September 2021

“Welcome all new experiences. You never know which one is going to turn everything on." - Jim Rohn

There has been much excitement surrounding the start of the upcoming school year. As we welcome all of our new and returning staff and students, we have so much appreciation for the ability to be together in person. We are settling into our new routines and looking forward to all of the opportunities and experiences ahead.

We are thrilled to welcome four fantastic staff members who have joined our Transition Team from East Campus. You can read more about our entire staff on the newsletter page titled "Staff 2021-2022."

John: John went to New Jersey to spend time with his grandma and went swimming every day.

Luke: My favorite thing about summer break was swimming at Lake Forest High School.

Bill: I went to the Lake Forest beach and collected rocks.

Alex: Alex loved going to Boy Scout camp last summer.

Tyler: Tyler enjoyed bowling and swimming with dad and Connor.

Gillian: I went on a college tour for my brother at Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia with my brother and parents.

Elliana: Elliana went to Lollapalooza with her dad and her favorite band was the Foo Fighters.

Tommy: Tommy loves going to his family lake house in Wisconsin.

Charlie: Charlie attended Camp Ramah for eight weeks this summer. He said it was his first time at a sleepover camp.

Max R: Max worked at Cherry Republic and went on vacation staying in his cottage in Michigan.

Morgan: Morgan attended ESY this summer which was her first time attending Transition in person. Her summer highlights included a visit from her boyfriend from Minnesota and going to Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor.

Michael: Michael enjoyed going to his lake house in Delavan, Wisconsin and riding his waverunner.

Max K: Max took a trip to Glen Arbor, Michigan.

Quinn: Quinn watched the Summer Olympics, took a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and also went to New Buffalo, Michigan to visit his aunt.

An update from Diana Beckman, our Vocational Coordinator

Each year we provide a variety of individualized services to students to target individual employment goals. Students' strengths, resources, abilities, capabilities, and informed choice.

To start out our year, students have used their soft skills, learned about the jobs they're interested in, and made connections in real-world opportunities. The students in the pictures below are participating in the Lake County Career Fair.

This opportunity really challenged our students. I want to help students move beyond applying and/or just placing them in a job. I want them to take interest, ownership, and action for gaining a position they want. Having conversations and networking will build personal relationships.

Employers shared with students about requirements for different positions, students learned specific skills and gained knowledge that will prepare them for those chosen careers. Our staff was super proud of the student engagement and outcomes from the day.

We look forward to working next week to follow up with some of these connections.

Here are some photos from several of the fun activities during the first two weeks at West Campus.

Each month we like to share various helpful resources for parents of our transition students. If you have any questions or know of a resource we may share for the next month, please do not hesitate to contact your class teacher or the Transition Coordinator (These events are not sponsored by Lake Forest High School District 115).