parking will be available on campus, but it is limited. Parking is also available at the Carlson Labs parking lot just south of Rte. 22 on Schelter Road. We will run shuttle buses to and from the Carlson Labs parking lots throughout the evening. Please plan to arrive with enough time to walk to class or ride the shuttle bus.

I look forward to seeing you on one of these evenings. Please note that we have scheduled late arrivals (classes beginning at 10:30 a.m.) for August 22 and 30.
Sincerely,

Troy Gobble
Principal

Physical Education Class Location Notes:

• All Choice PE and Freshmen Foundations classes will meet in the PWC on the turf.
• All Lifeguarding & Pool Leadership classes will meet on the Pool Deck (Room 5000).
• All other P.E. classes will meet in the rooms  below: 
  • APE & APE leadership → Room 5042
  • Adventure Education Class → Room 2111 
  • PE leadership → Field House

Parents of students enrolled in freshman advisory, ELL tutorial, mentor skills, guided study, guided study math, or study skills, please include these classes in your schedule.

During a free time, such as study hall, unscheduled, or lunch, please enjoy the opportunity to:

• Learn about the role of your Student Support Team (SST) and the resources available at Stevenson and through our community in supporting the wellness of our students.  SST members will be located in the forum (West Building) and the pool lobby/Glass Commons (East Building).  Stop by to ask questions or say hello!
• Have your Infinite Campus questions answered or activate your account in the Principal’s Conference Room (RM 3046/3048).
• Stop by to see School Operations at the Patriot School Store off of the Wood Commons (west building) to inquire about the Patriot Dollar program, purchase new Stevenson Swag, or ask about Transportation.
• Meet with a school representative to learn more about student opportunities at the Lake County High Schools Technology Campus in the Wood Commons (West Building).
• Stop by the Information and Learning Center (ILC) in Room 2300 to learn about the services and librarians who are here to support our students as they research and read.
• Learn about resources for focused study in the Quiet Learning Center (QLC) in Room 2115 (West Building). Students with Guided Study classes meet in this space. Also, please feel free to visit the ILC (in the west) and the ELC (in the east) to learn about the drop-in tutoring resources available for your student. 
• Visit the College/Career Center in Room 1123 (West Building) throughout the evening.
• Stop by the Wood Commons (West Building) to learn how the Stevenson Foundation and Alumni Association support student success and engage with community members throughout the year.
• Purchase Stevenson apparel in the Patriot School Store (Wood Commons/West Building) or the Boosters in the Glass Commons from 6:00 – 9:00 pm.
• Enjoy refreshments during the evening in both the East Building and West Building cafeteria/commons areas.

August 14, 2024

Dear Parents of Freshmen and Transfer Students:

As we begin the 2024-2025 school year, I would like to welcome you and your child(ren) to the Stevenson High School family! At Stevenson, we strive to build partnerships between school and home because we know these connections are integral to the success of our students.  

I am pleased to extend an invitation for you to attend one of our annual Open House evenings. During the Open House evenings, you will have the opportunity to meet your child’s teachers, learn about the curriculum in the courses your child is taking, and experience many of the resources we offer to students and families of Stevenson High School. 

Open House is scheduled for two nights, one of which parents should attend based on their last name:

• Wednesday, August 21 from 7:00 - 9:30 pm: Last Names A – L
• Thursday, August 29 from 7:00  - 9:30 pm: Last Names M – Z

Prior to the start of both Open House evenings, freshman and transfer student families are invited to meet with their child’s counselor from 6:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. During this discussion, you will meet your child’s counselor, learn about the role of the counselor in your student’s experience at Stevenson, and ask questions that you may have. Each student is also assigned to a dean, social worker, and school psychologist who, together with the counselor, comprise the Student Support Team (SST) for your child. 

The counselors and the locations for the meeting are listed below. Your child’s counselor may be found via the Infinite Campus portal. Interpreters for the six languages most commonly spoken by SHS families will be available for the counselor discussions in the locations listed below.

If you have a calendar conflict with the designated Open House evening, please feel free to attend on the other date. There is no need to inform us of the change. We encourage all parents to attend one of the two nights.

To help you in your planning, we have attached a blank schedule with the times of each period indicated. Please have your child fill in their courses, room numbers, and teachers’ names before attending Open House. You may also choose to print your child’s schedule via the Infinite Campus portal. Please bring this schedule with you.

