MCHS Newsletter
September, 2022
INTERNET SAFETY PRESENTATIONS
Technology has allowed students to communicate, share, and find entertainment much more easily, and the Internet allows them to connect with people all over the world. This combination can create a vulnerability to many kinds of risks. On September 13th during sixth through eighth periods, an Internet Safety Specialist from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office (ICAC Task Force) will provide our students with valuable information on how to stay safe and avoid online risks. A parent presentation will be held at 7:00 p.m. that evening, which will cover information regarding youth technology trends and online behaviors, predatory risks and examples, and more. The best defense we have to protect our children against internet crime and predators is through education, both for our children and parents so let's work together proactively. The evening presentation is for adults only, as some topics may be sensitive.
PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK UPDATE
Please be advised that the following language has been added to the Parent/Student Handbook.
Environmental Sensors
Marengo Community High School utilizes environmental sensors. These sensors are installed in bathrooms and locker rooms. The sensors detect chemicals used in vaping, as well as noise and motion. The environmental sensors send alert notifications to designated administrative staff. Any student found to be in an area when an environmental sensor sends an alert will be searched under reasonable suspicion.
Metal Detector Wand
To maintain a safe and disciplined learning environment, the district reserves the right under reasonable suspicion to utilize metal detector wand searches on school grounds and at school-sponsored activities.
PARENTS OF HOME-SCHOOLED STUDENTS - NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
If you are the parent of a home-schooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and you reside within the boundaries of Marengo Community High School District 154, you are urged to attend a meeting with a District representative. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend home schools within the district for the 2022-23 school year.
This meeting will be on Wednesday, September 14, at 9:00am. Please RSVP Julie Amendt, Director of Special Education at amendtj@mchs154.org.
HUMANITIES
The Humanities class is in full god/goddess mode! As this is year one, Antiquity, of the 4-year Humanities curriculum, the students’ summer reading assignment was to read Edith Hamilton’s Mythology. Since the beginning of the school year, the focus has been on the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus. After a mini research activity, this unit of study wrapped up with a Mythology Mixer where students were to modernize their god/goddess, create a costume, and then through a speed dating scenario, find others who they would get along with and maybe call a friend. As we move forward, the class will study The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey.
HOMECOMING 2022!
Homecoming week at MCHS begins Monday, September 26 and will culminate with our football game on Friday, September 30th and the Homecoming Dance on October 1st. Homecoming week will kick off with hallway decorating based on our chosen theme: Road Trip! All Roads Lead to… HOMEcoming 2022! On Wednesday, students will have spirit games, complete with powderpuff football competitions and the annual Tug-O-War showdown at the football field. Parents are welcome to attend! On Friday, students nominated for Homecoming Court will be recognized during halftime of the varsity football game and the winners will be announced. Throughout the week students will enjoy an ice cream social, and of course, dress up days to help decide which class will win the spirit stick! We hope to see everyone out at the sporting events helping to cheer on MCHS!
CAR SHOW
We had a great day for our 3rd Annual Hot Rod High School Car Show. Lots of sunshine, awesome show cars and motorcycles, hot tunes from the DJ and 3D sound, delicious food from Big D’s Hotdogs, and most importantly it was a fun community event. We had 133 registered show vehicles for the community to come to admire. We gave out over 30 beautiful trophies and plaques, with the best of show going to John Archacki and his 57 Chevy Pick Up truck. We would like to thank our major sponsors for making this all possible (Corporate Sponsors: PPG and Marengo NAPA) (Gold Sponsor: Marengo Auto Body), (Silver Sponsor: Marengo Customs), (Bronze Sponsors: Your Supply Depot and Hyperstitch) and our many local businesses who supported us with raffle items. Thank you! We couldn’t do it without you. All proceeds go to help Marengo High School students cover the cost of competing at SkillsUSA competitions. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.
“THE ABBY” award was named after Abby Albert (Abby) Laudato, Jr., who was a community member that had a passion for the CTE programs at Marengo High School. Abby volunteered his time to come daily to our shop classes to offer his older generation perspective of the car world and hot rod scene to our students. He loved working with students and teaching them about old school cars and horsepower. When Abby learned about our students competing in SkillsUSA and the expenses associated with the contests, he wanted to help out. He started organizing car shows, naming Marengo’s SkillsUSA chapter as the beneficiary of the proceeds. His goal was to cover the cost of all of our students competing at SkillsUSA for the whole year with one car show fundraiser. This was a very lofty goal that Abby had. With this in mind, the “Marengo Community High School Annual Hot Rod High School Car Show” was born. Abby went above and beyond to help Marengo SkillsUSA and its students succeed.
With Abby’s passing on January 1, 2022, it was decided to preserve his legacy with an award. The award “THE ABBY” will be presented each year to a student who has gone “above and beyond.” This year's recipient is Cooper Simons.
READING CLUB OPEN HOUSE
The 2022 Reading Club Open House was held before school on Friday, August 26th in the Media Center. Many students who were already in the club attended, and eleven Freshmen also joined the club. Snacks & free books were provided, and members were told about a possible field trip to Lifeline Theatre to see the play “Miss Holmes Returns” in September or October. We usually meet every other week, and we are looking forward to a great year for the Reading Club!
