Principal's Blog #27

Dear MHS Families,

As the 5-Essentials parent survey deadline is drawing near, I am writing to emphasize the importance of your participation. The 5-Essentials Survey is designed to gather valuable insights from students, teachers, and parents about five key areas that research has shown to be critical for school success. By participating in this survey, you are providing us with essential feedback that will help us identify our strengths and areas for improvement, allowing us to make data-driven decisions to enhance the educational experience for all our students.

Your participation in the survey not only benefits Mundelein High School but also contributes to the ISBE's reporting and assessment of our school's performance. The survey results are used by the ISBE to evaluate schools across the state, and a high participation rate from our families demonstrates your commitment to continuous improvement and engagement in your children's education.

Thank you in advance for your support and commitment to the growth and success of Mundelein High School. Together, we can continue to create an exceptional educational experience for our students and showcase the strength of our school community to the rest of the state. Your input is invaluable, and your participation is essential. The survey can be accessed online through this link.

Go Mustangs!

Dr. Alexandria Rios Taylor

Principal, Mundelein High School

847-949-2200 x1257

www.d120.org

ataylor@d120.org

Mustang parents are invited to complete the 5-Essentials Survey to help provide valuable information about our MHS learning community and help guide our ongoing improvement efforts.

Parents can start the survey now by clicking here.

The National Women’s History Month’s theme for 2024 celebrates “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” The theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions. Check out https://www.womenshistorymonth.gov/ to learn more.

Chicago Day - Our Group Interp group is sponsoring this week’s theme: Chicago Day. Wear anything Chicago related: Da Cubs, Da Bears, Da Bulls, Da Blackhawks, Da Sox, Da Flag, Da Musical. Anything, my friends.

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

Enjoy the break!

The annual Mayor’s Cup STEM Challenge is a great opportunity for Mundelein students to showcase their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) skills, earn cash rewards, and have fun in the process! Think critically, work together in teams, test your knowledge, and strengthen your collaborative and social skills. Expect real-world problem solving, hands-on involvement, and out-of-the-box thinking!

Please register for the Mayor’s Cup STEM Challenge through teachers at each participating school no later than March 18, 2024.

Also, we need to collect some of the materials that students will be using in the challenge. To meet that end, if you are getting rid of any of the following items, please donate them to the event.

• Carboard Boxes of any size/shape (paper boxes, cereal boxes, Kleenex, etc)
• Cardboard
• Toilet Paper and Paper Towel Rolls
• Empty Aluminum Cans
• Packing Material (bubble wrap, Styrofoam, etc.)
• Balloons
• Newspaper

Donated materials can be brought to B-141, B-152A, or the Nano Lab C-130. Thank you for your support in making this event a success for our students and community.

Questions? Please contact Jennifer Marshall at 847-949-3225 or jmarshall@mundelein.org

We will be observing a special schedule for prom. More information will be available soon.

We have a remarkable senior class and we’re proud to celebrate their impressive and unique accomplishments:

• As outstanding scholars earning top grades and honors

• As stars in art, theater, choir and band

• As accomplished athletes - many in multiple sports - spreading Mustang Pride across the state and country

• As compassionate citizens, demonstrating support for your classmates, the community, and our country

Date, Time, and Place: Graduation will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 3:00 pm at the NOW Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, IL. Seniors need to report to the NOW Arena by 2:00 pm. Students may drive on their own, however bus transportation to the NOW Arena and back to MHS will be available for any students and their families who need it. Information regarding transportation services will be released in the spring.

Tickets and seating: Each graduate will be issued 15 tickets (wristbands) for guest seating. General seating will begin at 2:00 pm.

Here is the link for today's Friday Focus. Special stories this week include...

• Who students would want to go on a road trip with
• Mr. Buck tells us about new ways to participate in Theme Thursday
• A look back at last weekend's Mr. Mustang show
• Athlete of the week.

Congratulations to Sophomore Holden McFall and Junior Luis Antonio Antunez (pictured below)!!

Mr. Shifley and his National Art Honors Society (NAHS) students put on a fantastic learning experience for our teachers on Tuesday, 3/5 in the FIRST EVER Teacher Art Club! The NAHS students taught teachers basic painting techniques and the “students” walked out with finished creations!

Congratulations to alumna, Megan Hansen, Class of 2020, for being named 2024 Presidential Scholar at Western Michigan University. See the letter from their University to MHS.

Congratulations to our Mustang Pride Winners: Vanessa Prorok, Bret Sorby, Wendy Inman, Mary Martino, Hope Babowice and Donna Doering

Did you know that you can customize your Mustang spirit wear online? Since 2010, hundreds of items are available to choose from infant sizes to 6XL. Choose embroidery or screenprint, ladies or men’s fit, and front and back printing. You can add custom text to add your name to your shirt. Look at actual garment size (chest, body, and sleeve length) to find the perfect fit. Buy accessories like hats, bags, and luggage tags. All customizable and shipped directly to you! Visit us at mymustangnation.com or linked through the d120.org website.

