The Messenger

IDISTRICT 120 ANNUAL UPDATE MAY 2019 THE MESSENGER

Dedicated to

academic excellence

for all learners

through the core values

of equity, growth,

and collaboration.

#mundypride SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE

DISTRICT TAX HIGHLIGHTS The district’s overall tax rate has % dropped $.29 since its 2014 high rate. That’s about a 10% reduction in rates.

MHS’s overall tax rate is = comparable, lower or much lower than most neighboring Lake County HS districts.

Over the past five years, an $ average $300,000 home in the MHS district saw an increase in the total average tax (that the district receives) of about $45 per year. As a percentage of the total property tax bill that’s an average of .004% increase per year.

Dr. Myers presents Sol Cabachuela ‘04 with a Distinguished Alumni Award Source: MHS Business Office

MUNDELEIN HIGH SCHOOL SHARED SERVICES/ “This way, future Board of Education DISTRICT 120 SHARED SUPERINTENDENT members and superintendents will know TO BEGIN JULY 1 what led to the arrangement and what it 2018-2019 BY THE NUMBERS was intended to accomplish,” she said. The shared services model is set to begin Welcome to our on July 1, 2019. With the retirement of According to the Declaration, the two first annual update District 75 Superintendent Andy Henrikson Boards of Education will seek to uphold which we will begin set for June 30, the boards of education and improve public education for the publishing at the from both Mundelein Elementary District community that will survive beyond their close of each school 75 and Mundelein High School District 120 tenure as board members. Specifically, the year. This update will have been working closely together to make Declaration says the two districts will: highlight many of a smooth transition to shared services. the district’s Build trust and move the districts accomplishments For several months, a committee from forward

Kevin Myers, PhD and will be our within these two groups has been working Become an effective team with a Superintendent of way of maintaining with an educational consultant, Dr. Dale Districts 75 + 120 common, focused direction transparency and Truding, on a formal outline called the Understand our individual roles and communication with our district residents. “Declaration for a Shared Service Model collective responsibilities for the Superintendent.” The overall theme of this update is Nurture our environment that supports “By the Numbers” so you will notice many positive change “The main purpose for the formal statistics and percentages mentioned Explore additional shared services throughout. By showing our information declaration is to create a historical opportunities as they arise with meaningful numbers, we hope the perspective of the process that took place content will be easy to understand. Even in moving towards this Shared Services/ I am looking forward to being our “Test Your Knowledge” MHS quiz on Shared Superintendent Model,” Truding superintendent for both districts beginning page 11 looks for answers in number format. in July. This is a great opportunity for our explained. two districts to work closely together and will also benefit our other feeder districts, 73, 76 and 79, to provide an excellent, cohesive and consistent education for all Mundelein students from Pre-K to high school seniors.

2 | MUNDELEIN HIGH SCHOOL INCREDIBLE REACTIONS TO BOOK MURALS SHARK TANK “WINNERS” GIVE TIPS TO BUSINESS INCUBATOR STUDENTS Mundelein High School’s Business Incubator students and staff hosted a presentation on March 6, by the inventors of SnapClips, a product they pitched to the entrepreneurs on the TV show, Shark Tank.

