Welcome to the New School Year!
The 2019-2020 school year has begun smoothly! This year, we welcomed 581 freshman students, 15 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 upgrades, and the return of life to an empty building!
Our theme this year is The Mundy Bunch! This is our version of the Brady Bunch with shared services kicking off this year between D75 and D120, Staff began the year on Monday with a joint welcome back message from Superintendent Dr. Kevin Myers, D75 Board President Kevin Holly, and D120 Board President Laura Vogt. The opening session was the first time D75 and D120 staff have opened the school year together under the new shared services agreements between districts.
In addition, we welcomed new and returning staff back with professional learning on Friday which will set the pace for the work we will attend to this year. 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, we will keep the same three building goals as last year but with specific emphasis on race equity within our processes and interactions.
1. Defining the path of making District 120 an equitable school district for all learners.
This goal begins with our work in identifying toxic grading practices to remove from the classroom. Work from last year identified non-negotiable in grading practices for the building. This year, staff will craft grading policies to be enacted to instill grading for equity. In Professional Learning Communities (PLC), staff will form a guiding question focused on addressing the achievement gap between groups of students through which they will analysis assessment data.
2. Develop and implement a comprehensive student support system for academics and discipline.
Building staff will focus on improving the Problem Solving Teaming process to address struggling students.
3. Implement a functional 8 period day.
Although this is the third 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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| Brooke Testin, senior, works on a welcome sign for the media center. |
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| Deans Paul Thatcher and Megan Barger get ready to welcome students to MHS. |
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| D75 & D120 Administrators as the Mundy Bunch |
Recognition
MHS English teacher receives Book Love award
Mundelein High School English teacher, Ryan Buck, has won the support of the Book Love Foundation Board of Directors and has been awarded a grant for $2000 to purchase books for his classroom library. “We believe in you and believe in your work,” said Penny Kittle, Book Love
Foundation president.
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| English Teacher Ryan Buck |
According to Kittle, Buck earned the scholarship for the following reasons:
He has applied the research on increasing the volume of reading in his classroom and is seeing results. We know how hard it can be to innovate in your teaching. We know the stamina it takes professionals like you to commit to work that many do not understand or support. We celebrate your persistence.
You read professionally. We believe that teachers must read current journals and research. We believe it is a foundation for excellence in teaching.
Your personal stories of successes and failures moved us. We look for the personal connections applicants make to their students and their commitment to the success (against all odds) of every reader. We see that in you.
We see your potential as a leader in our field. We are investing in you because we hope you will explore ways you can lead others. You have a vision that others need. We expect that this grant will inspire you to recognize the leader inside of you and then to act on it.
Buck was also instrumental in creating the floor-to-ceiling book cover murals in the English
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| English Department Book Themed Doors - Ryan Buck |
MHS Seniors take first place in National Competition
Mundelein High School senior, MacKenzie Stewart, earned first place in the Global Business event and seniors Parker Geary, Tyler Green and Zach Scott earned first place in the Sports & Entertainment Management event at the Future Business Leaders of America [FBLA] National Competition in San Antonio, Texas. Both teams competed against many teams across the country and beyond, and they were awarded $1200 along with their first place trophies.
“It was exciting to see the two teams up on stage,” said FBLA adviser Chris Hoster. “They all took a tremendous amount of time studying the material and understanding their events.”
The national competition, which took place June 29 through July 2, had students compete in a variety of business and career-related subjects, attend leadership sessions, network with other students and professionals, and explore the city of San Antonio.
“We are so proud of these students,” added FBLA adviser Sarah Menas. “Their success was much deserved after all of their hard work.”
MHS Senior Caitlyn Mathews elected to Girls Nation in Washington, DC
Caitlyn Mathews, 17, rising Mundelein High School senior, has been elected to Girls Nation for a weeklong all-expenses paid trip sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. Girls Nation, the
highly selective federal-level component of the Girls State program, operates like a mock federal government with elections for federal-level offices and selection of a supreme court. Participants learn caucusing and debating skills and draft legislation. The program, now 79 years running, also includes visits to historic sites including Arlington National Cemetery and national memorials, meetings with federal legislators and a session with President Trump in the Rose Garden.
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| Caitlyn Mathews |
The American Legion Auxiliary-sponsored program begins at the state level. More than 300 girls met in June at Eastern Illinois University to operate a mock state-level government.
Mundelein High School selected Caitlyn Mathews and MacKenzie Stewart, for the program.
