MHS Families,
Thank you for the support during the first semester of this school year. Remote learning has been hard for everyone. The MHS staff is appreciative of the kind words and support throughout the fall. In addition, thank you for being patient while we worked out problems during the semester.
I was speaking with a student the other day and when asked how things were going for me, I made the comment to him that I really missed having students in the building. The student stopped and stated that he would never have imagined that an adult would have said he/she is missing students. My response was heartfelt - No matter what, the adults of MHS miss being in the school with students and want nothing more than to be together. May we be together soon.
May the new year bring health and happiness for everyone in your family.
Sincerely,
Anthony Kroll, Principal
Notables spreading holiday cheer!
Pool Noodle Cardio Drumming takes off at MHS; Chicago Cubs organist joined in
Pool noodle cardio drumming at Mundelein High School began as a collaboration between the district occupational therapist, Julie Hupp, and the adaptive PE teachers, Todd Parola and Reed Christensen. During remote learning, the group worked together to come up with movement ideas in an effort to engage and develop the student's motor skills in a fun and interactive way.
According to Hupp, Pool noodle cardio drumming combines motor movement with auditory and visual feedback. Since it is multi-sensory, it facilitates increased engagement. This makes it a great tool to strengthen a variety of skills for students such as improving body control, facilitating specific arm movements, increasing eye hand coordination, strengthening the upper extremities, and midline crossing. It also helps with grasping, fluidity of movement, and overall motor skills. It increases the heart rate and blood flow, resulting in an effective aerobic workout, all while having fun!
We sure had fun making the videos and the students love them,” Hupp said.
Recently, the Chicago Cubs organist, John Benedeck, joined some of the MHS staff, Transition Center staff, and administration to make videos to use with the students during PE and therapy.
For additional information, contact Jamie DiCarlo, assistant superintendent for student services, at jdicarlo@d120.org.
Favorites:
Cubs song with the Cubs organist!!
Recognition
Several students in the App Development and Coding class at Mundelein High School excelled in the Amazon Cyber Robotics Challenge recently. Two different class sections competed and the first place winners were Xander Ede, Ella Kasamis and Caden Minehart. Second place went to Enrique Gonzalez, Marshall Maxim and Erich Robb. Third place finishers were Michael Chen and Vytautas Zumas.
Students programmed a virtual version of Hercules, the robot used in Amazon fulfillment centers to bring shelving pods to workers to pack orders. “Amazon has a sophisticated system of fulfilling its orders and a lot of computer science is involved in making it happen,” said Chris Hoster, teacher of the course who attended a live virtual tour of a facility. “The Robotics Challenge allowed students to connect their programming knowledge to real-world innovations that solve problems and create innovative solutions,” he explained.
The competition was provided by the Amazon Future Engineer (AFE) program at MHS which supplies coursework and programs for students who are interested in computer science and engineering. The program also offers scholarships for seniors, virtual and in-person tours, class meetings with real Amazon engineers, internships, teacher support and more as it continues to build this program. “Amazon knows there is a huge demand for these jobs that pay very well and wants to increase the interest in our youth to explore computer science and engineering,” Hoster explained. The US is projected to have only 28 percent of computer science graduates to fill the 1.4 million computer science-related jobs available (Bureau of Statistics, 2020).
App Development and Coding, AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A are courses that are part of the AFE program at MHS.
Mundelein volunteer earns state award
Mundelein resident, Veronica Villaseñor, has earned the Illinois State Board of Education Award of Meritorious Service for Community Volunteer, for the work she does for the Mundelein schools and community. She was nominated by three members of the MHS staff who work with her: Jamie DiCarlo, assistant superintendent of student services for districts 75 and 120; Stacey Gorman, assistant
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| Veronica Villasenor |
superintendent for teaching and learning, District 120; and Sol Cabachuela, parent liaison for District 120.
“Typically, we would have celebrated these accomplishments, along with those of many others, at our annual Teacher of the Year/Those Who Excel banquet in October,” said Dr. Carmen Ayala, state superintendent of education. “It is unfortunate that the COVID-19 pandemic forced the event to be canceled,” Ayala explained.
“Veronica has worked tirelessly bringing relationships and communications between our bilingual families and the schools as her children have attended both District 75 and District 120 schools,” DiCarlo said.
Villaseñor volunteers in a number of ways in the community including bridging relationships and communications between bilingual families and the schools, being active in the Latino Police Academy in Mundelein, the Mundelein High School Parent Ambassadors, Universidad de Padres and the MHS Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee. “She serves on various panels and focus groups as well and is truly invested in increasing access and comfort levels of families when it comes to school,” Gorman explained.
Throughout the pandemic, Villaseñor has been at every food distribution event of every type, never missing an opportunity to support the community. This includes more than 30 food/supply/gift distribution events that she has been part of. Two to four days a week she volunteers to distribute breakfast and lunch at one of the MHS food distribution spots in Diamond Lake. “We are better because of her and we learn from her,” Cabachuela said. “She is selfless and patient and also hilarious and she really manages the whole crew at our volunteer events.”
Prior to the onset of the pandemic, Villaseñor was instrumental in the organization of the District 120 Welcome Center and all of its events. “She volunteers weekly to organize new donations of food, clothing and supplies at the Welcome Center and facilitates families getting what they need,” Gorman explained.
“She never stops and is nothing short of absolutely amazing,” DiCarlo said.
“You took on the challenges associated with an unprecedented pandemic with an unwavering determination that has been a shining example for all students of how to handle adversity. I truly admire you and your wonderful accomplishments and personally thank you for all you do for students in our great state,” Ayala concluded.