MCHS Newsletter
March, 2021
CALENDAR UPDATES
MARCH
Please be reminded that Friday, March 12th is a Remote Planning day for MCHS staff. Students will not be in attendance and will not be expected to log in to classes remotely.
APRIL
On Tuesday, April 13th, ALL Juniors are required to attend in person to take the SAT test, which is a state-mandated graduation requirement. Freshmen, Sophomores and Seniors will have asynchronous remote instruction on this day.
Wednesday, April 14th is in person attendance days for students in the A and D cohorts. Synchronous remote attendance is required for B and C students.
On Thursday, April 15th, ALL Freshmen and Sophomores are required to attend in person to take the PSAT test, which is a state requirement. Juniors and Seniors will have asynchronous remote instruction on this day.
Click here for an updated calendar.
SAT TEST PREP
Juniors: A survey will be emailed to you every Wednesday to sign up for free SAT Test Prep classes. Classes are scheduled for 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, and 4/7 at either 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. There is a maximum seating capacity of 35, which means first come, first serve. If you'd like to sign up for the remaining five classes, please email Mrs. Seemann at seemannd@mchs154.org and she will reserve your spots ahead of time. If you have already informed Mrs. Seemann that you want to attend all the SAT Prep classes, please disregard the survey that you receive each Wednesday. You are already signed up so there is no need to complete the survey.
2021 NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLAR COMMENDED STUDENTS
Two Marengo Community High School seniors have been named Commended Students in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2021 competition for National Merit Scholarship award, these students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2021 completion by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/ NMSQT).
Dayla Villegas was awarded the Hispanic Scholar recognition. She is a senior who has participated in LAG, Math team, and Godspell (theater) while working. Her passion is music. When she was a child, Dayla would watch her grandfather play guitar at a variety of shows. She enjoys playing the guitar and teaching herself keyboards. Dayla’s future goals are to complete her associates degree at McHenry County College before transferring to complete her bachelor degree. She has a love of math and is exploring careers from computer programming to actuarial science.
SKYLINE NEWSLETTER
The following “Newsletter” is written by Katelyn Shambo, along with co-writers Preston Bailey and Dylan Stolz, who are students in the Entrepreneurship Enterprise Class. Katelyn, Preston, and Dylan are in the Human Resources Department of Skyline, their virtual business.
Our mission at Skyline is making the best trampoline with originality, imagination, and innovation to help fuel the youths’ development of an appreciation for being outdoors.”
Employee of The Month
Connor Schroeder has been in charge of Skyline’s social media accounts and has helped connect us with many other businesses. Also, he consistently posts good content and is always coming up with new ideas to expand our platform. Congrats, Connor!
Get to know the members of Skyline
Owen Resenbeck - CMO
As Chief of Marketing, Owen holds a team of eight members, who “… are a bunch of fun people. Everyone likes to have a good time.” His personal mantra that he lives by is, “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” Owen expressed that there are some challenges he faces in the business world, one of which is getting everyone to do work or getting people to talk online. When Skyline has a meeting online, it is often hard to get people motivated to talk and interact with others. But he has learned to communicate with his co-workers and find fun ways to get them interested in their work with his friendly personality. He is known as one who likes to work out, and a personal goal he has is to reach 275lbs on bench. Although he likes to work out, he never lets it interfere with his business goals of connecting with other people through Skyline and building the brand. His advice: “Don’t take life too seriously. Enjoy every moment.”Marketing Team Spotlight
Chief = Owen Resenbeck
Members = Jonathan Gonzalez, Jennifer Heinberg, Zach Bittenbender, Mary Reed, Brant Lesher, William Fischer, Kendrick McCormick, and Tyler Nelsen
The marketing team is important because it reaches out to the public as the chief puts it, “to find the brand, know what the brand is about, and what leads to people purchasing the brand.” A glance of what they have accomplished is revising the Skyline Business Plan, social media outreach, and have joined meetings with other schools in the Virtual Enterprise world to advertise Skyline. During the interview, there were several employees and one after the other showed great respect and teamwork within the business.
