Friday, November 18, 2022

 For a copy of the blog in google drive- click here!   espanol aqui!

Mustang News: Principal's Blog

Mustang Families, 


 

Weather Reminders  

Get news about weather-related school closures:

  • Automated phone call to parents/guardians and MHS staff

  • Email blast to parents/guardians and MHS staff

  • Email blast to local media to help share the information

  • Social media posts on the D120 Facebook Page and on Twitter #mundypride

  • Posted on MHS website:  www.d120.org


Who Decides:  It is the superintendent’s decision to cancel school because of bad/dangerous weather. The superintendent, along with the leadership team, will make the best decision for students’ safety.


Timing:  The decision to close schools during extreme weather (usually snow, ice or extreme wind/cold) is made as early as possible, often very early in the morning. The decision is based on the best weather information available and how inclement weather will affect students, staff and parents during travel times.


Temperatures:  There is no official temperature that closes schools. The superintendent and leadership team consider several factors, including road conditions. Typically, a wind chill of negative 30 degrees will start the conversation about closing schools.


Several different scenarios are possible with bad weather:

  • Two-Hour Delayed Start:  If schools will open on a two-hour delayed start, students should arrive at school two hours later than their normal start times. This option might be used if weather or road conditions are severe overnight but are expected to improve in the morning. On a delayed start day, buses will run their routes two hours later than normal. Likewise, parents who drop their children off at school should do so two hours later than usual. After school activities will continue as scheduled.


  • School Closed:  If schools are closed for the day because of weather, students will remain home. Generally, this also means that all other school activities like after-school clubs, sports, practices, etc. are also canceled for that day. That lost day will need to be made up later to meet State of Illinois requirements for students.


  • eLearning Alternative:  After two days of school are canceled because of weather and are rescheduled for make-up, additional weather days off may utilize eLearning alternatives recently endorsed by the state. Students will have a number of options for completing school work at home and receiving credit for that work. Days off that use the eLearning alternative do NOT have to be made up later. Students will have four days from the day off to turn in the work completed on that day. More details on this alternative are available on the school’s website at eLearning at MHS Guide for Parents and Students


FINAL DECISION:  The final decision is always up to the parent/guardian. 



In partnership,

Alexandria Rios Taylor

Principal

847-949-2200 x1230

ataylor@d120.org


Important Dates

Nov 23 -25  No School (Thanksgiving break)


Friday Focus

Click here to watch this week’s Friday Focus. 


Upcoming

SEL Presentation

On November 28, 2022, your student will view a presentation for social-emotional learning. This month’s presentation serves as an introduction to research-based information about depression and suicide, and how to secure support for these concerns. Safety is a top priority at MHS, so learning and practicing these strategies are essential for growth in individuals and our community at-large. It is important to break the stigma related to mental health concerns so individuals may receive the help they deserve. At the end of the presentation are numerous resources available to all. Please engage in conversations about depression and suicide at home to deepen your student’s knowledge and comfort with this topic. Please review this detailed Letter to Families about Depression and Suicide for more information and access to resources. Please send immediate questions or concerns to Stevee Libert, Assistant Principal for Student Life.

2023-2024 Course Selection

Course selection for the 2023-2024 school year will begin on Monday, November 28th with our grade 11 students.  Students in grades 10 and 9 will select courses after the winter break.  The following resources are available to our families to assist with the course selection process.

MHS Course Guide

Course Preference Sheet

Tech Campus Program Guide

 4-year planning document

The Schuler Scholar Program

The Schuler Scholar Program at MHS is recruiting motivated current 8th and 9th grade students! Our goal is to help academically strong students from underrepresented backgrounds attend top colleges that offer the best opportunities and financial assistance. Some examples of the support we provide throughout high school include individual academic coaching and tutoring, field trips, family events, trips to visit colleges, and individualized guidance in applying to college and for financial assistance. Our program is free of charge to students and families who are selected through our application process. To nominate a student for consideration, please email the MHS Schuler Scholar Program School Director, Melissa Muth Martinez: melissam@schulerprogram.org. 

Author event in the Media Center

November 30 Author event


Recognition

AVID

As we head towards Thanksgiving, We are so thankful for the support that you give our AVID program!

As of today, our 33 AVID students have earned 90 acceptance letters and have been offered over 3 million dollars in scholarships!