The viral story on the book murals in the Completed during the Winter Break, murals MHS English hallway received record of the novel covers were installed from floor positive responses on several platforms. to ceiling outside the English classrooms of Coverage of the story took place in the teachers Ryan Buck, Mike Dayton and Mark Daily Herald, New Jersey Family magazine, Landuyt. The book cover reproductions Scary Mommy website, Pop Sugar website, were selected by these teachers as some BBC in London, two European countries of their favorite novels and were of high and countless websites and blogs. interest level for students. The project was Diane Covert, English Department Chair completed by Visual Image Photography and Ron Girard, MHS Public Information (VIP) which cost about $400 per book cover. Officer received countless inquiries What happened after the students came At the end of the presentation, three about the project from teachers and back from school break was incredible. sharks— Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner and administrators from around the country The mural images posted on the MHS social Alex Rodriguez made a combined $150,000 and across the globe. media pages (Facebook and Twitter) quickly offer for 30% equity in the business and amassed a record-breaking amount of SnapClips accepted. positive feedback. Within 48 hours, more The duo, Chief Executive Officer Martin MHS FACEBOOK than 4,000 people had shared the post and Dimitrov and Chief Marketing Officer PAGE STATISTICS early 750 had favorably commented. John Perricone spoke with MHS and Carmel High School Business Incubator 492,084 TOTAL PEOPLE “I was amazed at the responses,” said Ron students in Mundelein’s state-of-the- art Business Incubator Laboratory. The REACHED Girard, MHS public information officer. audience included the associate principal “Many comments were from teachers and 235,294 ENGAGEMENTS for curriculum and the Business Incubator administrators from all over the country (PEOPLE WHO REACTED IN teacher from Round Lake High School. SOME WAY) who wanted to replicate the idea.” The inventors first started their project while in a Business Incubator course at 744 COMMENTS Wheeling High School They spoke about (ALL POSITIVE) As the story went viral, Jason Reynolds, coming up with their initial idea, how they author of one of the novels, All American developed it, and what stages they went 4,267 SHARES Boys, tweeted his pleasant reaction. In (OTHER FRIENDS/WEBSITES) through on their way to Shark Tank. addition, the publisher of two of the books SnapClips, a new design for keeping donated 30 copies of each to the English weights stable during workout sessions, Department. Christopher McDougall, was an instant hit with the Shark Tank another author, was scheduled to visit business investors. In addition, three of the authors of the MHS and speak with students but his flight featured books are making plans to visit was cancelled due to a snowstorm. The event was planned by Rosangela Fiore, MHS and speak with students about their MHS community coordinator and Michelle Most importantly, the teachers said that novels. Simon and Schuster, publisher of Sherwin-Petrucci, Business Incubator the project accomplished exactly what some of the books plans to donate copies instructor. they had hoped—to stir an interest in of their published novels to the English great literature among students. Department library.

WWW.D120.ORG | 3

MHS SENIORS 2 SELECTED FOR LAKE COUNTY LEADERSHIP TEAM

Two Mundelein High School seniors have been chosen for the 2018-2019 Daily Herald Lake County Leadership Team. Only ten students were chosen from all applicants for the award.

Award winners will be part of a Leadership Team story that recently ran in the Daily Herald Neighbor section on March 7.

Representing Mundelein High School are seniors Diego Cisneros and Jillian Hoffstadt.

Photo Credit: Emma Aculado SIXTY FOUR SENIORS RECOGNIZED 64 AS ILLINOIS STATE SCHOLARS

Mundelein High School Principal Anthony Kroll has announced that 64 students from the MHS graduating class of 2019 have been recognized as Illinois State Scholars.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state agency committed to helping to make college accessible and affordable for Illinois families, confers this Diego Cisneros Jillian Hoffstadt recognition to top Illinois high school students annually. This year, more than 21,000 honorees join the other top students who have been honored for their academic achievements since the designation was first introduced in 1958. “We congratulate every student on

Illinois State Scholars represent approximately the top ten percent of high school the list because they had to survive a seniors from 757 high schools across the state. Illinois State Scholars are chosen based rigorous weed-out process just to be on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT test scores and sixth semester class rank. nominated and because their hard “We’re extremely proud of these students for being recognized as Illinois State work, enthusiasm and commitment Scholars and wish them well in their preparations for the next phase of their lives,” are so impressive,” said Renee Trappe, Dr. Anthony Kroll, principal, said. Daily Herald Leadership Team Coordinator. AP COURSES % APPROACHING/EXCEEDING 26 OFFERED 81 SAT STANDARDS “Thank you to the coordinators at Advanced Placement (AP) courses Class of 2019 Mean Scores each school and to the teachers and give students the chance to tackle Top 10% Score = 1393 | Top 15% = 1344 counselors who wrote excellent letters college-level work while at MHS and of recommendation. We can’t do this earn college credit and placement. .5% WILL ATTEND without your enthusiasm for which 85 COLLEGE we are very grateful,” Trappe said. Most of the Class of 2018 graduates will attend a 2- or 4-year college or Source: ECRA Group, Inc. 2019 university.

4 | MUNDELEIN HIGH SCHOOL % TAKE ADVANCED 67 LEVEL COURSES Advanced Placement (AP) courses provide students with college level academic experiences. Students have an opportunity to take an AP exam each spring that assesses their learning in their AP courses. Students who receive a passing score on these exams can earn college credit.

Honors courses provide students with rigorous academic experiences that advance their skills and content knowledge in a variety of subject areas. Honors courses are solid preparation for Advanced Placement course work.

