MCHS Newsletter
March, 2024
MID-SEMESTER PROGRESS REPORTS
Mid-semester Progress Reports will be available on March 11, 2024. To check your student’s mid-semester progress grades, log in to your parent portal, click on Documents, and then Mid-semester Progress Report – March.
MCHS DRIVER'S EDUCATION: BEHIND-THE-WHEEL
There will be an informational meeting in the auditorium on Monday, March 4th for all students who wish to sign up for summer behind-the-wheel. This meeting will take place during the Advisory period and will be attended by all Freshman classes. All other students who wish to attend may do so. Please direct all questions to our Driver's Ed teacher, Bob Fecarotta, fecarottab@mchs154.org - 815-568-6511 extension 2406.
PROM GUIDELINES
Prom is scheduled for April 20, 2024. Please remember there are academic and behavioral expectations associated with attending all high school dances. Students must:
- Be passing at least 5 classes
- Have no more than 2 days of ISS per semester
- Have no more than one SCAP per semester
- Have no days of OSS
This eligibility criteria regarding the 2024 Prom will be reviewed with students in February. If you are academically at-risk or unsure if you have met the criteria, it is recommended you delay purchasing dress attire and tickets until such time that you are approved. More information regarding 2024 Prom will be released at the end of February. Disciplinary consequences from previous disciplinary action(s) must be served before purchasing a ticket; the final day to serve consequences is April 11th. Any questions, comments, or appeals should be directed to administration as soon as possible.
ACES PLACE 2ND AT REGIONALS
SCHOLASTIC BOWL 2024
The Varsity Scholastic Bowl team placed 3rd at the Masonic Academic Bowl Tournament. Afterward, they celebrated by using the Lino's pizza party they won earlier this year while competing in the Bergstrom Stateline Quiz Bowl.
JANUARY STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
The PRIDE committee of Marengo Community High School recognized ten students selected by the faculty as “January Student Spotlight Students.” This month’s theme was School Spirit, so the students were nominated for showing school spirit in many ways. These students are showcased in the image below, along with their names. Each student received their favorite snacks, as well as a certificate of appreciation.
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Little Shop of Horrors is a delectable sci-fi horror musical with an electrifying 1960s pop/rock score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.
Seymour Krelborn is a meek and dejected assistant at a floral shop who happens upon a strange plant, which he affectionately names “Audrey II” after his crush at the shop. Little does he know that this strange and unusual plant will develop a soulful R&B voice, a potty mouth, and an unquenchable thirst for HUMAN BLOOD.
As Audrey II grows bigger and meaner, the carnivorous plant promises limitless fame and fortune to Seymour, as long as he continues providing a fresh supply of blood. Just when it’s too late, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s extra-terrestrial origins and his true drive for world-domination.
FFA NEWS
On February 15th, people who qualified to interview their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) went to Kaneland and competed against other FFA students within the section trying to advance into district. Marengo had 16 students compete at section proficiency. Congratulations to the following who advanced!
-Kyle Bauman (Ag Mechanics - Repair and Main. E)
-Carter Campbell (Ag Communications)
-Morgan Cetera (Fruit and Nut Production)
-Gabby Christopher (Ag Services)
-Sean Ettner (Diversified Crop Placement)
-Sean Ettner (Fiber/Oil Crop Placement)
-Sean Ettner (Grain Placement)
-Noah Evans (Equine Placement)
-Lilli Ghastin (Ag Processing)
-Brooke Glander (Sheep Production)
-Ella Logue (Dairy Placement)
STUDENT SERVICES NEWS
State testing:
College Board Assessments will be administered this spring on April 10th. Freshmen will take the PSAT 8/9. Sophomores the PSAT 10. Juniors the SAT with Essay. Students can prepare by taking practice tests through the Bluebook testing app, which is available through their chromebooks. At the end of a practice exam, students will get feedback on what they got wrong, as well as a link to Khan Academy for further understanding. See SAT & PSAT Practice and Preparation for step by step instructions. You can also find more information at Digital SAT Suite of Assessments - - SAT Practice and Preparation.
Juniors students will be taking the Illinois Science Assessment this March. The Illinois Science Assessment assesses progress of students in grades 5, 8, and 11 in meeting the Illinois Learning Standards in Science incorporating the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Seniors- Remember many scholarship dates are coming up. Please check the Scholarship postings on the Student Services page of our website regularly as new ones are added daily. They are also sent out via Remind. Class of 2024 sign up by texting @marengo24 to the number 81010.
