October 4, 2024

Dear MHS Families,

Thank you all for a great Homecoming week! The energy around the building was incredible...and we couldn't have asked for better weather on Friday for the parade and football game.

On Saturday, we hosted an MHS Alumni Building Tour. Over 100 alumni from graduating classes 1964, 1968, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1994, and 1993 enjoyed sharing their happy high school memories.

Here are a few pictures from the week. Visit our Facebook page for more pictures and videos.

Thank you to all parents that attended PTC. It was great to see you in the building and we hope you had productive conversations with our teschers. We understand it truly is a partnership between families and our staff members to ensure our students experience success at MHS.

Tonight is the home football game against Warren. We hope to see you there! Purchase your tickets at GoFan. As always, MHS strives to provide staff, students, and guests with a welcoming and safe environment. For this reason, we have instituted a new game attendance policy. Going forward, all middle school aged children or younger must be accompanied by a supervising adult to attend and there will be a limit of five children per supervising adult.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Go Mustangs!

Mike Souza

Interim Principal and Associate Principal of Operations

Mundelein High School

847-949-2200

www.d120.org

msouza@d120.org

Sept 15 - Oct 15 - Hispanic Heritage Month

Oct 4 - Home Football Game

Oct 7 - Making Your College List Workshop

Oct 7 - National Honor Society Induction Ceremony

Oct 8 - Essay Writing Workshop

Oct 8 - Autumn Choir Concert

Oct 9 - Financial Aid Workshop

Oct 10 - College Application Day

Oct 10 - Theme Thursday - Disney

Oct 11- Late Start

Oct 11 - College Application Completion Workshop

Oct 14 - Federal Holiday - No School

Oct 15 - Deadline for Student Physicals

Oct 16 - PSAT/NMSQT

Oct 23 - Picture Re-Take Day

Oct 24 - MHS Building Tour

Nov 5 - Election Day - No School

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) students designed, manufactured, and quality checked over 300 name tags for staff members across d120 this past week. The products were all made in-house under the watchful eye of staff member Manny Aldana on our laser machines in C120. Students manufactured a template, created the design, and executed the distribution of each name tag.

Staff members proudly wore their new name tags during parent teacher conferences the past two days. This is just the beginning of what promises to be many fantastic projects “Made at MHS” this year!

Click here to view the full photo album.

Catherine White explains “Barbie Bungee Jump” for her AP Stats class on Friday, October 4, 2024.

"The students measured the distance of each bungee jump depending on how long the bungee cord was. Having measured drop distance for bungee cords from 0 through 7 rubber bands, a linear relationship was found between how many rubber bands were used and how far each of the Barbie’s dropped.

From that relationship, the students had to predict how many rubber bands they would need in order to make the drop of 564 centimeters. We just saw the Barbies make that 564cm drop– all but one came within centimeters of hitting the floor…and one hit the floor. That shows the strength of our linear regression and predictions. We had hoped that none of them would hit the floor."

Click here to see more pictures.

I am excited to share that Tonni Lumu was a winner in the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative essay contest, and her and her dad Tonny Lumu will be honored at the Union League Club of Chicago on November 21st at 6pm.

Tonni's essay was chosen as the sophomore winner out of hundreds of essay submissions. If you would like to read the essay, please click here.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from September 15 to October 15. It began as a week-long celebration in 1968 under President Johnson and was expanded to a month by President Reagan 20 years later in 1988. The month-long celebration provides more time to properly recognize the significant contributions Hispanic/Latino Americans have made in the United States.

Latinas and Latinos have always held significant roles throughout our country’s history, dating all the way back to the American Revolution. Hispanic Heritage Month is important because it provides an opportunity to celebrate the integral part the Hispanic/Latino community has had in growing and strengthening our democracy.

Text Courtesy of: https://latino.si.edu/learn/teaching-and-learning-resources/hispanic-heritage-month-resources.

Click here to Spread Kind Vibes!

The 2025 MHS Yearbook is now available to purchase on the Josten’s website.

The yearbook is $60 from now until November 1st. The price will increase to $70 on November 2nd.

