What is your passion?
This week, the halls of MHS are full of energy and excitement for the new school year! I started the school year encouraging staff to define their professional passions and identify how those passions would look, feel, and exist in their classrooms in order to benefit student learning. This sparked some amazing and inspiring conversations. I am proud to see the dedication of my colleagues and energy they bring to their craft. Through out the year, I will share some of these educators responses.
As a model, I am sharing my professional passion with the greater school community as I did with the staff and Board of Education on Opening Day.
I am in love with the concept of learning, understanding something new, discussing concepts, and finding patterns of those concepts within the world around me. For me, learning includes so much power. When a person truly learns something, they have the power to create something new, change their environment, and own their desires. Education allows the learner to have the map to a better life and that inspires me. I am passionate that high school can be a time for students to fine tune their interests and influence their future work/career. Finally, I believe every person has the ability to learn, and I love working to find that magically combination of interests for each student.
As a demonstration of their professional passion, a handful of MHS administrators worked to communicate the vision for the new year and take a risk doing it. Below is the first ever MHS Back to School Car Karaoke! Enjoy!
It is my hope this school year will be filled with success and growth for all learners (students and adults) for a better future! Go Mustangs!
Dr. Anthony Kroll, Principal
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| Freshman Orientation - Class of 2021 |
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| First Day of School |
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| Freshman Orientation - Class of 2021 |
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| First Day of School |
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| First Day of School |
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| First Day of School |
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| New MHS Teachers |
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| Link Crew! |
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| Link Crew! |
Recognition
Senior Gillian Beginski attends Girls Nation
A whirlwind week of late nights, coalition building and campaigning paid off for senior Gillian Beginski, one of two students selected from a group of nearly 500 to represent Illinois at Girls Nation, the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA)-sponsored simulated government proceedings held annually in Washington, D.C. Girls Nation activities include in-depth lessons on how government works as well as highlights like a trip to the White House, Congressional offices and national monuments. “The experience taught me that in order to work with others, you have to be passionate,” Gillian said. At the White House Rose Garden,Gillian shook hands with President Donald Trump as he addressed Girls and Boys Nation participants. She also visited Illinois 10th District Congressman Brad Schneider at his Washington office. “It was a hectic day for Congressman Schneider but I was able to talk with him,” she said. She promoted Girls Nation as an instructive and empowering event, “It’s a program that deserves wider recognition and it’s a great experience,” she told the Congressman.
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| Senior Gillian Beginski |
Mundelein High School has been invited to send representatives to the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program for the past three years and to the American Legion-sponsored Boys State for a number of years. All costs are underwritten by the Mundelein ALA unit and American Legion post. Students who attended this year’s Girls State at Eastern Illinois University, in addition to Gillian, include Ana Acosta, Lilly Martinez and Jacqueline Shon. This year’s representatives at Boys State were Andrew Owens and Ben Staroszczyk.
Sophomore Kate Fladhammer completes summer internship
Mundelein High School sophomore, Kate Fladhammer, completed a paid internship during the summer at Shire, a Biotech company. The internship included time spent in Marketing, Communications, Sales and Learning and Development. She completed two projects including a leadership newsletter and a Key Opinion Leaders [KOL] validation project. At the end of the internship she presented to approximately 30 people on what she had learned. Included in the presentation was a pitch to return next summer to bring a project from concept to launch.
Fladhammer’s internship came after she spoke with the head of the commercial division and asked for the opportunity to learn from his employees. She's looking forward to this school year to participate in the Business Incubator course where she hopes to incorporate some of what she has learned in her internship to her project.
Her future plans are to major in business and marketing. She also hopes to become fluent in Spanish, adding to her skills to market in Latin America. She will be studying Honors Spanish 4 this school year.
Moving on up
For the third year in a row Mundelein High School is in the top 100 high schools according to Niche.
The 2018 Best Public High Schools ranking is based on rigorous analysis of academic and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along with test scores, college data, and ratings collected from millions of Niche users. This year MHS ranked 76 in Illinois. Last year we are ranked 87. During the previous three years MHS has moved up 16 spots and improved a full letter grade from a “B” to an “A”.
Bourcki is a Cool Cat!
Class of 2012 graduate Ryan Bourcki pitches for the Toronto Blue Jays Double “A” Manchester (NH) Fisher Cats
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20170817/SPORTS0102/170819434
Activities
Solar Eclipse
On Monday, August 21 the eclipse will become noticeable at the beginning of 6th period and be pretty much done by the end of 7th period. The maximum eclipse will occur during the passing period between 6th and 7th periods.
The sun will be over 80% covered in the Chicago area. Mundelein High School has bought several class sets of eclipse glasses that have been officially approved. Teachers will be able to sign up for their class to view the eclipse with the approved glasses on the South Lawn.
Many people may not realize how the environment will feel very different in the odd lighting. For some that is more interesting than looking at the sun itself.
There will be a telescope set up as well. The image will be projected onto a monitor so multiple people will be able to see the image of the sun’s corona. If your student will be viewing the eclipse, it is absolutely essential you emphasize the importance of not looking directly at the sun without the protection of the glasses, even at the maximum eclipse. The UV lights will burn their retinas.
We will also be allowing students to leave the cafeteria and go directly to the third floor balcony in the C wing for supervised viewing of the eclipse.
Congressman Brad Schneider & MHS host information session United States Service Academy Appointments
Congressman Schneider is pleased to announce that he and Mundelein High School will host a U.S. Service Academy information session for students and families interested in applying for one of these very selective institutions. The event will be on August 22, 2017 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Mundelein High School (1350 W Hawley St Mundelein, IL 60060).
At the session, representatives from each of the service academies will speak about their institution and discuss the admissions process, including U.S. Military Academy (West Point), U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), and U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA). We will also present information about receiving a Congressional Nomination from our office.
