Parents

January 28, 2026

Dear Stevenson Parent/Guardian:

Stevenson High School maintains a strong commitment to success for every student. We know that students require an environment which supports their holistic needs in order to thrive. To that end, Stevenson has a long-standing dedication to substance use prevention. We consistently aim to implement new, evidence-based strategies that are responsive to the unique health and safety needs of our students. In order to gather the data necessary to implement such programming, we have developed a survey to better understand youth risk and protective behaviors as they relate to student wellness and academic success.  

Both students and parents/guardians are being asked to complete this online survey that will be confidentially administered (no names or identification numbers). The student survey will take approximately 30 minutes, and the parent/guardian survey will take approximately 10 minutes. Participation is completely voluntary and privacy will be strictly protected. If there are any questions you or your child do not wish to answer, you are free to skip questions and may stop taking the survey at any time. 

For students, the survey will be administered during an existing activity period on Feb. 24. There will be no loss of instructional time. Students will be reminded of their rights immediately prior to participation. Parents/guardians may access a parallel survey created by Stand Strong Coalition by clicking here. The parent/guardian survey will be available until Feb. 25. We encourage you to consider participating.

The student and parent/guardian surveys include questions regarding:

• demographics
• school experiences
• family rules 
• student health behaviors (nutrition, physical activity, sleep, mood, substance use/perceptions, etc)

If you have any questions regarding the content of the survey or your child’s rights as a participant in the survey, please contact our Substance Use Prevention Coordinator, Dr. Cristina Cortesi. She may be reached via email at ccortesi@d125.org or telephone at 847-415-4529. If you DO NOT want your child to participate in the survey, please complete this form by Feb. 8. Should you choose to deny permission for your child to participate, it will not in any way influence your future relationship with Stevenson High School.  

Kind regards,

Sarah Bowen 
Director of Student Services

January 20, 2026

Greetings, Stevenson families!

Is your student first in your family to attend college in the U.S.? If so, we are here to assist you!

On behalf of the Student Services Division, we would like to invite you to the third night of this year's First Generation to the United States Undergraduate Admission programming series! 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.

This event will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 3, starting at 6:30 p.m., with sessions available only via Zoom. Throughout the presentation, families will have the opportunity to ask questions. These sessions aim to support families by offering various topics tailored to your families' individual needs. You can learn more about our programming and the rest of the information series here.

We encourage you to save the date for our next First Generation Night on Tuesday, April 21. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to your counselor!

December 2, 2025

Dear Stevenson families,

First and foremost, we want to thank our families for their partnership as we work to improve student attendance at Stevenson High School. We are reaching out ahead of the holidays to re-engage our families in this effort.

You will find your child’s attendance rate compared to their peers via the parent portal of Infinite Campus: Click the menu button (three bars) in the top left-hand corner → More → Student Reports → Choose your student and the attendance rate report to generate your student’s individual attendance rate. If you are prompted about connecting to other devices on your local network, you may choose to allow this. You may also have to restart the process.

We hope this data helps you navigate conversations and decisions about your student’s attendance at school. While there are certainly circumstances that prohibit students from coming to school, now is more important than ever for students to regularly attend classes. It bears repeating that strong student attendance is directly correlated with stronger engagement, academic outcomes and social-emotional development. 

Please also be reminded that privileges — including parking for juniors and seniors — are tied to every student’s attendance record from the previous year. This means that students who demonstrate consistent attendance will be able to enjoy the full range of privileges and experiences that Stevenson has to offer.

If you foresee any issues with your student’s attendance in the near future, please contact a member of their SST as soon as possible. 

Sincerely,

Eric Ramos
Assistant Principal for Operations

November 21, 2025

Dear Class of 2026 students, parents and guardians,

Please join Stevenson's Post Secondary Counselors, Sara Hanson and Dan Miller, Social Worker, Christina Foss and Parent Engagement Coordinator, Mara Grujanac, for our program — Preparing for Admission Decisions and the Next Steps — on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. This meeting will be held virtually only.

We strongly encourage seniors and their families to watch together, as 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 deck in another language are asked to email or contact the CCC at 847-415-4517 by Tuesday, Dec. 2.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

November 17, 2026

Dear Students & Guardians in the Class of 2027,

As we are nearly halfway through the school year, we know that many of our junior students and families are beginning to explore post-secondary options. To that end, we wanted to provide more information regarding the One Click Admit Program, which was created by the State of Illinois this summer to provide a more streamlined, stress-free admissions experience for most of the state’s public universities and all of its community colleges.  