MHS JUNIOR TO STUDY IN SHANGHAI— % INVOLVED IN 1 MORE THAN 3,000 APPLICANTS CO-CURRICULARS MORA CHOSEN FOR CHINESE IMMERSION SUMMER PROGRAM 74 Nearly three-quarters of our students participate in 80+ co-curricular Mundelein High Mora is currently carrying a rigorous group activities including 30+ athletic teams School junior, of courses which include AP Psychology, and 50+ clubs/activities with focuses Christopher Mora, AP Spanish Language, AP United States/ in academics, careers, competitions, has been selected Comparative Government and Politics, culture, dance, discussion, health, by the Counsel Honors Pre-Calculus, AP English Language, leadership, media, music, recreation, on International Honors Physics and PE Strength 2. service, theater, and visual arts. Educational Exchange (CIEE) to “I first heard about the program spend part of the through the morning announcements upcoming summer RECEIVED studying Chinese at school and thought it would be a great BILINGUAL Christopher Mora 90 Language and experience,” Mora said. “I was thrilled AWARDS Culture in Shanghai, China. He was when I found out I was accepted and nominated by his Advanced Placement (AP) Ninety District 120 seniors have was basically awarded a ‘free ride’ English teacher, Angie McLaughlin. earned the State Seal of Biliteracy since scholarship too.” its inception in 2016. The State Seal “You should be extremely proud of of Biliteracy is a recognition given Christopher as we had more than 3,000 to graduating high school students applicants for our November 30 deadline,” Mora is looking forward to learning who have demonstrated a high level said Anna Johnson, a CIEE representative. Mandarin and hopes to become fluent of proficiency in English, and also “We rely on your recommendations to help in the language. His future plans include in reading, writing, listening and us determine which applicants to accept studying medicine in U.S. communities speaking in a second language. and award scholarships to. Thank you for with Mandarin speaking residents. While in your time and patience, and for all that you Shanghai, Mora will spend four weeks living do to support your students’ efforts to live with a local family. “That should really help and learn abroad!” she said. me to understand the culture that I will be living in,” he concluded.

Source: ECRA Group, Inc. 2019

4 | MUNDELEIN HIGH SCHOOL WWW.D120.ORG | 5 EL BAILE DANCE A ROUSING SUCCESS FOR STUDENTS

The MHS Puertas Latin Culture Club hosted the second annual El Baile Dance February 23 in the main gym. The dance featured various types of Latin music such as cumbia, bachata, banda and others. Students not familiar with Latin dancing or those who wanted to “brush up” on their skills had an opportunity to attend free Latin Dance workshops the week prior led by MHS staff member Carsyn Rodriguez.

“It was an option for students to learn or practice basic steps so they would feel more confident dancing at the actual event,” said Laura Garcia, Puertas Latin Culture Club advisor. “We hoped to help bridge any gaps between our Latino and 15 STUDENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS OFFERED non-Latino students and this is a great ACADEMIC SUPPORT AVID PEER TUTORING STRATEGIC READING event that all our students can get MATH COURSE COURSE FRESHMAN ADVISORY PUSH-IN LITERACY involved with,” she said. ACADEMIC SUPPORT SUPPORT STUDY CAFE LITERACY CENTER READING COURSE SCHULER SCHOLARS MATH LAB AP MENTORSHIP SPECIAL EDUCATION ONLINE CREDIT PROGRAMMING & RECOVERY 504 PLANS

Source: ECRA Group, Inc. 2019

6 | MUNDELEIN HIGH SCHOOL SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN PARTICIPATE IN 125 VETERANS DAY CEREMONY PERCENT FEEL The MHS Veterans Day Ceremony was held November 9 in the main gym. The student 96 SAFE AT MHS body cheered as veterans were led into the gym by the MHS Drum Line. The guest speaker Most MHS students say that they was Brigadier General James Swanson, a 1967 alum of MHS. feel “mostly safe” or “very safe” in the One of the highlights included the MHS band playing the themed songs for each of the hallways of school, in the bathrooms five military branches. The veterans stood as each of their songs was played. Veterans of the school, outside around the and their families were treated to breakfast at the District Office Building following the school, traveling between home ceremony. and school, and in classes.

+ MOODY’S MHS is rated AA+ by Moody’s. This rating BOND RATING ranks MHS credit worthiness of borrowers Source: ECRA Group, Inc. 2019 AA using a standardized rating scale. There are 21 possible ratings from C to AAA. Source: ECRA Group, Inc. 2019

SECOND CITY WRITER GIVES ADVICE TO ENGLISH CLASS Glenn Earich, a writer for Second City in Chicago, visited with students in Jim Drier’s Honors English class on January 23. An Ohio State University graduate, Earich has been teaching at the Second City Training Center since 2000. He has written, produced and directed many shows and has also done freelance work for Second City Works. In addition, he has taught at The Chicago Center for the Performing Arts and has been a guest lecturer at DePaul University. One of Earich’s children is a student at MHS.

