MCHS Newsletter
December, 2021
A Letter From Mr. Webb
Dear Parents/Guardian,
While the beginning of this school year wasn’t the toughest we have had (that title goes to last year), it still has had its challenges. Most MCHS students have completed their first semester smoothly, however, we have had a few issues involving Tik Tok’s devious “challenges” and vandalism in our bathrooms. Please speak to your son/daughter about the negative impact that participating in online suggestions of misconduct can have on them. Students who participate in vandalism will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
We would appreciate parent support with a few other areas as well. The student dress code is our most recurring issue. The fashion industry’s popularizing of crop tops does not fit with the dress code of the school, and exposure of any kind involving the midriff is not allowed. We have spent much time informing and working with students on appropriate dress, but some students continue to come to school dressed inappropriately. Violations of the dress code will result in appropriate disciplinary actions.
Another part of the dress code is not carrying a backpack around the school. This is a change from last year when locker use was not allowed during the school day, and students were able to take their backpacks to class. After speaking to students, most of this is no longer a problem but we will be applying appropriate consequences to students who continue to violate the backpack policy. Students are allowed to carry their chromebook bags.
A final request for your assistance is in regard to students who are tardy to school. It is common for the same students to be tardy repeatedly. Please help us keep your child from being tardy and negatively impacting their attendance and classroom opportunities. We suggest that if a bus is available to them that they ride it so they are on time to class. Please check the attendance of your son/daughter to their first period to determine if they have a recurring tardy issue.
While we have been understanding that this school year is challenging in a different way from last year and have repeatedly reminded students of the above rules, some are not addressing these problems. Students who continue to violate student handbook rules will receive appropriate consequences over the coming months. Please take a few moments to discuss these concerns with your child.
Sincerely,
Mr. Richard Webb
Assistant Principal
FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE
Thursday, December 16, 2021
7:00 am - 7:45 am Zero Hour
7:50 am - 9:00 am 1st Hour
9:10 am - 10:20 am 2nd Hour
10:30 am - 11:40 am 4th Hour / Lunch
11:20 am - 12:30 pm 5th Hour / Lunch
12:40 pm - 1:50 pm 3rd Hour
Friday, December 17, 2021
7:50 am - 9:00 am 6th Hour
9:10 am - 10:20 am 7th Hour
10:30 am - 11:40 am 8th Hour
EXAM GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS:
- Students must arrive at school in time for their first exam for the day.
- Once on campus, they must stay until they have completed their last exam.
- Students may not leave an exam until the end of the exam period.
- Students assigned to Assisted Study Hall, Numeracy Lab, or Resource Study Skills are required to attend class except during the 8th hour finals period.
- Students arriving after 7:50 am should enter the school by the commons.
- There will be quiet study in the commons during the day.
- Students who need to miss an exam must fill out a prearranged absence form and get administrative approval. Students will not be allowed to take final exams early. Students can either make arrangements to take these with Dr. Fink between December 20-23, or will be responsible for scheduling these with their teachers the first two days of the second semester in January.
- Students who have had an extended absence prior to finals may, upon teacher approval, make arrangements to take finals with Dr. Fink between December 20-23 in order to make up work missed during their absence and better prepare for the exam.
- Students are not to be in the halls during exams. No hall passes will be issued.
- Buses will run at 1:57 pm on Thursday, and at 11:47 am on Friday.
- Students are required to be in attendance during the period an exam is scheduled. Students that are not approved to miss the exam will receive an F on the exam.
- Students out of school suspended will be assigned a make-up time and date through the Administration Office.
Second Semester Exam Exemptions
Marengo Community High School
Second Semester PRIDE Exam Exemptions
(revised 10-2021)
Requirements
Students must meet all the criteria in academics, attendance, and behavior to receive an exam exemption.
- Students must have an overall grade of 85% or greater in classes where exemption is requested.
- Students cannot have incomplete work for the class in which they are exempting.
- No more than 4 tardies total per semester (or 8 total for the school year)
- No more than 2 lunch detentions per semester (or 4 total for the school year)
- No more than 1 after school detention per semester (or 2 total for the school year)
- No SCAP, ISS, or OSS the entire school year.
- Deadlines must be met by students applying for exemptions including getting teacher
signatures. Teachers have the option to not grant exemptions in their class even if criteria is met by the student.
