Dear MHS Families:

As we flip the calendar to March, I want to welcome you to the start of spring here at MHS! The weather is slowly warming up, the days are getting longer, and there is a renewed energy in the air.

This month brings opportunities for growth, learning, and community building. Our students have been working hard and will have the chance to showcase projects they have been developing in class. We also have several exciting events happening this spring so be sure to continuously check the upcoming events section below.

I wish you a happy and healthy March. Let's make the most of this transitional season together. Go Mustangs!

Dr. Alexandria Rios Taylor

Principal, Mundelein High School

847-949-2200 x1257

www.d120.org

ataylor@d120.org

Mar 2 - Turnabout

Mar 15 - Late Start - Classes Begin at 9:40am

Mar 25 - 29 - Spring Break

Mustang parents are invited to complete the 5-Essentials Survey to help provide valuable information about our MHS learning community and help guide our ongoing improvement efforts.

Parents can start the survey now by clicking here.

Congratulations to Freshmen Ashleigh Grosvenor-Miranda and Bryan Valente!!

The program was A Celebration of Black Resilience and Self-Care by Ashley Cullen-Williams. The students on the floor during the assembly were spelling out the word "Resilience."

Congratulations to Kurt Dumblauskas, who has been named a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

"The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition among high school students for recognition and college scholarships that began in 1955. The program is conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®), a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. United States high school students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which serves as an initial screen of over 1.3 million entrants each year, and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements."

Description courtesy of: https://www.nationalmerit.org/

Mundelein Science Olympiad earned twelve medals at the Northwestern University Invitational last Saturday. Varsity medaled in Air Trajectory, Anatomy, Codebusters, Disease Detectives, Experimental Design, Scrambler and Wind Power. Our JV team medaled in Air trajectory, Codebusters, Scrambler, Towers, and Write it Do it.

It was the most successful competition for MHS students ever!

Congratulations to the Turnabout contest winners, Angelina Kangail and Imre Kelemen!

This week the MHS 3D art students ran a Raku firing. The Raku technique is when glazed ceramics are taken from the kiln while they are still glowing red hot and are then placed in a combustible material to catch fire, such as sawdust or newspaper. This technique is used to starve the piece of oxygen, which creates a myriad of colors within the glaze.

Our MHS showchoirs (Sound, Reverb) and band (Noise) competed in their final competition for the season at the Western Dubuque Show Choir Competition on February 24th! Reverb placed as 2nd Runner-Up in the Prep Division and Sound placed 2nd Runner-Up in the Open Division. What a great way to end a successful season!

*Photo Credit: gney.photography*

Women's History Month begins March 1st. “The National Women’s History Month’s theme for 2024 celebrates “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” The theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions.

Women from every background have long realized that an uneven playing field will never bring equality or justice. Many feel the critical need to speak up and work harder for fairness in our institutions and social interactions.

During 2024, we recognize the example of women who are committed to embracing everyone and excluding no one in our common quest for freedom and opportunity. They know that people change with the help of families, teachers and friends, and that young people in particular need to learn the value of hearing from different voices with different points of view as they grow up.”

Text courtesy of : https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/2024-whm-theme/

Image courtesy of: https://www.flickr.com/photos/152884140@N05/25706581497/

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.

World Teen Mental Wellness Day is observed on March 2nd every year. It was established to raise awareness, decrease stigma and spark very important conversations around the topic of mental wellbeing and to make those experiencing mental health challenges aware of available resources.

Please stop by the commons on March 1st to get your an awareness bracelet and some excellent mental health resources.

"Teenagers are putting an end to mental health stigma. To do it, they’re telling their own stories – unfiltered – in the documentary film OUR TURN TO TALK. From skyrocketing rates of anxiety and depression to the impacts of racism, social media, and the pandemic, their struggles and triumphs carry a powerful message: Storytelling saves lives. In this segment, learn about Dylan Buckner's story. If your life or someone else's life is in danger, please call 911. If you are in crisis and need help now, please call 988."