On Saturday, senior student, Nicole Torres, will compete for a full tuition scholarship to Carthage’s Nursing Program. We’ve been preparing and today, the AVID teachers, Andrea Rusk, and Stacey Gorman had the opportunity to act as a scholarship panel for Nicole. As a result, she is prepped and ready to do her best! Pictures of the faux scholarship panel:






Band

On Saturday, November 12th the Illinois Music Education Association District 7 Band and Orchestra Festival took place at New Trier High School.  Students from across the Northwest suburbs of Chicago from 60 high schools auditioned for selection in the ensembles.  We were excited to have eight students selected and participate in the band and orchestra this year.  


Band

Leila Moon – Clarinet

Jessica Noncek – Horn

Rey Palacios – Clarinet

Isabella Rodriguez – Trombone

Ciara West – Clarinet


Orchestra

Chloe Langford – Trombone

Nick Proenza – Horn

Mariana Van Eycke – Trombone



Final Exam Information



Click here for final exam information! See schedule below. 



Wednesday (12/21/22)

Thursday (12/22/22)


8:40 am - 9:35 am


Period 3



Period 4


9:40 am - 10:35 am


Period 1



Period 2


10:40 am - 11:35 am


Period 7



Period 8


11:40 am - 12:35 pm


Period 5



Period 6


1:20 pm - 3:20 pm


*Exam Makeups as needed

Assessment Center open



*Exam Makeups as needed

Assessment Center open

 



CCRC


Students!  MHS Alumni (College Ambassadors) are coming back to talk to YOU about their college experiences on TUESDAY, November 22! You are invited to join us in the CCRC to talk to these remarkable students throughout the day. We are hosting focused discussions to encourage some useful conversation and we hope that you will leave feeling ready for anything!


We will have Ambassadors here representing The University of Illinois, New York University, Bradley University, Illinois State University, Purdue University, Lake Forest College, Augustana College, The College of Lake County, Northwestern University, and The University of Nebraska Lincoln. 


See the above advertisement for what discussions are being offered each period. Don’t forget to register in Naviance!


Athletics


Girls Swim/Dive Coaches Corner Rahul Sethna

Congratulations to Riley Routledge and Amelia Willis for their performance at the IHSA State Swimming and Diving Meet this past weekend.  Riley competed in the 200 Individual Medley and 500 Freestyle where she placed 21st and 14th respectively.  In the 500 Freestyle, Riley missed qualifying for the state finals by 14/100 of a second.  Amelia competed in the 100 Backstroke where she placed 17th and just missed qualifying for the state finals by 31/100 of a second.  Overall, it was a great season in which the team placed: 2nd at IHSA Sectionals, 3rd in the NSC, and were top 5 in many Invites.  The Mustangs graduate 4 Seniors but return the bulk of their team next year as they hope to continue to build on the success of this year.


Wrestling Coaches Corner Craig Stocker

MHS Wrestling Alums and Parents, We have three days  to go before our opening red and gray scrimmage "wrestle offs", Saturday, November 19th, 9:o0 in the North Gym. It is an introduction of what a wrestling meet will look like.  The scrimmage will help the coaches know who will be a Varsity Starter and what level they will be competing at.  We will provide coffee and donuts for parents to enjoy as they support our program.   We will have a table if  parents or athletes want to buy some wrestling spirit wear and or support our program by sponsoring a weight class. This event will be free admission.  

We have roughly 2 weeks of practice under our belts.  It was a good few weeks though getting our wrestlers certified so they can wrestle.  Our first meet will be at home in the North Gym Monday, November 21st  against Coach Stocker's alma mater, Lakes High School.  Please come out and support our program.   



Congratulations and welcome Coach Dane Durlacher who was a former 2x Place Winner at Mundelein and an Illinois Wrestler and Alumi to our Mustang Coaching Staff.

College wrestlers

Logan Kvien (McKendree) 

5-1 and finished second to an Indianapolis Wrestler ranked 2nd in the Nation.  

