Thursday, February 18, 2016

Schuler Scholar Program names local site director for MHS

Mundelein High School District 120 was recently selected as a partner in the renowned Schuler Scholar Program [SSP] which aims to give participants an advantage as they move through their high school and college careers. The onsite director for MHS has just been announced.  Carissa Jandrositz will be serving in the director position and be responsible for approximately 30 incoming
freshmen. The program will invest about $8,900 each year per student for programming during high school to get them well-prepared for college.

Jandrositz is currently working as an educational counselor for the Schuler Scholar Program at Waukegan High School. She works with Scholars on an individual and group basis every day to support their academic and personal development throughout high school.

“I am looking forward to joining the Mundelein community and working with a team who are dedicated to providing their students and families with the resources and support needed to succeed in high school, college and beyond,” Jandrositz explained. In addition to a director, the Program also provides participating schools with a scholar coach, a college/career counselor and access to AmeriCorps tutors.

The new director holds a bachelor’s degree in applied developmental psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in psychological counseling-school counseling from Columbia University. She has previous experience as a school counselor at a middle school in New York City and as an educational therapeutic specialist at a partial-hospitalization program in Pittsburgh. She also worked in youth participatory action research and college application support for high school students in New York.

“I am passionate about the mission of the Schuler Scholar Program and the organization’s commitment to providing Scholars with opportunities to experience all that they are capable of while, at the same time,  equipping them throughout high school with resources they need to gain access to and succeed at highly selective colleges and beyond,” Jandrositz said. “Some of the most exciting and unique aspects of Schuler are the opportunities that allow the Scholars to broaden their experiences and reach out of their comfort zones. Leadership camp, reading and math enrichment, educational counseling and college counseling are some examples of the programs that contribute to the
excitement and passion that I have for the organization,” she said.  “The dedication and enthusiasm that the whole Schuler team has for the program and the Scholars we work with is inspiring and it excites me to be a part of an organization that works every day to embody our motto: Always Personal Best,” she concluded.

The program will begin in earnest at MHS at the beginning of the next school year when about 30 incoming freshmen will be part of the Schuler program throughout their MHS experience.
“We are honored to be part of the Schuler Scholar Program and look forward to getting our incoming freshmen started on their journey to academic success,” said Anthony Kroll, MHS principal. “We appreciate the work of the program which helps young people overcome issues that may have gotten in the way of their progress and allows them to become highly successful in their futures.”

9th Grade Health Curriculum
All freshmen students in wellness/health classes are using a new curriculum provided by the Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP).  ADAP educates high school students, teachers, and parents about the illness of depression. Through a student curriculum, a training program for health and school-based professionals, and presentations for parents and communities, ADAP delivers the core message that depression and bipolar disorder are treatable medical illnesses and that concerned individuals should seek help. Through this work, ADAP aims to increase awareness about mood disorders in young people while stressing the need for evaluation and treatment.

Johns Hopkins Medicine’s website includes videos and downloadable information that further explains the program and curriculum we use in the classrooms.  Click HERE for more information.

Photos from the Week:

2nd floor classrooms beginning to take shape.
Sam Eugenis '17 hoists show choir’s 1st place trophy over his head. This is the third year in a row that SoundFX has won at Fort Atkinson. Eugenis Shouts "THREE PEAT THREE PEAT." Photo taken by Zachary Levy

Meagan Kehr '16 poses for the judges as she performs her floor routine during a regional competition on February 4 at MHS Photo taken by Kyle Ehemann

Duncan Black '16, varsity captain, poses with his new haircut. The varsity swim team participated in their annual hair shaving Wednesday night. Black said, "It's a great team bonding event we do every year!" Photo taken by Ashley Nensel

Alexa Auld '16 poses as a flyer at Tuesday's basketball game against Lake Forest High School. Since her freshman year, Alexa has been on the varsity cheerleading team as one of the flyers but Tuesday was her last game with her team. "Flying at my senior night was bittersweet because it was fun being able to perform in the gym one last time but sad because it was my last time," Alexa Auld '16. Photo taken by Bridget Smith

Alana Dickens '16 performs in her last routine with the dance team during halftime of the 2016 senior night basketball game. "This night was very bittersweet. I love my team so much and it was sad that this is the last time we get to dance together," said Dickens. Photo taken by Natale Fiocchi


Recognition


SoundFX named champion for third year in a row
Mundelein High School’s all- male show choir, SoundFX, took first place for the third year in a row at the Fort Atkinson [WI] Showcase. All three MHS show choirs, Sound, Lights and SoundFX, took part in the event.

