D128 Student Services Updates
January 2026
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Happy New Year!
👋 Dear District 128 Families,
We hope 2026 is off to a wonderful start. As we settle into Semester 2, the LHS and VHHS Student Services departments would like to share some important reminders. Please reach out to any member of the District 128 Student Services staff with any questions, concerns, or for more information.
Attendance Matters
Start the Semester Strong!
Consistent attendance plays an important role in a student's success in school. Research shows that positive attendance is correlated with stronger academic and social-emotional outcomes, while poor attendance often negatively affects a student's academic performance. In fact, research from Attendance Works indicates that students should miss no more than nine days of school each year to stay engaged, successful, and on track to graduation.
Seniors, strong attendance can help you earn an exemption from 2nd semester finals! If you maintain an A or B in your class and have five or fewer unexcused absences per period, you may not need to take your final.
District 128 is committed to partnering with families to support positive attendance. As family members, some strategies for helping keep your student's attendance on track include:
- Make attendance a priority. Talk to your student about the importance of consistent attendance, and help your student maintain daily routines.
- Help your student stay involved and engaged. Encourage your student to find ways to get involved within the school community, and connect your student with resources if you notice signs of disengagement, safety concerns, or mental health concerns.
- Communicate with the school. Monitor your student's attendance and academic progress, and seek help from school staff if you need support.
We know that students get sick and that conflicts may arise. In the case that a student is not able to attend school, the parent/guardian is responsible for reporting the absence. Procedures for reporting an absence are linked here: Reporting an Absence. With any questions or concerns about your student's attendance, please contact a member of their Learning Support Team.
Reminders from the Nurses' Office
Staying Healthy
Influenza cases continue to rise among children and adults in Lake County. It is important to take precautions to protect yourself and your family.
The Lake County Department of Public Health has put together a Flu Guide for Parents, which covers:
- How serious the flu can be and who is most at risk
- How flu spreads in schools and the community
- Common symptoms to watch for
- Information about the annual flu vaccine
- Steps to take if a child becomes ill, and
- Guidance on when children can safely return to school.
Please see the links below:
For more information, please contact any member of our Health Services team.
Summer School and 2026-2027
Summer school registration is underway! Please review the 2026 Summer School Bulletin and Curriculum Guide for more information.
Additionally, January and February are Course Selection Season in District 128! All freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are currently in the process of selecting courses for next school year. For specific information, please click the links below.
Please reach out to your student's counselor with any questions about summer school or course registration.
D128 Tip Line
See Something? Hear Something? Say Something!
Safety and wellbeing are our top priority in District 128. If you have any information regarding bullying, harassment, or any other concerns, you can report it anonymously using our Report a Concern form. Please remember that these reports are monitored by District 128 staff during school hours. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, or if you have urgent concerns after school hours, please call 911.
Resources for Families
- Referral GPS helps locate and connect with Mental Health and Substance Abuse services within the community.
- FindHelp identifies free or reduced-cost resources such as food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more.
For more resources or with any questions, please reach out to a member of your student's Learning Support Team.
Upcoming Events
- January - February - Course selection meetings with counselors
- Jan. 19 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School
- Jan. 22 - Parenting Anxiety: Breaking the Cycle of Worry/Raising Resilient Kids (Family Action Network event)
- Jan. 24 - Gap Year Fair @ New Trier HS
- Jan. 27 - College and Career Fair @ Zion Benton HS
- Feb. 5 - Illinois Youth Survey (special bell schedule)
- Feb. 19 - 5Essentials Survey (special bell schedule)
- March 5 - Career & Military Expo @ Stevenson HS
- March 11 - College Admission Testing Webinar with Compass Prep
For a full list of events in the College Resource Centers, please visit the CRC Newsletters below:
Student Services Contacts
Shannon Garcia, VHHS Assistant Principal for Student Services
Jenny Goettsche, LHS Assistant Principal for Student Services
Jessica Herrmann, Ed.D., District 128 Director of Student Services