Jason Guadarrama (Parkside) 



 Henry Ortiz (Whitewater) 


Boys Cross Country Coaches Corner Kurt Rutz

The end of the high school season does not mean the end of competitions nor does the colder weather mean our athletes are staying indoors. Congratulations to our competitors who ran at the Nike Cross Country Regional (NXR) Midwest meet held in Terre Haute, IN this past weekend. Our guys, running in the F/S race, took 6th as a team. The squad was led by Javier Mata who took 4th overall. Alberto Diaz was next at 40th. Finn Keegan took 120th, Nathan McCreight and Logan Ramirez were 128th and 129th, and Andrew Weaver took 209th. Our guys were the 2nd Illinois team and finished 6th out of 24 teams from 4 states. That's what I call getting it done!

Alumni Weekend Update:

At various venues around the greater Midwest, our alumni all contributed to their teams’ successes at their respective NCAA DIII Regional Meets. At the Midwest Regional, Kaleb Carlson helped lead his Greenville University team to a 13th place. Kaleb was his team's 2nd man, taking 62nd overall and running 26:45. At the North Regional, Michael Keegan helped his MSOE team to an 11th place finish by taking 96th place overall. Michael was his team's 7th man, running 26:37. At the Great Lakes Regional, Robert St Clair had his best race to date, helping his Case Western Reserve University team take 2nd, and earning a trip to Nationals next week in Lansing, MI. Robert took 10th overall and was his team's 3rd man, running a massive PR of 24:34. This will be Robert's 3rd trip to Nationals.

Congratulations to all our alumni, you always make us proud!


Previous 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.


What is Good Attendance?

Our MHS Attendance Committee felt it was important to create a simple and clear visual that students and families can reference to understand our expectations surrounding what good attendance looks like. See below for more information.


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.


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 - 2022-2023 Student/Parent Handbook




Go Mustangs!

MHS_M_GreyWhiteRed.png


The Principal's Blog: Mustang News is available weekly at

http://mundypride.blogspot.com/



Friday, November 11, 2022

Mustang News: Principal's Blog

For a copy of the blog in google drive- click here!   espanol aqui!   یہاں اردو

Mustang Families, 


Mundelein High School recognized Veterans Day this morning with a brunch for veterans living in the surrounding communities as well as an honor walk within the building. Our Keynote speakers for the brunch were Krista Wolfer, US Army Veteran who was also a former security officer at MHS, Kevin Quinn, US Air Force Veteran and current MHS Director of Facilities and Maintenance, and Jackson Zerillo, US Navy enlistee from our MHS class of 2023. This event was one of the largest Veterans Day recognitions in the area as we honored over 100 veterans in attendance. We also recognized Veterans Day by displaying American flags around the perimeter of the school. On behalf of Mundelein High School to all of our Veterans near and far, we say “THANK YOU for your service to our country!”



In partnership,

Alexandria Rios Taylor

Principal

847-949-2200 x1230

ataylor@d120.org


Important Dates


Nov 23 -25 No School 



Upcoming

Transition Night for Students with Disabilities

Access & Disability Resource Center at the College of Lake County

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 6pm – 8pm, Grayslake Campus, C105

On Wednesday, November 16th, The Access & Disability Resource Center at the College of Lake County will host a transition night to assist students with disabilities with transitioning to college.  Deciding to attend college is a huge life step, and navigating the college environment with a disability can at times, be a daunting task. Come and learn how disability services change once high school ends, how students may gain support and accommodations, and how students lead the way.  Let our office help!

 

College and Career Navigators will be on hand to answer questions about enrollment!

6pm – “Transitioning to College for the student with a disability” Room C105

Thomas Crowe, MSW, Director, Access & Disability Resource Center

This session will cover what students and parents will need to know about applying, gaining, and using accommodations in higher education.  Not only do the changes in the law play an important role in how accommodations are acquired, but the role of the student and their interaction with college staff is equally, if not more, vital in this process. While CLC is discussed, the information from this session can be used throughout the country, and is applicable regardless of the college you choose! 

6:45- 8pm – Meet with ADRC staff     Room - B171

While all of CLC’s ADRC staff meet with students to acquire accommodations, each have a specialty, and in these sessions, each of the ADRC staff will be available to answer your specific questions, whether it be about assistive equipment, sign language interpreters, note takers, low vision aids, etc.. Accommodations in higher education are tailored to an individual, and we’re sure you have questions! Pop in, get to know us, and ask away!!   