What has Skyline accomplished this month
- One on One Sales with Skyline
- with Terra
- Fundraiser - Popcorn Sales
- W-2 Forms
- External Communications
WAR IN LITERATURE HOSTS GUEST SPEAKERS
The War in Literature classes have been lucky enough this semester to have three guest speakers, all military veterans. David Lutes, father of English teacher Lisa Lutes and Vietnam War veteran spoke to the classes first, sharing pictures and experiences of his time in the war, as well as what it was like to come home in turbulent times.
Finally, Roy Money, father of War in Literature student Stuart Money, discussed the military as a career and its impact on his and his family's lives. Mr. Money saw deployments in Afghanistan, Iraq and South Korea and worked in areas outside the front lines but no less important, in IT and radio communications.
We are honored that all of these men would take the time to talk to us about their service, and we thank them for all of it.
HOPE
Freshmen Mentors and their groups had a discussion about what hope means to them and then were asked to write about their hope for the world during coronavirus. These statements of "Hope" are displayed in Advisory classrooms.
MATH TEAM PLACES 4TH AT CONFERENCE MEET
Congratulations to the Math Team who competed virtually during the last week of January.
Individual Medal Winners:
Sarah Cederlund - 6th place Algebra 2
Aaron Moehrlin - 6th place Precalculus
Runner up: Dawson Ditzler - 7th place Algebra 2
Team Medal Winners:
Two-Person Fresh/Soph – 3rd Place: Mia Lulinsk and Zoe Whetham (Not Pictured)
Five-Person Calculator Team - 1st place: Aaron Moehrlin,Tom Lulinski, John Riedl, Mia Lulinski, and Emily White
Eight-Person Jr/Sr – 3rd place: Aaron Moehrlin, Tom Lulinski, Rebecca Millard, Alexa Stallings, John Riedl, Sarah Cederlund, Ryan Clark, and Nicholas Martin
FFA NEWS
On February 17th and 18th, Marengo had 15 students interview in their respective FFA Record Book Proficiency areas at the Section 6 contest. Those students were:
Fatimah Becovic - Nursery Management - Section Winner
Gretchen Casper - Poultry Production - Section Winner
Katy Cassan - Dairy Placement - Section Winner; STAR in Ag Placement
Jackie Euker - Equipe Placement - Section Winner
Ethan Gieseke - Ag Mechanics Repair and Maintenance - Section Runner Up
Hayden Gieseke - Swine Production
Nolan Hopper - Ag Processing - Section Winner
Justin Lechner - Ag Services and Turf Grass Management - Section Winner
Ashtyn Martin - Dairy Entrepreneurship - Section Runner Up
Glenda Mireles - Service Learning - Section Winner
Sam Montgomery - Beef Placement - Section Winner; Diversified Ag; Diversified Crop;
Fiber and Oil Crop Placement; Forage Placement; Grain Placement
Samantha Murray - Small Animal
Travis Quirk - Ag Mechanics Design and Fabrication - Section Winner
Connor Ray - Food Service - Section Winner
Katie Shambo - Ag Communications - Section Winner
The 11 Section Winners advance on to the District Contest in March.
Congratulations to Gretchen Casper, Katy Cassan, Nolan Hopper, Justin Lechner, Connor Ray and Katie Shambo on being recommended for the prestigious Illinois State FFA Degree! Degrees are awarded based on a member’s record keeping skills, knowledge shown during the interview, and leadership ability. ALSO, congratulations to Katy Cassan on being recommended as the section STAR in Ag Placement and to Connor Ray on being recommended as the section STAR in Agribusiness. Katy and Connor are advancing to the District II Contest for STARS. Pictured below are Katy Cassan and Connor Ray. Their masks are off as they were the only ones in the classroom.
FFA WEEK
The Marengo FFA Chapter recognizes February 21-27 as National FFA Week. FFA positively influences the young people of America by developing character and leadership skills and preparing members for successful careers and community service. Through agricultural science education and hands-on learning, students prepare for more than 300 career opportunities in the food, fiber and natural resources industries of agriculture. FFA today reaches out to all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands with over 600,000 members. FFA members celebrated with a Hay Bale Toss Challenge during lunch, Blue and Gold Challenge and a Staff Appreciation Breakfast.