Contest

Mundelein Mustangs versus Warren Township Blue Devils

Theme

Neon Night

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.

Updated Game Attendance Policy: Any middle school aged children or younger must be accompanied by a supervising adult to attend. There will be a limit of five children per supervising adult. For details, please see the updated policy on the MHS Athletics webpage: English | Spanish

Disallowed Items

Items that are not allowed in the stadium are backpacks, large purses, beach bags, outside coolers, outside food or drink, noise makers, balls, inflatable toys, laser pointers, paint, baby powder, streamers, alcoholic beverages, tobacco of any kind including e-cigarettes, drones (except for MHS School Issued Drones), pets. If someone has these items they will be confiscated at the entry gates. All bags are subject to search.

Permitted Items

Items that are allowed are sealed water bottles, carried rain gear, baby food, blankets, coats, and umbrellas, wheelchairs and walkers, service dogs trained to aid patrons with a disability and pre- approved signs or posters.

MHS is thrilled to once again be celebrating our annual College Week! We are so excited to offer a variety of events throughout the week of October 7-11 to help our seniors apply to college and find their future fit. All events will take place during all lunch periods.

Click here to learn more, and then register for all events in your SchooLinks account.

The National Honor Society Induction Ceremony will be held

October 7th

7:00pm

MHS Auditorium

The mission of NHS is to recognize and foster enthusiasm for scholarship, to promote the development of strong character, to encourage positive leadership, and to cultivate responsible citizenship through service to school and community.

It's Disney Day!

Our FREE COLLEGE APPLICATION DAY for seniors will be taking place in the main gym during all lunch periods. We have 25 colleges attending who either have free applications or are waiving their application fee for our students for this day only! Check out what you need to bring and see who will be in attendance HERE.

Classes begin at 9:40am.

Buses will run one hour later than usual.

Click here for late start schedule.

NO SCHOOL

All 9th-grade students must submit a school physical.

All 12th-grade students must submit proof of the second meningococcal vaccination.

Students without these requirements will be excluded from school on October 15. Visit our health office website for more info.

The PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) will take place on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at Mundelein High School. The PSAT/NMSQT is 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.

Top performing grade 11 students may be eligible for money through National Merit, National Achievement, or National Hispanic Scholarship funds.

To learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT, visit www.collegeboard.org/psat or email Dr. Kroll with questions.

Take the tour! 🙂

No School

To learn everything you need to know about graduation and download a handy checklist to keep you on track, please click here.

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.

When Daniela Ponce shared her career goal of fashion and merchandising with me, I thought I was going to have a challenge placing her at sites that matched with her vision for herself. After all, style happens in Milan, Paris, and New York, right? Central Lake County doesn’t come to mind when one thinks of fashion capitals.

A quick online search brought up the names of two businesses: Beauty in Motion located in Mundelein and Edie Boutique in Libertyville. After two phone calls and a couple of emails, Daniela was placed with two supportive mentors at two fashion boutiques and her career journey commenced!

Beauty in Motion opened in 2010 and is run by owner and manager Gloria Morales, who has an entrepreneurial spirit, a dedication to providing quality merchandise, and a commitment to her community. Beauty in Motion is the one-stop shop her patrons need to look their best for upcoming occasions--she provides clothing options for men and women, jewelry, footwear, and a space for haircuts, styles, colorings, and blowouts.

Every Tuesday and Wednesday at Beauty in Motion, Daniela is learning the range of skills needed to run a shop--a keen eye to inspect incoming inventory, accuracy in logging merchandise, and arranging eye-catching displays, which is the part of her internship experience that she likes the most.

On Thursdays, Daniela heads over to Edie Boutique, a charming women’s clothing store along totally-walkable Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville. Store manager Jan Abraham, who has been with the enterprise for six years, has created a work environment that is based on teamwork and friendship. It’s a delightful shop, and Daniela is thoroughly enjoying her experience learning from Jan and her team.

“I was surprised to learn how much psychology is involved in retail merchandising,” Daniela shared. “Items are organized by color and every layout and display has a purpose”. Her experience at both stores has given her an understanding of the importance of paying attention to customers’ body language and interaction. “I’m learning how to read customers and identify which ones are looking for a specific item or just browsing”.

