MHS Monthly Magazine
MHS: The Newsletter Of Choice
May 2024
Congratulations Student of the Month, Sydney Ladwig!!!!
Mrs. Amy Kelly Johnson, Principal
Mr. Nick Seibert, Asst. Principal
Mr. Morio Montgomery, Asst. Principal
Mrs. Julie Hazzard, Asst. Principal
Mr. Scott Battas, Athletic/Activities Director
School Telephone: 618-566-8523
Office Hours: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
MHS: The High School Of Choice
A Note From Mrs. Amy Kelly Johnson
Mascoutah High School Families,
We are so excited for all of our upcoming end of the school year celebrations. Spring athletics and activities are well underway and our students continue to amaze us!
To the Class of 2024, it is with much excitement that we take this opportunity to extend our congratulations on your upcoming graduation from Mascoutah High School! We are excited to soon honor your well deserved accomplishments! THIS LETTER contains information that was shared during our Senior Graduation Meetings and will be helpful to you as you prepare for this memorable event. The 2024 COMMENCEMENT LETTER sent to Senior families contains important information and upcoming dates as well. Please make sure to review and be on the lookout for additional information posted in the Senior Google Classroom! We can’t wait to celebrate the Class of 2024!
In addition to our seniors, we have a few amazing staff members that we will also be wishing well in retirement! A heartfelt thank you goes to Mrs. Julie Marshall, MHS Science Teacher; Mr. Rob Neumann, MHS PE & Driver's Ed Teacher; Ms. Sandy Edwards, MHS Paraprofessional. We are so grateful for their years of dedicated service to our students and community and wish them each a joyful and rewarding retirement!
Sincerely,
Amy Kelly Johnson, Principal
2024 SPRING FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE
Students will be dismissed after their last scheduled exam everyday. Those students that need transportation home from school will attend a study hall where they will be responsible for bringing something to study or work on. This study hall will follow all school policies. Students will be required to remain quiet, sitting in the designated location and will not be able to use their cell phones. Lunch will be available on Tuesday and Wednesday to those students who fill out a lunch form
ATHLETIC SCHEDULES CAN BE FOUND ON:
ARE YOU MOVING?
If your student will not be returning next school year, please contact Ms. Huber at 566-8523 ext 5199 or email hubert@msd19.org.
DATES TO REMEMBER
All students should be checking their school email daily at this time for important communications from teachers, including invitations to Google Classrooms.
May 2: AFJROTC Awards Night
May 6-10: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7: Buff Puff 6:30 PM
May 9: 7-12 Band Festival
May 14: Seniors' Last Day
May 15: Senior Final Exams
May 15: MHS Scholarship Night 6:00 PM
May 16: Senior Final Exams
May 17: Graduation Practice 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
May 19: Graduation 7:00 PM
May 21-23: Final Exams
May 23: Final Day of School!
May 31: Summer School Begins
August 6: Freshmen/New Student Parent Preview
August 7: Freshmen Orientation FMP Preview Day/New Student Orientation
August 14: First Day of School (1/2 Day Student Attendance)
*Please note - the last day of the 2023-2024 school year is set for May 23 (unless inclement weather cancellations occur)
SHOW THE MHS STAFF SOME GRATITUDE
STUDENT HANDBOOK POLICY REMINDERS
Vaping devices, e-cigarettes, tobacco products of any kind are not allowed on campus.
Please remind your child to arrive to school on time. We have seen a much larger amount of 1st hour tardies. First hour class begins at 7:35am.
Cell phones are to be turned off and remain out of sight the entire day.
Shirts and blouses should be continuous from neckline to waist. The mid-section should not show.
Hats/hoods are not to be worn during the school day (with the exception of religious and medical reasons that are preapproved).
As always thank you for your support!
FROM THE NURSE
11th Grade Students
All 11th grade students must receive the meningococcal (MCV4) booster vaccine before starting senior year. Be sure to schedule an appointment with your medical provider before appointments fill up!
