Principal's Blog 2025-2026 #12

October 31, 2025

Dear Mustang Families,

I am bursting with pride to announce that we have earned a Commendable designation on the 2024 Illinois School Report Card, achieving our highest-ever Summative Index Score of 86.79! When I assumed the principalship in 2022, our school was navigating a fragile and challenging period. Together, through relentless focus, strategic innovation, and collective determination, we have climbed from a score of 80.82 to where we stand today. This remarkable growth proves that with an unwavering belief in every student, all students CAN! ¡Sí se puede! Click here to read more about our remarkable accomplishments.

Yesterday, we were thrilled to welcome two CBS News crews to MHS to showcase some of amazing stories and highlights happening across our campus! Be sure to check out the videos linked in the Shoutouts section below.

Go Mustangs!

Dr. Alexandria Taylor

Principal

Mundelein High School

847-949-2200

www.d120.org

ataylor@d120.org

Featuring...Jason Mamoa

An only child, Momoa was born on August 1, 1979, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Coni (Lemke), a photographer, and Joseph Momoa, a painter. His father is Native Hawaiian, while his mother is of German, Irish, and Pawnee ancestry. Shortly after his birth, his parents divorced and he and his mother moved to Norwalk, Iowa, where he was raised. He graduated from Norwalk High School where he was part of the soccer team alongside Brandon Routh. He attended the University of Hawaii . Japanese-born American international fashion designer Takeo Kobayashi discovered Momoa, then aged 19, and encouraged him to pursue a modeling career. Momoa left the university and worked briefly in that industry before landing his first acting role, as a young lifeguard in the television series Baywatch: Hawaii. In addition to acting, Momoa was active in environmental and philanthropic circles. He founded Mananalu, a company that packages water in aluminum cans and advocates for and contributes its profits to recycling plastic and removing plastic pollution from the oceans. Jason Mamoa is proud of his native heritage and talks about it every chance he gets, whether it’s in front of the camera or on the red carpet. He is deeply involved in protecting his native land.

Text courtesy of: https://minoritybusinessreview.com/jason-mamoa-pawnee-native-hawaiian/

Image courtesy of: https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/jason-momoa-real-life-diet

Did you know..."Chicago is home to one of the largest urban Native American communities in the United States, with about 65,000 Native American residents and some 175 different tribes represented in the Chicagoland area.

According to the American Indian Center, Chicago is part of the traditional homelands of the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi people. Many other tribes, including the Miami, Ho-Chunk, Sac, and Fox, have also called this area home."

Click here to learn more.

Text Courtesy of: https://www.choosechicago.com/blog/special-events/how-to-celebrate-native-american-heritage-month-in-chicago/

If you missed the CBS-2 featured on Thursday featuring Mundelein High School, our students and many of our programs, check out the following links from CBS.

See pictures on our Facebook page.

Morning Session

Afternoon Session

It is with great pride that we announce all the Band & Choir District VII Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) results from this past month! These individual honors are the result of students preparing upwards of 5 musical excerpts that are performed for judges across the state. Achieving a place in these District ensembles is an accomplishment on par with an athletic team advancing to the Sectional level of competition. Please join us in congratulating these dedicated young musicians. Their selection speaks volumes about their hard work and musical abilities.

All students in these ensembles will find out All-State Honors within the coming month. Much credit goes to Cory Thompson, Andy Sturgeon, and Jerry Shelato for their exemplary work in preparing these students. Under their guidance, the music program continues to reach new heights! We could not be prouder of our students' accomplishments and their representation of the excellence found in MHS' music programs.

Our project is on schedule as we prepare for working through the winter. Ongoing work includes wall framing, structural steel, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. Upcoming work includes roofing, masonry, and installing the stormwater detention system adjacent to Hawley Street. Temporary heat and lighting for the construction area will be worked on this week.

