Principal's Blog #21

Mustang families,

Check out a fun classroom highlight I was able to observe this week:

In physics class, our students worked on a fun hands-on project involving speed, force, and collisions. Students got to build their own small-scale "bumpers" using everyday items from home. They brought these in to attach to the front of makeshift vehicles. Groups of students then took turns sending their bumper-equipped vehicles careening down a ramp built by our talented MHS faculty!

As the vehicles crashed into the wall at the end, students got to see physics in action and observe how different bumper designs and speeds affected the impact. This engaging experiment allowed kids to apply concepts they've been learning in class about velocity and force in a creative, memorable way. The hands-on collision testing was a hit! Students enjoyed tinkering to engineer effective bumpers and seeing the real-life collisions play out.

Thank you, Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Hickey, for bringing physics principles to life for our students while having fun through trial and error experimentation!

Have a great weekend,

Dr. Alexandria Rios Taylor

Principal, Mundelein High School

847-949-2200 x1257

www.d120.org

ataylor@d120.org

Feb 1 - Student Registration Begins

Feb 14 - Valentine's Day

Feb 16 - Teacher Institute Day - No School

Feb 19 - Presidents’ Day - No School

Mar 15 - Late Start - Classes Begin at 9:40am

Mar 25 - 29 - Spring Break

Looking to update your Spirit Wear? Have an incoming freshman? Looking for a way to support MHS clubs and athletics? Mundelein Booster Club's online spirit store is OPEN! Click this link to view the current items offered.

The store will close Feb 2 so be sure to grab your spirit wear now!

The mission of the MHS Mustang Booster Club is to promote and support the success, spirit, participation, and sportsmanship of every student involved in all activities and programs at Mundelein High School.

Student Registration begins February 1, 2024. All students must register yearly. Visit our registration page for more information: https://www.d120.org/resources/parents/registration-2/

The Science Olympiad team competed at the Libertyville High School Invitation on January 20th. Forty-five teams from Northern Illinois took part in the event. MHS students medaled in Air Trajectory, Scrambler, Wind Power, and Write It Do It!

The Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Combo made a trip to the Purdue Jazz Festival this past weekend where they performed for peers and professionals. The students heard superb jazz professionals and experienced masterclasses.

The Mundelein Jazz Ensemble placed 1st in their room and Chloe Langford was recognized as Outstanding Soloist of the day! The Mundelein Jazz Combo placed 1st in their room where Chloe also received Outstanding Soloist of the day! The two scores from our groups were the highest 2 scores all day in a field of over 90 ensembles! WOW!

Kudos to our students and Mr. Sturgeon and Mr. Shelato on a fantastic showing!

There were 38 submissions in our first week! Freshman, Javier Barrera, was recognized week 1. This week's winner is Logan Capistrano. Congratulations, Javier and Logan!!

Black History Month begins February 1st. Click here to explore with the Smithsonian Institute. Image courtesy of: Freepik

Although this holiday is commonly called “Chinese New Year” in the West, China is not the only country to observe it. Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most celebrated and longest of all Asian festivals and is observed by millions of people worldwide. Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) occurs on Saturday, February 10, 2024. This year ushers in the year of the Dragon! Click here to learn more. Image courtesy of: Freepik

"The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau—as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a time to remember the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution.

As we are witnessing an alarming rise of antisemitism around the globe, it is more important than ever for us to recognize the critical lessons of Holocaust history as we commemorate the victims and honor the survivors."

https://www.ushmm.org/remember/international-holocaust-remembrance-day

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Our community partner, A Safe Place, provided the parent resource below. Click on the flyers to learn more.

Celebrity Day - Dress like a celebrity.

Sweet treats will be for sale in the commons during lunch periods.

No School

Course selection resources:

• Course Selection Preparation and Process (English / Spanish)

• Mundelein High School Academic Course Guide (English/Spanish)

• Course Request Worksheet (English / Spanish)

• Mundelein High School Career Pathways (English / Spanish)

• Advanced Placement/Honors Recruitment Letter to Parents/Guardians (English / Spanish)

• Accelerated Placement Act Letter to Parents/Guardians (English / Spanish)

If you have any questions about this process you can reach out directly to your school counselor for more information.