SCHOLASTIC BOWL TEAMS UNDEFEATED
Having practiced virtually and in the hybrid setting several times a week since before Thanksgiving, the MCHS Scholastic Bowl team was very excited when they heard the season was going to happen – masks and all. After two weeks of conference play, facing Harvard, Johnsburg, and Richmond-Burton, both the Varsity and the Junior Varsity teams remain undefeated. With one more week of regular season play, Varsity Regionals on 3/8, and the KRC Tournament on 3/15 the teams are excited to be able to compete amid the global pandemic.
GUIDANCE NEWS
Junior SAT prep:
Utilize Khan Academy for personalized practice, anytime, anywhere for free. College Board (SAT) has given Khan Academy exclusive access and advice to build a personalized practice program for anyone to use.
COLLEGE READINESS WORKSHOP SERIES
FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND PARENTS
MCC is hosting a series of workshops to help you get the tools and knowledge you need to be confident about your college application and decision process! Through hands-on activities for students and families, we’ll create a dedicated space for parent questions and support. Workshop information will be available in both English and Spanish (Información en Inglés y Español).
Register once to attend all of the virtual workshops held Wednesdays, 6 to 7 p.m., March 3, 10, 17, 24
· March 3 – Researching Colleges and College Costs, Zoom
· March 10 – Tips and Tricks: College Applications and Personal Narratives, Zoom
· March 17 – Financial Aid Overview and Scholarships, Zoom
· March 24 – Meet MCC: Program Spotlight (formerly "MCC Night")
Register today! Or email Kristen Mueller or call (815) 479-7842 with questions.
Important Dates:
April 13th: Juniors: SAT
April 15th: Freshmen: PSAT 8/9; Sophomores: PSAT 10
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, 2020. 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
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.
ATHLETIC NEWS
2020-21 WINTER CHEER COMPETITION TEAM
(Masks are not worn while competing)
Pictured L to R Back: Rachel Gomez, Gracie Phillips, Alyssa Volkers, Faith Martynowicz,Becca Millard, Morgan Sebring, Karli Liebmann, Kailey Mazur
Middle: Cally Struck, Olivia Claussen, Ambria Baker, Maddy Halfacre, Sophya Anbar,
Ari Jean, Lilly Drolen
Front: Taylor McGibbon, Lilly Johnson, Rebekah Addis, Chloe Gochis
Not pictured is Makenna Schroeder
2020-2021 SENIORS
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?
Thank you to all the football parent volunteers who helped clear our practice and football fields. Volunteers included Brent Schroeder, Chet Morris, Chad Miller, Jay Pace, Randy Heinberg, and Ron Heinberg. Special thanks to Schroeder Asphalt Services, Bartman Farms, McGrath Auto Service, and Jay Pace Construction for donating equipment to help with this. Football practice begins March 3rd.
FOOTBALL, VOLLEYBALL, AND BOYS SOCCER SEASONS BEGIN SOON!
Football, Volleyball, and Boys Soccer seasons begin the first week of March. Soccer will begin practice March 1st, football will start practice March 3rd, and volleyball will begin March 8th. Players must be registered for their sport on marengo.8to18.com and have an updated physical to participate in practice.
First home games are as follows:
Soccer: Home vs Winnebago March 13th
Volleyball: Home @ Round Lake March 17th
Football: Home vs Johnsburg March 19th
As of the publication of this newsletter, the spectator limit is still capped at 50 people by the IDPH. More updates on ticket distribution will be communicated to families in the next few weeks.
2021 SPRING HOMECOMING!
Homecoming 2021 will be the week of March 15-19. We are centering this week of fun around the first scheduled home football game vs. Johnsburg. As part of the spirit week, students will be decorating the hallways leading up to the March 15th kick-off date. Throughout the week, students will have the chance to dress up to show school spirit. Since the theme is "Decade-Demic," Monday and Thursday, students will dress up based on their decade: Seniors (80's), Juniors (50's), Sophomores (70's), Freshmen (90's). On Tuesday and Friday, students can class-up their pandemic-wear by participating in Formalwear day: we will have photo opportunities for students to get the chance to wear their would-be Homecoming or Prom looks. Spirit Games will take place during advisory all week long and will include the annual tug-o-war competition and MCHS Class Family Feud. On March 19th, we will feature Friday Night: "Under the Gym Lights." We will have a socially distant student viewing party in the gym to watch and cheer on the football team. This will be a fun week for all!