“I asked Glenn to talk about the life of a writer, how to come up with ideas, how to write effectively, the importance of revision and how and when to be funny,” Drier explained.

6 | MUNDELEIN HIGH SCHOOL WWW.D120.ORG | 7 TEACHER HONORED WITH PRESTIGIOUS GOLDEN APPLE AWARD

Students and family members celebrate Sara Blair Winter-Rosenberg’s prestigious Golden Apple award. Sara is surprised to learn of the award, summer sabbatical offering, PBS feature and cash award. ST GOLDEN APPLE 1 HONOREE AT MHS Golden Apple, a leading Illinois nonprofit Winter-Rosenberg has been teaching the learning of students. An important committed to recognizing exemplary at Mundelein High School since 2012 part of a Fellows’ mission is to share his or educators and developing future educators, in the World Languages department. her expertise and mentor Golden Apple surprised Sara Blair Winter-Rosenberg, She currently teaches Honors Spanish 5, Scholars, who are aspiring teachers with a a Mundelein High School teacher, on Honors Spanish Heritage Learners 4 desire to teach in Illinois’ schools-of-need. March 18 with the highly respected Golden and Spanish Heritage Learners 3. Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. The 2019 award recipients will be featured “In honoring and developing K-12 teachers, The annual award, which recognizes and on a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Northwestern University and the Golden honors outstanding teachers for their role in one-hour TV program. The show taping building a stronger, better-educated society, Apple Foundation are committed to will air on Golden Apple’s Facebook page was presented to her in her classroom in on May 18 and the edited PBS broadcast improving teaching, learning and the lives front of students and school leadership. will air on multiple future dates. of kids across the state of Illinois,” said Timothy Dohrer, Ph.D., Director of the Following a competitive process, the OF ONLY TEN Master of Science in Education Program 2019 award recipients were selected from 1 AWARD WINNERS at Northwestern University’s School of more than 550 nominations of high school IN ILLINOIS THIS YEAR Education and Social Policy. teachers from 71 Illinois counties. The field As a highly-valued component of this was narrowed to 32 finalists and from that recognition, Northwestern University, group, 10 were chosen in Illinois. Golden Apple’s partner for more than Founded in 1985, Golden Apple innovates 30 years, provides a Spring Sabbatical to teacher preparation and leadership to award recipients at no cost. In addition, transform both the careers of teachers as each award recipient receives a $5,000 well as the lives of students in Illinois. More cash award. They also become Fellows of than 1,000 scholars are currently teaching the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, across Illinois. a community of educators who support current and future teachers and deepen

8 | MUNDELEIN HIGH SCHOOL ARAIZA BRAVO EARNS HARVARD UNIVERSITY PhD SCHOLARSHIP

Oscar Rodrigo Araiza Bravo, ‘14 Araiza Bravo (pictured in crown) is awarded “Mr. Mustang 2014” his senior year at MHS.

