August 16, 2024

Dear MHS Families,

Our first week back has been incredible! The energy, excitement and school spirit this week has been contagious. It has been a delight to welcome students back!

Please check out our welcome back video below! This provides important information on back-to-school happenings and expectations. We also gathered some pictures from the pep-assembly held yesterday as well as first day pictures.

Don't forget, if your child is looking to get involved, we are holding our back-to-school bash this evening.

We have also noticed an excellent increase in student engagement with our new cell phone rollout! Expectations can be found here: https://www.d120.org/cell-phone-expectations/

Parents, guardians and family members are asked to support the new expectations by not calling their students while in class. Parents are also invited to join teachers in a Community Book Club, featuring the book, “The Anxious Generation,” by Jonathan Haidt. The book explores the potential link between the rising rates of anxiety and depression among teens and the potential link to an increased use of social media and smartphones.

The club will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. on Aug. 22, Sept. 26 and Oct. 30 in the MHS Media Center. Discussions will be in both English and Spanish. Books will be provided for free in both English and Spanish and available in the school’s main office. To participate in the club, please register at this link.

At the beginning of summer, MHS received the All-Academic Award in each of our varsity athletic teams! Kudos to all of our Varsity Coaches and our entire Athletic Department, under the leadership of Troy Parola, who is entering his final year (of 16) at MHS, 33 years in education overall. This recognition indicates a school-wide culture that values and promotes academic achievement alongside athletic performance. This demonstrates our students’ academic success is not limited to a few teams but is pervasive across the entire athletic program!

Congratulations to our Fine Arts & CTE Department for being named one of the Best Communities in Music Education as this highlights our school's commitment to developing well-rounded student-performers and musicians who excel both in their classroom and in their craft. This aligns with our broader educational goal of preparing our students for diverse futures beyond high school.

We also start the year most notably having strengthened our school culture and support systems to allow more access and opportunities for our students. Students are not only enrolling and finding success in Honors and AP classes, but we are seeing the fruits of our labor lead to an increased graduation rate for the class of 2024, which is a feat we have been striving to accomplish for quite some time. For the last decade, we have been between an 86-89% graduation rate, only dipping into the 91-92% during COVID. I am pleased to share that our graduation rate for the Class of 2024 was over 94% this spring. We have not seen such an increase within this last decade. This increase is not the sum of one single person or department but rather evidence of the collective work of our teachers, instructional assistants, support staff, facilities & maintenance crew, and especially our multi-tiered systems of supports (MTSS) teams composed of our school psychologists, counselors, deans, interventionists and case managers. This is certainly a building-wide effort that has led to a tremendous community win. By increasing our overall high school graduation rate, we improve career prospects and higher earning potential for our students, we increase community innovation and progress with more of our graduates contributing to an educated workforce. We also attract businesses and stimulate economic development by promoting civic engagement and establishing stronger, more prosperous, and equitable experiences for our students post-high school. Well done, MHS! Let us continue to do this work, together!

Have a great weekend, Mustangs!

Dr. Alexandria Rios Taylor

Principal, Mundelein High School

847-949-2200 x1257

www.d120.org

ataylor@d120.org

Aug 16 - Back to School Bash

Aug 19 - Fall Sport Parent Night, 7pm Main Gym

Aug 22 - Parent Book Club

Aug 29 - Open House

Aug 30 - Home Football Game #1 (Theme - Senior Night)

Sept 2 - No School (National Holiday)

Sept 11 - Picture Day

Sept 11 - Senior Cap and Gown Ordering Begins

Sept 16 - PSAT/NMSQT Registration Due

Sept 19 - Fall Community Cookout

Sept 20 - Late Start, classes begin at 9:40am

Sept 20 - Home Football Game #2 (Theme - Community Night)

Sept 25 - Senior Night

Sept 27 - Homecoming Parade - Early dismissal, 12:30pm

Sept 28 - Alumni Building Tours

Sept 28 - Homecoming Dance

Oct 2 & 3 - Parent Teacher Conferences

Oct 2-4 - Rosh Hashana

Join us for free food, fun, music, photo booth, and games! We will also have $5 Kona Ice for sale.

