Back to School 2018 - 2019!

Welcome to the New School Year!

The 2018-2019 school year has begun smoothly!  This year, we welcomed 556 freshman students, 34 new staff members, and new programs, clubs, and activities too.  It is exciting to see the all the plans being rolled out, the completion of building renovations, and the return of life to an empty building!

Our theme this year is Nailed It!  Expressions of success like "nailed it" means the hard work and great amount of planning have paid off with awesome results!  As we start the year, we "nailed it" with the new staff added to the building.  As you will meet them in two weeks at Open House, you will see the depth of talent and skills will enhance the learning culture at MHS.

This year, there are three goals for MHS staff:


1.  Defining the path of making District 120 an equitable school district for all learners.

This goal begins with our work in the classroom ensuring that all students have access to the available opportunities.  The staff began working on equitable instructional strategies and through reflection, have been addressing ways to work with all students regardless of their needs.  Through work with instructional coaches and course alike groups, staff will continue to identify areas where barriers exist preventing students from being successful.

2.  Develop and implement a comprehensive student support system for academics and discipline.

When students struggle, staff have worked to create building systems to address academic and behavioral needs.  Starting in the classroom and in the intervention centers of the building (Math Lab, Literacy Center, Study Cafe), staff continue to focus on intervening as quickly and in a variety of methods. 

3.  Implement a functional 8 period day.

Although this is the second year of the 8 period day and there were no changes to the schedule this year, staff will continue to monitor aspects of the 8 period day to maintain the focus of changing the schedule in the first place:  reduce gap time and increase the learning opportunities for all students.  Staff will continue to meet and evaluate different aspects of the 8 period day in order to make necessary adjustments.

On behalf of the staff, we are excited to serve your family in providing an exemplar educational program, strong supports for success, and regular communication about what is happening at MHS.  Our desire is to help every student "nail it" this year!

Sincerely,
Dr. Anthony Kroll, Principal

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Be on Time! - MHS Introduces Changes to the Attendance and Tardy Procedures
It is our goal to make MHS as safe and welcoming as possible.  Having clear hallways, students meeting expectations, and knowing where students are located at all times are very important aspects to us meeting that goal.

Students that are not on time to class each period must get a pass.  After two warnings, Service Hours will be assigned and an automated email will be sent to parents/guardians each time a student is given a tardy pass.  Unexcused absences from class will follow the same policy.  It is our goal to reduce the number of tardies and unexcused absences issued last year by half.

When a student is given Service Hours due to not meeting expectations, he/she will have five school days to complete the Service Hours.  Students can complete service hours in multiple ways, such as:  coming in before school or staying after school for extra help with a staff member, attending a resource center during lunch, serving a “detention” in the deans’ office, doing an extra assignment with their sport, club, or activity, and others.  The deans’ office is willing to work with parents and students to come up with other ways of completing services hours as well.

If a student does not complete the Service Hours in time, he/she will not be allowed to participate in any extra-curricular activities until Service Hours are completed.  It is our goal for all students to complete Service Hours in time.  We want every student to be able to participate in all of our sports, clubs, and activities.

It remains a long standing policy that all students are expected to have a school ID on them at all times during school.  Students were provided an ID card at the start of the school year.  Security is ensuring all students receive their ID quickly.

New this year, students have the option to choose to have a digital ID by using the Hero app.  In order to cut down the cost of purchasing a new ID each time students lose/forget their IDs, students have the option of creating a Hero account and downloading the Hero app on their phones.  This is a free app that contains a digital version of their student IDs.  This digital version can be used as a replacement to their school issued IDs.  Use of the Hero app is not required.

This information was shared with students this Wednesday and with staff this Thursday.  The new system will begin on Monday, August 20.  We did not want to start until students, parents, and staff were familiar with the changes and students were able to learn their new schedule.

Attending school every day, being on time, and meeting expectations are life skills that will continue to be important to our students after graduation.  We ask for your support and assistance for these initiatives.

Freshman Advisory - New at MHS in 2018-19

The purpose of FAM (Freshman Advisory at Mundelein) is to help all freshmen experience a positive and successful transition to Mundelein High School. Specifically, though FAM, we strive to ensure that each and every freshman feels a sense of belonging and connectedness to the MHS community, knows how to get involved at MHS, and knows how to get additional support when needed.

On your student’s schedule, you should see “Freshman Advisory/Lunch” listed during period 4, 5, 6, or 7. On Mondays and Tuesdays, all freshmen will meet with their advisories during the first half of their lunch period. During this time, students will participate in activities aimed at supporting their transition to MHS. Link Crew Leaders (juniors and seniors who have been selected to serve as mentors and leaders to support students’ transition to high school) will facilitate and participate in some activities along with the advisors. Following advisory on Mondays and Tuesdays, freshmen will go to the cafeteria for lunch. On Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, freshmen will report directly to lunch. On these days, your student’s FAM advisor will monitor your student’s progress and help connect your student with resources within the building. Your student will occasionally be asked to meet individually or in a small group with their advisor during this time, as well.

Your student’s FAM advisor will be in touch with you within the first 6 weeks of school. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact Jessica Herrmann with any questions or concerns about FAM. We are very excited to meet your students, and we look forward to an amazing year with the Class of 2022!

Parking
A second round lottery for Parking Permits will occur Tuesday August 21 8:00 AM – Wednesday August 22 at 2:00 PM – NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Enter the 2nd round lottery online – You will be notified via email if you were randomly selected.  Payment is due by Thursday 3:30 PM.  Pick up your permit at the security office on Friday August 24th during lunch periods ONLY.

