January 2015
Volume 13 Issue 5
The Voice
A Mt. Carmel High School Publication
Eighth Grade Tours
All eighth grades students from Allendale, Mount Carmel Middle and St.
Mary’s Schools have been invited to tour and sample the courses at Mount
Carmel High School (MCHS) on January 21st. This year MCHS students
will be presenting projects, presentations, experiments and other instruction to the 8th grade students as they tour the school led by MCHS students
in very small groups. Each department at MCHS has the responsibility to highlight their curriculum. Any parent
interested is also invited to attend and view the presentations. Any parent who does want to attend please notify the
main office at MCHS, 262-5104 and speak with Lisa Dillard. At the end of the day MCHS Food Occupation Class will
have a meal for all 8th grade students, presenters and others.
Mr. Pat Cheesman
Principal
PARCC
The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) is the new computer based testing for
students throughout the State. At Mount Carmel High School the following students will be testing all English 3 and
all Algebra 2 and Algebra 2a on March 16th through the 20th and then again on May 4th through the 8th. It will be assessed in English Language Arts and mathematics, regardless of grade level. MCHS will begin practice assessments
in these subjects during class time over the next few months. This assessment is a computer based test with attached
calculator and several other tools necessary for the students.
PARCC replaces the ISAT and PSAE assessments in Illinois. The new assessment adds new
elements to the old multiple choice format and allows for a better measure of students’ skills and abilities. Using technology enhanced items and various other innovations, students will get the chance to better showcase their skills. The
results will provide teachers, schools, students, and parents with more accurate information on whether students are
on track for college and careers.
ACT
Juniors will be given the ACT on March 3rd and WorkKeys on March 4th during the morning on both days at Mount
Carmel High School. Seniors who have not taken the PSAE (combination of the ACT/WorkKeys) will not be required to take the test for graduation. This assessment is only offered to juniors. There is no cost to the student.
Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) Course
Mr. Pat Cheesman
Principal
[email protected]
201 Pear Street
Mt. Carmel, IL 62863
(618) 262-5104
www.mchs.wabash348.com
Mr. Michael Brewer
Assistant Principal
[email protected]
January 2015
Volume 13 Issue 5
This course is open to both Juniors and Seniors, it is taught off campus at surrounding area businesses and offers
dual credit through Wabash Valley College. Students are given opportunities to create, market and manage a group
project and individual business projects. Interested students must complete an application, have three references
and return their transcript.
Health Care Occupations Course
This course is for Seniors only, who are interested in a career in the health care field. Th eral Hospital and Wabash
Valley College be ginning at 7:30 am until 9 am. Students inte rested must complete an application, references and
transcript before a selection committee determines the students selected to complete an interview process. There is
a limit to the number of students selected for this course due to the ratio of students to instructor for the Certified
Nurse Assistant (CNA) portion of the course.
Advanced Metal Manufacturing
This course is for Juniors and Seniors, who are interested in a career in metal manufacturing, industrial electricity,
blue print reading, computer aided drafting, and practical welding. This course is off campus at the Advanced Manufacturing Building of Wabash Valley College beginning at 7:30 am until 9 am. Students interested must complete an
application, references and transcript before a selection committee determines the students selected to complete an
interview process.
Project Lead the Way Courses- STEM
The importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is causing a buzz in education. But
it is not only in education that notice is being taken. Corporations are saying “This is really important to us and
to our workforce of the future. We need students with those skills therefore we are willing to invest money in getting STEM teachers trained to be proficient, as well as bringing teachers in from the industry to teach STEM in the
schools,” says Jenny House, COE and founder of Red Rock Reports, an education funding consulting group. Business partnerships want to ensure that today’s teachers get high quality professional development to help students
reach a deep understanding and for teachers to find useful application methods of engaging work in STEM classes.
Five major public-private partnerships have formed to harness the power of media, community volunteers, and interactive games to reach millions of students over the next four years as part of the Obama administration’s STEM
campaign, “Educate to Innovate”. This move is to shift American students from the middle of the road to the top
within this decade by focusing on STEM literacy to improve critical thinking for all and to create STEM career opportunities for all students. The issue is not preparing students for STEM futures but inspiring those most qualified
to take interest in these fields. There is a whole heart-hearted push toward expanding STEM programs and encouraging students to achieve their highest potential!