The process to be elected to Girls Nation involves multiple levels of interviews. “Initially, I wanted to go to Girls State to meet new people and go through the legislative process,“ Mathews said. “But I was motivated by the girls I met.” Mathews gained support from peers by inviting their comments on legislation to make the November election date a federal holiday. In a question-and-answer session in front of all 300 Girls State representatives, Caitlyn was asked how she would manage the influx of refugees. “I suggested that American families volunteer to house refugees who are vetted.”
Only two Girls State delegates from each state are elected to act as Girls Nation senators. Caitlyn will be joined by Kendra Kelly from New Baden in the southwestern corner of the state.
Girls State and Girls Nation carry honored traditions. Arlene Lolley is president of Mundelein Unit 867 which sponsored the two Mundelein High School students and four additional junior girls from Grayslake this year, “There are very few programs like this for young women that offer opportunities for personal development in the areas of oratorical and networking skills. We are proud of the fact that Girls State and Girls Nation have constructed a framework for women to learn leadership and good citizenship practice.” Lolley, a Hainesville resident, has been involved in the American Legion Auxiliary for 30 years. LaVera Davis of North Chicago is the Lake County director of the Girls State program.
The Mundelein unit 867 Girls State participants are funded by donations from local businesses including Mundelein Community Bank, Liberty Auto City and DoubleTree by Hilton Mundelein. This is the second time in three years that a Mundelein High School students was selected to attend Girls Nation.
Announcements
Activities
MHS to host scrimmages and Back to School Bash
Mundelein High School’s Student Leadership organization will welcome all students back to school on Friday, Aug. 23 with scrimmages and a carnival. The evening will begin at 5 p.m. with scrimmages by girls volleyball, boys soccer and football. Also performing during that time will be the dance team, cheer team and marching band. The public is invited to attend any of these activities; however, only students may attend the Back to School Bash set for 7 to 9 p.m.
Cost of admission to the Bash will be $5 which includes food, access to the stadium field, inflatables and music. New this year, students will be able to compete against each other at the Gladiator Joust and race their peers on over-sized tricycles. There will also be a dunk tank where students will have a chance to dunk some of their teachers.
For more information, contact Patrick Gaughan who serves as co-lead sponsor of Student Leadership. pgaughan@d120.org; 847-949-2200, Extension 1161.
College & Career Center
Dear Mundelein Families,
Hello and welcome to a new school year! I look forward to meeting many of you for the first time as
well as seeing some of you again! Please let me introduce myself. My name is Rena McMahon. This is my 15th year working in education and my second year at MHS. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences and Secondary Education from Dominican University and a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Northeastern Illinois University. For the 2019-2020 school year, I will be the College and Career Resource Center (CCRC) Assistant working alongside Mrs. Andrea Rusk, College Counselor. Please look for information from me about CCRC events, college news, career pathways, scholarship information, and more! Feel free to contact me at any time with questions. I am excited to be in this role and I look forward to a great school year!
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| Rena McMahon |
Thank you,
Rena McMahon
MHS CCRC Assistant
847-949-2200 x1037
rmcmahon@d120.org
Upcoming Military Visits
Wed., August 21st
Marine Corps
All lunch periods
MHS College Planning Guide
The MHS College Planning Guide is a comprehensive guide through the college planning process. It covers where to get started, financial aid options, scholarships, timelines, college athletics, summer opportunities, the College Planning Workbook, and more! Check it out at: https://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=2151227
Connect with us!
Instagram: mhsccrc
Twitter: @mundycollege
Athletics
Welcome back!
Fall sports tryouts are underway and the Mustangs are getting ready for fierce competition this season.
Fall Parent/Player information nights are set
Monday August 19
- 6:30 Auditorium
- Football, Cheerleading, Boys & Girls Golf and Volleyball
- 6:30 Auditorium
- Soccer, Tennis, Boys & Girls Cross Country, Swim/Dive and Dance
Fall VIP Photo day for Athletics
August 22
- Boys & Girls Golf at the course (3:45 at Steeple Chase)
August 24
- Boys & Girls Cross Country, Soccer, Football, Cheer, Dance, Swim/Dive, Tennis and Volleyball (see coaches for picture time)
How to pay for sports photos w/ VIP
Pay ahead of time here
Important!
Order before or on your picture day for affordable pricing for both Sport Team & Individual pricing.
If you miss the deadline, don't worry, read below
- Additional $3.95 processing and handling fee applied on all orders after picture day and will be processed individually.
Note: If you have any questions about sports team and individual pictures, please contact Visual Image Photography here or call them at 262-375-4457.
Recent Question
How do families pay for fall sports?
Once rosters are made/set, parents and players will get an email from the Payment Center, Mrs. Olson, with instructions on how to pay for fall sports. The timing of this email from Mrs. Olson is sometime after Labor Day.