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In partnership,
Dr. Alexandria Rios Taylor
Principal
847-949-2200 x1230
Important Dates
Saturday, March 11 - Jazz Invitational at MHS
Saturday, March 11 - Town Hall Meeting 8:30am-10:30am
Friday, March 17 - Late Start Schedule; classes begin at 9:40am
March 27-31 - Spring Break
MHS 2023-2024 Registration is Now Open
Registration is now open for the 2023-2024 school year. Information can be found on our registration page.
5 Essential Survey
Mundelein High School parents and guardians,
School District 120 is participating with the Illinois State Board of Education in the 2023 statewide survey of school climate and learning conditions. This is your chance to provide input concerning your child’s education. We value your opinions about the operations of Mundelein High School.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey provides a unique opportunity for students, teachers and parents to have a voice in improving their schools. The surveys are available now through Friday, March 31. Please use the following link to complete the survey:
Link to survey: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
Opens Jan. 24, 2023 and closes March 31, 2023.
We will take all of your input seriously and use it to continually review and update our current educational practices. Results will never be connected to your child. No individual will be identified in the school reports and teachers and administrators will not see individual responses.
The survey is administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago and provides a comprehensive picture of a school’s organizational culture in an individualized report measuring the five essentials critical for school success:
Effective Leaders
Collaborative teachers
Involved families
Supportive education
Ambitious instruction
The survey results will be sent to District 120 and will be included in the Illinois State School Report Card next fall.
Thanks, in advance, for taking part in this important survey.
National School Social Work Week: March 5 – 11, 2023
Join us in celebrating our Social Workers this week as a part of National School Social Work Week!
The Role of A Social Worker
(Adapted from the School Social Work Association of America)
School social workers are exceptionally skilled in providing services to students who face serious challenges to school success, including disability, poverty, discrimination, abuse, neglect, mental illness, homelessness, bullying, familial stressors, and other barriers to learning.
School mental health programs are critical to the early identification of mental health problems and in the provision of appropriate services when needed. They maintain knowledge of school culture and school climate which are necessary for responsible school safety planning.
School social workers serve as vital members of a school’s education team, playing a central role in creating partnerships between the home, school, and community to ensure student academic success.
The theme for National School Social Work Week 2023 is “We Rise.” School Social Workers rise up - supporting their students, families, and school communities. School Social Workers rise to share hope. They rise to listen and understand. They rise to challenge inequities. They rise to support all students.
Visit https://www.sswaa.org/school-social-work-week for more information.
We are so excited to celebrate the vital work these professionals do for our students at MHS every day!
Michelle Billone, Melissa Buenik, Amy Grost, Jonathan Mahoney, and Carly Schwartz.
THANK YOU for the important work you do with our students.
Ramadan: From March 22-April 21 our Muslim students are observing Ramadan. Throughout the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast during daytime hours. During the evening hours, the fast is broken with a small meal shared with friends and family. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is a time of spiritual growth and renewal.
If you would like more information about Ramadan, you may find this link helpful https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan
Student Recognition
Congratulations to MHS freshman Conner Bui. Conner won first place in the Highland Park Poetry Competition and will be published in an anthology. His poem, “Flowers,” was the top entry in the seventh-ninth grade category There were 560 poems entered for all age categories. Conner’s poem will be published in the Muses’ Gallery on April 1 and printed in the 2023 Poetry Challenge Anthology. Conner is also invited to read it at the Poetry Challenge Reading & Recognition at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 29 at the Art Center of Highland Park, 1957 Sheridan Road. (www.highlandparkpoetry.org)
Parker VanArsdale earned 2nd place
Vanessa Dirzo earned 3rd place
Addison Hagel earned an Honorable Mention
AVID
The AVID seniors have received 172 acceptance letters, and they have been offered $8,000,000 in gift aid! Beyond that, Nicole Torres was accepted into UIC’s prestigious GPPA program, Jessica Caballero competed at the State Level for the American Legion’s oratorical competition and earned 3rd place, Riley Hodel has committed to the Honors College at the University of Iowa, and Praise Oyebanji will run D1 and participate in UIC’s Honors College as well!
Staff Recognition
Class of 2023 Important Information
Seniors, click here to read important information regarding graduation!
Student Life
The 56th Annual Mundelein Jazz Invitational is this Saturday, March 11th.
We look forward to welcoming 55 high school and middle school bands from the Chicagoland area for performances and clinics. Admission for the festival is $10 for adults and $5 for students/seniors.
Here is the FULL SCHEDULE for Performances!
https://www.d120.org/.../2023_mundelein_jazz_invitational…
In honor of Best Buddies Month, join your classmates in a spirit week and various activities to celebrate friendship and leadership. Kicking off the start of the week will be Mustang Monday. Rally up, Mustangs, to celebrate the Special Olympics Basketball Team's return from the state tournament, meet up in the Commons during lunchtime to pledge to end the "R" word, and contribute to the friendship mural. Keep the momentum going throughout the week by participating in each spirit day. At MHS, we all belong! In friendship, MHS Best Buddies ❤
Family Engagement
Members of our Student Services staff hosted a “Family Wellness Night” on Thursday, February 23rd. We were thrilled to connect with families about supporting student mental health at home and at school. Our presentations are linked below and will be posted on the Student Services webpage. If you have questions about this content, please reach out to:
English: Marisa Graham, School Psychologist: mgraham@d120.org
Carly Schwartz, Social Worker: cschwartz@d120.org;
Spanish: Aracely Lawrence, Counselor: alawrence@d120.org
Gwen Lopez, Counselor: glopez@d120.org
Presentation in English: HERE
Presentation in Spanish: HERE
Referendum Information
See below if you would like to learn more information about our referendum, click here for a quick one pager or visit our Facilities Plan website.