The One Click Admit Program provides students with direct admissions opportunities at participating universities and community colleges in the State of Illinois. This eliminates the need for essays, application fees and letters of recommendation.

To participate in the One Click Admit Program, parents must complete the opt-in process no later than May 22. This gives permission to upload their student’s sixth-semester GPA to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) portal. During the fall of senior year, colleges and universities will extend admissions offers to the students whose GPA meets the criteria established by each school. More information regarding the One Click Admit Program may be found here.

Participation in the One Click Admit Program is optional. If students choose not to participate in the program and/or do not meet the GPA criteria established by the participating schools, they may still apply using the traditional application process.

As a reminder:

• Additional resources regarding the college search process, including a recording from the Junior Family Program facilitated by our post-secondary counselors on Nov. 10, may be found on our website. A second program for junior families will be held by our post-secondary counselors on March 19. 
• Junior students and their parents may also schedule a Post-Secondary SCoPE meeting with their post-secondary counselor.  More information about P-SCoPE meetings and the scheduling process was emailed to families on Oct. 17. 

As always, please reach out to your student’s school counselor with any questions.

Kind regards,

Sarah Bowen
Director of Student Services

October 30. 2025

Greetings, Stevenson families!

Is your student first in your family to attend college in the U.S.? If so, we are here to assist you!

On behalf of the Student Services Division, we would like to invite you to the second night of this year's First Generation to the United States Undergraduate Admission programming series! 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.

This event will take place on Thursday, Nov. 13, starting at 6:30 p.m., with sessions available in person as well as via Zoom. Throughout the presentation, families will have the opportunity to ask questions. 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.

You can learn more about our programming for Nov. 13 and the rest of the information series here.

We encourage you to save the date for our next First Generation Night on Tuesday, Feb. 3. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to your counselor!

October 24, 2025

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 Monday, Nov. 10, from 7-8 p.m. in the West Auditorium. The event will also be live-streamed via Zoom. 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 Linda Bloomfield will discuss the following on each respective CCC Junior Night program:

Junior Night 1 (Nov. 10) 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 19) topics include:

• How colleges admit students
• “Holistic” admission process
• Letters of recommendation essays
• Admission plans and 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 may request a translated copy of the slide deck by email or by contacting the CCC at (847) 415-4517 by Monday, Nov. 3.

As a kind reminder, the College Career Center has created a timeline with key events for juniors and their families to reference at any time. This and other important information can be found on the CCC page for juniors on our website. We look forward to working with your family.

Sincerely,

Sara Hanson, Dan Miller, and Linda Bloomfield
SHS College Career Center

October 20, 2025

Dear Advanced Placement (AP) Students and their Parents/Guardians:

The November 7, 2025, 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 accounts. For steps on how to register, please see information on the Advanced Placement webpage of the D125 website.

Students can confirm their AP exam registration by:

1. Logging into their College Board accounts. Exams must show as “Registered for Exam”.

AND

2. Logging into their Total Registration account and either fully or partially paying for the AP exam(s). (Payments cannot be made in College Board accounts.)

Students MUST complete 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 7 deadline, with no College Board issued $40 late fee. AP exams will also not be ordered if the minimum payment is not received.

All exams must be paid for in full, and balances must show $0.00 due in students’ Total Registration accounts by March 6, 2026.

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.

Can I Still Register After November?
Yes! Students have until March 6 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 2025

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

The College Career Center (CCC) invites you to participate in a Post Secondary School Counselor Parent/Guardian Engagement meeting (P-SCoPE). 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.

Participating in a P-SCoPE meeting during your junior year can enhance our ability to assist you with post secondary options, including the college search and the admission process in the fall. Families may make one such appointment per student.

P-SCoPE meetings are conducted from mid-November through mid-June, with limited Saturday offerings. To ensure the availability of appointments for the Class of 2027, we request that the worksheet be returned no later than Friday, March 6th . Interpreters can be available for the meeting with proper advanced notice.

Steps to scheduling your Post-Secondary SCoPE meeting :

1. Complete P-SCoPE Planning Worksheet either:
   • Online; use this Google Form
   • The attached/enclosed document and submit it 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.
2. 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 Oct. 6th), recording is located on our website: www.d125.org/academics/college-career-center/college
• College Career Center Night for Junior Families Series Part 1 of 2, Monday, Nov. 10th, 7 pm.**
• College Career Center Night for Junior Families Series Part 2 of 2, Thursday, Mar. 19th, 7 pm.**
  • **In person (West Auditorium), Zoom, and recorded.
• First Gen to US Undergraduate Admission Series: Nov. 13th, Feb. 3rd, April 21st

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)

October 2025

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

The College Career Center (CCC) invites you to participate in a Post Secondary School Counselor Parent/Guardian Engagement meeting (P-SCoPE). 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.

