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Thank you for completing your preregistration and setting up your parent PowerSchool account! This step helps us get ready for the course selection process. If you have not yet created your parent PowerSchool account, please refer to the instructions in our previous newsletter and use this link to complete the setup. Below, you’ll find important details about our 8th grade orientation and how to prepare for the course selection process in January.

Thank you to all 8th grade students who participated in the PreACT 8/9 testing. Your student's results are being sent home by your middle school. The course selection process for the 2025-2026 school year will be shared at the LHS and VHHS 8th Grade Orientation presentations in January. If your student was unable to attend a testing event this fall, the course selection process will also incorporate input from your student’s current teachers, as well as standardized testing data such as IAR, MAP, Star, iReady, or other information provided by your middle school. PreACT 8/9 scores are just one factor used in determining course guidance. Ultimately, your family will make the final decision regarding your student’s coursework for next year.

If you’d like to learn more about what PreACT 8/9 scores mean, the ACT resource Using Your PreACT or PreACT 8/9 Results may be helpful. You can access it by clicking this link. Please note that some sections, such as page 2, reference questions about high school courses and career interests that 8th-grade students did not answer during this test.

December

We encourage you to visit the District 128 SchooLinks & Course Planning website, which offers valuable resources to support your planning. Be sure to select LHS as your school in the "All Schools" dropdown menu on the left.

Resources include:

• Course Selection Resources & Counselor Support (Some resources are still being finalized)
• LHS Curriculum Guide and Course Descriptions
• Career Pathways and Post-Secondary Planning Resources

STEPS FOR COURSE SELECTION

Step 1: Attend LHS 8th Grade Orientation with your student on Thursday, January 9th, from 6-8 p.m.

Step 2: Review course selection eligibility and school guidance (shared the week of January 20th).

Step 3: Explore Course Selection Resources on the D128 SchooLinks website.

• ⚠️Select "LHS" in the "All Schools" dropdown menu.

Step 4: Discuss as a family your student’s course selection eligibility, school guidance, and four-year plan.

Step 5: Log in to your D128/LHS PowerSchool account to submit course requests online by February 11th.

Additional academic planning resources and detailed instructions will be provided in January.

The course selection process will be explained during 8th Grade Orientation, which will also be recorded and shared for those unable to attend. On January 21st, course selection guidance and a freshman course request worksheet will be emailed to caregivers. Course requests must be submitted through your D128/LHS PowerSchool account by February 11, 2025. After this date, course changes may be limited or unavailable due to space constraints.

Please contact the appropriate LHS Department Chair with questions regarding course guidance for your incoming freshman. PreACT 8/9 scores serve as an initial benchmark for course guidance, but current teacher guidance, standardized test scores (IAR, MAP, Star) and family input are also used to determine the best courses for each student. For questions about your student’s placement, contact the appropriate LHS Department Chair by February 10th.

In the coming months, students with IEPs or 504 plans and their families will meet with their current middle school case manager and an LHS Special Services representative. These meetings will address course selection, post-secondary planning, and elective options.

LHS provides various levels of interventions to support student needs, and these options will be reviewed during the meeting. Our special services and counseling teams look forward to supporting your student.

Students who want to meet with an LHS counselor for course selection support can schedule appointments on the following dates. Scheduling opens on Monday, January 13th, and sign-up instructions will be provided in the 8th Grade Orientation packet.

Tuesday, February 4th: at Oak Grove, 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 5th: Hawthorn North (virtual) 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m

Wednesday, February 5th: St. Joseph, 8:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m

Thursday, February 6th: Rondout, 8:45 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

Friday, February 7th at Highland Middle School, 8:15 a.m.-11:00 a.m. and 12:00-3:00 p.m.

This in-person event will introduce families to LHS academics and programs. Highlights include:

• Welcome & Becoming a Wildcat (Auditorium): This presentation will provide an overview of academic offerings and supports, the course selection process and the transition to high school. A recording of this presentation will be shared after the event.
• Academics & Electives Fair (Main Gym & Classrooms): This provides opportunities to talk with LHS Department Chairs and teachers, explore various curricular areas and tour the building.

6:00-6:40

• Last names A-L: Presentation in auditorium
• Last names M-Z: Academics & Electives Fair in main gym & classrooms

6:45-6:55 Transition

7:00-7:40

• Last names A-L: Academics & Electives Fair in main gym & classrooms
• Last names M-Z: Presentation in auditorium

To avoid overcrowding, please follow your assigned schedule.

Carpooling is strongly recommended. Overflow parking with shuttles is available at the Brainerd lot and the train station starting at 6:00 PM.

As a reminder, Choice Zone families have until February 3rd to submit your school of choice declaration. Until you submit your Choice Zone declaration, you will continue to receive communications and begin the course selection process with Vernon Hills High School.

JANUARY

January 9th: 8th Grade Orientation

January 21st - February 11th: Course Selection for 8th grade students

FEBRUARY

February 3rd: Choice Zone declarations due

February 3-7th: Optional counselor appointments for 8th graders at the middle schools

February 11th: Course selection deadline for all 8th graders

MARCH

March 13th: Activities and Athletics Fair

MAY

Mid-May: Course requests/changes will reopen. Course changes are dependent upon space availability.

JUNE

June 2nd-June 26th: Annual online registration for all students.

AUGUST

August 6th: Freshman Orientation (tentative date)

August 11th: First day of classes, Fall sports begin

If you have any questions while registering your student, please contact Laura Wolfe laura.wolfe@d128.org or Donna Warmbold donnalyn.warmbold@d128.org

Our offices are open Monday-Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

We wish you & your family a wonderful holiday season and a very happy new year!