Physical Education Class Location Notes:

• All Choice PE and Freshmen Foundations classes will meet in the PWC on the turf.
• All Lifeguarding & Pool Leadership classes will meet on the Pool Deck (Room 5000).
• All other P.E. classes will meet in the rooms  below: 
  • APE & APE leadership → Room 5042
  • Adventure Education Class → Room 2111 
  • PE leadership → Field House

Parents of students enrolled in freshman advisory, ELL tutorial, mentor skills, guided study, guided study math, or study skills, please include these classes in your schedule.

During a free time, such as study hall, unscheduled, or lunch, please enjoy the opportunity to:

• Learn about the role of your Student Support Team (SST) and the resources available at Stevenson and through our community in supporting the wellness of our students.  SST members will be located in the forum (West Building) and the pool lobby/Glass Commons (East Building).  Stop by to ask questions or say hello!
• Have your Infinite Campus questions answered or activate your account in the Principal’s Conference Room (RM 3046/3048.
• Stop by to see School Operations at the Patriot School Store off of the Wood Commons (west building) to inquire about the Patriot Dollar program, purchase new Stevenson Swag, or ask about Transportation.
• Meet with a school representative to learn more about student opportunities at the Lake County High Schools Technology Campus - Wood Commons (West Building).
• Stop by the Information and Learning Center (ILC) in Room 2300 to learn about the services and librarians who are here to support our students as they research and read.
• Learn about resources for focused study in the Quiet Learning Center (QLC) in Room 2115 (West Building). Students with Guided Study classes meet in this space. Also, please feel free to visit the ILC (in the west) and the ELC (in the east) to learn about the drop-in tutoring resources available for your student. 
• Visit the College/Career Center in Room 1123 (West Building) throughout the evening.
• Stop by the Wood Commons to learn how the Stevenson Foundation and Alumni Association support student success and engage with community members throughout the year.
• Purchase Stevenson apparel in the Patriot School Store or the Boosters in the Glass Commons from 6:00 – 9:00 pm.
• Enjoy refreshments during the evening in both the East Building and West Building cafeteria/commons areas.

Maps of the entire school will be provided at all main entrances to facilitate your visit, or your student may pick up a map prior to Open House in Room 2400 or 3046. We will also have students from our Freshman Mentor Program stationed throughout the two buildings to help direct you to any location.

Parking will be available on campus, but it is limited. Parking is also available at the Carlson Labs parking lot just south of Rte. 22 on Schelter Road. We will run shuttle buses to and from the Carlson Labs parking lots throughout the evening. Please plan to arrive with enough time to walk to class or ride the shuttle bus.

I look forward to seeing you on one of these evenings. Please note that we have scheduled late arrivals (classes beginning at 10:30 a.m.) for August 22 and 30.
Sincerely,

Troy Gobble
Principal
 

August 5, 2024 

Dear Stevenson Freshman Families,
We are so excited to welcome our Class of 2028 to Stevenson High School on Friday, August 9, for Freshman Orientation Day from 8:30 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.! Please continue reading for detailed information about the day. We will also host a webinar on Wednesday, August 7 at 7 p.m. to answer frequently asked questions so you feel ready and confident for the first day of school! Do you have a specific question in mind? Submit it here! 

We will kick off the day with morning bus routes to school. Junior and senior student mentors will be ready to greet you on the buses and in the building to help you find your classroom. Once you arrive on campus, you will report directly to your student's room to kick off Freshman Orientation Day festivities.

The morning’s events will include meeting your fellow Freshman Advisory members, counselor and dean, a pep assembly and a tour of the school. Then in the afternoon, all freshmen will have lunch and then participate in a mini schedule to get a better handle on where their classes are and meet their teachers! At the end of the day, students will be bussed home. To ensure a smooth orientation, please take a few minutes to read the information below:

Bussing

Please see details for your student's bus route information below.

Route Status:

Route Details:

• Bus Number
• Stop Location
• Pickup Time
• PM Route Lot (This is the Lot where your student should go after school to catch their bus home. All buses pickup in either Lot D - Patriot Wellness Center or Lot E - Sports Center.)

Late Activity Bus: (This is the bus student’s can take home if staying after school Buses leave from the PWC at 4:30, 5:30, & 6:30.)

Please review the following important reminders about bussing below. 

