The Sequoit Weekly

NOVEMBER

Thursday, November 13th

You Make A Difference Awards, 7:00 am
Board of Education Meeting @ ACHS 6:30 pm

Tuesday, November 25th

Early Release 2:30 pm

Wednesday, November 26th to Friday, November 28th

THANKSGIVING BREAK - NO SCHOOL

Here is a one pager 2025-2026 Calendar At A Glance

We are pleased to announce our Illinois State Scholars for this year. The Illinois State Scholar program is awarded to high school seniors based on ACT or SAT test scores and the sixth semester class size and unweighted class rank and Grade Point Average. In any academic year, approximately the top 10% of all Illinois high school graduates are named State Scholars.

SAVE THE DATE: Sequoit Pride is having their Main Event on the evening of Saturday, March 7th. It is a great night and proceeds go toward funding staff and student experiences.

Taking coursework at the Lake County Tech Campus is a special opportunity for students during their junior and senior years of high school. A list of the programs available at Tech Campus can be found on their website: www.techcampus.org.

Choosing to participate in a Tech Campus program is a large commitment. Students have an abbreviated lunch hour and bus over to Tech Campus for periods 6, 7, and 8 and return to ACHS right at the end of the school day (Cosmetology is longer – interested students should consider carefully). That amount of time significantly limits other academic opportunities at ACHS which District 117 partially tries to offset with a physical education exemption. Students are required to have strong attendance and behavior records, on track with academic progress towards graduation, and should have at least a 2.0 GPA.

Interest in Tech Campus programs across Lake County is growing and spots are limited. ACHS counselors meet with every student each year to discuss their course selections for the next school year during the winter months, but if a specific Tech Campus program is highly interesting we recommend submitting your application to Tech Campus as soon as possible before programs reach capacity. The application link is easy to find at the top of the Tech Campus website. To ensure your application is successfully received and processed, please be sure to complete all the required fields carefully. Counselors will review and confirm Tech Campus program requests with students at their winter course selection appointment.

Scott Leverentz

Assistant Principal for Student Services

847-838-7767 / scott.leverentz@chsd117.org

Jessica Machak

ACHS Tech Campus Coordinator & Dean

847-838-7624 / jessica.machak@chsd117.org

As we move into course selection season, we want to share key information for our sophomore students in the Class of 2028. Sophomore course selection presentations will take place on Monday, December 8th. Students should attend a presentation by their counselor in the auditorium for an overview of the process and guidance on planning for junior year. The enrollment window for sophomores runs from December 8 to January 23. If you have any questions, please reach out to your student’s counselor.

Period 1 - Ms. Kelly Lindgren's sophomores

Period 2 - Mr. Stefano Avallone's sophmores

Period 3 - Ms. Taylor Travers's sophomores

Period 7 - Mr. Brett Heintz's sophomores

Period 8 - Ms. Debbie Jasnoch's sophomores

Here is a link to the 26-27 Curriculum Guide:

This is a great opportunity for prospective students to explore what Tech Campus offers.

And for current students to show their parents where they spend part of their school day. So, please spread the word, flyers are attached.

Tour of Tech Flyer (English)

Tour of Tech Flyer (Spanish)

The Office of the Lt. Governor is excited to announce the launch of the 2025 Girls Lead Program! Girls Lead is a unique job shadowing opportunity where accepted students will shadow a woman leader in state government to see the direct impact women make on Illinois. Participating mentors come from different areas of state government and serve in various leadership roles, including elected General Assembly-women, policy directors, general counsels, chiefs of staff, agency directors, and more.

5th-8th Grade: Girls spend one day shadowing a woman leader in state government and share a short reflection essay on their experience.
9th-12th Grade: Girls spend a minimum of two days shadowing a woman leader in state government and interacting with their staff. Girls will then write an essay about their mentor, the office they observed, and what they learned about leadership.

2025 Girls Lead applications close Dec. 1.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step towards any type of financial aid for students heading to college in the 2025-2026 school year and is also used for a number of other training programs and government aid eligibilities. Illinois has made completion of the FAFSA (or an opt-out process) a state graduation requirement of all students.

Most colleges won't consider students for any amount of financial support or scholarship without a FAFSA submission. So completion is very strongly encouraged for every college-going student.

Students should complete their portion of the FAFSA first by starting here: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Students will be prompted to invite additional contributors who are required to complete the FAFSA as well for the student's submission to be completed.

For students who choose not to file an application, a Financial Aid Application Nonparticipation Form may be signed by a parent or guardian if the student is under 18, or completed by the student directly if the student is already 18 years old. The Nonparticipation Form can be submitted online on ISAC’s Student Portal. There is a more detailed document that outlines the steps to take here: Financial Aid Application Nonparticipation Form Instructions

Nov 15th, 9AM to 12PM

Grayslake Campus

19351 W. Washington St.

Do you want to write code for software, view extraterrestrial objects, or understand the science behind dental cavities? These and other hands-on activities are sure to motivate and inspire girls interested in STEM. The half-day event is free for girls (grades 6-12). School groups, scout groups, youth groups and individual girls are welcome to attend!
Registration is now open through November 7, 2025

November 13 - FAFSA and Alternative Application Workshop 4pm

CLC offers a number of FAFSA completion workshops for families who would like assistance with their financial aid professionals. Watch which campus you register for carefully!

November 18 - Access and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Transition Night Open House for Students with Disabilities

As we move into course selection season, here are some key upcoming dates and details to keep on your radar:

Course Selection Presentations in the Auditorium:

📅Monday, November 10 and Tuesday, November 11 – Class of 2027
📅 Monday, December 8 – Class of 2028 (current sophomores)
📅 Monday, January 26 – Class of 2029 (current freshmen)

Junior Schedule for November 10 and November 11

Mr. Heintz Juniors - 1st period November 10

Ms. Jasnoch Juniors - 2nd period November 10

Ms. Travers Juniors - 3rd period November 10

Mr. Avallone Juniors - 2nd period November 11

Ms. Lindgren Juniors - 3rd period November 11

Enrollment Windows

Juniors (Class of 2027): November 10 – December 5
Sophomores (Class of 2028): December 5 – January 23
Freshmen (Class of 2029): January 27 – February 13
8th Grade Course Selection (Class of 2030): January 13 – 21

It’s time to start planning for next year! Over the next several weeks, students will learn more about course options and have a chance to explore electives in every department. Stay tuned for the newest version of our Curriculum Guide.

We encourage families to start conversations at home about interests, goals, and opportunities for next year. Thoughtful course choices help students discover new passions, prepare for life after high school, and make the most of their time at ACHS.

If you didn't get a chance to see our Fall Instrumental and Choir Concerts, check them out in the following videos.

German Club Food Drive

ACHS German Club is hosting a food drive from November 11th through November 25th. Please donate boxed and canned goods, as well as any non-perishable items to support people in need in our community. All donations will be given to Open Arms Mission.