MCHS Newsletter
May, 2023
END OF YEAR DATES
May 11th - Senior Honors Night
May 17th - Last day of senior student attendance
May 25th through 30th - Finals (exam bell schedule below)
May 30th - last day of student attendance
June 2nd – Graduation Practice
June 4th – Graduation
FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 25th Periods 0 - 3 & Make-ups
Zero Hour 7:00 - 7:45 a.m.
Period 1 7:50 - 9:05 a.m.
Period 2 9:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Period 3 10:40 - 11:55 a.m. (buses at 12:05 pm for students finished for the day)
Lunch 12:05 - 1:05 p.m. (please request a lunch if needed)
Make-ups 1:15 - 2:45 p.m. (buses at 2:55 pm; please request transportation if eligible)
Friday, May 26th Periods 4 - 7 & Make-ups
Period 4/5 7:50 - 9:05 a.m.
Period 6 9:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Period 7 10:40 - 11:55 a.m. (buses at 12:05 pm for students finished for the day)
Lunch 12:05 - 1:05 p.m. (please request a lunch if needed)
Make-ups 1:15 - 2:45 p.m. (buses at 2:55 pm; please request transportation if eligible)
Tuesday, May 30th Period 8 & Make-ups
Period 8 7:50 - 9:05 a.m. (buses at 9:10 am for students finished for the day)
Make-ups 9:15 - 10:50 a.m. (buses at 11:00 am; please request transportation if eligible)
Posting of sem grades 10:50 - 11:50 a.m.
Staff Lunch 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
SIP planning 1:00 - 3:15 p.m.
End-of-Course Assessment Guidelines for Students
- Students must arrive at school in time for their first exam for the day and are required to be in attendance for the period an exam is scheduled
- Students who have exam exemptions at the beginning or end of the day may arrive late or leave early based upon the bell schedule for the day, however, once on campus, they must stay until they have completed their last exam
- Students assigned to Assisted Study Hall or Resource Study Skills are required to attend class except during the 8th hour period
- Students may not leave an exam until the end of the exam period
- Students arriving after 7:50 am should enter the school by the commons
- There will be quiet study in the commons offered during the day
- Students who need to miss an exam must fill out a prearranged absence form and get administrative approval. This will include notifying teachers. Limited exceptions will be approved
- Buses will run at 12:05 pm on Finals Day 1 & 2 (or for extended time at 2:55 pm), and on Finals Day 3 at 9:10 am (or for extended time at 11:00 am)
- Students with pre-arranged absences will not be allowed to take final exams early unless specific arrangements have been approved by the Administration. Arrangements will be made for the student to complete those late May/early June unless specific circumstances were approved
- Students are not to be in the halls during exams. No hall passes will be issued
BOARD OF EDUCATION RECOGNIZES DAN KANE
At their regularly scheduled meeting on April 10, 2023, the Board of Education recognized Dan Kane for receiving the Outstanding Engagement Award from Class Link.
VEI TEAM COMPETES IN NATIONAL COMPETITION
Jonathan Snelgrove, Carter Heimsoth, and Omar Timoumi represented our VEI team in New York City to compete on the National Stage! Congratulations on all your accomplishments!
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
The PRIDE committee of Marengo Community High School recognized twenty-one students selected by the faculty as “February Students of the Month.” They were nominated for many reasons, including positive attitude, hard work, taking a leadership role, and willingness to go the extra mile. These students are: (left to right) Back row: Lydia Cieslak (sophomore), Samantha Tuohey (sophomore), Kayla Miller (freshman), Elayna Goode (sophomore), Hunter Amidon (senior), Dawson Brown (senior), Julian Vargas (sophomore), Natalia Rodriguez (junior) and Max Lozano (junior); Middle row: Anabel Gomez (freshman), Emily Rivas Gomez (sophomore), Zoe Whetham (senior), McKenna Varga (freshman) and Craig Grays (sophomore); Front row: Rowan Kunzer (freshman), Sakae Marquez (freshman) and Treah Donovan (freshman). Not pictured are: Abigail Burman (senior), Mikayla Heldt (sophomore), Daniel Kazmer (sophomore) and Kia Sterritt (junior). These students were treated to a pizza lunch provided by Joe’s Place restaurant.
