Mustang News: Book Love - Instilling the Passion in Reading

Few would refute that reading is a life long skill useful for any career and life activity. MHS teachers have always promoted the importance of daily reading and being able to read for long periods of time. However, this message is often lost among the distractions of video games, work, social media, or apathy. Encouraging strong reading habits in students is a battle of epic proportions!

In the past two years, the MHS English department has taken a different approach to encouraging reading called Book Love. In short, students are encouraged to read the book of their choice rather than having a book title forced upon them. Students read daily in class, record the pages they read, and set goals to continually improve the quantity read. Multiple courses meet on a particular period and for "Booktalk" groups - a time for students from different classes to meet and discuss each individual student choice book. Teachers talk and conference with students to discuss the book being read on a daily basis maintaining a culture for the love of reading.

The results are breathtaking!

Students break personal records in the number of pages read and books completed in a single semester.
Understanding of author's tone, themes, and other literary qualities has improved since students have a personal interest in the book they have chosen to read.
Media Center circulation is UP!

Fall 2013 3,349 Total Circulations 44 Holds
Fall 2014 4,747 Total Circulations 48 Holds
Fall 2015 8,139 Total Circulations 141 Holds

Data only says so much. The video below demonstrates how students describe their reading habits and have felt about Book Love. What they share is typical with what many students share by the end of the semester. Students were asked “What kind of reader were you before this class?” and “What kind of reader are you now?”

Parents invited to hear about bell schedule recommendations

Parents of current and future Mundelein High School students are invited to attend an open meeting to hear about recommendations for a possible bell schedule adjustment to be made beginning with the 2017-2018 school year. The meeting will be held Monday, December 14, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the MHS cafeteria.

A long-range planning committee previously prioritized issues with the school that needed to be studied and the current 4 x 4 Block Schedule was the number one item on that list. A faculty committee was then formed to look into many issues concerning the block schedule vs. a traditional eight-period school day. The committee studied current research, examined bell schedules at nearby high schools and surveyed the staff. Director of Guidance Tom Buenik and Business Education Instructor Rahul Sethna head the committee which includes two faculty representatives from each department.

Following extensive research, the committee are showcasing four possible bell schedules to present to the District 120 Board of Education in January. At the December 14 meeting the committee will explain the details of the four different schedules and allow for comments and questions concerning the potential change in the daily schedule for Mundelein High School students.

“Our main goal, above all, is to provide the best possible learning environment that supports success among all our students,” Buenik said. “We look forward to speaking with parents and answering any questions they may have.”

Recognition

MHS announces Illinois State Scholars

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission [ISAC], the state agency committed to helping make college accessible and affordable for Illinois families, bestows this recognition to top Illinois high school students each year. This year, nearly 19,000 elite honorees join the other top state students honored for their academic achievements since the designation was first introduced in 1958.

The following MHS seniors have been recognized:

Stephen Adams, Mitchell Alberts, Hunter Ashton, Jiwon Baeq, Anahi Barraza, Sahana Belagur, John Bikus, Duncan Black, Monika Bowser, Elise Campbell, Darin Chaichitatorn, Katherine Chuma, Joseph Clow, Ian Cornejo, Josephine David, Madison Davis, Abigail Denson, Amanda Diaz, Clark Dumblauskas, Nicholas Duncan, Ryan Fairweather, Colten Fisher, Trevor Fox, Johnathan Frew, Kevin Fung, Adrian Grady, Zachary Green, Abigail Grein, Kelly Grove, Alexandrea Guiritan, Julia Harbison, Emily Hay, Colin Hecht, Kylie Hecht, Crystal Hernandez, Dylan Horswell, Andrew Hurley, Anthony Ko, Jeremiah Lam, Jennifer Lavin, Minh Le, Vivian Lee, Alexandra Levin, Anastasia Metropulos, Pawel Michalski, Jahnvi Modi, Megan Murphy, Ashley Nensel, Jennimai Nguyen, Stephen Nick, Camille Nowicki, Marisa Nuzzo, Lauren Owens, Jaryd Pacis, Angela Peterson, Haley Peterson, Christian Phillips, Rubi Rodriguez, Patricia Roques, Adriana Salse, Kaila Saunders, Emma Smith, Kishan Surti, Peter Sweeney, Melissa Tazioli, Nicole Teeters, Kyra Tessmann, Allison Wallace, Michael Yoo.

