Principal's Blog #4

September 8, 2023

Principal's Blog #4September 8, 2023
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Message from Dr. Taylor

Dear Mustang Families,



It’s Homecoming week and the energy has been festive!

We look forward to a wonderful homecoming game tonight and dance tomorrow. Please read an important message (English / Espanol) from our Athletic Director regarding our Homecoming game this evening. You can look forward to a full recap of this week’s events featured in next week’s blog including pictures of the week.


I’d also like to personally thank the Village of Mundelein for getting into the Homecoming Spirit. #MundyPride


~Onward /Adelante


Dr. Alexandria Rios Taylor

Principal, Mundelein High School

847-949-2200 x1257

www.d120.org

ataylor@d120.org

Village of Mundelein Homecoming Celebration

IMPORTANT DATES

Sept 9 Alumni Tour & Homecoming Dance 7:00 - 10:00pm - No tickets will be sold at the door.

Sept 11& 12 One Act Plays

Sept 12 Financial Aid Night

Sept 13 Student Picture Day

Sept 14 Home Football Game - vs - Waukegan

Sept 15 Late Start Schedule

Sept 15 Hispanic Heritage Kick-Off & Rosh HaShana

Sept 22 Star Testing - Math

Sept 28 Community Night Cookout

Sept 28 Universidad de Padres

Sept 29 Star Testing - Reading

Alumni Tour

Mundelein High School students in National Honor Society will host alumni class tours at 10am on Saturday, September 9 from 10-11am. Please complete the form below if your alumni class is interested in participating. Meet in the Mundelein Room promptly at 10am to begin the tour.

Future Building Tours

We are proud to host visitors on select days through the school year. To secure a visitation time, please fill out our online form so we are able to provide the necessary information and personnel during your visit to MHS.


Future building tours are planned for:


September 28, 2023 - 4:30-5:30 p.m.

October 26, 2023 - 4:30-5:30 p.m.

January 25, 2024 - 4:30-5:30 p.m.

February 22, 2024 - 4:30-5:30 p.m.

April 25, 2024 - 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Upcoming Events

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Student Picture Day - 9/13

School picture day for all Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. Learn more >>
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Late Start

Late Start Schedule-Classes begin at 9:40 a.m. Sept. 15

Learn more >>

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October 15th Deadline for Physicals!

All 9th-grade students must submit a school physical.

All 12th-grade students must submit proof of the second meningococcal vaccination.


Students without these requirements will be excluded from school on October 15. Visit our health office website for more info.
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Rosh Hashana - 9/15 - 9/17 & Yom Kippur 9/24-9/25

Our Jewish students will be observing Rosh HaShanah, Sep. 15-17, which marks the beginning of a 10-day period of introspection. It culminates with Yom Kippur, Sep. 24-25, which requires a 24-hour fasting period and is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Some students may participate in additional prayers and observances throughout these dates and may be more tired than usual. We recognize that some students may be absent during this time and may require additional time to turn in assignments. Students are encouraged to speak directly to their teacher if they will need additional time for assignments or alternate dates for assessments. To learn more, click here or here for additional information.
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Hispanic Heritage - 9/15

Hispanic Heritage Month, also known as "Mes de la Herencia Hispana" or "National Hispanic Heritage Month," is an annual celebration in the United States that takes place from September 15 to October 15. This month-long celebration is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the diverse cultures, histories, contributions, and achievements of Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States. Please utilize this month to celebrate and appreciate the rich tapestry of Latin cultures that make up our region, our state and our nation. For additional information regarding Hispanic Heritage, click here.

Star Testing September 22nd and 29th

All MHS students will take the reading and math STAR assessments this fall. The STAR assessments are designed to provide valuable insights into your students’ proficiency in these subjects, assisting us in determining the support and enrichment required for their academic success. We will administer the STAR math assessment on Friday, September 22nd, and the STAR reading assessment on Friday, September 28th. We will follow a special schedule on these two Fridays, which includes a 40-minute testing window between first and second periods.


There is no need for your student to prepare for the STAR assessment. These assessments are designed to measure their current skill levels, and there are no specific materials or study guides required. Students will take the STAR reading and math assessments in September and then again in April. This allows us to track their growth and progress in these subjects over the course of the school year.


Computer Adaptive Testing:

The STAR assessments are computer-adaptive, which means that the difficulty level of the questions adjusts based on your student’s responses. This individualized approach ensures a more accurate and personalized assessment experience and results.