MCC scholarship deadline is April 3, 2024. Apply online at www.mchenry.edu/scholarships for Fall 2024. If you have questions call 815-455-8721.
Additional Scholarships
Woodstock Fine Arts Scholarship - Helen Wright Scholarship 2024
Township Officials of Illinois Scholarship
Kathryn G. Hansen Scholarship (U of I - business field)
2024 Illinois Chemical Education Foundation - Lupita Turriff Hispanic Student Scholarship
2024 Illinois Chemical Education Foundation Ecolab High School Senior Scholarship
2024 Illinois Chemical Education Foundation High School Senior Scholarship
McHenry County Juvenile Officer's Association Scholarship
The Community Foundation for McHenry County - Multiple scholarships available
McHenry County Retired Teachers Association 2023 Scholarship
Marengo FFA Alumni Scholarship
Meet MCC is March 20th from 5:30-7:30pm, McHenry County College’s biggest Open House of the year. Registration is not required; learn more here. During Meet MCC, McHenry County College will be on full display. In our Exhibition Hall, meet with faculty and staff from all academic and student services departments. Get hands-on with new technologies, such as robotic arms and welding simulators, to learn about our soon-to-open Foglia Center for Advanced Technology & Innovation CATI Building and its programs. Learn about the University Center at MCC where students can earn bachelors and master’s degrees from partner universities at a new MCC location. Attendees may complete a free MCC application, start the MCC Scholarship, and work on the FAFSA with alongside the Financial Aid Office. Visit the MCC Planetarium and all the lab sciences in the Liebman Science Center. Enjoy treats from current Culinary & Baking students. Join us; all are welcome!
What’s new at MCC:
· Read more about the Foglia Center for Advanced Technology & Innovation CATI Building
· Read more about the University Center at McHenry County College
Summer 2024 Rotational Internships are available through the Manufacturing Pathways Consortium, sponsored by McHenry County College. These are 10-week paid internships with local manufacturers, working 5 weeks at each company. Students are paid $16 per hour and will work 29 hours per week. Students must be 16-18 years old and residents of McHenry County. They will try to place students locally with companies in close proximity. Applications are open and have a deadline of March 22, 2024. For more information contact mfgpathways@gmail.com or 815-479-7751.
TIPS TO PREVENT UNDERAGE DRINKING/DRUG USE DURING SPRING BREAK!
March is here and in just a few weeks Spring Break 2024 will be too! This time for most teens and parents is a welcome break increasing relaxation and time spent with family and friends. It can also be a time that can lend to decreased supervision and lenient rules, both of which can increase alcohol and other drug experimentation and use along with other risky behaviors.
It is reported by the Office of National Drug Control Policy that one in seven high school students under the age of 18 take unsupervised trips during Spring Break. However, it is not just the teens that take unsupervised trips that are at risk. At home, unsupervised teens whose parents are working, are also at risk.
Knowing the top reasons teens report trying alcohol and other drugs (other people, boredom, stress, popular media, escape and self-medication, rebellion, instant gratification, a lack of self-confidence, and misinformation) can help guide us when we consider what we can do to prevent use. It is our responsibility as parents and other caring adults to understand the importance of keeping our teens safe during a week when they are at a higher risk to experiment with alcohol and/or other drugs and engage in other risky behaviors.
Following are tips to prevent underage drinking and other drug use during Spring Break:
1. Don’t allow your teen to go on an unsupervised trip-The part of the brain that says “Hold on, stop! This is not a good idea” is not fully developed until 22-25 years old. Teens tend to make choices based on emotion (if it sounds fun then let’s do it) instead of fully thinking it through (it sounds fun but I do not want to because I could get sick, get in trouble, make an unsafe choice while under the influence, etc.). Therefore, even with the best intentions, many teens can still fall into risky behaviors. In addition, teens often report making choices while under the influence of alcohol and other drugs that they wouldn’t make if sober (sexual promiscuity, experimentation with another substance, etc.).
2. Have clear expectations about alcohol and other drug use and talk with your teen-Be clear about your expectations related to alcohol and other drug use. Address the behavior, not your teen (i.e. “In this family, there is a zero-tolerance policy against underage drinking and other drug use, and these are the consequences for breaking the rules). Talk to your teen about not using. Over 4,600 McHenry County 10th and 12th graders completed the 2018 Illinois Youth Survey. Of those surveyed, 44% of 10th graders and 60% of 12th graders report using alcohol and/or other drugs in the past year. In addition, 60% of 10th graders and 51% of 12th grades said their parents talked with them in the past year about not using alcohol and/or other drugs. Many parents think their teens do not listen to them, yet parental disapproval is still the number one reason teens choose not to drink alcohol and/or use other drugs.