Participating in a P-SCoPE meeting during your junior year can enhance our ability to assist you with post secondary options, including the college search and the admission process in the fall. Families may make one such appointment per student.

P-SCoPE meetings are conducted from mid-November through mid-June, with limited Saturday offerings. To ensure the availability of appointments for the Class of 2027, we request that the worksheet be returned no later than Friday, March 6th . Interpreters can be available for the meeting with proper advanced notice.

Steps to scheduling your Post-Secondary SCoPE meeting :

1. Complete P-SCoPE Planning Worksheet either:
   • Online; use this Google Form
   • The attached/enclosed document and submit it 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.
2. 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 Oct. 6th), recording is located on our website: www.d125.org/academics/college-career-center/college
• College Career Center Night for Junior Families Series Part 1 of 2, Monday, Nov. 10th, 7 pm.**
• College Career Center Night for Junior Families Series Part 2 of 2, Thursday, Mar. 19th, 7 pm.**
  • **In person (West Auditorium), Zoom, and recorded.
• First Gen to US Undergraduate Admission Series: Nov. 13th, Feb. 3rd, April 21st

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)

October 16, 2026

Dear Class of 2026 Students & Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, 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 2026-27 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. 9-13.
• If you would like information about a career in the military or trades, representatives from many of our military branches will visit Stevenson during lunch periods on Nov. 14. We will also host a Career Ready Trades & Military Expo after school on March 5.

Please know that our school 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 16, 2025

Dear Students & Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

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, October 21: 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 2026-27 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.

• The 2026-27 Coursebook provides a comprehensive listing of classes offered with course descriptions and pathways. NOTE: This will be posted on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
• The Career Pathways Booklet outlines courses and co-curricular activities that enable exploration of each of the National Career Clusters. NOTE: This will be posted on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
• Discussion flashcards will help guide family conversations about your student’s future.
• The wellness wheel prompts students to build a 24-hour routine that balances their school course load, co-curriculars and wellness.
• A Co-Curricular Time Commitment Tool gives an approximate time commitment for each co-curricular.
• A Four-Year Planning Tool allows students to create their own courses of interest for next school year and beyond. (Please note that this is for planning purposes only. Students will sign-up for courses during their course selection appointment with their counselor.)

Friday, October 24: Academic Expo

Students are encouraged to attend the Academic Expo, which will be held during all lunch periods in the Pool Lobby (outside the PAC). 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 2026-27 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.

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 shared in the Daily Digest. 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 3, 2025

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

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 by appointment only.

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

• Create their StudentAid.gov Accounts. Accounts can take a few days to process. A student and one parent must each create an account.
• Start the FAFSA, which is open now! Often, families can complete it without any assistance.
• Please note that families should be completing the 2026-27 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 Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Sincerely,

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

September 22, 2025

Dear Stevenson Parents and Guardians,

Over the years, especially since the COVID pandemic, declining student attendance has become a prominent issue affecting schools, including Stevenson High School. As we mentioned in last month’s Monthly Minuteman, consistent attendance is absolutely essential to student learning.

Knowing that attendance is a key ingredient to your student’s success, we want to proactively communicate our plan and expectations, as well as what you can do to support this effort.

We have set up a system of communication to ensure we reach out to families at the earliest signs of concern so that we can collaborate with you on a plan to get your student’s attendance back on track. According to the State of Illinois, chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% (18 days) of school, but we will not wait until the 18th day to contact you.

We will also tie privileges to every student’s attendance record from the previous year. This means that students who demonstrate consistent attendance will be able to enjoy the full range of privileges and experiences that Stevenson has to offer. Those privileges include:

• Parking on campus
• Unscheduled free time
• 8th period off
• Off-campus privileges
• Co-curricular activities, including Homecoming and Prom

As parents, what can you do? You can log into Infinite Campus anytime to look at your student’s attendance record. If your student begins displaying a pattern of absences, you can expect to see communication from our attendance team.
Thank you for understanding. The importance of attendance and partnering with us to ensure your student’s success is essential. If you have any questions about our attendance processes, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your dean.