STAR Math and Reading

The STAR Math assessment assesses math achievement in five key domains: numbers and operations, algebra, geometry and measurement, data analysis, statistics, and probability.


Score Reporting. The STAR Reading assessment evaluates your student’s reading comprehension and skills across various domains, including word knowledge, comprehension strategies, analysis of literary text, analysis of argument, and evaluation of text.


Score Reporting

After the assessments are completed, scores will be emailed to both students and families. It is important to note that these scores are just one data point among many that we use to ensure students have the support and resources they need to succeed at MHS.


Your support in helping us gather valuable data to enhance your student's educational journey is greatly appreciated. Please emphasize the importance of your student's serious effort on these tests, as accurate scores are crucial for us to determine the necessary steps for achieving academic success.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the STAR assessments, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Taylor, Building Principal (ataylor@d120.org), or Mr. Lerner, Math Department Chair (rlerner@d120.org), at any time.


PSAT / NMSQT Testing - October 11

On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, MHS will be participating in PSAT/NMSQT testing or participating in an E-Learning Day.


  • Class of 2027 (Freshman) - participating in an e-learning day (remain at home and follow e-learning instructions)

  • Class of 2026 (Sophomores) -report to campus for practice SAT exam in the morning. Participate in e-learning in the afternoon.

  • Class of 2025 (Juniors) - report to campus for PSAT / NMSQT. Participate in e-learning in the afternoon.

  • Class of 2024 (Seniors) - participating in an e-learning day (remain at home and follow e-learning instructions)


The PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) will be administered free of charge. All Class of 2025 students, or the entire junior class, will automatically be registered for this exam. Students will not need to do anything special in order to take this exam. The PSAT/NMSQT will be approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes long.


In addition, ALL Class of 2026, or the entire sophomore class, will take a practice SAT exam on Khan Academy. This exam is to provide students with a practice exam to provide areas of focus for the school year. All students in the Class of 2025 and 2026 are required to attend these exams at MHS during the morning. See tentative schedule below. After the exam, students will be released to go home for the rest of the day.


Wednesday, October 11 Schedule

  • 8:30 am - Room Check in

  • 8:40 am - Exam begins

  • Approximately 11:00 am - Exam ends*

  • 11:15 am - Buses leave

  • Rest of the day - Asynchronous course work to be completed


*Students with testing accommodations will receive a separate letter with accommodations and schedule adjustments.


Lunch will be available for students before they leave after the exam or if the exam is scheduled into the afternoon.


The PSAT/NMSQT exam and Practice SAT exam will be delivered digitally - Class of 2025 & 2026 students MUST bring their fully charged chromebooks to school for this exam. This format will be used for all spring testing in April, so this is a good trail run for students and staff to participate in prior to April.


  • Students may bring a calculator for this exam, however, there is an online calculator for students to use.

  • Students are able to highlight text.

  • Students may eliminate responses when choosing their answer.

  • The digital exam is shorter with only 98 questions total.


Students and parents were sent testing information Thursday morning, August, 24, 2023.


The PSAT/NMSQT is a multiple-choice assessment of verbal, mathematics and writing skills. The digital version is an adaptive test which means the exam will begin to deliver questions based on the students’ responses. There are several benefits to taking this exam. First, this is a great exposure to the SAT exam structure which all 11th grade students will take in April this school year. This will allow MHS to decide what math and English topics should be reviewed prior to the April SAT. In addition, top-performing juniors nationally may be eligible for money through National Merit, National Achievement, or National Hispanic Scholarship funds. This is a great opportunity for students to possibly obtain National Merit recognition and scholarship money.


To learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT, visit www.collegeboard.org/psat. For questions, please contact akroll@d120.org


Universidad de Padres

La primera sesión de La Universidad de Padres se celebrará este próximo 28 de septiembre en la cafetería de la escuela, de 6pm a 8pm. Para más información, puede comunicarse con Hector Gonzalez al (847) 949-2200, ext. 1269 o vea este video.
Invitacion a La Universidad de Padres de Mundelein High School

Career Pathways

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The College of Lake County is pleased to once again offer an opportunity for high school students (grades 9-12) to learn about a Career Pathway through Apprenticeships. Attached are the registration form and photo release form that students need to complete in order to register for one session of the Manufacturing Career Pathways program offered by CLC on October 17-18-19. Follow this LINK for registration and photo release forms.


There are 70 slots available. Students will receive a $50 stipend. Students will need transportation to and from the session site. MHS will assist with transportation if necessary - please contact Mr. Kapotas in the CCRC.


