MARENGO COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER January, 2019

Page 1 Online Payments Pages 2, 3 Activities News Page 1 New Website Unveiled Page 4 Guidance News Page 1 Knights of Columbus Donation Pages 5, 6 Athletic News

ONLINE PAYMENTS MADE EASIER! We have updated our payment processor to allow you to make payments directly through your parent portal in Infinite Campus. To make a payment or add money to your student’s lunch account, simply log in to your parent portal and click on the “Payments” tab on the left side. You can set up a “Recurring Payment” for lunch fees by clicking “Add” in the “Recurring Payments” section at the top of the page, or make a one-time payment by entering the amount of money to be deposited in your Food Service Account(s) and/or amount for Student Fees. Click “Continue.” Next, select the type of payment you would like. If you have not set up a payment method, you will need to “Add” one. Payment is accepted by echeck or credit/debit card. Click “Continue” once your payment method is complete. Review your Payments and Payment Method. If you would like a receipt emailed to you, you will need to enter your email address. Please note, “Make Payment” must be clicked in order for the final step of the payment to be processed. You will receive a confirmation message when your payment has been processed. Please note, we do not charge a convenience fee for purchases made with a credit/debit card or eCheck. If you have any questions regarding our new payment process, please contact Susan McGuire at 815-568-6511 x1501.

MCHS UNVEILS NEW WEBSITE We are very excited to unveil our new website! Along with our new look, we have updated many features to enhance your accessibility to all the great things occurring at MCHS. Scroll down on the home page to view important notices on our “Live Feed” and to see recent news articles and events occurring on any given day. Or click “Menu” to access a variety of pages to view. On our “Staff” page, we now have a feature to identify and list members of Offices, Sports, Activities, and more! Just click on the drop down at the top right of the staff page and you can filter the section you wish to view.

You will notice when you open our website on your phone that it is mobile-friendly. You are also invited to download the Mobile App, for easier communication with teachers and the school. If you have any questions or feedback regarding navigation around our website, please email [email protected].

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS DONATION The MCHS Special Education Department would like to thank the Knights of Columbus for all their hard work and hours spent during their Tootsie Roll drive this year. Money collected from the drive benefits individuals with intellectual disabilities. Four agencies in Marengo received a portion of the total proceeds. MCHS received $946.69, which will be used to purchase items and rewards for the Bridge and Transition Programs for their continued development. We greatly appreciate this gift.

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STUDENTS OF THE MONTH The PRIDE committee of Marengo Community High School recognized ten students selected by the faculty as “November Students of the Month.” They were nominated for many reasons, including positive attitude, hard work, taking a leadership role, and willingness to help their fellow students. These students are: (left to right) Front Row: Isabela Magallanes (freshman), Anna Cruz (freshman), Grace Phillips (freshman), Lynsey Steinke (freshman), & Madeline Morse (freshman); Back Row: Stephanie Pitones (senior), Joshua Streu (senior), Gage Zimmerman (senior), Chase Vogt (sophomore) & Cory Hasse (sophomore). These students were treated to a pizza lunch provided by Joe’s Place.

Members of AFS and the Reading Club visited the Christkindlemarket in Naperville

LATINO OUTREACH TO HOST STUDENT FORUM The Latino Outreach Office has invited former students to serve as panelists for a forum during the afternoon of January 9th in the auditorium. These students are excited to share how they have navigated their paths after high school and the hurdles they have overcome. These students will also invite a former teacher who inspired them for an interview and dialogue to be aired on our own Marengo Radio. We are looking forward to receiving inspiration from these conversations.

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MARENGO WOMEN’S CLUB HOLIDAY LUNCHEON The Marengo Women’s Club held their holiday luncheon on December 12th at MCHS. Many students participated in the event. The entrée and cheesecakes were prepared by culinary students, flower arrangements were created by students in the floral design, and the choir sang selections from their upcoming holiday concert. We wish to give special thanks to Kim Johnson for providing the festive decorations and party favors, and Liz Molbeck and her kitchen staff for helping with the meal. A lovely time was had by all.

MCHS STUDENT COUNCIL Student Council was busy with many activities in December in preparation for the holiday season. Partnering with the Boys Basketball Programs at both Marengo and Johnsburg High School, student council sponsored a Toys for Tots day to donate toys to local families. Thank you to the Marine Corps Reserve and all who donated to help less fortunate families.

BBFFA This year the BBFFA game will be on January 25th. Students will decorate the school, compete in games during a pep assembly, and see who can get the most students to "Pack the House" Friday night, as our boys basketball team takes on Richmond Burton at 5:45 p.m. in Homer Barry Gymnasium. The highly sought after "Spirit Stick" will be presented at half time of the varsity basketball game.

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GUIDANCE NEWS Class of 2023 Orientation Night When: February 13, 2018 at 6pm Sports and Club preview in Commons 7pm Registration presentation in Auditorium Where: MCHS Who: Class of 2023 and their parents/guardians

Please join the MCHS faculty as we welcome the Class of 2023 to high school. Students will receive an orientation packet with all material required to to turn in for enrollment in District 154. The packet will also include class registration material and placement test results. Please plan on attending this very informative event and meet some teachers, counselors, and administration members.