2023 READING CLUB FIELD TRIP
Twelve members of the Reading Club visited the Marion E. Wade Center on April 21st. The Wade Center is a museum and archive for several authors, including C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. There are many artifacts originally owned by the authors, including Tolkien’s desk that he used when writing The Lord of the Rings, and the wardrobe from the home of C.S. Lewis that inspired him to use a wardrobe as a portal to Narnia.
The museum’s Reading Room contains all the books by all the authors, and many of the volumes are in a multitude of languages, since the popular books by Lewis and Tolkien have been translated in many languages. Other authors who were friends of C.S. Lewis are also included in the Wade Center, such as G.K. Chesterton and Dorothy L. Sayers. Students also had fun doing a scavenger hunt, finding art & mementos from all the authors.
The museum is located on the Wheaton College campus, and we all had plenty to eat for lunch at the China Buffet in Carol Stream after the museum visit. Reading Club members all enjoyed the presentation on the friendship between C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkein.
IDEA
Kyle Northcutt placed third in the state in 3D Architectural Modeling division of the Illinois Design Educators Association competition at Illinois State University on April 22, 2023. Congratulations, Kyle!
FFA NEWS
April 14th was the FFA drive your tractor to school day. Students in FFA participated in driving their old and modern farm equipment to school. Some students used their farm equipment and set up a demonstration to share with the Driver Ed classes. They shared a presentation to the classes and then brought them outside and showed how to share the road with farm equipment. The students got to sit in the tractors and cars to see the right distance when following farm equipment on the road. Watch the video here.
The students on livestock judging and horticulture teams are going to state Friday, April 20, 2023. The students on the AG mechanics team and parliamentary procedure are going to state on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
FFA PLANT SALE!
HOSA SPRING BLOOD DRIVE
Please CONSIDER giving the gift of LIFE by donating at HOSA's blood drive.
When: Wednesday, May 3rdth (2:00 pm - 6:30 pm)
Where: MCHS Commons Area
This drive is open to the PUBLIC. Click on the link below to register for a time slot.
https://donate.illinois.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/5604371
GUIDANCE NEWS
Seniors: Did you receive a scholarship or grant from the college you plan to attend in the fall?
Did you receive a scholarship from another organization? Have you enlisted in the military?
If the answer is “Yes” please provide copies of your award letter(s) to your counselor. Your award(s) will be listed (dollar amounts are kept confidential) in the graduation program and a grand total of funds awarded will be announced at graduation.
If you have enlisted, we will need a letter of confirmation from your recruiter. Students who enlist are awarded a red/white/blue cord to wear at graduation. Questions? Please reach out to your counselor.
Junior tips for College Planning: Any student planning on attending a post secondary school after high school must fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) form. This form will be available October 1st, 2023 for the 2024-25 school year and should be filled out as soon as possible thereafter. Parents and students will use their 2022 tax returns to complete this form. For more information, please visit the FAFSA website and/or contact your student's counselor.
Mrs. Olson (A-G) olsonm@mchs154.org
Mr. Rode (H-P) roden@mchs154.org
Mrs. Schultz (Q-Z) schultzn@mchs154.org
· Visit college campuses to find a good fit, learn about academics and admissions requirements. Colleges are doing Virtual Tours that will help during this time.
· Research financial aid options including scholarships and state aid.
· Sign up for a fall SAT (or register for the ACT).
· Create a list of schools or programs to explore. You are encouraged to begin applying to schools in August of your Senior year. Check each post-secondary school for application availability.
Freshman & Sophomore Tips for College Planning:
· Review your 4-year academic plan to make sure you have the correct classes for graduation, college admission, and to explore career options.
· Identify your interests in every area. Use your Xello account to redo your “About Me” section to identify career paths.
· Look at jobs, volunteer positions or summer camps to explore interests and gain skills.
· Tour local college campuses to learn about the wide variety of “fit”.
Summer Hours: A counselor will be available throughout the summer by appointment only. Please contact Mrs. Gorter at 815-568-6511 x1303 to set up a time.
SUMMER SCHOOL
MCHS is offering Summer School for credit recovery. The deadline to register is 4/28/23.