Deadline to register is Thursday, October 6th but space is reserved on a first come-first served basis.


Students can attend only one session, but they can select a second (2) or third (3) choice in case their first choice is filled. Most sessions will have 10-15 students max since they will be in labs.


Here are the programs and dates:


  • Automation, Robotics, Mechatronics (ARM) - Thursday, October 19th (Grayslake campus)
  • HVAC - Tuesday, October 17th (Grayslake campus)
  • Precision Machining Technology (PMT), formerly CNC - Thursday, Oct. 19th (Grayslake campus)
  • Industrial Technology (INT), Wednesday, Oct 18th (Advanced Technology Center - Gurnee)
  • Welding (WFT) - Thursday, Oct. 19th (Advanced Technology Center - Gurnee)


All sessions will be offered from 4:30 -5:30 PM.


Please follow the links below for more information about the 5 different areas:


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Interested in space travel or conducting science experiments in space? Here is an opportunity for you!


Higher Orbits is a non-profit with the mission of promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM); along with leadership, teamwork, and communication through the use of spaceflight. Mankind’s journey into space serves as an ideal launchpad to excite students of all ages about STEM/STEAM and working to fulfill their dreams and ambitions while also building teamwork, leadership, and communication skills.


  • Date: October 7th & 8th

  • Time: 8am – 6pm

  • Where: TMA 1651 Wilkening Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173

  • Register/More information/Flyers: HERE

  • Go For Launch delivers a multi-day, in-person, truly out of this world experience to 8th - 12th grade students leveraging spaceflight and space exploration as the launchpad for students to develop and strengthen their skills in STEM, teamwork, communication, research design, and leadership.

  • Go For Launch! students work side-by-side with an astronaut for the entire event -learning, growing, and developing the life-long skills that create a successful, meaningful future.

  • The culminating exercise is an experiment design project. The teams will present their ideas to a panel of judges from the Space & STEM fields, who will then choose a winner from each Go For Launch! event. Depending on the Series, winning experiments will be launched to and conducted aboard the International Space Station or on a suborbital flight!

  • Visit higherorbits.org to learn more about this program.

  • Videos to check out for more insights: HERE

Be Kind to Yourself!

Join with MHS staff members on a journey of self-care.
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Coaches Corner - Boys Cross Country

Submitted by Coach Kurt Rutz


Last Wednesday we competed at the Art Campbell Lake County Invite at the Bulldog Athletic Complex, taking 4th out of 16 teams. This was a huge improvement over last year.


We were beaten by a very good Barrington team (top 5 in State, and rightfully so), Libertyville and Stevenson. Deerfield, a state ranked team, did not run their varsity squad. I never like losing to conference rivals, and I can tell you, their coaches had the biggest smiles on their faces I've seen in a long time. Despite that, the scores were close (120-126-142). We've been preaching team running, meaning running as a pack, and having a small spread from the 1st to 5th runner. In that we succeeded, as we had the smallest spread from 1-5 in the meet, including Barrington! This is going to pay off for us in the long run, and, missing a couple of guys from our top 7 as we were, should result in better results as we go along.


In the Open Race, we were led by sophomore James Glaskin-Clay, whose time of 19:25 was a 29 second PR over last year. We had a group of freshmen in that race who also did a fine job competing in their first 3 mile races. Congratulations to you all! The future indeed looks bright.

Coaches Corner - Girls Volleyball

Submitted by Coach Beth Willis


Now that we are fully in competition mode, the Girls Volleyball program is continuing to gain momentum. Serving, passing, and serve receive have gotten more consistent as all levels put some game experience under their belts. With 2 Varsity wins against Palatine and Antioch, our confidence is growing as well. We are looking forward to next week’s matches against Grayslake North on Monday, September 11, and against Waukegan on Wednesday, the 13th. Both matches are at home. Go Mustangs!

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Josilyn Wadas and Allison Kampa put up a solid block against Antioch, while Norah Emso prepares for defense.
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Varsity wins at Antioch after 3 tough sets.

Coaches Corner - Girls Tennis

Submitted by Coach Gregg Winter


The Mustangs had a terrific day of play finishing as a team 2nd place in competitive 8 team Vernon Hills invite on Saturday while all 5 of our levels medaled.

Gabi Lipske and Adriana Trotz took 2nd place in 1 and 2 singles. Stephanie Bolanos and Holly Scaramella got 2nd place in 3 doubles. Stella Moon and Mikala Sosa got 3rd place in 1 doubles and Kaitlin Johnson and Ashley Strachn got 3rd place in 2 doubles.