• If your student takes an individual special form of transportation to school, you will be contacted directly by the Transportation Department.
• Students who selected no transportation needed on their registration form were NOT assigned to a bus route. If you did not receive a bus assignment and need to request one, please email transportation@d125.org or 847-415-4075. For the short term, please check the website for your closest stop and your child may ride that route.
• Students living on the following streets are considered to be safe walking distance to school and have NOT had a route assigned. Apple Hill, Palazzo Drive, Hotz and Indian Creek.

Driving to and from Stevenson

If you prefer to drive your student to and from Freshman Orientation Day, please give yourself plenty of time to get to school and review this information on how to navigate our campus. 

You can drop off your student in Lot B only located by Stevenson’s main entrance (accessible from Half Day Road), where we will have mentors waiting to greet students. Students may be picked up after orientation from Lot B only as well. Please visit our website for additional information on transportation throughout the school year.

Other things to note

• Lunch: You can bring your own lunch or purchase one at the cafeteria using Patriot Dollars, which is the fastest way to make a purchase. You may also use cash or credit.
• What to bring: Your school-issued iPad (if you took summer school), writing utensils, a folder and a notebook. If you did not take summer school, you will receive your iPad on Freshman Orientation Day.
• IDs: Students will take their ID photos and go home with their IDs on the same day! Please make sure you always have your ID for riding the bus, making purchases on campus and ensuring a safe environment on campus.

We are so excited to welcome you to our campus on Friday, Aug. 9. This information will be posted on our Incoming Freshman: Class of 2028 page for your future reference. If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us and we would be happy to assist you!

Have a great week, and see you Friday!
 

July 31, 2024

Dear Stevenson students and families,

We hope today’s message finds all our Stevenson families well and enjoying everything the summer season has to offer! With the beginning of the school year just a few weeks away, we wanted to reach out with a few updates and reminders to help ensure a smooth transition on the first day of school on Aug. 12.

Attendance
New for this year, parents and guardians will be asked to report any student absences in the parent portal in Infinite Campus. Please watch this video or download this guide to learn how to report an absence.

As a kind reminder regarding our attendance policy: Daily attendance is foundational to supporting consistent routines, engaged learning and, ultimately, academic success for students. While we understand many circumstances may lead to non-attendance, we are committed to staying in touch with parents and guardians about their student’s attendance and having conversations about chronic absenteeism, when needed. 

Orientation
For sophomores, juniors and seniors: There is no orientation for these grade levels. School IDs will be mailed home on Aug. 5, and all other learning materials will be distributed during school and yearbook photos will be taken at a later time. 

If students in these grade levels would like early access to campus to find their classes, they may do so on Aug. 8 from 1 - 3 p.m. Please note that teachers will not be available for meet and greets with sophomores, juniors and seniors. 

For freshmen: We are so excited to see you at Freshman Orientation Day on Friday, Aug. 9! Separate communication will be emailed and posted on Monday, Aug. 5. We will also have a webinar for first-time Stevenson families (freshman and transfer student families) on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. to answer frequently asked questions so you feel ready and confident for the first day of school! Do you have a specific question in mind? Submit it here! 

Schedules
Once your family has completed the registration process (residency verification, fees payment and permissions signed), students in the following grade levels can access their schedules via Infinite Campus on these dates:

• Seniors: Aug. 5

• Juniors: Aug. 6

• Sophomores: Aug. 8 

• Freshmen will receive their schedules in person during Freshman Orientation Day.

Daily Digest and School Calendar
The Daily Digest, Stevenson’s daily newsletter featuring stories and events around campus, will resume on Monday, Aug. 12. Monday editions are particularly important with a dedicated Family To Do list for parents and guardians. Additionally, our school calendar is a fantastic resource that is always kept up-to-date for your family’s planning purposes. 

Getting to and parking on campus
Now may be a good time to revisit our Transportation page where you can find bussing information, traffic patterns, how to purchase assigned term parking and when to pick up your parking sticker. Please give yourselves plenty of time to get to campus, as we see congestion for morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.

• NOTE: Bus stops will be posted before the first day of school. Freshman families will receive a tailored email with their stop on Aug. 5. 

Parent logins
Last but not least, we want to ensure parents and guardians are aware of the various platforms they can use to support their student’s learning, including Patriot Dollars, Infinite Campus and the Interactive Report Card. All platforms and login directions are listed on the Parent Logins page of our website. 

