July 2020

Dear Illiana Families:

We are looking forward to having everything ready for you in August!  We hope and pray for a great year of learning and growing!

CALENDAR NOTES

July 31:  PROM – Information has been sent to both parents and students with detailed instructions and the link to purchase tickets.

August 1:  Graduation – Will be held here at Illiana at 7:30 p.m., outside (weather permitting).  Tickets and information will be mailed soon.

August 14:  Freshmen Digital Applications test.

August 18:  First Day – Freshmen.

August 19:  First Day – All Students.

September 3, 7:00 p.m.:  Back to School Night – An evening to welcome parents, introduce them to the school and faculty and acquaint them with their child’s schedule.  (For parents only.)

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

RENWEB RE-BRANDING:  Illiana’s student information system (SIS) has been provided by RenWeb for the past several years.  In 2016 RenWeb merged with FACTS, and you may have already seen this name on your tuition account information.  FACTS has been updating and improving its services and is changing the name of some of them, phasing out the RenWeb name.  Starting with the new school year, you’ll see us refer to “FACTS” instead of RenWeb, and “Family Portal” instead of ParentsWeb.  Your username, passwords, and bookmarked pages will still work in FACTS.  You may visit the FACTS website for more information at https://factsmgt.com/.

FRESHMEN CHALLENGE:    The first day of school for freshmen will be Tuesday, August 18.  Orientation will be from 7:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Enter the building through the north door (by the flag) and meet in the Commons. You will receive your textbooks and Chromebook that day.  A snack and lunch will be provided.

REQUIRED FRESHMEN DOCUMENTS:  All freshmen are required by Indiana law to submit an immunization record and birth certificate or other proof of age before school starts.   Scans and photocopies are acceptable.

THE FIRST DAY:  The first day of school for all other students (and the second day for freshmen) is Wednesday, August 19.  The day will be a full day beginning at 7:45 a.m. and ending at 2:50 p.m.

HOMEROOM AND LOCKERS:   Homeroom and locker assignments for all students will be available in mid-August.  You can view them through the Family Portal of your FACTS (RenWeb) account.

STUDENT SCHEDULES:  We have recently completed teacher scheduling for the 20-21.  Schedules are available through the Family Portal.

TEXTBOOK DISTRIBUTION: In the past we have had additional times for students to get their textbooks before school began.  This year we are going to have all textbooks and Chromebooks available for students on their first day of school.  For freshmen this will be on the day of Freshman Challenge.  For all other students this will be on Wednesday, August 19.

ATTENDANCE SAFEGUARDS: Recently we distributed our plans for returning to learning.  It continues to look highly likely that we will be returning to in-person learning from the beginning of classes on August 19.  Thank you to many of you who have responded to our survey seeking your input about protocols for the fall.

• Meanwhile, we are continuing to monitor recommendations and requirements for social distancing as well as how this is being interpreted in schools in our area so we can be in sync with the protocols in our community.  While we have plans in place already, we expect that in August we will have a clearer picture of this.  And, of course, all are reminded that our practices may change to accommodate changing conditions.

CHROMEBOOKS:  Freshmen will receive their Chromebook at Orientation.  The rest of the students will receive theirs in homeroom.  A $90 technology fee will be assessed for all students. Additional fees will be assessed if Chromebooks are damaged or lost.

2020 WASHINGTON D.C. SENIOR CLASS TRIP (October 20-24):  The fee of $650 is due by September 10.  Students will receive more information the second week of the fall semester.  Please do not pay early, and do not combine payment with a tuition payment.  Payment should be given to homeroom teachers for accurate record keeping.

ADMISSIONS & ENROLLMENT:  Applications for admission are still being accepted throughout the summer. For more information please contact Marie Limback, Director of Admissions, at 219-558-7066, ext. 49 or mlimback@illianaweb.org.

COUNSELING OFFICE: 

• ISTEP+ Summer 2020 Retest Window is canceled. The ISTEP+ Summer 2020 Retest Window is canceled due to health and safety concerns, and to consider needed instructional support for students related to the impact of COVID-19. Illiana is monitoring the testing schedule for the 2020-2021 school year.
• ACT: Seniors who wish to take or retake the ACT on Saturday   September 12, 2020 should register by August 14.  This September test is NOT held at Illiana.  You must register online at actstudent.org.  Our school code is 145555.  This code should be used for both SAT and ACT testing registration to ensure your scores are sent to Illiana, so they can then be included on your transcript.
• COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID NIGHT/FAFSA INFORMATION: Parents of juniors and seniors are invited to the College Financial Aid night on September 21, at 7:00 p.m., in the Commons.  This is an important seminar to attend as you begin college and financial aid applications.  Please make this a priority.