No RSVP needed -  Should you have any questions, or need accommodations, please contact our office at ADRC@clcillinois.edu or at 847.543.2474

College of Lake County

Grayslake Campus

19351 W. Washington St.

Grayslake, IL 60030


Class of 2023 Important Information

 Seniors, click here to read important information regarding graduation! 


Recognition

 

This past weekend we hosted our first – and the first – VEX Robotics Competition in Illinois! This year, through the generosity of our sponsors, Sirius Automation and the Gene Haas Foundation, we were able to have six teams from Mundelein HS and one team from Carl Sandburg MS. With 30 teams from 8 different organizations, it was a fierce competition and Mundelein represented well.

One of our Mundelein HS teams, 499M Megamind, finished with a 5-1-0 record in the qualifying matches and secured the 4th seed alliance in the elimination matches. After close matches with other alliances including the 1st seed alliance, 499M emerged victorious and became the Tournament Champions! They also won the Design Award which is given to the team that has the best documentation of their work. With this, 499M secures a spot at the state championship in March. The other teams at Mundelein HS will attempt to follow their footsteps when we host our next competition in January.

Congratulations to our winning team: Evelyn McNulty, Jill Kennicott, Samantha Nevergall, Freddy Song, Johnny Anno, Caleb Beversdorf, and Keith Coleman.  



MUSTANG PRIDE AWARD RECIPIENTS


The Mustang Pride Award is a special award as it is awarded to deserving students who have displayed one of our D120 Profile of a learner tenets. These tenets challenge students to ASPIRE (be Agile, Self-assured, proactive, Information-seeking, Resilient and Empathetic). Congratulations to our 2022 MHS Mustang Pride Recipients below!


Vivian Favela

Presented by Jim Drier


Julia Ferrin

Presented by Jerry Shelato



Alicia Brak

Presented by George Kaider and John Cowhey


Aubree Cabalquinto & Diana Nanos

Presented by John Cowhey


Iryna Kovalchuk

Presented by Aracely Lawrence


Nicholas Osorio

Presented by Alina Rolfe


Not pictured

Gracyn Gigiano

Nominated by Andrew Hood


Special thanks to our Board of Education member, Dr. Rastrelli, also in attendance! 



Wellness Boost

Our fall wellness boost is coming up next week! As students you are constantly asked to pour your energy into something, whether it is school, work, friends, or family. It can be very overwhelming and can take some joy out of your life. Have you ever just felt like your energy and happiness cup is empty? Next week you will learn about how self care can help you keep your happiness cup full! Each day will focus on a different section of the self-care wheel. To get a jump start, let’s have a workout weekend. Take time next weekend to engage in a physical activity. Come in Monday morning ready to check off that box on the self care wheel and be ready to fill your cup! Check out the graphic below for the spirit day and activities each day!


Final Exam Information



Click here for final exam information! See schedule below. 



Wednesday (12/21/22)

Thursday (12/22/22)


8:40 am - 9:35 am


Period 3



Period 4


9:40 am - 10:35 am


Period 1



Period 2


10:40 am - 11:35 am


Period 7



Period 8


11:40 am - 12:35 pm


Period 5



Period 6


1:20 pm - 3:20 pm


*Exam Makeups as needed

Assessment Center open



*Exam Makeups as needed

Assessment Center open

 


Veterans Day Recognition













CCRC


Thank you to all the students who participated in Military Week by learning how the military could be a future career for you and by supporting our troops! 


****************************************************************

Students!  MHS Alumni (College Ambassadors) are coming back to talk to YOU about their college experiences on TUESDAY, November 22! You are invited to join us in the CCRC to talk to these remarkable students throughout the day. We are hosting focused discussions to encourage some useful conversation and we hope that you will leave feeling ready for anything!


We will have Ambassadors here representing The University of Illinois, New York University, Bradley University, Illinois State University, Purdue University, Lake Forest College, Augustana College, The College of Lake County, Northwestern University, and The University of Nebraska Lincoln. 


Check your email for more information!


