CRC Connection

Hello VHHS Families!

I wanted to share information about some of the postsecondary planning events that are available to all VHHS families. Most of the events are geared towards junior and senior families, but there are also opportunities for freshman and sophomore families who are ready for more information. Read through the descriptions below and register (when available) for those that would be helpful to you and your student(s).

Becki Bellito

VHHS Postsecondary Counselor

When: Tuesday, October 11 at 6:30 PM

Where: Zoom

Paying for college is every family's priority and concern. We are once again offering this program for students from LHS, VHHS, and Carmel Catholic High Schools. Our speaker, Jerry Cebrzynski, has worked in financial aid for over 20 years and is one of the best speakers on the subject out there.

The CLC Fair is a great opportunity for VHHS students and parents to connect with college representatives. Over 140 college and university representatives will be in attendance.

Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022

6-8 p.m.

Physical Education Center, Building 7

Grayslake Campus

19351 W. Washington St.

When: October 18, 2002 from 6:00-8:30 PM

Where: Evanston Township High School

The CHOICES Committee is a consortium of counselors and special educators that represent high schools in the northern suburbs. Each October, the consortium presents CHOICES: Postsecondary planning evening for college-bound students with an IEP, 504 plan, Official Accommodations Plan, or history of a disability. This year’s program will take place on Tuesday, October 18 at Evanston Township High School.

Find participating colleges/organizations and event schedule here.

When: Tuesday, October 25

Where: VHHS Library

Representatives from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will be on hand to assist families with submitting their FAFSAs online. Sign up here for either the 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. session if you feel it would be beneficial. There will be a Spanish-speaking ISAC representative at this event.

When: Wednesday, October 26, 6:00-9:00 PM

Where: Willow Cafe on CLC’s Grayslake Campus, 19351 W. Washington St.

Chicago Christian College Fair

National Portfolio Days

National Portfolio Days

National Portfolio Days

Gap Year Fair

Spring College Fair at CLC (link not yet available)

Date: November 28, 2022

Time: 6:30 pm

Join us for a webinar for all District 128 juniors and their families. This is our kick-off program to help you prepare for “Life after VHHS.” Learn more about testing, finding your fit, resources, your second semester timeline, and more. Registration info will follow.

When: Early December

What: Mrs. Bellito will send all senior families a video that covers where to find scholarships and strategies for winning scholarships. The Class of 2023 VHHS Scholarship Packet will also be "unveiled" during this presentation.

Date: February 7, 2023

Time: 6:30 pm

Interested in learning practical, usable information about standardized testing and college admissions? In response to the pandemic, colleges have radically adjusted their admission testing requirements. Currently, around 95% of US colleges are test optional, but the decision to test and submit scores is not so simple. To add another layer of complexity, College Board has announced the debut of a fully digital, adaptive P/SAT for the Class of 2025.

Hear from the experts at Compass Education Group as they lead a pragmatic discussion of college admission testing and the recent outcomes of the test optional movement.

Presentation topics will include:

- The evolving role of ACT, SAT, and AP Exam scores in specific contexts
- Parsing the subtlety and variety of testing policies
- Fresh admissions data from test score submitters and non-submitters
- Understanding the forthcoming Digital P/SAT
- Making an informed choice between the ACT and SAT
- The diagnostic value of the PSAT and other practice tests
- How to build a successful prep timeline

The presentation will run for about one hour, followed by Q&A.

Date: March 7, 2023

Time: 6:30 pm

Last spring, College Board announced a sweeping overhaul to the SAT suite of assessments. Starting in the fall of 2023, paper-based administrations of the PSAT and SAT will be completely replaced by an adaptive, computer-based format. The Class of 2025 will be the first to take the redesigned Digital PSAT and Digital SAT during junior year.

The introduction of a digital assessment comes at a poignant time in today's admission context, where colleges are actively interrogating the value of standardized testing in students' applications. And while many schools have retained test optional policies in the wake of the pandemic, admission offices have demonstrated varying preferences for test scores.

Hear from the experts at Compass Education Group as they lead a thoughtful and pragmatic discussion of the future of college admission testing.

Presentation topics will include:

- The evolving role of ACT, SAT, and AP Exam scores in specific contexts
- Making sense of the subtlety and variety of testing policies
- Fresh admissions data from test score submitters and non-submitters
- Making an informed choice between the ACT and SAT
- The specs and adaptive design of the Digital PSAT & SAT
- Optimal timing and smart approaches to test preparation and testing

The presentation will run for about one hour, followed by Q&A.

Head to Mrs. Bellito's YouTube channel and watch helpful videos full of tips and tricks for applying and winning scholarships.

Check out and follow our @vhhs_crc Instagram account for updates, fun puzzles, and important information!

The LHS and VHHS CRC offices are pooling resources to give you a robust listing of jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities in our area. Check back often as we update the list regularly.