SoundFX performed again in exhibition at the beginning of the final round during evening


performances.  The mixed show choir, Sound, took third place in the competition.

“The MHS show choir students once again showed their grit and determination by executing five entertaining, exciting and energetic performances for the audience in Fort Atkinson,” said Co-Director Cory Thompson. Stevee Bellas is also Co-Director of the vocal music program.

The Choral Department will present its Winter Choral Concert Thursday, February 18 which will feature all seven of the choral ensembles at MHS.

“The show choirs will be hitting the road again, this time heading to the Ben Davis Giant Spectacular competition in Indianapolis February 20,” Bellas said.


Reese Dolan Signs With SIU for Baseball
Reese Dolan, Senior at MHS, and the coaches who helped him get here...Eddie Holbrook, Ray
Borucki, Todd Parola, Jeff Sweno, Ryan Borucki, and John DeVito.  Reese has committed to playing baseball at SIU in the Fall of 2016.  He will study Sports Media and Journalism through SIU's accredited journalism program, within their College of Mass Communication and Media Arts.

Congratulations Reese!







Model UN
Seventy-eight students from Mundelein High School took part in the Model United Nations Conference at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago Feb. 4-7. The MHS delegation joined 2,600 other high school students from around the world in addressing topics of concern to all United Nations member states like the threat of ISIS, economic empowerment of women, the refugee crisis, territorial issues in the South China Sea, environmental challenges/global warming, hunger and planning for global epidemics. The students were supervised by MHS advisors Stacey Darcy and Andrew Hirshman

Students met in committees divided by subject matter like the Economic and Financial Committee, The Social and Humanitarian Committee, The International Atomic Energy Agency, The Commonwealth Heads of Government, The African Union, The Group of Twenty and the United National Security Council. This year, MHS students represented the nations of Russia, Malta, Swaziland and Somalia.

“We had one of the largest delegations in the Model UN and many of our delegates competed for awards,” Darcy explained. “Thanks to the support of MHS parents and the MHS administration, we had an extraordinary mix of freshmen through seniors, including many students who have not participated in Model UN before,” she said.

The Model UN is sponsored and organized by the University of Chicago.

Dinyar Kadkhodaian and Andrew Hurley represented Russia at the Model UN in early February.




LZMW Hockey
Mundelein HS, Lake Zurich HS, and Wauconda HS students play on a single high school hockey team.  LZMW Varsity won the game 7-0 over Niles, so the team has two wins after two of the six playoff games so far. To make the North Central Conference Platinum Varsity Championship, LZMW has to be No. 1 or 2 on points at the end of the round-robin.

MHS Junior Brett Parola scored 3 goals.  Mr. Troy Parola, MHS Athletic Director starting July 1, attended the ceremonial puck drop.  Go Mustangs!



Activities


Kiss the Pig Fundraiser
Student Leadership Seniors and Freshmen are hosting the Kiss the Pig Fundraiser. The fundraiser will start , Wednesday 2/17 and run through Friday 2/26. Students can vote for whatever teacher they would like to see kiss a pig by donating money to that teacher’s fund at the bookstore. All donations will go towards Doctors Without Borders and Kay’s Animal Shelter. The winning teacher will kiss the pig at the turnabout assembly at the end of the day Friday, February 26.

Variety Show Tryouts
Variety Show Tryouts will be held this month! February 23 after school. Please click HERE
 to sign up with act information and available time slots. The show will be held on Thursday March 17 at 7pm in the Auditorium. All donation will go to the Baker Brave Fund.







Turnabout Dance
Turnabout theme is CANDYLAND. The dance is Saturday, February 27th from 7-10pm.Turnabout tickets go on sale Wednesday, February 17th. From Wednesday to Friday the tickets are $10 each.The week after the ticket sales will go to $12. Purchasing a ticket will enter you into the VIP room. The VIP room this year will have a chocolate fondue!! Get your tickets early!

There will be a Turnabout Assembly Friday, February 26th. At the assembly the court will be announced as well as King and Queen. At the dance they will be doing a formal announcement of Court and King and Queen.