Text and video courtesy of: https://www.ourturntotalk.com/

Image courtesy of: https://kidsmindsmatter.com/

The Role of A Social Worker (Adapted from the School Social Work Association of America) School social workers are exceptionally skilled in providing services to students who face serious challenges to school success, including disability, poverty, discrimination, abuse, neglect, mental illness, homelessness, bullying, familial stressors, and other barriers to learning.

Late Start Schedule-Classes begin at 9:40 a.m.

The annual Mayor’s Cup STEM Challenge is a great opportunity for Mundelein students to showcase their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) skills, earn cash rewards, and have fun in the process! Think critically, work together in teams, test your knowledge, and strengthen your collaborative and social skills. Expect real-world problem solving, hands-on involvement, and out-of-the-box thinking!

Please register for the Mayor’s Cup STEM Challenge through teachers at each participating school no later than March 18, 2024.

Also, we need to collect some of the materials that students will be using in the challenge. To meet that end, if you are getting rid of any of the following items, please donate them to the event.

• Carboard Boxes of any size/shape (paper boxes, cereal boxes, Kleenex, etc)
• Cardboard
• Toilet Paper and Paper Towel Rolls
• Empty Aluminum Cans
• Packing Material (bubble wrap, Styrofoam, etc.)
• Balloons
• Newspaper

Donated materials can be brought to B-141, B-152A, or the Nano Lab C-130. Thank you for your support in making this event a success for our students and community.

Questions? Please contact Jennifer Marshall at 847-949-3225 or jmarshall@mundelein.org

Keep scrolling to see what's happening right now and click here to see the full schedule of events.

Spring is approaching, and VIP is thrilled to offer limited cap and gown-only photo sessions at our Vernon Hills Studio. These appointments are currently only offered on Mondays between February 19th and March 4th. The session fee is $30, and appointment slots are filling up fast. Secure your spot now by scheduling your appointment through this link: https://calendar.app.google/x1W5DdbMSxT7c7zcA

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 Welcome Center/ El Centro de Bienvenida

We regularly feature a student, staff member or department at our school to give Mustang Nation a closer look at these wonderful folks! Nominate yourself or others for this feature by emailing Mr. Gonzalez – hgonzalez@d120.org

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 March self-care check list

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

Juniors, this is a great time to start thinking about where you may want to go to college. Check out the college visits scheduled for next week!

To register to attend a visit, (students) simply click the Colleges tab in your Naviance account, then click visits. Find the visit that you wish to attend and click “register”. This final step is extremely important as the CCRC only has seating for 20 students. If we notice that the number of students signed up for the visit exceeds this, we must find a larger space to host the event and email all students who have signed up with the update. Please note: these visits are for MHS Students Only.

The FAFSA is now open. Visit www.studentaid.gov to begin your financial aid application.

Below are some scholarships guaranteed to go to seniors at MHS. You can find more scholarships guaranteed to go to Mundelein High School seniors by clicking on this link.

Patrick Zepeda Athlete in Service Award

Old Number One

The James Martin Scholarship

MHS Foundation Scholarships

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.

On Friday, February 23rd, twenty-six students visited the Northwestern Medicine Simulation & Education Center at Lake Forest Hospital for a three-hour hands-on medical learning experience. After a few short presentations from various medical professionals, offering students insight into the wide scope of careers available to them in the medical field, students rotated through a series of instructional sessions on the administration of medication, the insertion of IV needles, patient resuscitation, wound packing, and intubation.

Once students made their way through each workshop, they were placed in real-life situations with state-of-the-art mannequins (they breathe, talk, bleed, give birth) where they practiced the lessons they learned in their workshops.

You can see from these photos that this experience gave students a realistic experience that will certainly inform their career decisions!

The College of Lake County is pleased to once again offer to MHS students an opportunity to participate in a Spring Break Apprenticeship Awareness program, March 25 - 28th through the Career and Job Placement Center of CLC.

Please see the flyer, application, and session descriptions below. 70 Lake County students will be accepted into program which is for grades 9-12.

Mundelein High School will be hosting area businesses and industry representatives for a its annual school-wide Job Fair and Career Expo on Friday, April 12th between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

This is your chance to recruit talent for hourly (year-round), seasonal (summer-only), and entry level (18+/graduate-only) openings for your business. Industry reps and military branches are also welcome to showcase opportunities in their respective fields.

