Learning Support Teams

Enrollment and Registration Information

School Counselors

Academic Counseling

School Counseling Department

All students are assigned to a school counselor upon entering Vernon Hills High School. School Counselors assist students with the following:

Successfully navigating the high school process while helping to prepare them for post-secondary options
Acting as liaison to all academic departments, school services, and the community
Academic advising, career and post-secondary guidance and personal/social support

The School Counseling Department works collaboratively to provide a comprehensive developmental counseling program for all students. To make an appointment to see a counselor, students can go to the LST and sign their name in an open slot during their study hall period, lunch period, before or after school. Students are also welcome to email their counselors to make an appointment.

LST Blue

Role	Name and Email Link	Phone Number	Book a Counselor Appointment
Team Leader	Madeline Hall
Social Worker	Josephine DiMarco
Counselor	Sarah Sorby	847-932-2034	Book an appointment with Ms. Sorby
Counselor	Daniel Pien	847-932-2266	Book an appointment with Mr. Pien

LST White

Role	Name and Email Link	Phone Number	Book a Counselor Appointment
Team Leader	Avelino Cortez
Social Worker	Josephine DiMarco Doug Dusthimer
Counselor	Juan Avila	847-932-2265	Book an appointment with Mr. Avila
Counselor	Tiffany Heinlein	847-932-2293	Book an appointment with Ms. Heinlein

LST Silver

Role	Name and Email Link	Phone Number	Book a Counselor Appointment
Team Leader	Bill Bellecomo
Social Worker	Doug Dusthimer
Counselor	Stephen Downey	847-932-2264	Book an appointment with Mr. Downey
Counselor	Natasha Rosenak	847-932-2032	Book an appointment with Ms. Rosenak

CRC Counselor

Role	Name and Email Link	Phone Number	Book a Counselor Appointment
CRC Counselor	Becki Bellito	847-932-2166	Book an appointment with Ms. Bellito

Course Selection & Optional Counselor Appointments

All 8^th graders will receive their course recommendations and enrollment forms during the last week in January. Families are encouraged to read the instructions, review the materials and choose their classes for 9^th grade and mail in their course selection forms by February 11^th, 2022.

During the month of February, if a family has questions about course selection or transitioning to high school, counselors will be available for OPTIONAL appointments. You may or may not not have an opportunity to meet with your assigned counselor as not all counselors will be available. To make an appointment to see a counselor, please call 847-932-2002 beginning Friday, January 28th, 2022.

Counselors will be available at Vernon Hills High School on the dates listed below:

TBD

Additional enrollment hours for Spanish speaking families will be available on TBD at Hawthorn Elementary North for all Hawthorn Middle School North and South families.

Social Emotional Support

School Social Workers

School social workers provide a variety of professional services which foster students’ physical, social, emotional, and academic growth. They promote and support the educational process by meeting the individual needs of students.

These services include, but are not limited to:

Individual Counseling
Student Support Groups
Assisting students in crisis
Community Referrals

School social workers are often involved in helping students and their families with learning, behavior, and/or attendance concerns while strengthening home, school, and community partnerships.

Social Worker	Phone Number
Josie DiMarco	847-932-2029
Doug Dusthimer	847-932-2268

Social Worker for Students with an IEP	Phone Number
Liz Peterson	847-932-2219
Karen Clarke	847-932-2316

Social Work Student Support Groups

Anger Management Group – group designed to provide skills and support in the area of decision making, managing emotions, and alternatives to aggression or anger.
Changing Families Group – group for those who have experienced a change in the family structure due to divorceor separation, blending of families, visitation/custody concerns, adoption, etc.
Grief and Loss Group – support for those who have experienced the death of a parent or someone close to them.
Boys Group – boys only, dealing with issues of stress, friendship, family, etc.
Girls Group – girls only, dealing with issues of relationships, stress, friendship, family, etc.
Chronic/Terminal Illness – support for those who are affected by family members suffering

Resources

For more information or resources, please contact your LST school social worker.