Exterior wall framing is ongoing. The yellow material being installed is water resistant substrate sheathing. Brick masonry will be installed in front of the sheathing. The openings between the framed/sheathed sections are where windows will be installed – known as a curtain wall. We will not have floor to ceiling windows – curtain walls are framed differently.

Our MHS Art Students continue to transform Mundelein High School! A brilliant splash of color and style is lighting up our temporary entrance area. We'll keep sharing progress photos and the finished design in the coming weeks.

Join us this coming week for some exciting college visits! Register in SchooLinks today!

Check out out weekly newsletter for more important event and scholarship information.

Order your cap, gown, and senior swag now to ensure timely delivery!

• Earlybird pricing ends December 5th
• Last day to order is February 27th

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.

Click here to see the MHS Class of 2026 Graduation Booklet and Calendar

Class of 2026 Yard Signs are now on sale! Signs are $15 and may be purchased online here. We will email you once your yard sign is ready (roughly 2 weeks after ordering). Pick up will be in the main office as your order is ready.

Just a reminder that on Saturday, November 1, 2025, Districts 120 and 75 will be applying lawn treatment on the grounds surrounding each school.

This is part of our recurring turf management program. Industry standard chemicals are applied by a licensed lawn service company. Humans and pets should avoid the lawns during this application.

Advanced Placement Exam Registration began October 1 for students enrolled is Semester 1 AP Courses. See the testing website for more information.

• Students taking full-year or Fall Semester AP courses at Mundelein High School must register and pay for their exams by 11:59 PM, Sunday, November 2, 2025 to avoid a late fee of $40/exam.

• Students taking a Semester 2 only course (AP Comparative Gov't, AP US Gov't) must enroll/register/pay by 11:59 pm, March 1, 2026.

Click here to read the parent letter from 9/25/2025.

Mundelein Theatre is thrilled to present:

Eurydice

by Sarah Ruhl

This beautiful and imaginative retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice explores love, memory, and the power of words. Told through Eurydice’s eyes, the play follows her journey to the underworld after a tragic accident—where she’s reunited with her father and must choose between the world she knew and the one she’s found. Filled with poetic language, humor, and heart, Eurydice is a moving story about what we remember, what we forget, and what it means to say goodbye.

November 1st at 2:00pm and 7:30pm

November 2nd at 2:00pm

Adults $10, Students and Seniors $5

Click here to purchase tickets

Please purchase your ticket using the link on the Mundelein Theatre website. It is highly recommended that tickets are purchased online to ensure a seat, but we also allow purchases at the door. Online ticket sales are closed 2 hours prior to the show.

The Mundelein Fire Department also reminds residents to change the batteries in all household smoke alarms.

History of Daylight Saving Time

A school psychologist's role is to support students' mental health, academic, and social development through assessments, counseling, and consultation with staff, families, and administrators. They provide targeted interventions for students struggling with issues like learning disabilities, emotional challenges, and behavioral problems, and help create positive school-wide practices. They are also integral to crisis response and ensuring compliance with special education laws, like those related to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). (AI Overview)

We are fortunate that every student at MHS has a school psychologist on their support team. While a student may never need them, or even know who they are, this group of amazing individuals is always available to help when called upon.

All students are invited to attend.

MHS has welcomed a group of local veterans to enjoy Veterans Day Breakfast with us on Friday, November 7th

The presence of veterans in our halls serves as a powerful reminder of the values that make our community and our nation strong. We want to ensure that our young people understand the debt of gratitude we owe to those who have served in uniform.

The event will include a breakfast in honor of the veterans, followed by a parade walk in our school where students and staff will have the opportunity to thank veterans for their service and sacrifice.

We are collecting food, toiletries, and clothing for our very own Welcome Center in the Annex.

Students: Bring your donations to your 2nd period classrooms for a chance to win a pizza party!
Parents and Staff: Bring your donations to the main office.

Click here to find out what items are needed.