NOTES FOR 2020-2021: 

DIGITAL APPLICATIONS TEST:  Illiana offers an optional computer skill test for incoming freshmen.  This test could allow your student to test out of Illiana’s Digital Applications Class.  The test date is August 14 at 8:00 a.m.   You may sign up for this test online.

PARKING FOR 2020 – 2021:  For identification purposes, all student drivers must display a parking tag in their car.  There are only 80 students signed up for a parking tag, last year we had over 130, there is still time to sign up, please do so before August 7.    The $20 fee will be billed with tuition.  Please carefully read, complete and submit the form.  The parking tags will be distributed in homeroom on the first day of school.

 BUSINESS OFFICE

TUITION, GRANTS & EFT:  The tuition rate for 2020-2021 is $10,525.  A $100 credit (for the enrollment fee paid earlier) brings the tuition to $10,425.  The first payment for each student is due by August 15.  Payments for August-May are $948/month.  The payment for June 2021 will be $945.     The supporting church gratitude grant of $650 will be applied in June 2021.

• PAYMENT OPTIONS:
  • Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT): You are encouraged to participate in this automatic payment plan using electronic fund transfer.  Payments are automatically taken from the account of your choice.  A new form must be completed every year.  The August payment must be made by cash or check.  Auto payments begin in September.
  • FACTS (RenWeb) – Using the Family Portal click on the Pay Now button in the billing tab. Payments processed through your checking account are fee-free, but payments by credit card will be charged a convenience fee.
  • In Person – Cash, Check, Money Order and /or Credit Card (MasterCard and Discover only, with a 3.75% convenience fee) are accepted in the office.
  • Snail Mail – Check and Money Order payments can be mailed to the school office.
  • Bill Pay through your bank – these payments are initiated by you.
• Please call Suzanne Jonkman (ext. 11) if you have questions or for more information. Note:  All prior tuition must be paid before a student can attend classes.
• FEES:  Additional fees may be added to your tuition, such as:
• Spire/Yearbook–Order in October
• Instrument rental
• Textbook loss or damage
• Lost or late uniforms
• Parking registration
• Bus registration
• Chromebook repairs
• Athletic trainer fee
• Athletic team fee
• I.E. (Parents Involved in Education) Fee: Each Illiana family is assessed a fee of $200, which is billed in December. When parents volunteer, they receive a credit of $200 on their tuition statement to offset this fee.

BUS NEWS:      2020 – 2021 bus registration link is open.  If your student will need bus transportation next school year, please take a moment to register them.  There is transportation from South Holland, Lansing, and Highland.  The bus registration fee for next year is $215 and will be billed on your August tuition statement.

P.I.E. NEWS

P.I.E. (PARENTS INVOLVED IN EDUCATION):  A $200. P.I.E. fee will be billed on your December tuition statement. More information regarding this and volunteer sign-ups will be emailed the first week of August. Please read the updated information when it is sent.

• SCRIP: The next order will be submitted on August 4 at 8:00 a.m.  The SCRIP store is open during the summer.  Please email your order to scrip@illianaweb.org.  Your order will be filled as soon as possible.  All orders are filled based on availability.  Some gift cards may be out of stock.

 ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

• ATHLETIC REGISTRATION: All students participating in sports must register on Final Forms.  All athletes must be registered BEFORE tryouts begin.  If you have questions, contact Bonnie Trepton at 219-558-7066 ext. 24, or btrepton@illianaweb.org.
• PHYSICALS: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2019-20 school year, the IHSAA will waive the need for students to get another sports physical for the upcoming 2020-21 school year.   Valid physical and consent forms turned in this past year after April 1, 2019 may be valid for the 2020-2021 school year.  However, on Final Forms you must print off, complete, and return to the athletic office, the IHSAA Sports Health Questionnaire.  After reviewing your questionnaire, we may extend the 2019-2020 physical’s validity through 2020-2021.
  • Transfer students moving from one member school to another member school must provide a copy of their 2019-2020 physical in order to be eligible.
  • Incoming freshmen with a valid IHSAA Pre-Participation Physical and Consent Form completed and signed after April 1, 2019 will also be eligible to compete during the 2020-21 athletic season. The physical form is available on our website.
• Sports Schedules can be viewed at the link on our website: Illiana Christian Vikings.

FALL TRYOUTS:

• Both boys and girls Soccer tryouts will be on August 3, 4, and 5.
• Girls Volleyball tryouts will be August 3, 4, and 5.
• Boys Tennis tryouts are also August 3, 4, and 5.