Looking ahead, please mark your calendars for our Open House the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 21 and Thursday, Aug. 29. During that time, parents and guardians will have the opportunity to hear about their student’s course curriculum, meet their teachers and Student Support Team (SST), learn about the many of the resources we offer to families and take a look at what’s new around campus.

We hope this welcome back message provides some helpful reminders and tips for a successful start to the school year. As always, if you have any questions specific to your student, you can always reach out to their counselor. In the meantime, we are very much looking forward to having our students back on Monday, Aug. 12!

July 10, 2024

Dear Stevenson Parents and Guardians,

We hope that summer continues to be a safe and healthy one for you and your family! We want to ensure all families feel confident that all required actions have been taken as we approach the start of the 2024-25 school year. As promised in early June, we are following up today to provide instruction on how to complete the final step of the annual registration process: fee payments.

Annual Registration Deadline: Aug. 1
The fee management module in Infinite Campus is NOW available to view and/or make payments. This is the final step to your student’s registration process. Please login to your parent portal, click fees in the left menu or under your student’s name. You will see a list of fees associated with your student including, annual instructional fee, driver’s ed if applicable, and any other options you selected when completing your registration form. You may add to cart and complete your payment.

If you have not completed residency verification and the annual registration form, there are just three weeks left to do so. Residency verification must be completed prior to completing any fee payments. Families will receive weekly emails until all steps of the process have been completed. Please reference those emails for specific details around your student’s registration status. If you do not receive an email, then all steps are complete.

NOTE: 

• Seniors: Fees must be paid before you will have access to purchase parking.

• If you are in need of financial assistance and have not already spoken to our School Operations office, please email or call 847-415-4121 to inquire.

Timely completion of this step of the registration process helps us guarantee accurate bus assignments for our students and provides a smooth transition to the start of the school year. These steps must be completed by August 1.

Schedules and IDs
Once all steps of the annual registration process have been completed, the 2024-25 class schedules will be available to sophomores, juniors and seniors on the following dates: Seniors can access their schedules on August 5. Juniors can access their schedules on August 6. And sophomores can access their schedules on August 8. School IDs for sophomores, juniors and seniors will be mailed home in early August. As a kind reminder, there will be no orientation for students in these grade levels.

Freshman will receive their schedules and IDs during Orientation Day on Friday, August 9, with more information, including bussing details, to be provided in early August.

Parking for Seniors
Seniors who have completed all steps of the annual registration process may purchase assigned term parking starting today through Omella. Seniors must have their ID # in order to purchase term parking (used as access code), which is assigned on a “first come, first serve” basis. 

We will send additional information to all seniors regarding purchasing parking tomorrow. It’s important that you review this email prior to purchasing.

Daily parking will open for juniors and seniors at the start of the school year and will be available for purchase, also via Omella.

We sincerely thank you for your patience and ongoing attention to our annual registration process. We will be in touch again in late July with final reminders. In the meantime, we wish you a happy and healthy summer.

June 6, 2024

Dear Stevenson Parents and Guardians,

We hope this email finds you and your family well and enjoying the summer! Thank you for your continued attention and patience as we work through the annual registration process. We appreciate your partnership in ensuring a smooth transition to the 2024-25 school year. 

We kindly want to remind you that if you have not completed your annual registration form, it is important you do so by June 15. Completing this form ensures a smooth transition to the final piece of the registration process. Additionally, those who complete their form will be entered in a raffle for a chance to win some amazing giveaways, including yearbooks, parking passes, Booster passes, Patriot School Store swag/coupons!

To complete the registration form, please login to your parent portal on Infinite Campus, view documents that need attention, and complete the “annual registration form.” For assistance with your login details, please contact data_processing@d125.org.

A few notes about the annual registration form and fees payment process from this point:

• Fees may be paid AFTER July 10 once your residency has been verified. Families will receive a notification to this effect in early July. For those in need of financial assistance, please email us or call 847-415-4121.

• The annual registration form is where you will find information about joining the PPA, donating to the Stevenson Foundation and ordering a yearbook.

  • The Stevenson Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that empowers students to reach their fullest and brightest futures. Vital Foundation programs including, One Family, Stevenson to College (S2C), senior scholarships, and our Alumni Association provide students with the assistance and opportunities they need to succeed at Steenson and beyond.

  • The Stevenson Patriot Parent Association (PPA) is a volunteer organization for guardians that provides fundraising programming for student-related activities. The PPA is a vital component of Stevenson which fosters community by enhancing educational, social, and environmental components at our school. 