For more information, please contact Alexander Kapotas, Career Exploration & Internship Coordinator, at akapotas@d120.org or 847-949-2200 x1092.

Sign up at bit.ly/Expo2024MHS

Space is limited--reserve your spot today!

Visit the Literacy Center

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.

Athletic Events week of 3-4-24

Submitted by Coach Dressen

Tryouts begin next Monday Match 4th at 3:30 pm for all levels in the Main Gym. Be sure to sign up for Spring Sports on the Athletic website and have a current physical on file with the school. We are looking forward to an Amazing season across all levels. The 4 levels are Varsity, JV, Fr/So and Freshman.

Submitted by Coach Rutz

If you missed the meet Saturday, you missed one of the best track meets in the State, indoors or out. Many of the top performances in each event were achieved there. It is a special meet.

We had a lot of PRs, starting out with our distance squad, who really had a great day.

Alberto Diaz got things off to a great start, leading off the 4 x 800 relay with a PR of 2:09, and handing off in the lead. Two sophomores followed up in the 3200m, going 1-2 in their heat, and running massive PRs. Both ran 10:11, negative splitting 5:08/5:03. Not to be outdone our 2 runners in the 800 also had PRs. Super freshman Izic Miller ran 2:04, a 2+ second PR, and putting himself #3 in the State for freshmen. Sophomore Andrew Weaver also PR'd, running 2:08 and dropping 5 seconds from his PR.

Outside of the distance squad, several other Mustangs had significant PRs on the day. Dylan Coe PR'd again in the Shot Put, throwing 11.99m. High Jumper Julian Eagar PR'd with a 5'5" jump. Long Jumper Nick Orozco PR'd with a 18'8.25" leap, and both Triple Jumpers had PRs, with Andrew Patrick jumping 37'4.75", and newbie Ethan Connelly adding a foot to his leap from the previous week, going 38'8.25".

Finally, our 4 x 400m relay dropped 10 seconds from their time the previous week in 3:50, with freshman Izic Miller anchoring in 55.1.

A lot of progress in one week. We now have 2 weeks until our next meets at Lakes and Stevenson. Yes, It's A Great Day To Be A Mustang!

Submitted by Coach Stocker

Boys and Girls Wrestling just completed their seasons as one of the most competitive in school history. Congratulations to Abisai Hernandez on placing 6th at the IHSA Boys Individual State Finals.

The IHSA State Series this year began with 133 wrestlers in class 3A, competing for only 6 medals.

Congratulations to the following wrestlers for being selected:

All-Conference

Ethan Banda (So. – 138 lbs)

Khloe Heerdegen (So. – 140 lbs)

Kevin Hernandez (Jr. – 150 lbs)

Ethan Thomas (Sr. – 157 lbs)

Macson Rastrelli (Sr. – 165 lbs)

Abisai Hernandez (Jr. – 285 lbs)

Honorable Mention

Pedro Becerra (Sr. – 126 lbs) - HM

Celso Cabrera (So. – 215 lbs) - HM

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/

The 2024/2025 Early Registration Fee item has been added to PowerSchool fee accounts for the Class of 2026, 2027, and 2028. If you choose to pay the Registration Fee by May 1st, 2024, you will receive the $25 discount, currently applied in PowerSchool.

Starting May 2nd, the discount will be removed and the regular Registration Fee of $275 will be listed. Please know that all prior Registration and Course fees must be paid off before paying the Early Registration item.

If you have any questions, please reach out to KC Olson in the MHS Payment Center at kolson@d120.org.

Summer School Registration opened on February 1st, 2024. Please log into the webstore to register for Session 1 and Session 2.

Please remember that the summer school interest form is not an automatic registration into summer school you must log into the webstore to register for the courses you expressed interest in.

Driver’s Education Summer School Registration will open at the same time. The permit classes required for Driver's Ed are provided by Mundelein High School and will be listed in the confirmation email you will receive.

If you have questions or need help, please contact:

Sylvana Sette

Summer School Registration
ssette@d120.org
847-949-2200 x1495

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