Dear MHS Families,

As the principal of Mundelein High School, I am reaching out to gather your input regarding a possible change in how our school permits cell phone use for the 2024-2025 school year.

Recent studies have shown that excessive cell phone use can have detrimental effects on the neurological and social-emotional development of youth and high school students (Haidt, 2024).

Those studies have shown:

• excessive cell phone use can lead to decreased attention span, impaired memory, and reduced problem-solving skills

• high levels of social media use, often accessed through cell phones, are associated with increased rates of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances among teenagers

• students who used their cell phones during class had lower academic performance and reduced engagement in learning activities

To combat this, I have attached a DRAFT of the proposed cell phone expectations that could go into effect for the 24-25 school year for your review.

As we are taking into account all considerations, I would like to hear from you. Please take a few minutes to complete this PARENT survey, which will help us include your feedback and concerns.

Thank you for taking the time to provide your valuable input. Your responses will help guide our decision-making process as we strive to create a learning environment that promotes academic success and the well-being of our students.

Sincerely,

Have a great weekend Mustangs!

Dr. Alexandria Rios Taylor

Principal, Mundelein High School

847-949-2200 x1257

www.d120.org

ataylor@d120.org

Click here to view your graduation rehearsal video.

Six Flags Great America’s Grad Nite offers more than any other Illinois Grad Nite destination. With once-in-a-lifetime experiences like world class coasters, dinner buffet, and the party doesn’t stop there!

Featuring thrills and fun:

• Completely PRIVATE Event – students and their chaperones (not open to public)
• World class thrilling roller coasters and high energy activities
• All-you-can-eat buffet
• Activities for both students and chaperones
• Complimentary chaperone admission, food and comfortable accommodations

Click here to reserve your spot today! * Not affiliated with MHS.

Honors medals and tassels will be available for pickup in the Principal’s office May 13 and 14th. All other stoles and cords will be distributed by the various groups.

Join us on May 14th at 7:00pm in the Auditorium to celebrate our Senior Class. We have a remarkable senior class and we’re proud to celebrate their impressive and unique accomplishments:

• As outstanding scholars earning top grades and honors

• As stars in art, theater, choir and band

• As accomplished athletes - many in multiple sports - spreading Mustang Pride across the state and country

• As compassionate citizens, demonstrating support for your classmates, the community, and our country

Seniors, today is officially your last day of school, but don't go too far! We need you back to pick up graduation tickets on Thursday and walk the big walk on Sunday!

***The location has been changed to the MHS Annex!

DROP OFF your MHS books and equipment .... and PICK UP your graduation cap, gown and tickets!

Graduation will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 3:00 pm at the NOW Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, IL. Seniors need to report to the NOW Arena by 2:00 pm. Students may drive on their own, however bus transportation to the NOW Arena and back to MHS will be available for any students and their families who need it. Information regarding transportation services will be released in the spring.

Tickets and seating: Each graduate will be issued 15 tickets (wristbands) for guest seating. General seating will begin at 2:00 pm.

ADA Seating: is available on a first come, first served basis. No reservation is necessary. ADA areas are restricted to the individual needing special seating, plus one family member. All other guests must sit in general seating to ensure there is sufficient ADA seating for those who need it.

Live Stream: Graduation will also be streamed live, for those who can not attend in person. Click here to view.

Full Schedule of Events: Click here to see the full schedule of upcoming graduations events.

Student Registration opened February 1, 2024. All students must register yearly. Visit our registration page for more information: https://www.d120.org/resources/parents/registration-2/

All returning students must register for the upcoming 24-25 school year. Please check your email for your snap code.

Snap Code Questions: Contact Patty DeLozier at 847-949-2700 ext. 2014 or at pdelozier@d120.org

Payment Center Questions: Please contact KC Olson at kolson@d120.org

This year's Evening of Jazz and Silent/Live Auction Fundraiser will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024, in the Mundelein High School Gymnasium (please note the change of location).

Click here to purchase tickets for DINNER. We will NOT be selling tickets at the event. Ticket sales will end on Thursday, May 9.

Seats will be available, and tickets will not be needed for anyone wishing to come for the concert only. Doors will open at 6pm for dinner guests, and music begins at 6:30pm.

Wellness Bash will take place May 20 during lunch periods ONLY! The cafeteria will be CLOSED.

Hotdogs, chips, and water bottles will be available for student lunches. Snow cones for sale for $5

Games, raffles, community resources, and other activities available

Visit community resource tables to learn about supports available in the community for your chance to win AirPods, a Stanley, or a Bluetooth speaker.

In an effort to give students extra time to study and take a breath before finals, we have implemented a special schedule for May 22nd. Click here for more information.

Semester 2 final exam days are May 23rd and May 24th. We will be on a special schedule both days. Please click here for more information.

No School! Enjoy your summer!

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Visit the Asian Pacific Heritage website to learn more.

Special stories this week include...

• What students are planning to do this summer
• The pledge is back for the first time this week.

Congratulations to Freshman Rasheed Alawsi and Junior Triloni Gonzalez !! We received 25 submissions this week! 🙂.