Sincerely,

Dr. Eric Ramos
Assistant Principal of Operations

September 22, 2025

Greetings,

We would like to invite you to the third night of this year's First Generation to the United States Undergraduate Admission programming series! This event will take place on Thursday, October 9th, with sessions available in person as well as via Zoom. 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 programming for the night, please check out our brochure.

We encourage you to save the date for our next First Generation Night for the 2025-26 school year: November 13th.

September 30, 2025

The College Career Center will hold its annual Financial Aid Night at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 6th, in the Little Theatre (next to the PAC) as well as live-streamed via Zoom (https://d125-org.zoom.us/j/98905126369). 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 the 2026-27 FAFSA form in October.

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 29th.

Sincerely,

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

September 17, 2025

Dear Junior Student and their Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

As part of our commitment to helping students achieve college and career readiness, Stevenson High School administers the PSAT/NMSQT to all junior students each year. The PSAT/NMSQT for the 2025-26 school year is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at SHS. There is no cost for the exam.

PSAT/NMSQT

The PSAT/NMSQT measures reading, writing and language, and mathematics skills. It emphasizes critical thinking and reasoning skills, and students receive detailed information about their progress toward college and career readiness benchmarks. Top performers on the PSAT/NMSQT exam may qualify for National Merit recognition. It is the route of entry to the academic competition by the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Here is a link to the Student Guide, which includes an overview of the test sections and questions. Students may also access practice tests here. Unfortunately, since all SAT/PSAT College Board exams are now administered digitally, there are no paper copies available for student pickup.

Digital Testing

Students no longer take paper and pencil tests for College Board SAT/PSAT exams and instead will test using the Bluebook app. The Bluebook app is the College Board's highly intuitive digital testing tool. If you would like to know more information about the Bluebook app please click here.

The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered digitally on students' school-issued iPads. Please note, students CANNOT opt out of taking the exam digitally.

Other resources about digital testing are available here, on the SHS website.

Test Day Schedule

Testing begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. Normal bus routes will be available in the morning. Students should plan to arrive on campus early, if possible.

Students testing with standard time will have one 10-minute break during testing.

Students will be excused from classes until the exam is finished at approximately 12:30 p.m. Students will be responsible for any issued classwork, assignments, quizzes, or tests during the exam. Students are expected to return to regular classes after the exam. If a student tests during their lunch period, they will be given 20 minutes for lunch.

Accommodations

Students with approved College Board accommodations will receive an additional email outlining their test day details. For questions regarding accommodations, please email shs_testing@d125.org or log into your student portal to view your approved accommodations.

More information forthcoming…

You will receive an email with your student-specific testing details sometime on the Friday before testing.

If you have questions about the PSAT/NMSQT, please schedule a time to speak with your counselor. If you have College Board accommodations in place and have questions, you may email shs_testing@d125.org.

Dr. Ted Goergen
Assistant Principal for Teaching & Learning

September 10, 2025

Dear Students & Parents/Guardians of the Class of 2026:

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 2026-27 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 2026-27 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.

The 2026-27 FAFSA will open for completion on October 1st. 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 October 6th, 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://d125-org.zoom.us/j/98905126369). On October 15th, our post-secondary counselors will host a FAFSA/Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid 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, Denver Keske, may be reached via email (denver.romero@illinois.gov) or by phone (847-857-8948).

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 13, 2025

August 8, 2025

Hello Senior Families!

The College Career Center will hold its annual Senior Family Night from 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday, August 25th. The event will be in the West Auditorium (located by the Point Entrance) and live-streamed through Zoom https://d125-org.zoom.us/j/91777389657. It is open to all parents and guardians of seniors at Stevenson.

During the presentation, Post Secondary Counselor Sara Hanson 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 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 18th.

Sincerely,

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

August 6, 2025

*This digital letter is for translation purposes only. The version you receive will contain your student's specific bus route details.

August 5, 2025

Dear Stevenson Families,

We are excited to welcome our students back for the 2025-26 school year! To ensure a smooth start to the year, please take a few minutes to read the information below regarding bussing, pick-up/drop-offs and parking at Stevenson. Please note that details are also posted on our Transportation and Parking webpage.

Please note:

• Those with an incoming 9th grader, you should have received an individual message on August 4th with your student's bus and room assignment details for Freshman Orientation Day.
• If your student takes an individual special form of transportation to school, you will be contacted directly by the Transportation Department by August 5th.

Bussing:

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

Route Status: XXX

(for those with Route Status: BUS - Route Details see below)

Route Details:

• Bus Number: ###
• Stop Location: XXX
• 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: ###

Late buses are available for student's staying after school, departing from the PWC at 4:30, 5:30, 6:30pm.