When asked how the experience has shaped her career plans, Daniela affirmed that fashion and retail is part of her vision for herself. “I definitely want this,” she commented, smiling.

With the help of her mentors Gloria and Jan, Daniela’s future has come into sharper focus!

Click on the photos below to see Daniela experience the world of fashion and retail!

If you’re interested in learning more about our Dual Credit Student Internship course or any of our Experiential Education programs, contact Alexander Kapotas at akapotas@d120.org or at (847) 949-2200 x1092.

Check out this promo video that captures the spirit of the experiential education program here at Mundelein High School. Your epic future awaits, Mustangs!

PreVenture is a mental health program that screens students for personality related risk factors that may indicate increased risk for future participation in high-risk behaviors, including using drugs and alcohol. This does not evaluate for current high-risk behaviors, rather this is a preventative program to support the development of coping skills and self regulation strategies.

Omni utilizes the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS) to screen students for eligibility. To learn more about PreVenture, click below.

English/Spanish

Quest is proud to be your dining partner and we are committed to providing the best experience possible to every student, including nutritious food, a wide variety of choices, and a seamless dining experience. We wanted to share a few important reminders about the dining program and we welcome your questions and feedback. Click here for more information.

New Year, New Look! Elevate Your Mustang Pride! Exciting news! We've expanded our spirit wear lineup with premium brands Under Armour and Champion at Mymustangnation.com.

Customize your gear with official school logos using our state-of-the-art DigiSoft printing for a smoother feel. Shop online 24/7 or see our printed merch at Mundelein High School. Visit us at mymustangnation.com or linked through the d120.org website.

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.

Athletics events week of 10/7/24

Fall Athletic Department Newsletter

Submitted by Coach Winter

On Thursday the varsity team won 8-0 over Waukegan. #1 singles Ashley Williams won 6-1,6-0 at #2 singles Adrianna Trotz won 6-1,6-0 at #3 singles Briana Mondragon won 6-0,6-0. In doubles all 5 team won convincingly. At #1 Ahmed/Scaramella at #2 Gora/Zhuzelska at #3 Kannappan/Kumar at #4 Turska/Benitez at #5 Sosa/Gazaeva

Submitted by Coach Rodriguez

Last weekend, we had some fun at the Friday Homecoming parade. Then on Saturday there were great times & efforts at the extremely competitive Palatine Invite! Overall there were 4 LPRs + 2 CPRs + 2 Course Pace PRs + 7 Lifetime Pace PRs!

Our runner of the week last week was Junior Alexia Pacheco. Alexia is new to Cross Country this year but has been working so hard to improve each week. She has a great attitude, never complains, and had a massive 2-minute PR on Saturday to break her season goal and earn a water bottle!

Submitted by Coach Willis

Thank you to all the staff members who came to support our volleyball team this past Thursday at the Staff Appreciation Night at the match against Libertyville. Thank you, staff, for making MHS a wonderful place for our student-athletes! And what an awesome game to see! It was the first time MHS served up a victory against the Wildcats in 17 years!

All levels have played well-fought matches against Warren and Vernon Hills this week. Varsity volleyball is looking forward to playing 5 matches at the Lake Forest Invitational while Sophomores take on the Antioch Slam tournament on Saturday. And then next week, all levels play at Lakes on Monday, October 7 and at Lake Zurich on Wednesday, October 9. We would love to see you come out to support our Mustangs in action!

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our Cancer Awareness Night on Wednesday, October 23! There will be a 50/50 raffle and themed baskets to win. All proceeds will go to the Lynn Sage Foundation (link) Please join us for this special event!

Go Mustangs!!

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!

Sign up for a Guardian SchooLinks Account! Be a part of your student’s college and career exploration. Understand more about the benefits of a Guardian Account with this video. If you need assistance creating your Guardian Account, email akroll@d120.org with your student’s name and ID number. A claim code and directions will be provided in response.

View Our Principal's Blog Archive

District Developments Newsletter

Website: www.d120.org

Location: 1359 West Hawley Street, Mundelein, IL, USA

Phone: 847-949-2200