WORK PERMITS
If your student becomes employed but is not yet 16 years old, they must apply for a work permit through Student Services, who will submit your information to the State of Illinois Department of Labor. Items needed to apply for a work permit include:
1. A letter of intent from the student’s employer.
2. A letter from the student’s parents giving their permission for their child to work for the employer.
3. A copy of the student’s birth certificate.
4. A copy of the student’s social security card.
5. A copy of the student’s current physical.
FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE
This is a friendly reminder that according to the Child and Student Health Examination and Immunization Code a second dose of meningococcal vaccine is required after the 16th birthday. Please submit proof of your child's second dose of meningitis prior to the October 15, 2022 deadline. Any questions please contact the school nurse, Danielle Stout at 815-334-5852 or stoutd@mchs154.org.
GUIDANCE NEWS
CollegeBoard test prep for Junior and Seniors: MCHS is hosting 2 Free test prep sessions for the upcoming College Board testing. On October 12th, all juniors will be participating in PSAT/NMSQT testing. Seniors may also opt to retake the SAT on this date. Seats are limited so sign up is on a first come basis.
Thursday, September 22nd 6-9pm
Thursday, October 6th 6-9pm
Register by using the QR code and completing the registration form.
FAFSA Application Available October 1, 2022
Description: FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Need help filling out your FAFSA? Participants will go line by line through the FAFSA form. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form used by the U.S. Department of Education to determine a student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) by conducting a “need analysis” based on financial information, such as income, assets, and other household information. The form is submitted to and processed by a federal processor contracted by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The results are electronically transmitted to the financial aid offices of the schools listed on your application. FAFSA is the application used by nearly all colleges and universities to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, educational loans, and work-study programs.
Transgender students have the option to complete the Alternative Application for state aid. This application is for students in Illinois who identify as transgender, and allows them to apply for state financial aid but not federal aid. Here is the link to more information on this application: https://www.isac.org/Alternative-Application, and here is the link to the application itself: https://studentportal.isac.org/en/alternativeapp
Class of 2023:
Complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov
Apply for a FSA ID (one for the student, one for the parent) at FSA ID link.
Have the following with you. Failure to do so may result in not being able to complete the application.
1. Student’s 2021 U.S. 1040 and W-2 forms
2. Parent’s 2021 U.S. 1040 and W-2 forms
3. Student’s drivers license and social security card
4. Parent’s social security cards
5. Records of total untaxed income for 2021 (i.e. public aid, social security, Veteran's benefits, child support)
6. Student’s alien registration number, if a permanent resident
7. Records of current asset information (i.e. saving account, checking account)
8. Month and year of marriage, separation, divorce or other change in marital status
Records of net worth of investments for both parents and students
Note: Net Worth = Current Value minus Debt
Senior Post Secondary Meetings: Counselors are currently meeting with seniors one-on-one to discuss credits, post-secondary planning, and “to do’s” for aligning goals and their final year of high school. Be sure to ask your students to share the information with you.
Upcoming testing at MCHS:
SAT: Optional for all Seniors on October 12, 2022. Students can register by September 9th. Select this link and following the instructions. by September 9, 2022.
PSAT 8/9: For Freshmen on October 12, 2022. This assessment test is evidence based reading, writing and language, mathematics, and essay writing. Scores are shared with students, parents, and teachers to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses. Students will be tested in the assigned Advisory groups unless there are pre-approved assessment accommodations.
PSAT/NMSQT: For Juniors and Sophomores on October 12, 2022. This is a National test and may qualify students for scholarships. The results will be online through the students College Board account.
College Visits: Please check the school website for College Reps visiting MCHS. More visits are being scheduled each day. Students can sit down with a representative from that college to review admissions criteria, majors, college life, scholarships, and much more.
ATHLETIC NEWS
Welcome from the Athletic Department! Fall sports are in full swing and have many events happening daily. The most up to date schedules can be found on the 8 to 18 website www.il.8to18.com/marengo. MCHS competes in the Kishwaukee River Conference (KRC) for all sports except football. Schools include Marengo, Richmond Burton, Harvard, Woodstock, Woodstock North and Johnsburg. Our football program is part of the KRC/I8 (Interstate Eight Conference) Alliance. There are 14 schools that participate in this alliance. Our division for football includes Marengo, Harvard, Johnsburg, Sandwich, Plano, Rochelle, and Richmond Burton.
We would like to thank the people behind the scenes for making our fields, courts, and gyms look amazing. Don Swanson, head of the maintenance department, and his staff do a great job. Staff include: Wayne Frohling, Scott Johnson, Deb Pfeiffer, Adam Swanson, Noah Bankord, Joe Speruta, Jonathan Schaaf, and Mitchel Makowski.
Dwain Nance, Athletic Director, can be reached at (815) 568 - 6511 ext. 1612 or nanced@mchs154.org. Lisa Ackley, Athletic Office Administrative Assistant, can be reached at (815) 568 - 6511 ext. 1602 or ackleyl@mchs154.org.
Here are some highlighted dates for fall events:
- September 6th: KRC Preview Cross Country Meet at Indian Oaks Park
- September 21st: KRC Boys Golf Meet at Blackstone Golf Course
- September 22nd: KRC Girls Golf Meet at Blackstone Golf Course
- September 23rd: First National Challenge Football Game and Parade of Athletes at Harvard
- September 28th: IHSA Boys Golf Regional at Marengo Ridge Golf Course
- September 30th: Homecoming Football game
- October 4th: Soccer under the Lights
- October 5th: Volley for the Cure
- October 15th: KRC Cross Country Meet at Indian Oaks Park
Parents… We are looking for parents to join the booster club. They meet on the second Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the MCHS commons. Next meeting is on September 13th. We are looking for parents to help with concessions, apparel sales, First National Bank Challenge and other booster events. This group has been able to support all the sports programs at MCHS.