School physical and immunization requirements
May 2024
RE: School physical and immunization requirements
With the approach of the summer months soon upon us, the Mascoutah CUSD #19 nursing staff want to provide information regarding the health requirements for the 2024-2025 school year. The School Board has adopted Policy 7:100 that now requires all students entering grades Pre-K, Kindergarten, 6th and 9th grades to provide new and updated physicals and immunizations, and updated immunizations for 12th grade by the first day of school. If the required documentation is not provided, your child will be excluded from school attendance beginning the first full day of school. The health requirements for all grade levels affected are provided below. If you have any questions, please contact the school nurse at your child’s school.
Pre-K: (entering school for the first time)
a completed physical examination on the State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination Form dated within one year of the start date of school year
Up-to-date immunizations including at least one dose of pneumococcal vaccine
Proof of Lead screening must be addressed on Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination Form
Kindergarten:
a completed physical examination on the State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination Form dated within one year of the start date of school
Up-to-date immunizations including 2 doses varicella and 4 doses of polio with the last dose on or after 4th birthday
Proof of Lead screening must be addressed on Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination Form
Eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist
Dental exam: due before May 15
Second Grade:
Dental exam: due before May 15
Sixth Grade:
a completed physical examination on the State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination Form dated within one year of the start date of school
Up-to-date immunizations including Tdap booster and one dose of meningococcal vaccine after the 11th birthday.
Dental exam: due before May 15
Ninth Grade:
a completed physical examination on the State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination Form dated within one year of the start date of school
Up-to-date immunizations
Dental exam: due before May 15
Twelfth Grade:
two doses of meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine with one dose received at 16 years of age or older; if first dose was received at 16 years of age or older, only one dose is required
Please schedule your physical appointments now with your healthcare provider. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact the school nurse at any of the Mascoutah District schools.
FAMILIES MAY VIEW UP TO DATE NEWSLETTERS AND WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
ON THE MASCOUTAH HIGH SCHOOL WEBSITE:
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
REPORTING ABSENCES:
Student absences need to be called in to the attendance line (618-566-8523) no later than 8:45 am. If you have not reported your student as absent, an automated email will generate to inform you that your student is absent and their absence is unexcused. In order for a student's absence to be excused we must be notified from a parent or guardian within 24 hours of the absence. If your student has an appointment please provide a doctor's note for their file.
Please review the attendance Policies as stated in the 23-24 student handbook located here.
COLLEGE VISITS
Students and their parents are encouraged to visit colleges during the second semester of their junior year and first semester of their senior year. We suggest that these visits be made during school holidays. Seniors are encouraged to use April 17 (SAT Test Day) as a college visit day
SCHOOL MESSAGING SYSTEM
Mascoutah Schools notify parents through phone calls, text alerts, and emails about important issues and information. Please keep the Counseling Office updated with changes to your contact information.
FOLLOW MASCOUTAH HIGH SCHOOL ON TWITTER:
MHS Principal: @M19_MHS
MHS Athletics: @MHS19_Athletics
Ways to HELP Your Teen Succeed in High School
MHS: The High School Of Choice
Point out the positives about high school, such as choosing your own courses, meeting new people, and having more challenging classes.
Keep communication lines open so your teen knows he or she has your love and understanding.
Ask questions about the school day, the friends your child is making, the things they are interested in.
Pay close attention to your teen’s social media involvement
If academic or social problems arise that you can’t help with, suggest your teen talk to school counselors, social workers, or teachers.
Set and enforce limits. Involve your teen in coming up with family rules and assigning consequences if rules are broken.
Balance discipline and structure with a sensitivity to your teen’s need for privacy and independence.
Keep alert to distractions so that new activities, relationships, and experiences don’t interfere with your teen’s academic record.
Help your student get involved in school activities. This is a commitment for both parent and student.
Work with your teen to find his or her strengths. This can lead your teen to joining appropriate clubs and sports that will bring new friends, confidence, and skills.
BE FAIR-----BE FIRM-----BE CONSISTENT.
DO NOT defend your student when they are wrong.
MASCOUTAH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SERVICES OFFICE
Janelle Kozsdiy: Last Names A-G
Brett Kolweier: Last Names H-O
Christine Renth: Last Names P-Z
Caitie Morrell: Part-Time School Counselor
Carleigh Baker: School Social Worker- Juniors and Seniors
Brandy Bryant: School Social Worker- Freshman and Sophomores
Stacey Beisel - Military and Family Life Counselor
Information from Your Student Services Office
ACT
National ACT test dates are available: June 8th.