WHO: Students who failed a class 1st semester, are missing a credit from a prior year or have a low grade which can't be raised to passing in a 2nd semester class
COST: $100 fee per course
WHEN: Classes run for 15 days, Monday - Thursday (no classes on Fridays or Monday, June 19th due to the holiday) from 8:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on the following dates in June: 6/5, 6/6, 6/7, 6/8, 6/12, 6/13, 6/14, 6/15, 6/20, 6/21, 6/22, 6/26, 6/27, 6/28, 6/29
FORM: Please print and turn in the attached flyer to Mrs. Gorter in Guidance or pick up a form with her.
ADDITIONALLY: MAP is set up as an online/self-paced course where you attend classes in-person at MCHS from 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. for 15 days in June. If your student does not continue to progress academically during this upcoming semester and does not take advantage of our credit recovery summer school, s/he is at risk of being retained for the 2023-2024 academic year due to not earning the appropriate amount of credits. Additionally, per IHSA guidance, five academic classes must be passed at the end of each semester for a student to be eligible to participate in IHSA competitions (athletics, music, etc.) Students retained due to not passing the appropriate amount of credits will experience a loss of privileges which are based upon a student’s grade level assignment, including but not limited to: locker assignments, parking privileges, location of student photo in the yearbook, ability to attend Prom, etc. Finally, if you do not sign up for summer school, or do not successfully pass the class in summer MAP, you will have electives removed from your schedule and the required class(es) added back to your schedule for next year.
DUAL CREDIT CHANGES BEGINNING 2023-2024
If your student is enrolled in one of the classes listed below in the 2023-2024 school year, please read this Letter from The President of MCC for important information.
· CADD I, CADD II, 3D Modeling & Architectural Drafting
· Automotive Service Occupations
· Basic Nursing Assistant Training Program (BNAT)
· Fit for Life
· Floral Design I & II
· Introduction to Business or Entrepreneurship Enterprise I
· Speech
· Music Appreciation & Music Theory
FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE
Dental Examination Requirement
Current 9th grade students are required to provide proof of a dental examination performed by a licensed dentist by May 15, 2023. If you have not already submitted this, please provide the required documentation to our school nurse. School dental examinations must have been completed within the 18 months prior to May 15. Click here for a Dental Examination Form.
Meningococcal Vaccine Required
The Meningococcal vaccine is required for students entering 12th grade. The Illinois Department of Public Health is requiring that all student entering 12th grade show proof of two doses of meningococcal vaccine unless the first dose was administered after 16 years of age. In this case, only one dose is required.
Asthma Action Plan
A new policy was enacted in 2017 that states we must request an asthma action plan from parents of student who have asthma. This form must be completed by a physician and returned to the school nurse.
ATHLETICS
Congratulations to Alexa Calbow and Aubrie Ettner, who signed their letters of intent to continue their athletic and academic careers. Alexa will run track at North Central College, and Aubrie signed to play golf at Kishwaukee College. Best wishes to both these student athletes!
SENIOR ATHLETIC AWARDS
Our senior athletes were honored at a banquet on April 26, 2023.
Four-Year Three-Sport Athletes Left to Right: Joshua Holst, Michaela Almeida, Addie Johnson, Gianna Almeida, and Patrick Signore
All Academic Conference Honors: Gianna Almeida, Michaela Almeida, Wyatt Bergbreiter, Jordan Brogdon, Trevor Bruski, Madeline, Christopher, Aubrie Ettner, Noelle Haas, Carter Heimsoth, Joshua Holst, Addie Johnson, Nathan Kagan, Joseph Leibrandt, Mia Lulinski, Valeria Rivera, Patrick Signore, Kalee Skow, Hunter Smith, Jonathan Snelgrove, Eduardo Solis, Camden Weirich, Zoe Whetham, and Grace Wzientek
Athletes of the Year: Josh Holst and Michaela Almeida
CROSS COUNTRY CAMP
Attention runners in grades 5-12 next fall: join us at the first annual MCHS XC running camp! Meet future teammates, experience what a high school practice is like, listen to expert guest speakers & collegiate athletes...and most of all, kick off summer with some fun. Registration will open on 8 to 18 in May, and you can email Coach Hoff or Coach Moe for more info (addresses on pic!) "Running reminds you that even in your weakest moments...you are strong." High schoolers--this starts our summer training so put it on your calendars #XC23
MARENGO PARK DISTRICT
Click here to view all our summer offerings!