  • Other options include: yearbook, commencement ceremony DVD, senior panoramic portrait, etc.

  • Planning to attend Stevenson athletic events? All Family Booster or Student Activity Passes are now available for purchase on GoFan. 

A few kind reminders about the 2024-25 school year:

• Health forms for incoming freshmen and seniors - ASAP. Health forms for incoming freshmen were due to the nurse's office on May 1. If you have not completed and submitted this information, please do so at your earliest convenience. Health forms can be found on the Family To-Do list on the Class of 2028 webpage. Additionally, families of seniors must provide proof of their meningococcal vaccine (received on or after age 16). Forms may be submitted via email.

• Schedules for sophomores, juniors and seniors. The 2024-25 class schedules will be available to students through Infinite Campus on the following dates once registration has been completed. Seniors can access their schedules on August 5. Juniors can access their schedules on August 6. And sophomores can access their schedules on August 8.

• No orientation for sophomores, juniors and seniors. We will no longer have orientation for sophomores, juniors and seniors. Materials will either be mailed home (ie, IDs) or picked up in class (ie, books).

• Orientation for freshmen only. Freshman Orientation Day is Friday, August 9. In addition to schedules, materials and school IDs, freshmen will meet their student mentors and members of their student support team, get a tour of the school, participate in a welcome assembly and run through class schedules. More information, including bussing details, will be provided in early August.

• Parking for seniors only. This year, the process for claiming parking for seniors will be done through the Patriot School Store. Completion of the annual registration process will be required to purchase parking. Please be on the lookout for more information mid-July.

We will send email reminders and instructions about these important deadlines as we move through the registration process. As always, please reach out to us if you have any questions! We will be in touch again in early July.

May 8, 2024

Dear Stevenson parents and guardians,

With the summer quickly approaching, we want to reach out with an overview of what to expect as we prepare for the upcoming 2024-25 school year as well as some updates to our processes. Please note: This is an overview of what is to come. Please review each part of the process below to determine any action needed at this time. We will continue to send detailed reminders and instructions in the coming weeks and months.

Part 1 of registration - annual registration form due by June 15 (Action required starting today). Families may complete their Annual Registration Form via their parent portal on Infinite Campus starting today. Once you log in, under your student(s), you will see an indicator stating “documents need attention.” Please click there and complete the 2024-25 annual registration form by June 15. For assistance with your login details, please contact data_processing@d125.org. 

Part 2 of registration - residency verification (Action may be required beginning the week of May 13). During the week of May 13, we will begin the annual residency verification process, which is automatically handled through a third-party vendor. If your residency is confirmed, an email confirmation will be sent to you to this effect and no further action is required. If your residency is not confirmed, we will provide instructions on how to provide additional documentation. Please do not submit any documents at this time. Residency must be verified in order to complete the remainder of the annual registration process.

Part 3 of registration - fee payment due by August 1 (Action required starting July 10 after residency has been verified). You will receive notification in early July of the school fees that must be paid. Please note you will not be able to complete this part of the process until your residency has been verified. If you are interested in exploring Financial Assistance, please contact Mandy Johnson at ajohnson@d125.org for more information.

A few other updates for families:

• Freshman Orientation Day. Freshman families, please save the date for Freshman Orientation Day, which will take place on Aug. 9 at Stevenson! More detailed information will be emailed to you later this summer. NOTE: We no longer have orientation for sophomores, juniors and seniors. Materials will either be mailed home (ie, IDs) or picked up in class (ie, books).

• Summer School. If you signed up to take a summer school course, you should have received information on what to expect earlier today.

• Schedules. Freshmen will receive their 2024-25 schedule during Freshman Orientation Day. For all other grade levels, class schedules will be available to students through Infinite Campus once all steps of the registration process have been completed. Seniors can access their schedules beginning Aug. 5. Juniors can access their schedules beginning Aug. 6. And sophomores can access their schedules beginning Aug. 8.

• Parking for seniors only. Starting this year, the process for claiming parking for seniors will be done through the Patriot School Store. More information will be provided in early July. NOTE: Parts 1-3 of the registration process must be completed before parking can be purchased.

Please be assured that we will reach out proactively with reminders and action items as we move through the annual registration process. As always, please reach out to us if you have any questions! We will be in touch again in early June.