MHS Stadium

6:30pm - 9:00pm

Main Gym

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Our school district is committed to fostering a healthy learning environment for all students. To align with this goal, new cell phone expectations are being implemented this year. MHS teachers invite MHS parents to join our book club discussion of "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haid to learn more about how you can support this change and explore the reasoning behind this endeavor.

Part 1 and 2

Part 3

Moved to MHS Media Center

Part 4

Moved to MHS Media Center

Click here to learn more.

Join us for our 1st home varsity football game of the season!

Contest

Mundelein Mustangs versus Grant Bulldogs

Theme

Senior Night / Red Out

Start Time

7:00pm

Tickets

Current MHS Students with ID - Free

Child (ages 3-10)/Seniors (65+) - $3

General Admission $6

Purchase Tickets at GoFan

Gates open 60 minutes before kickoff for single varsity games. On nights when we have a lower level game prior to varsity, gates will open 30 minutes prior to kickoff of the lower level game and remain open through the varsity game.

Disallowed Items

Alcohol, tobacco, vaping products, backpacks, large bags, noisemakers, outside food or drink. All bags subject to search.

Labor Day is an observed National Holiday. Students and staff will not be in session.

Click here to learn about the history of Labor Day

SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS, AND SENIORS

• School pictures will be taken on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from 7:15 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the Main Gym.

• Most students will have their portraits taken during a P.E. class, study hall, free period, or lunch.

• Seniors interested in booking a Premiere session should visit www.vipis.com(Opens in a new window) or email support@vipis.com. Any Senior who does not intend to book or pay for a premier session sho uld come to one of the Underclass photo days at the school for a yearbook only headshot at no cost.

FRESHMEN

• School pictures were taken during Freshman Orientation.

• If a freshman student missed taking their picture during Freshman Orientation, they may take their picture on the school-wide retake day, which is Wednesday, October 23, 2024, from 10:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. in the District Meeting Room. Students should go at a time that works for their schedule. Be aware there may be a wait.

Herff Jones will be in the main gym during all gym periods to take measurements and handout information on how to place your student's graduation cap and gown order

Herff Jones will be onsite to take orders for MHS School rings and jackets.

Click here to see more.

Stop by and treat yourself to a hotdog, chips and a cookie, courtesy of your MHS Parent Ambassadors!

MHS Pool Lot

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Classes begin at 9:40am.

Buses will run one hour later than ususal.

Click here for late start schedule.

Join us for our 2nd home football game of the season! The theme is Community Night.

Contest

Mundelein Mustangs versus Stevenson Patriots

Theme

Community Night / White Out

Start Time

5:00pm

Tickets

Current MHS Students with ID - Free

Child (ages 3-10)/Seniors (65+) - $3

General Admission $6

Purchase Tickets at GoFan

Gates open 60 minutes before kickoff for single varsity games. On nights when we have a lower level game prior to varsity, gates will open 30 minutes prior to kickoff of the lower level game and remain open through the varsity game.

Disallowed Items

Alcohol, tobacco, vaping products, backpacks, large bags, noisemakers, outside food or drink. All bags subject to search.

Save the date! More information to follow.

Students will enjoy some great homecoming festivities:

Assembly 11:30am - 12:20pm

Early Release at 12:30pm (school day schedule)

Parade at 3:30pm (parade map)

Home football game versus Libertyville at 7:00pm

Welcome back, Alumni!

Tickets will go on sale 2 weeks prior to the dance. More information to come.

October 2nd - Evening Parent Teacher Conferences 4:30 - 8:00pm

October 3rd - Day Parent Teacher Conferences 8:00am - 2:00pm - No Student Attendance

Registration link will open on September 16th

MHS is offering the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at Mundelein High School. This exam is optional, open to Grade 11 students only, and is being offered free of charge. This exam is the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship.