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Text courtesy of: https://department.va.gov/veterans-day/history-of-veterans-day/

La segunda sesión de La Universidad de Padres se celebrará este próximo 13 de noviembre en la cafetería de la escuela, de 6pm a 8pm. Para más información, contacto Fred Kliora a 847-949-2200 Ext. 1410.

Mundelein Theatre is thrilled to present:

Bringing Down the House - A Musical Without Songs

by Todd Wallinger

Directed by Jeff Harding

Classes begin at 9:40am.

Buses will run one hour later.

Click here for the late start schedule.

Save the Date! More info coming soon!

Save the Date! More info coming soon!

Happy Thanksgiving! See you Monday, December 1st!

Tickets for our 2025 Spotlight Event are now on sale, and can be purchased here.

Spotlight Tickets

Please note that ticket sales will end at 7:30 a.m., on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. We expect a very full audience, and cannot guarantee the number of seats that might be available the night of the event if you have not purchased tickets ahead of time.

Raffle ticket sales can be found here.

Raffle Tickets

Raffle ticket sales will also be available the night of the event, and there is no limit to the number of tickets you can buy!

Cash, check, and credit card payments (via Omella), will be accepted at the event.

Athletics events week of 11/03/2025

Athletic Department Newsletter (coming soon)

2025-26 Sports Season Start Dates

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

Submitted by Coach Scheuers

Tryouts are less than a month away! The first day of tryouts will be Monday, November 10, 2025.

• Freshmen & Sophomores: 3:45–5:45 PM (Main Gym)
• Juniors & Seniors: 6:00–8:00 PM (Main Gym)

All students interested in trying out must register for a winter sport and have an updated physical on file before November 10 in order to participate.

If you have any questions, please contact Coach Scheuers at jscheuers@d120.org.

Winter Registration Link: https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations

Submitted by Coach Healy

Boys swim and dive starting Monday 11/24 in the pool at 3:45. All are welcome! Please reach out to coach Healy at mhealy@d120.org for more information or of you have questions!

Submitted by Coach Jones

Girls Bowling Tryouts begin on 11/17

Coach Joe Piontowski and I are gearing up for this upcoming season of the Girls Bowling Season. We are new to MHS, but not to the bowling world, and are looking forward to another successful season. Coach Joe and I welcome girls of all abilities to come and give the bowling team a try–no prior experience is necessary. Please encourage any girl who is looking for a fun winter sport to attend our tryouts at Lakeside Recreation Center on Monday, 11/17 and join the Girls Bowling team! For anyone who needs transportation from school, please meet at Door 9 immediately after school to take a minibus to Lakeside and then arrange for a ride home from the bowling center.

Check out our weekly CCRC Newsletter at:https://secure.smore.com/n/82d9k

Peer/AP Tutors has updated the link to the Advanced Placement web page where students can access videos that detail nearly two dozen AP courses offered at MHS. We are grateful to senior Sophie Hammer who taped and edited every video, and the cast of seniors and juniors who provided insights behind selecting advanced placement courses.

The link can be found on the Literacy Center and Peer/AP Tutors website.

• Before school, during lunch, free periods, study hall. Staff help and student (peer) tutors available.
• ARC Academic Resource Center B145-147: help with any subject. Mon.-Fri. 7:00am-3:25pm.
• Teacher office hours: contact the teacher for time/day.
• Guidance: Counselors can make arrangements for help. Check Power School for name of assigned counselor.
• Student-led AP and Honors Study Group schedule; Remind codes for each group (Text the code to 81010):

MHS students will provide tutoring (English and Spanish) at Fremont Library several times this semester. All K-8 students are welcome for homework or subject help.

Fremont Public Library

1170 Midlothian Rd

Mundelein, IL

6:00pm - 7:00pm

November 12th

December 10th

For more information, please contact:

Fremont Public Library: (847) 566-8702

Mundelein High School: hbabowice@d120.org

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Website: www.d120.org

Location: 1359 West Hawley Street, Mundelein, IL, USA

Phone: 847-949-2200