Principal's Blog 2025-2026 #24
Hi MHS Families!
Mustangs, what a season of success! Congratulations to our Semester 1 Honor Roll students for your dedication, perseverance, and academic excellence. Your hard work truly reflects the culture of learning we strive to build at MHS. We are incredibly proud of you!
We also celebrate Reverb, Sound, Noise, Girls Bowling, and Cheer on their recent competition successes. Your talent, teamwork, and commitment continue to showcase the very best of Mustang spirit.
As we head into a four-day weekend with Teacher Institute Day and Presidents Day, we hope you and your family enjoy some well-deserved time to rest and recharge before we jump back into a busy stretch of the semester.
Be sure to read on for important updates and reminders — including cap and gown ordering (deadline February 28!), upcoming events, and opportunities to stay connected during this busy semester at MHS.
We also invite you to share your voice by completing the 5-Essentials Survey. Your feedback provides valuable insight into our learning community and helps guide our continued growth and improvement. The survey is brief, and your input truly makes a difference — click here to participate.
Let’s keep the momentum going, Mustangs!
Special Message from Associate Principal Libert
The D120 School Board on Tuesday night approved six new division chairs who will help guide our school in a new organizational structure in the coming school year.
The new division chairs, approved by the District 120 Board of Education on Feb. 10, are:
- Autumn Graef - EL / World Language
- Tom Buenik - Counseling / Career
- Joey Philipp - Science / Engineering
- Rich Stiles - Fine Arts / Wellness
- Ben Horwitz - English / Media
- Jennifer Kazimer - Social Studies / Business.
A seventh division chair, for Math / Computer Science, is to be determined.
They will begin their new duties in the 2026-27 school year as Mundelein High School transitions from Department Chairs to a Division Chair system.
With these changes we hope to strengthen instructional leadership and bring a balanced workload across the divisions. The sustainable model will offer clarity, continuity and stability to MHS leadership.
YOU 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. You can complete the brief survey now by clicking here.
The survey opened Feb. 3, 2026 and closes March 13, 2026.
FEATURING: Lebron James
LeBron James is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, but his impact reaches far beyond the court. Born in Akron, Ohio, he rose from a challenging childhood to become a four-time NBA champion, four-time league MVP, and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. He has also represented the United States in the Olympics, earning two gold medals (2008, 2012) and a bronze medal (2004). Off the court, LeBron is known for his leadership and commitment to education and social justice. In 2018, he helped open the I PROMISE School in his hometown to support at-risk students and their families with education and community resources. Through his foundation and advocacy work — including efforts to promote voting access and equity — LeBron continues to use his platform to inspire young people to succeed in school, in sports, and in life.
Information Sources: NBA.com player profile and records; USA Basketball Olympic history; LeBron James Family Foundation (I PROMISE School); Biography.com.
Graduation Speeches - Due March 20th!
If you are a graduating senior and you are interested in giving a senior speech at graduation, please submit your speech by clicking on the QR code below!
PROMPT: How has MHS helped you ASPIRE in school and in life?
Incorporate 1-2 tenets from our Portrait of a Learner and indicate how you’ve grown in those areas.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Friday, March 20th
Full speech must be submitted in writing
Maximum speech length is 5 minutes
If your speech is selected, you will be given a writing mentor to guide you through the process of refining your speech in preparation for graduation day.
Cap and Gown!
Last day to order is February 28th. Order now at www.HerffJonesIL.com, or Call Herff Jones at 815-756-4743. Herff Jones Office hours are Monday - Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
2026 Summer School Information is Now Available
Are you interested in summer school? Our 2026 Summer School Information is now available online.
Click here to see the:
- Calendar
- Course Guide
- Driver Education Info
- Registration Link
Available Now - The Palace Project Audiobook App
There is a new app for audiobook and ebook users! It is called The Palace Project (libraries as a palace for the people, )
Download the App
Find Your Library
Type: RAILS eRead High School Library. This is the name of our eBook and audiobook collection.
Browse the various Headings OR search by using the magnifying glass in the top right corner.
Staff login is: d120_ first initial and last name
Student login is d120_ID#
This is not available as a web page or on Chromebooks. I expect an update for that this spring. The collection is teen focused but take a look for that fantasy, mystery, or thriller you've been wanting to read or listen to. Let me know how it works for you. The makers are responsive to improving the app.
April 8 and 9 - ACT and Pre ACT Testing
Wednesday, April 8 - All testing begins at 8:40am
Grade 11: ACT with Writing
Grade 9: PreACT 9 Secure for multi-day accommodated students only
Grade 10: PreACT Secure for multi-day accommodated students only
Thursday, April 9 - All testing begins at 8:40am
Grade 9: PreACT 9 Secure
Grade 10: PreACT Secure
Grade 11: ACT with Writing Day for multi-day accommodated students
If your student is eligible for testing accommodations per Section 504 Plan or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), submission requests to the ACT for approval will be submitted by MHS staff. If your student has been approved for accommodations in the past, those accommodations will apply to these exams. The deadline for refusing testing accommodations is April 1. Refusing testing accommodations must be done with parent/guardian signature and be submitted to the Special Education Office.
Notify Me!
Did you know? You can stay on top of all the MHS athletic schedule changes and reminders for your favorite activities!
With Notify Me!, you can set yourself up to receive automatic text and email notifications. Simply log in to choose the teams and activities you want to track, and we'll send you updates directly to your phone or inbox.
It's easy to use and you can log back in anytime to modify your settings. Don't miss a game or important update again!
Https://as3.rschooltoday.com/public/notify/genie/632/school/632
CCRC Calendar of Events
Fall 2025 Resource Roadmap
Literacy Center is Now the ARC
Visit the ARC for homework help. Adult and student tutors are available. Stop in or click here to learn more.
Media Center
Wellness Center
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.
Hope Squad - Monthly Theme is Gratitude
MHS Supports
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.
26-26 School Profile
25-26 Perfil de la escuela
Go Mustangs!
- Principal's Blog Archive
- District Developments Newsletter
- The Mustang Newspaper
- The Messenger Newsletter
Website: www.d120.org
Location: 1359 West Hawley Street, Mundelein, IL, USA
Phone: 847-949-2200