On Tuesday the Mustangs won 7-0 over Zion Benton to improve to 5-3 and 1-0


In Conference. On Thursday they have a home match at 4:45 part of Homecoming festivities, please come and support these hard working players.

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Girls Tennis
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A. Strachn and K. Johnson 3rd place doubles
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G. Lipske and A. Trotz 2nd place for 1st and 2nd singles
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H. Scaramella and S. Bolanos 2nd place doubles
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S. Moon and M. Sosa 3rd place doubles

Coaches Corner - Boys Soccer

Submitted by Coach Mike Dayton


The MHS Boys Soccer team recently played in the Glenbrook South Invitational Tournament where Brandon Reyes and Frankie Jimenez were chosen for the All-Tournament team. Congratulations to both boys

Coaches Corner - Girls Golf

Submitted by Coach Tom Kuhn


The Lady Mustangs opened Homecoming week with a one-shot Conference win against Warren High School. All 4 Mustang scorers shot their career-best 9-hole scores; Juniors Audrey Smith, Olivia Williams & Noelle Dadian along with Senior Ella Bradshaw carded personal bests. This was the first North Suburban Conference win in 3 seasons for the Lady Mustang Golfers. Next up, the Bears of Lake Zurich on Monday @ Village Green.

Coaches Corner - Girls Cross Country

Submitted by Coach Carsyn Rodriguez


Awesome season opener at the Lake County Invite on August 30th! All returning runners ran minutes faster than their first meet last year! At the Varsity level: the 1-5 split was under 90 seconds + 1 course PR + 3 lifetime PRs! JV level: 13 runners ran their first high school race! So proud of everyone!

Student Spotlight

"We Are MHS"

Staff Spotlight

Theme Thursday

No Theme Thursday this week.

The Mundelein Foundation is seeking new members! Do you have one night a month to make a difference? Contact Jennifer for more information on how you can have some fun helping the next generation: 847-987-7955 or brunkow4@sbcglobal.net

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About Mundelein High School

The 2023-24 MHS School Profile is now available. This document is utilized by colleges as they review our students’ applications, so the information is specifically directed to that audience.

English | Spanish

ASPIRE

Our MHS Portrait of a Learner tenets affirm student identity through schoolwide values, expectations and practices.

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District Communications

We have created a new Facebook page for Mundelein High School District 120 - please visit us on our new page. Please be sure to follow us on our new page, share the page with friends and “like” our page as well. We’re so glad to have you as part of our Mustang community.

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Student Supports


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.

Monthly Building Tours

We are proud to host visitors to learn more about our programming and facilities. In order to minimize the impact on the educational environment, we have chosen to host visitors on select days throughout the school year.

Therefore, to secure a visitation time, please select from the following options so we are able to provide the necessary information and personnel during your visit.


Click here to schedule your tour.

Reminders

Attendance

Regular school attendance is required and necessary to develop the academic and intrapersonal skills needed for success. Students are expected to attend each class and be on time. Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance.


If your student is going to be absent from school, please call the Attendance Line 847-949-2200 ext. 1998 (Spanish) ext. 1999 (English) by 10:00 am.

Bus Notifications

Would you like to know when your student’s bus is going to be late? For Mundelein bus routes, Lakeside Transportation is using the Bus Bulletin notification system to notify parents and students when there are bus delays and schedule changes. For more information, or to sign-up and start receiving notifications, please visit: www.busbulletin.com/parents (Find Mundelein Area Schools when prompted for a district) *Note - This is managed by Lakeside Bus Company and not MHS.

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Dress Code

Although we take great pride in a dress code that encourages self-expression, we do want to remind students of our student dress code policy as found in our student handbook.


  • Clothing must cover all undergarments (waistbands and straps excluded).
  • Fabric covering all private parts must not be seen through.
  • Clothing that depicts, advertises or advocates the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other controlled substances is prohibited.
  • Clothing that depicts pornography, nudity or sexual acts is prohibited.
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Lockers

With the increased enrollment in recent years, we have been unable to provide a locker for every student at MHS. Since many students do not use a locker, we are assigning lockers to students upon request. Please click here to request a locker.

Technology Use

Students will utilize technology to support their learning in class. Students are reminded to use their Chromebooks and cell phones appropriately at all times. For further information about technology use, please refer to the student handbook located on the District web page.