CLC sponsors Black History Month events
To commemorate Black History Month, the College of Lake County invites the community to participate in a series of events.

February events include film showings, poetry, jazz, a traveling exhibit on black history, a trace your family history workshop, a CLC Gospel Choir Concert and more.
For details on each event, click HERE

MHS STEM Summer Camps
The 2nd annual Mustang STEAM summer camp will run from June 13 until June 24 this summer. It will take place during summer school hours each day and will be a survey of five different exciting STEAM topics and activities. We will be exploring Food Chemistry, Robotics and Programming, Bioengineering, Material Sciences, Industrial Design, and there is the potential for more. The camp is open to any rising 5th through 8th grade student.  Registration will open on the District 120 website at the end of March and the cost will be determined soon.

STEM for Girls workshop slated for Feb. 27
Girls in grades 7-12 can learn about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, at a free STEM for Girls day, to be held from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. on February 27 at the College of Lake County Grayslake Campus C Wing, 19351 W. Washington Street.

The event features fun, interactive presentations involving chemistry, biology, lasers, surgical technology, engineering, robotics and more. A special workshop for parents will be held concurrently. Sessions cover scholarships, transfer and articulation agreements with four-year schools and tips on encouraging your daughter to explore a STEM career.
A free light lunch will be provided, and pre-registration is required. For more information, click HERE 

MHS School Resource Officer takes the Polar Plunge!
Mundelein High School SRO (School Resource Office) Sarah Ruffolo to participate in Polar Plunge for Special Olympics
Sunday, February 28, 10:30am-3:00pm at Lakefront Park, Fox Lake. 71 Nippersink Rd.

Please click HERE for her donation page.









College and Career Center

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MHS sets College Planning Night for Feb. 24

Members of the Mundelein High School Guidance Department will host a College Planning Night in both English and Spanish Wednesday, Feb. 24 beginning at 7 p.m. in the MHS Auditorium for English and District Meeting Room for Spanish. College-bound students and their parents/guardians are invited to attend and learn more about what colleges are looking for in student applications, essays, and if they have any questions about life after their senior year, etc.

Guest Speakers Angie Cooksy, associate director of admissions at Bradley University and William Escalante, admissions counselor at Northeastern Illinois University, will join the groups and be available to answer questions. MHS counselors Aracely Lawrence (Spanish) and Jimmy Ku (English) will host the event.

State ACT Test Date
 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at Mundelein High School


National ACT Test Dates
Test Date                               Registration Deadline                      (Late Fee Required)
April 9, 2016                            March 4, 2016                                March 5–18, 2016
June 11, 2016**                       May 6, 2016                                    May 7–20, 2016

For more ACT info.:  www.actstudent.org

Athletics

IHSA State Girls Gymnastics competition will be this Friday, February 19  and Saturday, February 20 at Palatine High School.  Meagan Kehr and Taylor Shanahan will be representing Mundelein High School.  Good Luck Ladies.

IHSA State Wrestling competition will be this Thursday, February 18 - Saturday, February 20 at U of I, State Farm Center.  Alec Riportella will be representing Mundelein High School.  Good Luck Alec.

IHSA Sectional Boys Swimming and Diving will be this Saturday, February 20 at Lake Forest High School.


Staff Spot Light


Ron Girard - Public Information Officer

What are your hobbies/interests? – I am an avid tennis player, I play keyboards for area musicals from time to time, I love to read and to get into arguments about politics.
     
Insider tip for parents – Try to teach your kids that they don't always get what they want right away. There are disappointments along the way but if they learn from mistakes and keep trying, things will eventually work out.

Best part of working at MHS? – The positive overall atmosphere of the school and working with adults who truly want what's best for our students.

You may not know…that one year at a high school in Wisconsin I taught German because they found out it was my minor in college. I had tried to keep that a secret!

What college/university did you attend? BA - University of Wisconsin; MEd - Carthage College, PhD - California University at Miramar

How long have you worked at MHS? – This is my 30th year at MHS!

Who or what inspires you? – I am often inspired by my father who is 91 years old, continues to work full time, has a great sense of humor, is a World War II veteran and is sharp as a tack!

What is your favorite part of your job? - I enjoy writing and designing the district magazine, The Messenger. I can be creative with writing and photography and bring all the great highlights of MHS to all of the district residents.

Good book recommendation? – Anything by James Patterson. Just finished Cross Justice and
couldn't put it down!