Pathways
Mundelein High School Manufacturing Pathways
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F0SQGtROnM
Save the date for Maker Faire Lake County
April 15, 2023
College of Lake County
You are invited to build new skills, showcase projects and make connections. There are a variety of ways to get involved with the Greatest Show & Tell event in Lake County.
CCRC
Let’s celebrate CLC! Don’t miss these events below! Register in Naviance.
Juniors! Come to the CCRC and hear from our very own MHS College Ambassadors. They have lots of information to share with you that will help you prepare for the college application process.
College Visits
Scholarships
Athletics
Special Olympics Coaches Corner
For the first time in school history, the MHS Special Olympics basketball team is going to state. The team, coached by Mundelein High School Transition Center teacher Eric Billittier and Krissy Pawlicki, is scheduled to play at 11:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. on Friday, March 10 at the Horton Field house on the Illinois State University campus. “The kids are excited, and I’m excited,” said Billittier. “We’re not sure what to expect, but our players will be ready to compete and have fun.” MHS has had a Special Olympics basketball team for several years, but this is the first year it is part of the Mundelein High School Athletics Department. It’s also the best season the team has had. Last year the team took third in the regional competition. This year, it finished first in regionals, earning a trip to Normal, IL for the state tournament. The 10-member team started its season in late November and finished in February with a record of 5-1. The team includes, Christian “Alex” Brown, Elliot Catania, Jorge “Emmanuel” Cordova, Joel Cortes, Natalie Gorgius, Isaias Hernandez, Carols Infante, Ethan Michell, Demitri Onyeise and James Peskuski.
Girls Soccer Coaches Corner
The 2023 Mundelein Girls' Varsity Soccer squad taking a team picture just outside of the Main Gym. The team features 17 returnees and four new players (3 Freshman, 1 Senior).
Season and home opener is next Monday, March 13 vs. Taft (Chicago) Eagles at 6:30PM in the stadium. Come and cheer your Mustangs to victory! GO MUSTANGS!
The Freshman girls soccer team is hard at work. If you know any of these Mustangs, be very proud of their effort and attitude.
Boys Lacrosse Coaches Corner
Boys Lacrosse ends tryouts on a high note! Great combination of new athletes and experienced vets! Looking forward to an exciting 2023 season!
Girls Track & Field Coaches Corner
From Lakes “Grand Prix” meet on March 4th:
This may be the most competitive meet the team competes in all season. One national best mark and several top marks in the state were set at this meet. The athletes competed well with several strong efforts and new personal records (PRs). They continue to work hard, show growth, and support one another. Keep up the great work!
Abbie S. with a PR in the hurdles!
Ella V. with the MONSTER PR in the shot
Vivi G. and Paige P. setting new PRs well ahead of the rest of their heat by themselves!
Sharron K. with an 8th place finish!
Alex D. looking strong leading off the 4x2!
Praise O. with a 3rd place finish and a new indoor PR!
Boys Gymnastics Coaches Corner
Great Job to the boys team for a very good showing at Hinsdale Central JV and Varsity on Saturday, March 4th! Dominant performance by Senior Holden Allsbury and Junior Braeden Kratz in the varsity invite. Junior Elijah Raymond was able to get several top ten finishes at the JV level. Newcomer Nikita Vovkiv competed in several events after being in the sport for only 2 weeks.
Boys Track & Field Coaches Corner
The Boy’s Track Team will be competing in the first ever Conference Indoor Invitational this Saturday, March 11th, at Stevenson HS. Field Events are scheduled to begin at 9am, with the Track Events following at 10. Come on out to see some great track and field performances! And don’t forget-
The Boy’s Track Team invites everyone to support our program by participating in our Annual Mattress Sale Fundraiser on March 19th. If you need a mattress, or know someone who needs one, now is the time to get a great mattress at a great price. Each purchase will result in a donation to the Boy’s Track program. Below is a flier with all the details, as well as a coupon for a discount on your purchase. Feel free to copy it and send it to everyone you know. Hope to see everyone there!
Softball Coaches Corner
MHS Softball had a great time on Saturday, March 4th volunteering at Feed My Starving Children! Our Varsity and JV teams are looking forward to our upcoming trip to central Illinois on March 17th and 18th. On March 17th, we will be at Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and Heartland Community for campus visits and tours. On March 18th, our varsity team will play Bloomington High School and Rock Island High School at the Illinois Wesleyan University Softball Field; our JV team will play at Metamora High School. Go Mustangs!
Boys Volleyball Coaches Corner
The MHS Boys Volleyball program is off to a great start! We had nearly 70 athletes at tryouts on 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!
Fundraiser
MHS Cheerleading is selling yard signs this spring! Support you MHS Student Athlete or customize for your Students activity. Also NEW Senior Yard signs available for your MHS Grad! Online Store Opens Monday February 27 and closes after two weeks. See online store for additional information about pick up of signs and cost. Make sure to order your sign before time runs out. Go Mustangs! Online Store Link
Baseball
The Foundation
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
Previous Reminders
ASPIRE
Our MHS Portrait of a Learner tenets affirm student identity through schoolwide values, expectations and practices.
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.
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.
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!
The Principal's Blog: Mustang News is available weekly at
http://mundypride.blogspot.com/