Please visit www.act.org to register.
SAT
The next National SAT Test Dates is June 1st.
Please visit www.collegeboard.org to register.
FAFSA Information
We will have our ISAC (Illinois Student Assistance Commission) representative, Erick Bernal-Rodriguez visit during advisories as requested to help students with questions related to the FAFSA application. Erick's contact information for additional questions: Erick.Bernal-Rodriguez@illinois.gov
Access to the FAFSA and additional resources
These are things you need to start the application process:
- You and your parents SSNs and FSA IDs
- Tax returns and W-2s from 2022
- Records of untaxed income
- Bank statements and records of investments
- List of colleges you would like to attend
Illinois requires all public high school seniors to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as a graduation requirement (Illinois Code 105 ILCS 5/22-87, Sec. 22-87). If you elect to not complete the FAFSA, there is a Non-Participation option. The 2023-24 Nonparticipation Form can be submitted online on ISAC's Student Portal under the Program Applications & Status Checks tab. See the Financial Aid Application Nonparticipation Form Instructions for details on how to complete the electronic form. If the student is an emancipated minor, they will need to complete the paper Nonparticipation Form which can be requested by emailing fafsa@isbe.net.
Please have this waiver submitted before May 1st.
Scholarships
Please explore all tabs for scholarship opportunities including 'Scholarship Resources on the Web' link. This link will take you to many scholarship search engines that will allow you to search for nationwide scholarships.
Senior Updates and Planning for the Future
Please check out the Senior Planning Guide, for all your College and Career questions. We are meeting with seniors now to discuss post-high school career plans.
Teens and Grief Group
Please join us! TAG is a FUN group filled with activities, games, art projects, snacks, and more! It offers support and community for any student who has lost a loved one. The group is facilitated by a grief counselor from Heartlinks and will start October 19th. Please join the Google Classroom (code ew27qt3) or contact Mrs. Bryant at bryantb@msd19.org for more information to join!
Social/Emotional Needs
Just a friendly reminder if a student needs social/emotional assistance, the social workers can be reached via email (bakerc@msd19.org and bryantb@msd19.org) or in person within the Counseling Office. Teachers can also refer students to our services. They are happy to help with emotional support and connecting students to community services as well!
Transcripts
Any senior requesting a transcript should access their Parchment account. If you have not set up your parchment account, please search your email for the registration link. Please contact the registrar, Mrs. Huber (hubert@msd19.org), with any transcript concerns, questions, needs, or issues.
Juniors will learn how to access Parchment this semester. More information will be shared later this semester.
Course Selections for the 2024-2025 School Year
The deadline to submit any changes to your selected requests was March 1st. Please remember to include Driver's Education if you are eligible to take that next year.
Do You Want to Play Sports in College?
Check out the NCAA Eligibility Center website for previously recorded webinars for college-bound student-athletes and your families. The webinars will include the requirements you must meet to pursue your dreams of studying and competing at an NCAA Division I, II or III school.
Please click here to view more information.
Illinois High School 2 Career
ISBE has collaborated with the Illinois Department of Employment Security and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to produce a valuable resource to help students make empowered decisions about their lives after high school. This tool can help adults in students' lives to have informed conversations with students about their goals and the types of choices that align with those goals. Illinois High School 2 Career utilizes data from past Illinois public school seniors and follows their progress from high school through nine years post-graduation to provide an unparalleled snapshot of the education requirements, compensation, and job stability a student can expect from hundreds of occupations.
DISTRICT CALENDAR
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER (X)
MHS Principal: @M19_MHS
MHS Athletics: @MHS19_Athletics
Mascoutah Pride
Check out the new addition to the High School Gym!
FBLA attended the State Leadership Conference!
MHS ADMINISTRATION
Mrs. Amy Kelly Johnson
Principal
Mr. Nick Seibert
Assistant Principal
Mr. Morio Montgomery
Assistant Principal
Mrs. Julie Hazzard
Assistant Principal
Mr. Scott Battas
Director of Athletics/Activities