To register for the Information Session, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/y7sknf7r
More information about the application process is available on Congressman Schneider’s website at https://schneider.house.gov/se…/military-academy-nominations. If you have any questions about this event or the nomination process, please contact me at (847) 383-4870 or Greg.Claus@mail.house.gov.
Annual Open House at MHS Tuesday August 29
Mundelein High School will hold its annual Open House for parents of MHS students on Tuesday, August 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.The formal program will begin in the Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. where parents will hear a brief overview of programs and basic information. Following that presentation, parents will follow an abbreviated schedule of their children’s classes. In class, the instructor will discuss course expectations, grading, content and more. The program will conclude after the final class period.
Please be on the lookout for a mailing from MHS which will include your student’s semester 1 schedule, the Open House schedule, and your Parent Power School Access Code and Password.
Your student’s schedule will NOT be available for pick up on the 29th.
Throughout the evening, student leaders will be available to help parents locate their classrooms.
Yearbook
The 2016-2017 yearbook is available for pick up at the school bookstore during regular business hours.
Please note price changes for the 2017-2018 yearbook:
Through the 2017-2018 school registration, the yearbook can be pre-ordered for the traditional price of $50.
Until October 1, the yearbook can be pre-ordered through the school bookstore for the traditional price of $50.
After October 1, the yearbook can only be pre-ordered through the website of the publishing company, Jostens.com. At this time, the cost of purchase will be $55.
If one is not pre-ordered by the end of the year, any extra copies that might be available will cost $60 at time of distribution.
Class of 2018 Senior Portraits
Please do not forget to get your senior portraits taken by Visual Image Photography (VIP).
Contractually, your yearbook head and shoulder shot (free of charge) must be taken through this company and submitted for publication by the deadline of October 15.
The company’s studio is in Wheeling. To schedule an appointment, visit studio.il.vipis.com or call 847-499-9300.
College and Career Resource Center
Visit the CCRC website for resources regarding college planning and financial aid including scheduled college representative visits and scholarship information: http://www.d120.org/academics/ccrc/default.aspxCheck the College Counseling Blog for articles about college planning: https://mhscollegecounselor.wordpress.com/
Follow our College Counselor on Twitter: @mundycollege
The CCRC is open! Students are invited to come to B103 before school, during lunch, during study hall, after school or by appointment to get information and plan for college. Students of all grade levels are encouraged to come in at any time to plan for their future. We offer assistance with all aspects of the college application process, including narrowing down choices, working through applications, checking essays, discussing financial concerns and scholarships, talking about standardized tests, working with potential college athletes, discussing military options, helping students connect with people at the university and more. Parents can also access all resources in the CCRC, please call in advance so that we can ensure we will be available to assist you.
College representative visits are being scheduled. Last year we had over 200 college representatives come to speak with students at MHS! Students can register in advance through Naviance to attend these visits. Want to know who is coming? Check out the CCRC webpage, or parents can access Naviance via the “Enter as a Guest” function.
Financial resources are available. Schedule an appointment to meet with our ISAC representative, Jhoanna Vega-Rocha.
For Seniors: transcript and letter of recommendation requests must be completed through our Naviance system. The majority of colleges will require students to submit their transcript as a part of their application process, and occasionally they will require letters of recommendation as well. Students who need assistance can come to the CCRC or check in with their counselors.
Evening Events for 2017-18! We are happy to offer a series of evening events for all families who are working through the college planning process. These events are open for parents and students, Freshmen through Seniors, to help you feel more comfortable and confident about college planning and applications. Please see the list of fall events on the reverse side of this page.
Workshop Wednesdays are coming! This year the CCRC will be offering workshops on late start Wednesday mornings to assist students with the college application process. Though these workshops are geared towards seniors, juniors who would like to get a step up on the process are welcome to join as well. Topics will include things like: Using Naviance more efficiently, The Common Application, Essay Writing, Financial Aid and the FAFSA, Campus Visits, Scholarships and more!
After school meeting time is available. If you would like to schedule a time to meet with Mrs. Rusk after school, she is now available Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:30. These appointments will fill up fast – so call 847-949-2200 and speak to Ms. Ocampo to reserve your time in advance.
Thank you for all you do to support your student’s future goals! Please let us know what we can do to help.
(add College Planning Photo)
Athletics
Many sports teams were busy this summer! Please enjoy the pictures below. Follow us on twitter
@GoMHS_Athletics
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| New Main Gym school branding! |
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| New weight room branding! |
We are excited to get underway and start playing contests. Parents can find sports schedules on http://www.d120.org/athletics/default.aspx
Mustang Booster Club
The MHS Mustang Booster Club has kicked off it's 2017-2018 membership drive! Memberships start at $30.00 and as a thank you for joining, you will receive an awesome yard sign and matching car decal. Yard signs/decals will be available to purchase at the Red/Gray Scrimmage and during home football games. To download a membership form, please click on the following link: http://www.d120.org/athletics/.
Follow us on twitter @MundBoosterClub, Instagram at MHS Mustang Booster Club, and on our Facebook page: MHS Mustang Booster Club.
Photos From The Week
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| A five-week summer program with the University of Illinois’ College of ACES (Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences) in Champaign confirmed career goals for MHS senior Kabir Fakoya. Through the university’s Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences department, Kabir examined ecosystem services. Interested in a career in environmental law, Kabir’s plans include an undergraduate degree in environmental science and then law school. |
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| MHS senior Henry Deap interning in a cancer lab at the University of Chicago. |
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| Welcome back Mustangs! MHS Senior Evan Salazar is a recruiter who is currently looking for more tutors to join the Peer Tutor program. Come on up to the Literacy Center to find out more. |