Schedule changes for 2nd semester Student initiated schedule changes may only be made the first five days of the semester. The last day to initiate changes is January 11th. Schedule changes can only be made for specific reasons:  Drop a class to add a study hall (only one study hall per day)  Drop study hall to add a class  Level changes (ex: general to honors)  Add late start/early release to schedule (must meet gpa requirement)

Registration for 2019-2020 Students are beginning to select classes for the next academic year. This is an important process in which parent involvement is key. Things to consider when selecting classes:  Rigor - Do you qualify to take an Advanced Placement or Honors class? Selective colleges consider this factor when reviewing applications.  Graduation Requirements - Do you have the required classes?  Career Interests - Electives provide exposure to possible career pathways. Lists of courses suggested by career interest are posted in the back of the curriculum guide.

Reminder from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in regard to student information. According to Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) all military recruiters have equal access to student directory (name, address and telephone) information unless a parent/guardian and student submit a written statement requesting exclusion to the registrar. This information is regularly requested by recruiters for students in grades 11 and 12. All requests to be excluded (opt out) must be written and signed by all parties.

Senior students - Local scholarships are beginning to be posted on the Guidance Web Site. A summary of scholarships is located here but include general opportunities and specific for Engineering, Education or Nursing.

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ATHLETIC NEWS ALL-STATE ATHLETES HONORED The Marengo Community High School Board of Education honored Blake Heinberg for his selection to the 2018 IHSA Class 4A All-State Football Team at their December 17, 2018 school board meeting. Also honored was Finnegan Schirmer for his honorable mention to the All-State Team. Heinberg and Schirmer were both Northwest Herald first team selections. We are very proud of these student athletes.

MCHS FOOTBALL AWARDS On Sunday, December 16th, MCHS football honored several players for their accomplishments along with the entire team during the 2018 football season. The Indians celebrated ten 1st Team All-Conference selections in the Kishwaukee River Conference for 2018. This list includes the following players: Blake Heinberg (Sr.), Travis Knaak (Sr.), Cade Nolan (Sr.), Colton Lohff (Sr.), Aaron Shepard (Sr.), Willy Arriola (Sr.), Finn Schirmer (Jr.), Jagger Ferden (Jr.), Cole Davis (Soph.), and Jonah Pace (Soph.). Marengo Football also boasted two All-Conference Honorable Mention players in Danny Schenk (Sr.) and Zac Brandt (Sr.).

Other awards include four academic All-State players in Aaron Shepard, Travis Knaak, Blake Heinberg, and Cole Davis. Furthermore, to add to the laundry list of accomplishments for the 2018 Indians, Blake Heinberg was awarded the Kishwaukee River Conference defensive player of the year. Blake was also selected to the IHSA All-State team for class 4A, topping off a fantastic year. Lastly, Finn Shirmer (1,701 yards rushing) was selected as to the IHSA Honorable Mention All-State team, completing an outstanding junior season.

The MCHS coaching staff also recognized the fresh/soph football players for their efforts and a productive season. This level was made up of 20 freshman and 14 sophomores, and they finished with a 3-6 record. The freshmen also played 4 games against conference opponents and ended up 3-1.

KELLY CAMP LEADERSHIP AWARD Coach Kelly Camp served as the Head Football Coach at Marengo High School from 1980 - 1998. Coach Camp finished his career at Marengo with 98 wins, which included seven quarterfinal appearances. The Indian Football Program finished second in state in 1992. Coach Camp enriched the lives of a countless number of students at MCHS.

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The 2018 Kelly Camp Award was awarded to Colton Ervin. Throughout the year, Colton proved he was a valuable, dedicated, and responsible member of our school and athletic programs. Colton suffered a knee injury, which cost him most of the season. He was able to get back in the lineup during the Indians playoff run, and proved to be an excellent long snapper. During his time at Marengo Community High School, Colton has asserted himself as an academic as well an athletic leader. This award reflects his willingness to serve others, do what’s best for the team, and inspire our program with enthusiasm. Colton Ervin has earned the respect of our football team, and served as an exemplary role model for future Indian football players for years to come.

MARENGO CHEER COMPETITIONS Marengo Cheerleaders placed 2nd at the Warren Township Winter Wonderland Competition on December 16, 2018. In January, the cheerleaders will be competing at multiple competitions! Come and cheer them on next at the KRC conference competition on Wednesday, January 16th at 7 pm at Johnsburg High School. They will also be at Huntley High School on January 20th at 11 a.m. and at the IHSA Regional Competition on January 26th at Grayslake North High School.

ATHLETIC SIGNINGS Congratulations to Hannah Ritter and Morgan Shines, who signed on December 6, 2018to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level!

Hannah Ritter signed to play softball at Morgan Shines signed to play hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. the State University of New York at Oswego. 6