*Freshmen may be allowed one exemption
**Sophomores may be allowed up to two exemptions
***Juniors and Seniors may be able to use as many exemptions as they qualify for
SAT SCORE - ONE BONUS EXAM EXEMPTION SENIOR YEAR
Exam Exemption based upon student SAT score in the spring of their junior year, will be applied to second semester senior year:
- Student must score a minimum of 480 in English and 530 in Math on the SAT (College Readiness Benchmark)
Attendance on day of exams- Students must report to school for their first exam or study hall assigned as an academic intervention, including but not limited to resource study skills, numeracy or assisted study hall. Once on campus, they must stay until they have completed their last exam or study hall intervention of the day. Students who need to miss an exam must fill out a prearranged absence form and get administrative approval. Students will not be allowed to take final exams early. Students must make arrangements to take these with Dr. Fink. Students who have had an extended absence prior to finals may, upon teacher approval, make arrangements to take finals at a later date in order to make up work missed during their absence and better prepare for the exam. Buses will run at 1:57 pm on the first day of exams, and at 11:47 am on the second day of exams.
VETERANS DAY COMMEMORATION
Our Veterans Day Commemoration began at Calvin Spencer Park, where the American Legion led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance and a short prayer. After a moment of silence, MCHS trumpeters Nick Walters and Grace Durkin performed Taps.
Veterans, members of the community, and the MCHS Humanities class next convened near the circle drive outside the high school, where Humanities student Morgan Coffman and her father Don Coffman had a display of World War II artillery equipment, which included a PAK 40 anti-tank gun, Flak 30, and Flakvierling 38. They spoke about the restoration of these, gave a demonstration on how to fire them, and spoke about their use in World War II.
Don is holding an artillery round 88 mm that was used on the Tiger Tank
Following the outdoor presentations, panel discussions were held in the auditorium. Our distinguished guest panelists included Tom Anderson - Master Sergeant Army (Vietnam War), Daniel Bickel - Staff Sergeant Army (Vietnam War), Nicole Bruno - Master Sergeant Air Force (Iraq War), Dale Carpenter - Sergeant Army (Vietnam), Anthony Diller - Specialist E4 Army (Iraq and Afghanistan Wars), Larry Dochterman - Spec 4 Army (Vietnam War), Willi Rettke - Sergeant First Class Army (Vietnam War), and Jeff Schulman – Lieutenant Colonel Marine Corps (Iraq/Afghanistan). Students from AP US History, US History, English IV, and War in Literature classes asked the panel questions and learned of their personal experiences.
This year’s commemoration was different from our typical program, but we believe we were able to honor our local heroes while being mindful of social distancing and indoor masking requirements. Thank you to all who participated and organized this wonderful community event.
TEAPOT PROJECT
Students in the ceramics class recently completed the construction of soft-slab teapots, which required them to use numerous techniques learned over the course of the semester. The teapot design includes a pulled handle, spout, and lid. This was a challenging project but the resulting decorative pots were worth the effort! Pictured from lest to right are Kyle Gundelach, Keely Heuser, Anastasia Guzman, Andrea Perez, Meredith Angelo, Kylie Miller, and Nathan Evans
MENTAL HEALTH IS HEALTH!
Mr. Robinson teaches our student body how to respond to stressors rationally.
FIT FOR LIFE GOES BOWLING!
The Collision Repair class received a donation of new uniforms from Advisory Committee member Bruce Daufenbach and from Royal Coach Ltd. Thank you for your generosity!
SIMONINI RECEIVES DAR GOOD CITIZEN AWARD
Isabella Simonini has been selected as the MCHS recipient of the DAR Good Citizen Award. The Kishwaukee Trail Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution sponsors this program and scholarship contest.
The initial requirements for nomination include dependability, service. leadership and patriotism. Isabella demonstrates all of these attributes through her participation in a variety of MCHS activities: Varsity Volleyball player and team captain, Freshman Mentor, National Honor Society, and Class of 2022 Secretary. Isabella also provides homework help as part of her child care job and as a stand-alone activity. Overall, Isabella has developed many attributes that single her out as a role model and a fantastic representative of Marengo Community High School. Best of luck in your future endeavors!
ILLINOIS STATE SCHOLARS
The State Scholar Program recognizes students for outstanding academic achievement. State scholar designation provides honorary recognition to those students who have achieved academic excellence, and only the top ten percent of graduates from approved high schools are announced as State Scholars each year. These are students who perform in the top one-half of their high school class at the end of the seventh semester prior to graduation, and score in the 95th percentile on the SAT. A recognition event is being planned.
NHS TRICK OR TREATS FOR CANNED GOODS
NHS Students participated in Trick or Treating for Canned Goods for the MORE Center this Halloween and collected 1,083 pounds of food, which was a record for any group who has donated to MORE. Way to go, NHS!