Each year, the highlight of our graduation ceremony is our student speakers. If you are interested in giving a speech on stage this year, please submit your speech by clicking this link!

• Submission deadline Friday, April 19, 4pm

• Full speech must be submitted in writing

• Maximum speech length is 5 minutes

• Prompt: How has MHS propelled you forward / onward or helped you to ASPIRE (Get creative!)

If your speech is selected, you will then be given a mentor to guide you through the process of refining your speech and preparing you to speak in front of a live audience on the day of graduation.

Click here to see the full schedule of upcoming graduations events.

The Welcome Center is in need of donations to continue assisting those members of our community that are in need. With the fallout from some of our families being displaced recently by inclement weather, those donations are even more important today. We welcome donations of non-perishable food items, personal hygiene items, soaps, detergents and clothing. To help assist those families in need, we are also accepting gift card donations. Please take a minute to watch this video about how The Welcome Center helps our community.

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

The Wellness Center team is proud to share Mental Health Must-Haves for Mundelein Mustangs, a resource packet filled with tips and tricks to manage emotions and stress, regulate thoughts and anger, improve self-love and self-confidence, increase executive functioning, and enhance overall self-care.

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

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

Juniors, this is a great time to start thinking about where you may want to go to college. Check out the college visit scheduled for next week!

To register to attend a visit, (students) simply click the Colleges tab in your Naviance account, then click visits. Find the visit that you wish to attend and click “register”. This final step is extremely important as the CCRC only has seating for 20 students. If we notice that the number of students signed up for the visit exceeds this, we must find a larger space to host the event and email all students who have signed up with the update. Please note: these visits are for MHS Students Only.

Seniors, need help completing scholarships?! Come to one of our scholarship completion workshops!

The FAFSA is now open. Visit www.studentaid.gov to begin your financial aid application.

Below are some scholarships guaranteed to go to seniors at MHS. You can find more scholarships guaranteed to go to Mundelein High School seniors by clicking on this link.

Patrick Zepeda Athlete in Service Award

Old Number One

The James Martin Scholarship

MHS Foundation Scholarships

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.

Mundelein High School will be hosting area businesses and industry representatives for a its annual school-wide Job Fair and Career Expo on Friday, April 12th between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

This is your chance to recruit talent for hourly (year-round), seasonal (summer-only), and entry level (18+/graduate-only) openings for your business. Industry reps and military branches are also welcome to showcase opportunities in their respective fields.

For more information, please contact Alexander Kapotas, Career Exploration & Internship Coordinator, at akapotas@d120.org or 847-949-2200 x1092.

Sign up at bit.ly/Expo2024MHS

Space is limited--reserve your spot today!

Athletic events week of 3/11/24

IHSA Team Academic Achievement Award - Fall

This award is designed to reward teamwork not only in competition, but in the classroom as well.

This award recognizes those varsity teams that maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher throughout their respective season.

Congratulations to all 9 of our Fall Varsity team sports for receiving this academic recognition:

Boys Cross Country, Football, Boys Golf, Boys Soccer, Girls Cross Country, Girls Golf, Girls Swim/Dive, Girls Tennis and Girls Volleyball.

Submitted by Coach Rutz

This week our boys have meets on both Friday and Saturday. On Friday we will be running at Lakes HS, and on Saturday we will be competing in the NSC Invitational at Stevenson HS. Hope to see you all there!

On Sunday we will be hosting our annual Mattress Sale from 11 to 6 in the school cafeteria. If you need a great mattress, pillows, or other accessories at a great price now is the time. Proceeds will benefit the boys' track team. Below is a flyer giving a discount to all school employees.

Submitted by Coaches Dressen and Willis

The MHS Boys Volleyball program is off to a great start! We had over 70 athletes at tryouts this past Monday, and we are looking forward to filling 4 full teams (Freshman, Frosh/Soph, JV, and Varsity). We have many returning players, but also many new faces, which we are very excited about. Tryouts will continue this week, and we should have our teams solidified by the weekend. We are optimistic that all levels are going to be highly competitive. It is going to be a fun season! Good Luck to all the teams starting there season play next week. Go Mustangs!

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

The 2024/2025 Early Registration Fee item has been added to PowerSchool fee accounts for the Class of 2026, 2027, and 2028. If you choose to pay the Registration Fee by May 1st, 2024, you will receive the $25 discount, currently applied in PowerSchool.

Starting May 2nd, the discount will be removed and the regular Registration Fee of $275 will be listed. Please know that all prior Registration and Course fees must be paid off before paying the Early Registration item.

If you have any questions, please reach out to KC Olson in the MHS Payment Center at kolson@d120.org.

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.

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