• Estimated PM drop off time: ###

Times may vary day to day due to traffic, construction, inclement weather, and dismissal times.

Please review the following important reminders about bussing below:

• Students who selected no transportation needed on their registration form were NOT assigned to a Bus 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
• If you did not receive a bus assignment and need to request one, please email transportation@d125.org or 847-415-4075.
• If the bus is delayed and you need an ETA, please call First Student Dispatch directly at 847-634-0868, press 1 to locate the driver.
• During the first two weeks of school routes will not be adjusted. For the short term please check the website for your closest stop and your child may ride that route.
• For information on activity buses, and FirstView bus tracking visit our website. School code is: F2L3X
• Please be at your bus stop 5 minutes prior to the scheduled pickup time.
• Please be sure your student has their ID to show the driver when loading the bus in the AM/PM.

Pick-up/Drop-offs

For families that prefer to drive their student to and from school, please be advised of our designated pick-up/drop-off locations below. For a visual representation of our traffic flow patterns, please visit our website.

• Student AM drop-off may take place in Lot B or D after 7:15 AM utilizing the bus lanes. Please note drop-offs will NOT be permitted in Lot E or along Stevenson Drive.
• Student PM pick-up is designated to lot B after 3:15 PM. Please do not pick-up in any other lot on campus for student/bus traffic safety.

Student Parking

• Seniors who have purchased term parking will receive a tailored email to them with information on how to pick-up their parking sticker.
• Juniors and Seniors are permitted to purchase Daily Port Clinton Parking. These spots must be purchased in advance of the school day. Please visit our website for updates the week before school starts.

You are receiving this email because you are opted in to receive messages from your school. For more information, please contact your school.

*This digital letter is for translation purposes only. The version you receive will contain your student's specific room and bus route details.

August 4, 2025

Dear Stevenson Freshman Families,

We are so excited to welcome our Class of 2029 to Stevenson High School on Friday, August 8, 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 6 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 Room ### [see letter for your student's room assignment] to kick off Freshman Orientation Day festivities. Once you arrive on campus, you will report directly to Room # to kick off Freshman Orientation Day festivities. Please make note of this room number as it is unique to your assigned advisory.

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 below... [see letter for your student's bussing information]

• Route Status: XXX
• Route Details: XXX
• Bus Number: ###
• Stop Location: XXX
• 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 students 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. You can drop off your student in Lot B 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.

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 Orientation 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. 8. This information will be posted on our Incoming Freshman: Class of 2029 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 7, 2025

Dear Stevenson Parents and Guardians,

We are just one month away from kicking off the 2025-26 school year! This also means that there are just four weeks left to complete the entire registration process, if you have not already done so.

1. Annual registration form and fees due by Aug. 1. The online registration form and fees payment can be done through your parent portal on Infinite Campus. To complete the registration form, a button called “Patriot Registration.” To pay fees, click fees in the left menu or under your student’s name.

2. Senior parking opens on Thursday. Seniors will receive a detailed email tomorrow about purchasing term parking, which will open 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 10. Information will also be posted on our Transportation and Parking webpage.

As a kind reminder:

• Freshman Orientation Day - Aug. 8. We welcome the Class of 2029 for a very special orientation on Aug. 8. During this day, freshmen will receive their class schedule, meet their fellow Patriots, get their “Stevenson starter pack” and run through a mini schedule at school. Everything you need to know will be emailed in early August.
   
• 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.

June 23, 2025

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 2025-26 school year.

As promised in mid-April, we are following up today to provide reminders and instruction on how to complete the annual registration process.

1. Annual registration form due by June 6. If you have not already, please log into your parent portal on Infinite Campus ASAP and complete the online registration form. Once you log in, under your student(s) you will see a button called “Patriot Registration.” For assistance with your login details, please contact data_processing@d125.org.
    
2. Fees payment due by Aug. 1. Families who have completed the online registration form and whose residency has been verified may complete their fees payment via their parent portal on Infinite Campus starting today. As a reminder, families whose residency have NOT been verified received an email from Stevenson. If you did not receive an email requesting additional information, you may proceed with the fee payment process.
   • To pay fees, 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 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.
     • If you have residency-related questions, please email or call 847-415-4078.
        
3. Parking for seniors. As a reminder, we will provide detailed information about how seniors may purchase term parking in early July. For now, click here to learn more about parking at Stevenson during the 2025-26 school year, including the term dates, pricing and more. Please note: Residency verification, registration and fees must be completed before parking can be purchased.
   
   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!