“It is always an honor to announce another extraordinary group of State Scholars,” said Eric Zarnikow, ISAC executive director. “At a time when postsecondary education could not be more important to future job and career success, these students have demonstrated the kind of effort and dedication that will help them advance not only their futures, but the future of the state as well. We wish each of them the best as they pursue their chosen educational path.”

Activities

Student groups to perform at Literacy Night at Barnes & Noble

Several groups of Mundelein High School students will help to celebrate the holidays with Literacy Night Friday, December 11, from 6 p.m. through closing. The event will take place at the Vernon Hills Barnes & Noble store.

Beginning at 6 p.m. students will be available to shoppers for gift wrapping. At 7 p.m. the MHS carolers will sing favorite holiday tunes. They will be followed by members of the Poetry Slam Club who will perform spontaneous prose and offer bedtime stories for children. The carolers will perform once again at 8 p.m. Throughout the evening Barnes & Noble will feature book tables with teacher- and student-recommended titles.

A portion of all sales, both in-store and online, will go to the MHS Media Center. Patrons may use the code 11716255 as the online shopping will continue for five days following the event.
“This will provide a great opportunity for us to get high-demand books into the hands of eager young readers,” said Rebecca Plaza, MHS librarian.

Toys for Tots collection underway

Once again, Mundelein High School will serve as a drop-off site for Toys for Tots. The collection is being coordinated by the MHS SADD [Students Against Destructive Decisions] organization.

Area residents are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys to the box located just inside the main entrance to the high school. MHS student groups will be competing with each other to see who can donate the most toys.

The drop-site at MHS will continue through Friday, Dec. 18, the last day of school before the winter break. “It’s all for a great cause,” said Ryan Buck, SADD advisor. “Every kid deserves a toy for the holidays and Toys for Tots works to make that happen.”

MHS bands, choirs combine for Holiday Collage Concert

The instrumental music and vocal groups at Mundelein High School will combine to present a Holiday Collage Concert Tuesday, December 15 at 7 p.m. in the MHS Auditorium. Admission is free. The tradition of ending the holiday concert with the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah will also continue this year.

All MHS music groups will perform together and separately for the concert to include the Women’s Choir, Treble Choir, Select Women’s Ensemble, Master Singers, Honors Symphonic Winds, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and the Honors Wind Ensemble.

Some of the songs that the audience will hear include holiday favorites such as Sleigh Ride, Silver Bells, The Holly and the Ivy and Jingle Bells.

Jerald Shelato and Andrew Sturgeon direct the MHS instrumental music program while Stevee Bellas and Cory Thompson direct the vocal music program.

Athletics

Mundelein High School will host a Girls Basketball Holiday Tournament starting Monday, December 21st - December 26. There will be 16 teams participating in this tournament. Please check the website for the schedule.

Coming soon...our new mascot...stay tuned...

Photos from the last week:

Walking out of the building after a long 10 hours at MHS was a rewarding experience on Dec. 9th, as there was no snow on the ground. Taken by Cara Schaul

English teacher Jim Drier tries his hand at the pottery wheel under the guidance of MHS art teachers.

Katherine Miller ‘19 smiles wide as she stunts during the Boys Varsity basketball game against Libertyville. Taken by Emma Aculado

Orchesis club members Alana Dickens ‘16, Erica Peterson ‘16, Natale Fiocchi ‘16, Diana Guliyeva ‘16, Yadira Ramos ‘16, and Emily Olson ‘18 performed a special Christmas dance during the December show on Monday, Dec. 7th. Taken by Kate Chuma

Anatomy Field Trip to Cadaver Lab at North Park University.

Staff Spot Light

Mike Hickey - Physics Teacher

Life before MHS - I was a part-time faculty at Kiswaukee Junior College. I taught a physical science course and a chemistry lab section.

What are your hobbies/ interests - My family, playing music/guitar, cooking food.

Insider tips for Parents - Know how your student is doing and provide appropriate pressure and support.

Best part of working at MHS - Being in Science Department that is professional and supportive of each other -- and often times hilarious.

College Attended - Northern Illinois University - B.S. Physics Education; M.S. Education Administration and Loyola University Chicago, Ed.D. Curriculum and Instruction

How long have at MHS - This is my 22nd year.

Favorite part of my job: I have the privilege to have students discover for themselves some of the many amazingly cool physics principles whose explanations go against what most would commonly think would happen.

Who or what inspires me? Professional athletes who excel at their sport.

New Building Construction Photographs

In preparation for choosing course for the 2016-17 school year, MHS students were given an opportunity to tour the new building and talk about new courses. Below are some images from this event.