3. Explain the risks-Talk to your teens about the risks of underage drinking and/or other drug use, including poor judgement, loss of balance and coordination, alcohol poisoning/other drug overdose, violence, STD’s, teen pregnancy, increased risk of physical and sexual assault, and legal consequences, as well as death.
4. Help your teen(s) prepare-As children we learned “practice makes perfect.” Role play through peer pressure scenarios and let your teens practice different ways to say no and walk away. It is important for them to feel confident in their answers. It’s not enough to know how to get out of a situation, it helps to practice getting out of it too. If your teen goes on a trip, talk to them about using the “buddy” system. Three or more are recommended. Never go anywhere alone, for any reason.
5. Maintain communication and double check things-Whether your teen(s) is at home or on a trip, always check where they’re going, what they will be doing, and who they’re going to be with. Make an agreement that your teen will always have a fully charged phone with them that is always on. Send quick text messages that remind them you are there if they need you and that you trust their judgement.
Know your teens friends and network with their friends’ parents. Make sure they also have a zero-tolerance policy against underage drinking and other drug use. According to the 2018 Illinois Youth Survey, McHenry County data, 27% of 10th graders and 31% of 12th graders report obtaining alcohol and/or other drugs from an adult (other than their parents) WITH that adult’s permission.
6. Never provide alcohol and/or other drugs to minors and if you have them in your home, always lock them up-This applies to everyone, not just parents. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt, cousin, older sibling, family friend, or even a stranger, never provide alcohol and/or other drugs to minors and make sure you if have it in your home it is locked up. It may not be your teen, but rather your teen’s friend, that takes it. The 2018 Illinois Youth Survey, McHenry County data shows 13% of 10th graders and 10% of 12th graders reported obtaining alcohol and/or other drugs from an adult (other than their parents) WITHOUT that adult’s permission.
Some adults choose to host parties at their private residences for minors because they believe it’s a safer environment. The dangers of underage drinking and/or drug use go beyond using and driving. Putting alcohol and/or other drugs into a brain that is not fully developed has its own set of risks and consequences. These include impaired brain functioning and development, increased risk of addiction, increased risky sexual behaviors, alcohol poisoning/drug overdose, death and more.
Spring Break 2024 is approaching fast; choose a plan to help keep your teen(s) safe! For more information, tips, and ways to talk with your teen, please visit www.drugfree.org.
Dawn Schoen, Alcohol and Drug Counselor contracted with District 154, is available to students, parents and staff and can be reached at 224.241.2192 or dawn@partneringforprevention.net. To talk with Dawn or to make a referral for your teen to be seen please contact a school counselor, a building administrator, or Dawn Schoen herself.
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, 2024. 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
Spring Sports are here! MCHS offers the following spring sports: Baseball, Softball, Boys Track & Field, Girls Track & Field, Girls Soccer and Boys Tennis.
Here are some upcoming dates of important information:
March 8th: Spring Sports Picture Dates
March 12th: Baseball Home Opener vs. Round Lake
March 13th: Softball Home Opener vs. Genoa Kingston
March 13th: Girls Soccer Home Opener vs. Genoa Kingston
March 19th: Boys Tennis Home Opener vs. Elgin
April 13th: Boys and Girls Track & Field Ed Reeves Invite
Weather always plays a huge role in scheduling for spring sports. The most up to date schedules can be found on the MCHS athletic website at https://schools.snap.app/Marengo. Some games will be canceled and not be made up and some others will be rescheduled. Coaches shall be communicating with their teams of schedule changes. All changes in schedule will be reflected the website.
New this spring… Intramural Volleyball. MCHS will be offering intramural volleyball this spring. Intramural volleyball will be open to all students and we will have an informational meeting in March to discuss all the details with the students that are interested. Dates/Times will be two days a week in the evening (6:00 - 8:30 p.m.) for five weeks starting the first week of April. If you have any questions regarding intramural volleyball, please contact the athletic director.
Our athletic director, Dwain Nance, can be reached at (815) 568 - 6511 ext. 1612 or nanced@mchs154.org. Lisa Ackley, athletic department administrative assistant, can be reached at (815) 568 - 6511 ext. 1602 or ackleyl@mchs154.org.