Standardized Testing

FAQs

How do I make an appointment with my counselor?
Students can make an appointment with their counselor by coming to the LST and signing their name on the clipboard outside their counselor’s office for a specific day and time. Unless it’s an emergency, students should see their counselors during either a study hall or lunch period. Students are also welcome to email their counselors to set up a time.
What is the role of a counselor?
Counselors support the overall well-being of students.They are advisors and advocates for students. Counselors support students academically through course selection, overseeing graduation requirements, and individual consultation. Students are encouraged to seek out their counselor when dealing with personal and social/emotional issues that are interfering with their performance in school and overall functioning. Counselors also provide information and advice about post high school planning and career exploration.
What is the role of the college counselor?
The college counselor provides comprehensive post high school planning for students and their families. The college counselor assists with parent nights, financial aid workshops, college advising, scholarships, and ACT prep.
What are core courses?
Core courses refer to courses in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Graduation requirements are made up of mostly core courses, and it is to a student’s advantage to take more core courses than what is required for college admission purposes.
What is the minimum and maximum number of classes?
The minimum class load is 5 academic classes each semester in addition Physical Welfare. Students with 5 classes are able to have a study hall in their schedule. The maximum class load is 6 classes for a regular schedule or 7 classes if one of the classes is an Early Bird class.
What is a GPA?
GPA stands for Grade Point Average. All students receive a cumulative GPA at the end of each semester.Each letter grade receivesa point value. All point values received throughout high school are averaged together in order to compute the cumulative GPA. Students should strive to obtain as high a GPA as possible since it is one of the major factors that colleges use in their admissions process.
What are credits?
Students receive 0.5 credits for each semester class passed. For example, if a student passes 6 classes during first semester, then he/she would receive 3.0 credits for that semester. The only exceptions are AP Science classes and Algebra 1.5 classes in which students receive .75 credits for each semester class passed. Students do not receive credit for Study Hall periods. For any class failed, no credit is given. Students must reach 22 total credits for graduation.
What are progress reports?
Progress reports are grades that are distributed multiple times throughout the year. The school year is divided into two main segments called semesters. At the end of semester 1 (January) and semester 2 (June) credits and GPA are calculated. Progress reports are given throughout each semester but they are not final grades and are not used to calculate credits and GPA. The following grades are posted on Powerschool throughout the school year: Progress Report 1 (September), Progress Report 2 (October), Progress Report 3 (November), Semester 1 (January), Progress Report 5 (February), Progress Report 6 (March), Progress Report 7 (April) and Semester 2 (June).
What is the deadline for dropping a class?
Students can drop a class without penalty before the 2nd progress period of each semester. Students are not able to add a replacement course which means they will be placed in a study hall. Students must also make sure they meet the minimum class load requirement when thinking of dropping a course. See your counselor for more information.
Can I add a new class to my schedule after the semester starts?
No, all course additions must be made before the semester starts, with the exception of level changes (i.e. moving from Honors Geometry to Regular Geometry).
How many years of world language should I take?
Although students must take one year of a world language (or Music, Art, or Applied Arts) to fulfill graduation requirements, college bound students should consider taking at least two years of the same world language. Many colleges either require or recommend high school foreign language for admission. In addition, many colleges require world language as part of their college graduation requirements. Completing world language in high school and receiving satisfactory grades can potentially meet the college world language requirement. World language requirements for admission and graduation vary depending on the specific college. In summary, taking more years of a world language and receiving high grade marks can be beneficial for students.
Can I exempt from Physical Welfare?
Students may exempt from their Physical Welfare class if they are a Junior or Senior and they are enrolled in an ALF class. Students may only exempt if they are enrolled in 6 academic classes and don’t have a Study Hall in their schedule. Once their athletic season ends, they must report back to their ALF class.
How does pass/fail work?
The pass/fail option has been developed to encourage students to take more rigorous courses. By electing to take a course pass/fail, it is possible for students to experience a broader curriculum as part of their four-year program. Students must be enrolled in at least four other regularly graded academic courses, must have a pass/fail contract on file with their counselor by the 2nd Progress period, and cannot use pass/fail classes that are required for graduation.
How do I receive a work release?
Students may only receive a work release if they have an 8th period Study Hall. Students must then give a letter from their employer (on company letterhead) to their counselor. The letter must be signed by both a work supervisor and a parent.

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