Principal's Blog 2025-2026 #14
Good afternoon, Mustang families,
As we move deeper into November, I’m reminded of how much there is to be grateful for at MHS each and every day. This month’s theme of gratitude is showing up across our campus—in the way our students support one another, in the dedication of our staff, and in the strong partnerships we share with our families and community.
This newsletter is filled with moments that highlight what makes our school so special. From our Jazz Ensemble’s incredible performance at the Jazz Showcase, to our student-athletes committing to their next chapter in college, to the Girls Swim and Dive Team heading to the IHSA State Finals—we have so much to celebrate.
We’ve also had meaningful opportunities for learning and connection. Our Veterans Panel provided students with firsthand stories of service and sacrifice, while our Project Lead the Way students explored real-world career pathways during Manufacturing Day. In the spirit of service, our Kindness Drive and upcoming Turkey Trot give us all a chance to support our Welcome Center and give back during this season of thanks.
As the holiday season approaches—with family commitments, concerts, community events, important deadlines, and final exams—I want to take a moment to thank you for partnering with us to help students finish the semester strong.
Message from Superintendent Tafoya
Winter Weather Information
As we enter the winter weather season, we would like to remind you of our procedures if we need to close our schools or implement a late start due to inclement weather.
If weather and road conditions make it too dangerous for students to travel to school, District 120 would close school for that day.
The District office will notify all D120 families and staff by 6 a.m. and post the information on the school’s webpage. Notifications would be sent via text, voicemail, and email for parents/guardians listed in PowerSchool.
If closure is not announced by 6 a.m., schools will be open as usual.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we work to keep our students and staff safe throughout the winter months.
Featuring...Chef Sean Sherman
Chef Sean Sherman was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, as were his parents, and grandparents, before him.
After his mother moved his family to Spearfish, South Dakota, he began working in local restaurants, and cooked all through high school and college. He also worked as a field surveyor for the forest service, a job that provided him an extensive knowledge of native plants, which would prove invaluable later in his career. He moved to Minneapolis, and continued working in restaurants, becoming an executive chef while still in his mid-20s, where he was immersed in the farm-to-table philosophy during a time when few restaurants were purchasing directly from local vendors.
A few years into his career, Sherman had an epiphany, one that led him to his mission. He realized as a chef in a vibrant food scene that celebrated exotic flavors and far-flung cooking styles, nothing represented the land they were currently on, or what the people indigenous to this area ate. After some research, he found this was true throughout the country: there were no Native American restaurants anywhere throughout most of North America. Traditional foodways had been almost entirely wiped off the map.
This set him on a journey to discover what his direct ancestors were eating, storing, growing, harvesting, foraging, trading, and sharing just a few generations earlier. While spending time in Mexico, he observed how many Indigenous groups had retained traditional cooking techniques — using clay grills and fire, growing corn and drying and pounding it into meal, and gathering ingredients from the surrounding desert, forest or plains. He was inspired to research and reclaim the traditional cooking methods of his own ancestors, as well as the “lost” knowledge of other dispossessed Indigenous people across North America.
“Our ancestors understood how to live in balance with the natural world. Indigenous foods are the original foods of this continent. It’s important we recognize that and start celebrating those foods.”
Text excerpted from: https://seansherman.com/about/
Image courtesy of: https://www.gettyimages.com/
ILMEA District 7 Band Festival
Congratulations to our Mundelein Band students participating in the ILMEA District 7 festival today.
Graduates! Early Bird Pricing Ends December 5th!
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
November 14 - New Faces
Mundelein Theatre is thrilled to present:
Bringing Down the House - A Musical Without Songs
by Todd Wallinger
Directed by Jeff Harding
November 15 - School Board Appreciation Day
To recognize the outstanding efforts of the nearly 6,000 elected school board members throughout the state, November 15 of each year is designated as "School Board Members Day" in Illinois. This is an opportunity to build community awareness and understanding about the essential role locally elected board of education members assume in a representative democracy.
Text courtesy of: https://www.iasb.com/
November 18 - Fall Band Concert
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: MHS Auditorium
Featuring: Honors Wind Ensemble, Honors Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band
November 21 - Jazz Ensemble IASB/IASA/IASBO Joint Annual Conference
Time: 3:00-3:25 (prior to the opening general session)
Location: Hyatt Regency Chicago, Grand Hall, 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
November 22 - Turkey Trot
The Senior Student Leadership and the Staff Connections Committee has organized a simple Turkey Trot that we would love to have you participate in!
Registration: No registration is required.
Date: Saturday, November 22nd
Time: 9:00am. We will begin waiver signing and shirt pickup at 8:15am so get there early!
Entrance Fee: There is no fee to join, but we are asking that you bring 1-2 items for our Welcome Center Food Pantry. Check the attached flyer to see what they are in need of.
Starting Location: Staff parking lot. Parking is available in the main lot.
Route(s): You can run or walk and there will be 1 and 2 mile options.
We hope to see you there!
December 5 - Late Start
December 16 - Early Release Day Before Finals (Study with Purpose!)
We will have an early release for all students on this day to allow them to head home to prepare and “Study With Purpose” for their Final Exams.
Click here for the Special Schedule.
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