We regularly feature a student, staff member or department at our school to give Mustang Nation a closer look at these wonderful folks! Nominate yourself or others for this feature by emailing Mr. Gonzalez – hgonzalez@d120.org

Take a moment to review the January self-care check list

Experiential Education describes all opportunities offered to students to give them a chance to explore the world of careers and professions. These include classes like Dual Credit Student Internship, Business INCubator, and Geometry in Construction as well as career treks and featured guest speakers.

The College of Lake County is pleased to once again offer to MHS students an opportunity to participate in a Spring Break Apprenticeship Awareness program, March 25 - 28th through the Career and Job Placement Center of CLC.

Please see the flyer, application, and session descriptions below. 70 Lake County students will be accepted into program which is for grades 9-12.

Visit the Literacy Center

MHS has many supports to offer students. Students can access a quick-reference guide of all supports available on this page. Available is everything from social-emotional support, to financial support. Check it out!

Click here to see all the student support areas we have to offer.

Submitted by Coach Badgley

The boys are on a winning streak. Last week was a loss vs. top 10 in 3A state, Lake Forest. We had the lead in the 4th quarter, but could not hold it and fell short. Two days later, we traveled to Zion-Benton on Friday night, always a tough place to play and came away with a win. More balanced scoring helped secure the win as we had 19 points from Evan Salvador, 15 from Johnny Weiss, and 14 from Derek Bishop.

Saturday was a home match up with Palatine, a top 15 team in Illinois 4A. The boys played a complete TEAM game and upset the Pirates of Palatine. Huge defensive stances by Caden Minehart, Adam Bogenski, and Jason Dorn to control the paint against a huge team. Then more balanced scoring. 5 from Weiss, 15 from Salvador, 23 from Bishop, 6 from Rogalski, 5 from Hauf, and 2 big FT's from Minehart.

The boys play at Waukegan Tuesday and home game on Friday vs. our big rival, Stevenson. We need a big student section!!

Submitted by Coach Newsom, Coach Duncan and Coach Rosales

The MHS Cheerleading team competed on Thursday, January 18th at the NSC Conference Competition at Lake Zurich High School. The JV team took 2nd place and the Varsity team took 4th place. Senior athletes were honored by all schools as well. Kylie Huddlestun was recognized by her coaches and teammates for the NSC Sportsmanship Award. On Sunday, January 21st, both teams traveled to the Huntley Sweetheart Invitational. The JV team took 3rd place and the Varsity team took 7th place. Our cheerleading coaches are so proud of the effort and teamwork exhibited by all athletes.

Submitted by Coach Ruiz

Our Mattress Fundraiser is coming soon. There will be over 25 beds on display for customers to try. The beds are new, brand name, made to order, available in all sizes, and cost less than retail stores. In addition to beds, there will also be luxury pillows and even adjustable power bases! Please share this information with family and friends!

Check out this cool video to see how it works: VIDEO LINK

Here is the link to the Facebook event, where we will post about our products, payment options, and other event information: FACEBOOK LINK Click “GOING”! “INVITE” your friends! “SHARE” our posts!

Submitted by Coach Prorok

The Girls Bowling teams have been doing a tremendous job this week. Though we have hit a small hiccup in the road, we have been performing well. We are going into Conference this week having only lost 2 points the entire season. At the Wauconda Bulldog tournament, the Varsity girls team took 2nd place, losing by 40 pins. Samantha Sciortino and Brianna Orlowski Merner medaled, earning 1st and 3rd respectively.

Past blogs are available at:

https://www.d120.org/about-mhs/principals-newsletter/

Website: www.d120.org
Location: 1359 West Hawley Street, Mundelein, IL, USA
Phone: 847-949-2200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mundelein-High-School-District-120/100095401983567/
Twitter: @MundeleinHS