Our Mundelein High School students and staff amaze me every 👏🏽 single 👏🏽day! Our students, Aedan Cruz, Reese Miller and Azael Sanchez along with our science teachers, Mr. Dame & Mr. Hitzler, presented their research at Argonne National Laboratory on Tuesday, May 7th. What a phenomenal learning experience!

MAY you find yourself at the main entrance to check out our latest Artist of the Month, Ashley @0nlyashleyz . Over this year Ashley has completely transformed into one of the most prolific and varied artist here at MHS, Ashley explores drawing, painting, textiles and fashion in her body of work. @mundeleinhighschool @mhs_fineartscte

Our Honors Master Singers and Honors Concert Choir performed at St. Mary’s of the Annunciation this past Thursday. The concert was fantastic and highly attended by the community!

Be sure to check out all of the upcoming performances and events from our Fine Arts & CTE team listed below:

• Finale Choir Concert - May 15th, Auditorium @ 7pm

• Evening of Jazz - May 17th, Main Gym @ 6pm

• INCubator Pitch Night - May 22nd, Cafeteria @ 7pm

• Jazz Ensemble Kracklauer Park Performance - 5pm

The MHS Band program had their annual Spring Awards Concert where students and families broke bread together prior to enjoying the concert and awards ceremony! Congratulations to our 2024 Senior band students on a fantastic year!

I just witnessed a kind young man, an MHS student, help an older lady push her shopping basket up a hilly sidewalk. It made my day, and I hope it makes yours as well! 😃

-Larisa Liekys

It gives me great joy to share with you the three esteemed colleagues who have been selected as the recipients of our prestigious Mustang Star Award for 2024. This distinguished honor is bestowed upon dedicated staff who epitomize our core values of equity, growth, and collaboration through their extraordinary actions and unwavering devotion to their roles, often working tirelessly behind the scenes. This once-in-a-lifetime achievement means the following individuals have either made a profound impact on our school community or they have consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to elevating their roles, whether through a single significant action or through the steadfast and often unrecognized work they perform daily.

Please join me in extending our heartfelt congratulations to the 2024 Mustang Star Award recipients:

We had a fun staff appreciation week ending with a pancake breakfast on Friday morning. Building administrators came in bright and early to flip pancakes for staff, and made approximately 1000 pancakes in 2 hours! Woohoo!

Also, thank you to our wonderful Parent Ambassadors who went above and beyond to treat our teaching staff to a lovely day of home-baked treats on Tuesday along with coffee from Area Coffee and plants from Hoffman Garden Center in Volo.

To nominate yourself or others for this feature, please email Mr. Gonzalez.

The Welcome Center is in need of donations to continue assisting those members of our community that are in need. With the fallout from some of our families being displaced recently by inclement weather, those donations are even more important today. We welcome donations of non-perishable food items, personal hygiene items, soaps, detergents and clothing. To help assist those families in need, we are also accepting gift card donations. Please take a minute to watch this video about how The Welcome Center helps our community.

The Wellness Center team is proud to share Mental Health Must-Haves for Mundelein Mustangs, a resource packet filled with tips and tricks to manage emotions and stress, regulate thoughts and anger, improve self-love and self-confidence, increase executive functioning, and enhance overall self-care.

Take a moment to review the May self-care check list.

Click here to see all the student support areas we have to offer.

MHS has many supports to offer students. Students can access a quick-reference guide of all supports available on this page. Available is everything from social-emotional support, to financial support. Check it out!

Click here to see all the student support areas we have to offer.

Join us in the CCRC for these upcoming workshops.

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.

Athletic Events week of 5/13/24

Submitted by Coach Dressen

Congratulations to our Freshman Boys team for their second place finish at the Zion Quad on Saturday! This has been a wonderful season for Mustang volleyball at all levels! Last week’s matches bring the Varsity record to 16-10. Mark your calendars for our final home match on Tuesday, May 14, which is Senior Night, against Grayslake Central. Our final conference match will be at Lake Forest on Wednesday, May 15. All games start at 5:00 & 6:00pm. Then Monday, May 20 starts the post season at Round Lake High School where Varsity will face Palatine. Match time is at 6:30 pm. Come out and support your Mustangs!

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.

Did you know that you can customize your Mustang spirit wear online? Since 2010, hundreds of items are available to choose from infant sizes to 6XL. Choose embroidery or screenprint, ladies or men’s fit, and front and back printing. You can add custom text to add your name to your shirt. Look at actual garment size (chest, body, and sleeve length) to find the perfect fit. Buy accessories like hats, bags, and luggage tags. All customizable and shipped directly to you! Visit us at mymustangnation.com or linked through the d120.org website.

Visit the Literacy Center

Past blogs are available at:

https://www.d120.org/about-mhs/principals-newsletter/

Website: www.d120.org
Location: 1359 West Hawley Street, Mundelein, IL, USA
Phone: 847-949-2200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mundelein-High-School-District-120/100095401983567/
Twitter: @MundeleinHS