Oscar Rodrigo Araiza Bravo, a 2014 MHS After graduating from MHS, Araiza Bravo graduate, was recently granted a full enrolled in the Engineering Pathways .6% FRESHMEN scholarship to Harvard University to earn program at the College of Lake County 93 ON TRACK a PhD in physics. He graduated with a (CLC). He explained that University of The majority of our grade 8 and straight A average from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign was a perfect MHS students are on track to be Illinois-Urbana/Champaign with degrees fit because of its affordability, proximity college and career ready by the in mathematics and engineering physics. to his Chicago-area family and Illinois’ end of grade 12. A December graduate, he spent the reputation in engineering, math and summer of 2018 as a CalTech intern doing physics. computational physics. Besides being an award-winning teaching .00 UNDERGRAD assistant in the Illinois physics department, .4% DAILY Araiza Bravo enjoys bowling and playing ATTENDANCE 4 GRADE POINT soccer. While at Mundelein High School, 96 AVERAGE Araiza Bravo branched out into other areas RATE besides math, earning the lead role of Our students show up for school. What does he see in the future? After Romeo in the school’s production of Regular attendance is shown to be a completing doctoral studies he hopes to Romeo and Juliette and winning the title critical factor in ensuring excellent become a college professor who does both of Mr. Mustang his senior year. student performance. Students who teaching and research. “I enjoy teaching. If do not attend school regularly may fall you ever want to find out whether or not behind and may struggle to complete “This is just another example of one of you know a subject, teach it,” he said. assignments. the many young people who use their K ESTIMATED PhD Mundelein High School education to go SCHOLARSHIP 70 out into the world and make a difference,” AWARD said Kevin Myers, MHS District 120 FACULTY WITH Born in Mexico City, Araiza Bravo arrived Superintendent. “We’re very proud of 159 MASTER’S OR HIGHER in the U.S. in 2011 when his father, a senior Oscar’s accomplishments.” engineer, was transferred to Libertyville. Our teachers are highly talented, There, Araiza Bravo attended and graduated passionate and committed. Mundelein from MHS. He said it was a challenge but a High School employs more than 150 necessity to learn English immediately. faculty members with a master’s He recalled an incident that he told to degree or higher. The News-Gazette in Champaign-Urbana— “When you can’t ask for a doughnut at Dunkin’ Donuts, that’s when you know Source: ECRA Group, Inc. 2019 you have to learn the language,” he said. 8 | MUNDELEIN HIGH SCHOOL WWW.D120.ORG | 9 10 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI SALUTED AT 2018 AWARDS BANQUET

Ten MHS alumni were honored at the Annual Alumni Banquet. The honorees were also presented with Merry Quinn-Krajniak shows off her MHS a Distinguished Alumni Wall plaque that will be prominently displayed at Mundelein High School. letterman’s jacket.

2018 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS

Sol Cabachuela ’04, Randall Schenck ’04, Merry Quinn-Krajniak Mundelein High School Director of Quality ’81, Regional Director, Parent Liaison, President of Assurance, Medline Archdiocese of Chicago the Mundelein Latino Citizen Industries, Inc.; U.S. Army Office of Catholic Schools, Police Academy Alumni, Sniper Section Leader, experience in several area Mentor for Kids Hope USA, awarded the Purple Heart high schools as teacher, Mundelein Village Clerk for injuries suffered during counselor, director and hostile fire assistant superintendent Steve Figved ’67, retired from a 47-year public Juniper Simonis ‘02, Lead Scott Verschoor ’84, safety career with fire Scientist, founder and owner Lead Partner and KPMC’s and emergency services, of DAPPER Stats; University Healthcare and Life Sciences founding member and of Florida Data Analyst; Line of Business Leader, President of the Mundelein Lincoln Park Zoo Adjunct Board of Trustees, Music High School Education Scientist; junior team coach Institute of Chicago Foundation and trainer, Rose City Rollers

Mark Knigge ’66, former Brad Steele ’77, Captain Steven Wilson ’75, Mayor of Wauconda and of the Boeing 747-400 with Instructor of calculus retired Cell/Molecular Kalitta Air and flies military and statistics at Christian Biologist at Abbott cargo charters in and out International School of Laboratories of Afghanistan Prague, Prague, Czech Republic; math professor and department chair at Johnson Sean McNanie ’79, County Community College, President and CEO of Patriot Overland, KS West Constructors; played professional football with the Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts

10 | MUNDELEIN HIGH SCHOOL BY THE NUMBERS… TEST YOUR MHS KNOWLEDGE

How many staff members have 1 a master’s degree or above?

What is the amount of the average 2 monthly electric bill for the high school building?

How many gallons of water does 3 it take to fill the swimming pool?

How many superintendents have 4 led the District since it opened?

28 MHS GRADUATES NOW How many times did MHS have WORK AT HIGH SCHOOL % RETENTION 5 co-valedictorians? How do you determine if a high school 95 RATE is a great school? One of the factors has to MHS has a high retention rate be the number of graduates who choose to where most teachers choose to How many School Resource return to their alma mater for their careers. remain in our district. 6 Officers have worked at MHS? At MHS, an impressive 28 alumni currently work in teaching, instructional aide, clerical, security and other positions. Source: ECRA Group, Inc. 2019 How many people make up the 7 District 120 Board of Education?

What is the seating capacity of + SPORTS, CLUBS 8 the auditorium? AND ACTIVITIES | Acad 80 ams emic e s c T | AVAILABLE eti C How many large, flat-screen hl ar t ee A r TVs are in the MHS hallways? Mundelein High School offers | s 9 | s an array of co-curricular rt C A o l m opportunities that allow a p u e s t How many Distinguished Alumni students to get involved, i i V t i

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