Athletics


Girls Swim/Dive Coaches Corner Rahul Sethna

Congratulations to the Girls Swimming and Diving team for their 2nd place finish this past weekend at the IHSA Sectional Swimming and Diving Meet. Qualifying for state was Riley Routledge who won both the 500 Free and 200 IM in which she is currently ranked 6th and 22nd respectively going into the state finals.  Amelia Willis also qualified for the state meet in the 100 Backstroke shattering the school record and is currently ranked 9th going into the state finals. The Mustangs also had a near miss in the 400 Freestyle relay (Riley Routledge, Gracyn Gigiano, Nadia Emso, Amelia Willis) in which they missed qualifying for state by 26/100 of a second and finished 2nd. Other Sectional Medalists included: 200 Medley Relay ( 3rd- Amelia Willis, Riley Routledge, Gracyn Gigiano, Ruby Puerzer),  Charlotte Oliver (4th-Diving), Nadia Emso (3rd-200 Freestyle), Amelia Willis (3rd-100 Freestyle),  and the 200 Freestyle Relay (4th-Mimi Puerzer, Kate Hill, Nadia Emso, Gwen Alviar).  Riley and Amelia compete at the state meet this weekend at FMC Natatorium in Westmont to cap off what has been a great season for the young Lady Mustangs.




COACH OF THE YEAR!


Congratulations to Coach Melissa Sethna for being awarded Sectional Dive Coach of the year.



Girls Cross Country Coaches Corner Carsyn Rodriguez

After setting a new lifetime PR and qualifying for State at Sectionals, Praise Oyebanji left it all on the course at State. On a muddy course in extremely windy conditions, she competed hard and finished 127th overall out of 234 runners. Praise was the first qualifier for Mundelein Girls Cross Country in 10 years, and it was her first time qualifying for State as well. We are so incredibly proud of her for finishing her high school XC career on such a high note, and for being such an outstanding athlete and leader on the team the past 4 years. The entire weekend, from the State walk to traveling down to Peoria again, was so exciting and a great end to an unforgettable season. 





Boys Cross Country Coaches Corner Kurt Rutz

This past weekend was the official end of the cross-country season as we competed in the IHSA State Meet in Peoria. Our sole qualifier, Javier Mata saved his best for last, as he ran a fantastic race, taking 39th overall against the best runners in the State. Javy's time was 15:41- not what he was hoping for, but as we impressed upon our runners, it's not about the time, it's about the place. Course conditions were terrible, as we had a lot of rain in the 24 hours previous to the meet. The five races before ours turned the course into a muddy, sloppy, slippery mess. Temperatures dropped all day long, and with winds topping 30 MPH at times, the race itself was a test of toughness, and Javy was as tough as anyone. As usual, Javy ran the race plan perfectly, being in the top 40 at the mile mark. Javy pushed the back loop, moving up to around 32nd at one point, before holding on for 39th. When the mud washed away, here are some of the important accomplishments Javy achieved:

  • 5th place among sophomores, beating several he had not beaten previously

  • 5th finisher from our sectional

  • 2nd finisher from our conference.

A great end to a great season, both for Javy, and our team.

Showing their support, a large portion of our team traveled to experience the State Meet first-hand. We were also honored to have alumnus Tom Richardson come out to support us. Tom is Class of '74, and though we had spoken a few times, this was our first opportunity to meet.

Meanwhile, post-season activities have already begun. We have six of our F/S runners traveling to Terre Haute Indiana to compete in the Nike Cross Regional meet (NXR) meet this coming Sunday. Locally, James Glaskin-Clay ran a great race in the Hot Chocolate 15k in Chicago, taking 4th in his age group while Nick Schwenk won a 5k in Antioch. Way to represent Mustangs and best to those traveling to Terre Haute!

 Winter running will start the Monday after Thanksgiving for anyone interested in conditioning, getting ready for Spring track or exploring winter running. Contact Coach Rutz at krutz@d120.org with any questions.


LETTERS OF INTENT

Baseball - Athletic Department 

Congratulations to our two baseball players, Ryan Geraghty & Bennett Musser who plan on continuing their athletic and academic careers at their perspective choice of schools

Ryan heading to Wichita State University and Bennett going to Valparaiso University

Mustangs Nation is proud of you both!



Previous 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.


What is Good Attendance?

Our MHS Attendance Committee felt it was important to create a simple and clear visual that students and families can reference to understand our expectations surrounding what good attendance looks like. See below for more information.


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.


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 - 2022-2023 Student/Parent Handbook




Go Mustangs!

MHS_M_GreyWhiteRed.png


The Principal's Blog: Mustang News is available weekly at

http://mundypride.blogspot.com/