The PSAT/NMSQT will be approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes long. Students will be excused from class for the periods they are testing but will be responsible for making up the classwork they missed.

The PSAT/NMSQT is a multiple-choice assessment of verbal, mathematics and writing skills. There are several benefits to taking this exam. First, top performing grade 11 students may be eligible for money through National Merit, National Achievement, or National Hispanic Scholarship funds. This is a great opportunity for you to possibly obtain National Merit recognition and scholarship money.

**Students must register themselves for the PSAT/NMSQT using their MHS email in the link below by Friday, September 6, 2024.

Register HERE for the PSAT/NMSQT

To learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT, visit www.collegeboard.org/psat .

Email Dr. Kroll if you have questions.

The CCRC offers assistance with all aspects of the college application process:

• Narrowing down college 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 university

Click here to learn more.

Experiential Education describes all opportunities offered to students to give them a chance to explore the world of careers and professions. These include classes like Dual Credit Student Internship, Business INCubator, and Geometry in Construction as well as career treks and featured guest speakers.

Super Seniors is back! If you are a senior citizen who resides in the Mundelein High School District, Mundelein High School cordially invites you to a dinner and show! Be our guest for dinner in the MHS Cafeteria and a seat for the fall play - The Philadelphia Story!

When: Thursday, October 17, 2024

Where: MHS Cafeteria

Time: Dinner served at 5:30pm. MHS Presentation at 6:00pm. Play begins at 7:30pm.

Register by 10:00am Friday, October 4. Super Senior Reservations can be made by clicking here to register or by calling 847-949-2200 ext. 1326 (East District Office) and leaving the name, email address and phone number of each senior citizen who is attending. We start taking reservations approximately four weeks before each event.

Please note that you must reside in the Mundelein High School District #120 to attend. Click HERE to find more information about MHS Theatre.

What is Super Seniors?

• Super Seniors attend dinner events, school plays, musicals, and art shows. Several times throughout the school year you will have the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary dinner served by MHS students and to attend an MHS activity.

• Super Seniors was started in 2008 to encourage Mundelein area seniors to become more involved in their community high school. All events are free to our seniors and are sponsored by student clubs at the school. Funding comes from sponsors, grants, and donations.

• Contact akroll@d120.org with any questions.

Our MHS Portrait of a Learner tenets affirm student identity through schoolwide values, expectations and practices.

English | Spanish

Regular school attendance is required and necessary to develop the academic and intrapersonal skills needed for success. Students are expected to attend each class and be on time. Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance. If your student is going to be absent, leave early or arrive late, please submit the attendance via the monitor application within Power School in lieu of calling the attendance line and leaving a voicemail.

Please log on to the Power School parent portal at the MHS website https://www.d120.org/ to record your student’s attendance.

Attached you will find instructions on how to submit your students attendance.

Power School Attendance Instructions

Guardians will be receiving an email with your parent Power School log in instructions if needed.

If you need further support please call 847-949-2200.

Would you like to know when your student’s bus is going to be late? For Mundelein bus routes, Lakeside Transportation is using the Bus Bulletin notification system to notify parents and students when there are bus delays and schedule changes.

For more information, or to sign-up and start receiving notifications, please visit Bus Bulletin (Find Mundelein Area Schools when prompted for a district) *Note - This is managed by Lakeside Bus Company and not MHS.

Although we take great pride in a dress code that encourages self-expression, we do want to remind students of our student dress code policy as found in our student handbook.

• Clothing must cover all undergarments (waistbands and straps excluded).

• Fabric covering all private parts must not be seen through.

• Clothing that depicts, advertises or advocates the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other controlled substances is prohibited.

• Clothing that depicts pornography, nudity or sexual acts is prohibited.

With the increased enrollment in recent years, we have been unable to provide a locker for every student at MHS. Since many students do not use a locker, we are assigning lockers to students upon request. Click below to request your locker!

Click here to view our blog archive.

Website: www.d120.org
Location: 1359 West Hawley Street, Mundelein, IL, USA
Phone: 847-949-2200