Mount Carmel High School (MCHS) has introduced two courses in STEM this school year. They are sponsored by
Illinois Project Lead the Way (PLTW). We offer Bio-medical Sciences and Introduction to Engineering & Design.
January 2015
Volume 13 Issue 5
These two classes are based upon a hands-on, real-world problem solving approach to learning. The students develop
organizational, critical-thinking, and problem solving skills. Corporations like Intel, Lockheed Martin, and Pixar
have sponsored teacher trainings to incorporate STEM curriculum. The framework of this curriculum consists of
scientific and engineering practices, with crosscutting concepts, such as cause and effect: mechanism and explanation and disciplinary scientific core ideas that include guidance on how and when they should be developed. This
framework is designed to engage students and ensure they build on prior knowledge and experience throughout their
school careers. We will continue to integrate and incorporate STEM programs into our core curriculum. MCHS will
expand its STEM offerings next year to include the Principals of Engineering and Human Body Systems.
Incoming freshmen from the Class of 2019 will be encouraged to register for one of these pathways. Students are
required to be enrolled in both a science and a mathematics course to be involved in STEM curriculum. Parents who
want more information please check out the MCHS website or contact Pat Cheesman. These pathways are designed
as a four year track for our students. Freshmen begin registration for High School classes in February 2015.
Welcome back! After a brief delay, we are ready to begin the second semester of our school year. As the second semester begins, students get a fresh
start with their grades, tardies, truants, etc. This is a great opportunity for
Mr. Michael Brewer
students to stay ahead of some these issues; keeping up with homework and
Assistant Principal
grades is critical for student success. There are several students who have a
tendency to procrastinate when it comes to completing homework assignments. This is an ideal time to establish new habits and get work turned in
on time or even early. Parents/guardians, please talk to your student about using Lumen to keep track of grades and assignments online. There is a parent portal available that allows you to track your students’ grades and homework; if you
have questions about the Lumen parent portal, please contact the high school.
Attendance will also be a key to your students’ success during this second semester. As winter sets in, students will get sick
and not be able to make it to school; if your student is going to be absent from school, please call the office (262-5104). Any
student who is absent and has not received a phone call will receive a truant absence, which will result in the student being
assigned AER, out of school suspension, and removal from classes. If the student receives a phone call, they will receive a
verified absence and no immediate consequences will be given. If your student sees a doctor or attends a funeral, please
send them to school with documentation, and they will be excused. I hope everyone is excited and ready for a fresh start
to the second semester!
January 2015
Volume 13 Issue 5
Mrs. Karen Stansberry
Art Instructor
Four MCHS students will have a total of 20 pieces exhibited in the 41st
Annual Scholastics Arts Regional Competition at Cedarhurst Art Museum in Mt. Vernon, IL. The show is part of a nationwide talent search for
student visual artists and writers sponsored by Scholastic Arts with many
winning major scholarships awarded to some of the top arts schools in
the country.
Lacy’s collection of self portraits entitled “Life Inside Bipolar Disorder”
was awarded the top prize, a $2,000 scholarship to be used her freshman year
in college. It was also awarded a Gold Key and is in the running for national
awards. Her second portfolio of still life drawings “Observational Studies” was
awarded a Silver Key. A colored pencil still life “Jeune” won an individual Gold
Key from that portfolio.
Senior Chelsea Gunzel won an honorable mention for her painting “Bashful Lulu.”
Senior Elise Thomason had two pieces accepted, a pencil drawing
entitle entitled “Jars” and a mono-print “Soft Beast”. Both received
honorable mentions.
Tegan Henne, a sophomore, won a Silver Key for her scratchboard “Hopelessly Exhilarating”.
Fifteen schools from Southern Illinois participated in the juried exhibition. Five hundred and sixty-two individual works and 21 individual portfolios were entered with 193 individual works and six portfolios chosen. Only two gold and one silver portfolios were chosen.
(Lacy had one each.) All Gold Key winners will advance to the national competition in New
York.
The exhibition will open with a reception on Saturday, January 17 and remain at Cedarhurst until the closing
ceremony on Sunday, February 15 at 3:00 p.m.