Recognition

Kate Fladhammer, a junior at Mundelein High School, recently completed a paid summer internship with Shire, a Biotech. This was her second internship with Shire. Fladhammer worked in the 

marketing department for BioLife, the plasma collection division of Shire,  with nearly 100 US locations and seven in Austria.  She developed a social media marketing plan, created content for the Women at Shire presentation and, using the Spanish language skills she learned at MHS, to do translations of banners and ads.  Fladhammer, an AP and Honors student, is involved with Model UN and Future Business Leaders of America competing at the national level this summer, and on the board of Helping Heroes of America.  She returned to school early as a part of the Link Crew helping to welcome freshmen to MHS.

Activities

Calling all PARENTS!

You are invited to the 3rd Annual Parent Cookout on August 23!  This is a great opportunity to meet staff and parents!  Hope to see you there!

Quest Food Management Services Back to School Promotion
Make an on-line deposit into your student's account until August 24th and Quest will deposit EXTRA FUNDS in your student’s lunch account.

5K Run/Walk
Sunday, September 9 at University of Saint Mary of the Lake. Proceeds benefit the construction of a new soccer field and volleyball courts for the youth of Mundelein to enjoy.

College and Career Resource Center

College Application Jumpstart Workshops
The CCRC hosted two College Application Jumpstart workshops this summer to help seniors get off to a strong start for the fall.  The workshops focused on the Common Application and college admissions essays, and our 2018 College Ambassadors served on a panel to provide insight to rising seniors about the college application process.

Keep an eye out for our upcoming college planning events!

Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL) Fair
This Sunday, August 19 at 11am and 5pm speak with representatives from over 40 colleges and universities from across the country. Students must register to attend this free event at https://app.strivescan.com/students. Both the 11am and 5pm fairs are identical, so please plan to attend one.

11:00 AM
Lincolnshire Marriott Resort
Salons A-H
10 Marriott Drive
Lincolnshire, IL  60069

5:00 PM
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Chicago – Downers Grove
Maple, Oak, Sycamore, Cypress, Elm, and Hawthorne Rooms
2111 Butterfield Rd
Downers Grove, IL  60515

ISAC Representative Fall Hours
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) sends a representative to meet one-on-one with students and families about all financial aid, scholarships, FAFSA, and more! Please come by any schedule an appointment to meet with our ISAC representative, Jhoanna Vega-Rocha, during her office hours, anytime between 9am-2pm on Tuesdays in the CCRC (room B-103). Jhoanna can be reached at 847-732-3009 or Jhoanna.Vega-Rocha@isac.illinois.gov.

College Representative Visits
College representatives from across the nation are coming to MHS to meet YOU! Look at a list of upcoming visits on Naviance. Click on the “Colleges” tab at the top of the screen and select “Colleges Home”. Scroll to the bottom of the page where it says “College Visits” and click on “Show More”, then find and click on “Register” to attend the visits of your choice. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about college life on multiple schools’ campuses and to stand out among the crowd of applicants.

Athletics

Visual Image Photography has created a unique landing page for Mundelein High School sports and activity photos. On this page families can navigate to all of the photography services that VIP provides along with being able to pay online for images, book appointments and receive the best prices and most ordering options. Please visit https://www.vipis.com/group/2e1d4885/mundelein-high-school

North Suburban Conference adopts Hate Speech Policy
This summer the North Suburban Conference became the second conference in Illinois to adopt a Hate Speech Policy.  The policy is immediately enacted for the 2018-2019 school year.  Watch the video below for the full policy.

The Athletic Department is excited to start the 2018-19 school year. For all your scheduling questions, please visit the athletic web page and click on Athletic Game Calendar for daily updates.

Girls Cross Country practicing at their home course

Girls Cross Country summer workout in the City

Girls Golf starting the season with a win

Girls Volleyball getting ready for their fall season

 Rain couldn't damper the Cheer family BBQ

Former MHS student Ryan Borucki called up for the big leagues

Photos from the Week

LinkCrew Leaders from Freshman Orientation 2018

LinkCrew Leaders from Freshman Orientation 2018

LinkCrew Leaders from Freshman Orientation 2018

Teacher Leah Kolze leads Freshman Orientation 2018

Freshman Orientation 2018

During Mr. Buck’s first period class, Gabriel Goldman ‘20 and his classmate work on their chromebooks on the first day of school. Photo taken by Claire Kim

Listening to direction, the Marching Mustangs practice the show during class. Their first performance is Friday, August 17, at the Red and Grey Scrimmages. Photo taken by Lindsay Nootbaar

Samaris Sweet Creations provided the cake for the Opening Day Activity:  MHS' version of Nailed It!

Team 1: Jim Harjung (Assistant Director of B/G) Cory Thompson (choir director) Jimmy Ku (counselor)

Team 2: Barb Tegtmeier (copy room secretary) Chris O'Toole (science teacher) Jennifer Cox (math teacher)

Team 3: Stephen Douglas (instructional aide) Marty Ambrey (world language teacher) Mike Vukovics (wellness teacher)

Kristen Behrens (English teacher) Lulu Chapa (instructional aide) Brian Goodell (special education teacher)

The Host - Dr. Kroll

The Judges: Jennifer Franco (English teacher) John Stowers (family consumer science teacher) Jesse Piland (social studies teacher)

First day for staff lunch

First day for staff lunch

First day for staff lunch

New Teacher Orientation