News

Mundelein's shared services model helps save on administrative costs

Jun 23, 2025

The shared services model used by Mundelein School Districts 75 and 120 has proven beneficial in many ways. It provides continuity and collaboration among staff from both districts, efficiencies in materials, supplies and skilled labor, and cost savings in administrative compensation.

Hispanic Nursing Association provides service to D75 Latino families

Slipping on a child-size hospital gown and wrapping a small toy stethoscope around his neck, the boy inspected his new look. He also wore a clipped-on medical ID card complete with his name and picture. Suddenly, the elementary student looked like a medical professional. It was all part of a special program bringing District 75 Latino families together for a series of four educational events in April hosted by the Illinois Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN).

D75 puts focus on math; chooses Eureka Squared

Jun 17, 2025

Beginning in the fall, students at Washington and Mechanics Grove will begin using a new math resource, the culmination of a two-year process that is expected to improve math growth throughout the school district. Just like with District 75’s previous focus on literacy, which began five years ago, the keys to improving the math program include professional development of the teaching staff and having all K-5 staff coming together to improve student learning.

MG Principal receives State Board of Education award

Apr 16, 2025

On the night of the fourth-grade concert at Mechanics Grove Elementary School, music teacher Ashley Oropeza announced that students played a big part in planning the evening’s performance. It was no surprise to the parents; students at MG regularly take leadership roles in school events. It’s part of a philosophy shared by Principal Tanya Fergus, who has helped to grow and develop the “Leader in Me” program at the school.

Mundelein school boards name next superintendent

Feb 19, 2025

School Boards from both Mundelein School Districts 75 and 120 on Tuesday named Dr. Corey Tafoya as the next superintendent to lead within its shared services model. Tafoya, currently the Superintendent of Harvard Community Unit School District 50, will take over the leadership of retiring Mundelein Superintendent Dr. Kevin Myers beginning on July 1.

School spirit wins at MG's Spelling Bee

Jan 17, 2025

On their way to the gymnasium for the Mechanic’s Grove Spelling Bee on Jan. 14, a group of third graders were asked if they were participating in the event. “Yes, we are,” one answered. “We’re just not spelling.” While just 28 of MG’s 486 students competed in the Bee, all the students played a role in helping turn the traditional event into a spirited contest with an exciting finish.

Young cancer patient trades balloon art for smiles

Nov 15, 2024

There’s nothing that 12-year-old Misheel enjoys more than seeing other people smile. It makes her smile - and giggle. So when she found herself battling cancer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the seventh-grader from Springman Middle School in Glenview began making balloon art for others. Misheel told her story to students at Mechanics Grove School Friday morning as a special guest of Principal Tanya Fergus.

First-time apple event both healthy and fun

Oct 18, 2024

Mechanics Grove students voted with their teeth when it came time to choose their favorite tasting apples. The choices were simple: green or red. The tasting was part of the Illinois Great Apple Crunch, an initiative of the Illinois Farm to School Network, brought to District 75 schools in October by the D75 Wellness Committee with support from the D75 PTO. The D75 Wellness Committee purchased local apples for the event from Goebbert's Farm & Garden Center.

MHS senior creates backdrop for middle school musical

Jan 31, 2024

When Carl Sandburg Band Director Moulee Gupta was searching for a backdrop for the school’s annual musical, “Descendants,” she hoped to find something special to match the enthusiasm her students were putting into the show. “It was just about finding the right people to make the magic come alive,” she said.

High School Spanish students visit elementary dual language classroom

A few years ago, when David Martinez Sanchez was a student at Mechanics Grove, he remembers being nervous when high school students visited as part of a Spanish Pen Pal program. On Wednesday, the Mundelein High School sophomore was back at MG, this time to visit his fifth-grade pen pal.

Author's message of kindness helps turn D75 readers into empathetic writers

In a special visit to District 75, Children’s author Trudy Ludwig used her book, “The Invisible Boy,” to inspire elementary students to be kind, inclusive and accepting. Then she invited middle school students to continue spreading her message by creating their own picture books.

D75 libraries work together to update book collection

School libraries these days, often called multimedia centers, and are equipped with computers, video screens, art supplies and games. But amidst all the new gadgets and high-tech equipment are books. Shelves and shelves of books.

Jill Unger, Ryan Zak and Dr. Laura Ascenzi Moreno pose near a stack of books.

Bringing a new mindset to assessing dual language students

A teacher slowly crouches next to a young student who just finished reading a short book. The student’s home language is Spanish and he’s just beginning to read English text. The teacher asks, in English, what the book is about. The child looks up, hesitates and tries to find the right words to describe what he has just read. But he struggles to explain what he’s thinking. Gently, she asks him to answer in Spanish. His answer is short, but telling.