Back Row L to R: Jordan Brogdon, Abby Rohe; Front Row L to R: Zanfina Ljumani, Maddie Morse
L to R: Mia Lulinski, Gianna Almeida, Addie Johnson
Nathan Kagan
L to R: Abby Rohe, Zanfina Ljumani, Jordan Brogdon, Maddie Morse
GUIDANCE NEWS
College bound student athletes:
College bound student athletes must register with NCAA as soon as possible, preferably sophomore year. Students interested in NAIA college athletics register as soon as possible as well. The information can also be found on the MCHS Guidance website under College Athletic Eligibility.
Course Selection 2022-2023:
The curriculum guide is available on our school website.
Class of 2023 and 2024-Turned in course selection sheets in November.
CLASS OF 2025 -Will receive course selection sheets on 11/29; these will be collected 12/2-6.
Class of 2026 (Current eighth grade students) will receive registration packets at Freshman Orientation Night on February 9th. Course selection sheets will be collected at their respective schools the following week.
PSAT/NMSQT
If you took the PSAT/NMSQT, mark your calendar for Score Week! Students can get 2021 PSAT/NMSQT scores on December 7, 2021. They then need to create a College Board account in order to see the scores. This link leads to a page with a helpful video on getting scores. You may also link your College Board account with your Khan Academy account to share the test score data in order to create a personalized (and free) SAT study for the April 13th assessment. Questions? Reach out to your student's counselor.
Seniors: Illinois State Graduation Requirement: Public Act 101-0180 requires that, beginning with the 2020-21 school year, the parent or guardian of each student must (1) file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or an application for state financial aid, or (2) file a waiver form with the school district indicating that the parent or guardian understands what FAFSA and application for state financial aid are and has chosen not to file an application. These same requirements also apply to any student who is at least 18 years old or legally emancipated. They are a prerequisite for a student receiving a diploma from a public high school and are in addition to any other graduation requirements. If choosing to file a waiver of this requirement, students and families must file the following form with the school district (Waiver Form).
Juniors: Please join the Class of 2023 remind group. You will get important reminders from counselors on SAT testing, college visits and fairs, trade schools, scholarships, and graduation information. You can click the link above or text @marengo23 to the number 81010. ALL Juniors should join.
Scholarships are being added to the Scholarship page on the MCHS Guidance Office page.
Please visit the MCHS Guidance Office site on our school’s webpage to locate all scholarships.
ATHLETIC NEWS
WINTER SPORTS UNDERWAY
We are off to an excellent start for our winter season. Basketball, bowling, cheer, and wrestling are all underway with many home contests in December. Our EC Nichols Basketball Tournament will be held December 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. Brackets will be posted in mid-December!
2021 FOOTBALL SEASON
Congratulations goes out to the Marengo Varsity football team, who qualified again for the IHSA class 4A playoffs. The team finished 3rd overall in KRC conference play, and ended the season with a record of 5-5. Junior quarterback Josh Holst had several standout performances in 2021. Josh threw for just under 1,979 yards and 20 TDs. Holst also set a new school record for pass completions in a game with 24 vs. Johnsburg, and was named to the IHSA class 4A All State Team for the 2021 season. Other standout performances include Collin Aubry's school record tying 11 receptions vs Johnsburg and Dylan Stolz 1,089 rushing yards on the season. Finally, three Indians have earned All State Academic performances in 2021: junior Hunter Smith, senior Collin Aubry, and junior Josh Holst.
VOLLEYBALL 2021
Congratulations to the Marengo Varsity Volleyball team on a great season! The team finished 5th in the KRC conference, and ended the season in the Regional Semifinals after a win in the Regional Quarterfinals. Congrats to senior right side hitter Isabella Simonini and Junior setter Addie Johnson on receiving 2021 KRC All-Conference selections. Simonini finished this year with 39 kills, 21 blocks, and 31 digs . Addie Johnson completed her first year in Varsity volleyball with 218 assists, 98 digs, and 10 aces. Two other standouts included Mia Lulinski and Abby Rohe, both Middle Hitters. Mia finished this season with 53 kills and 31 blocks for Marengo, while Abby added another 48 kills, 15 blocks, and 25 digs.
Marengo Volleyball was very lucky to include six seniors this year, Karli Adamson, Samantha Gustafson, Courtney Jasinski, Abby Rohe, Bella Simonini, and Beth Webster. We wish you nothing but the best as you continue into the world, we are so proud of you!