Mt. Carmel High School

Wabash CUSD #348 Press Release At 3:30 pm today, Governor Pritzker announced a directive that all public and private schools in the state of Illinois will be closed March 17th-30th. These closures are directly related to the concern over the COVID-19 virus. District #348 will follow this directive and remain closed until the 30th. The governor did stress he may continue closures. During this time, all District curricular and extracurricular activities will be cancelled. As more information and details emerge, it will be disseminated on the website www.Wabash348.com, District app and District Facebook page.

Effective March 13, 2020, all K-12 school districts in Wabash County are closing indefinitely due to concerns pertaining to COVID-19. Additionally, all extracurricular activities will be suspended. The closings come with a recommendation from the Wabash County Health Department and are designed to protect the community. To my knowledge, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county, but this precautionary move is designed to inhibit the spread of this virus. As of this time, there is no timetable to reopen the schools. However, it is the intention of the Districts to reopen as soon as possible. I will continue to communicate with the public via our website, app, and all calls. Chuck Bleyer, Ed.D. Superintendent

Two MCHS ACES (Academic Challenge for Engineering and Science) ACES members qualified for Sectional Competition at Eastern Illinois University, held on March 12. Gehrig Jones qualified in Biology & Mathematics. Max Zimmerman qualified in Engineering Graphics & English. Congratulations Gehrig and Max!! (photo courtesy of sponsor, David Foshee)

Due to the high number of cases this year of influenza A & B, strep throat, and potentially COVID-19, during the second semester the District will suspend all attendance requirements pertaining to semester finals and perfect attendance awards. This change in policy is in accordance with the recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control, the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health. The District does not want to promote or encourage students attending school while not feeling completely healthy. As for returning to school from illness, it is District policy that the student must be fever free for twenty-four hours without the use of fever reducing medication prior to returning. If you have any questions, please call your child’s school office.

Congratulations to Mr. Smith and Mrs. Geiling who both welcomed their newborn daughters Camille and Kinzley this weekend!! Both were born on March 6th at Deaconess Women's Hospital.

Cade Keepes, Senior at Mount Carmel High School, will sign a National Letter of Intent to wrestle for Missouri Baptist University. His signing will take place on Tuesday, March 10 at 4:45 pm in the Main Lobby at Mount Carmel High School. The community is invited to attend the signing.

Seniors: The Mt. Carmel Masonic Lodge #239 is sponsoring a scholarship for a Mt. Carmel senior Applications are available in the Guidance Office. Criteria: 1. Applicant must maintain at least a 2.8 on a 4.0 scale (a C average or better) 2. Submit application and essay by deadline 3. Applicant must be a MCHS graduating senior planning to attend WVC, FCC, LTC, or OCC. 4. The Scholarship is to be used for books, fees, or tuition. 5. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen. DEADLINE for scholarship application is Friday, April 3, 2020 by 3:00 p.m. Submit application and all supporting materials to the Guidance Office at MCHS. The Masonic Lodge award is based on financial need, academic performance, leadership potential, and community service. The funds will be submitted directly to the IECC School in the recipient’s name. Mrs. Regina Paddick MCHS Director of Guidance

MCHS Singing 7 performing at the home of Marilyn Kieffer for Reviewer's Matinee.

Brian Wright Memorial Scholarship An ongoing scholarship is awarded to honor the memory of Brian Wright who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his beloved country. The Brian Wright Memorial Scholarship is to be awarded to a graduate of MCHS. The criteria for the award include: • Proven citizenship qualities. The applicant must demonstrate participation in school, community and/or church activities that stress concern for others. • Good academic record. The applicant must exhibit consistent effort and good attitude. • Two recommendations from adults who are familiar with the academic and personal qualities of the student. Recommended, but not required: • Commitment to a military career, including National Guard, Reserves, or Regular Armed Forces participation. • Participation in a variety of sports, clubs, and/or organizations at MCHS. Leadership roles will be considered. Applications are available in the Guidance Office and must be returned to Mrs. Paddick by 3:00 p.m. April 24, 2020.

The Mount Carmel High School Boys Basketball team has advanced to the IHSA Sectional on Wednesday March 4th, 2020. Hamilton County High School will host the Sectional games, with the Mount Carmel and Murphysboro game beginning at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 4th. Mount Carmel High School has “General Admission” tickets for the game and will sell them on Monday, March 2nd, Tuesday, March 3rd, and Wednesday, March 4th from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. The tickets can be purchased in the MCHS Athletic Office located in the stage area of the gym. Tickets are $6.00 each.

The book store is going all out for FFA Week show your FFA pride there are various items for sale. Bandanas : Yellow, Blue and Camo $1 each and Blue and Gold Beads $1 for 2!

Seniors: Rotary International District 6510 Foundation 2020 Scholarship Application: The Rotary International District 6510 Scholarship will fund two scholarships to an accredited College or Trade school. Awards will be $2,500 each. Winners will be presented at the High School Senior event where Scholarships are awarded. Recipient will agree to have their award publicized throughout Rotary International District 6510. Eligibility: · Reside ibn Rotary District 6510 · B average GPA · Resume of Community Involvement and Volunteerism · Resume of School involvement – Service, Clubs, Athletics, etc. · Educational and Career Plan · Essay included on “Service Above Self”

Rotary Club of Mount Carmel, IL 2020 Scholarship: The scholarship is a onetime only contribution of $750 to assist with textbooks of Mt. Carmel graduating seniors who plan on attending a college/university. Two scholarship recipients will be chosen. Criteria: Leadership, Community Service, Academics, School Extracurricular activities, Preference given to Interact Students. Application must also be completed in full, including attachments listed and submitted to Mt. Carmel High School Guidance Department prior to the end of the regular school day on Friday April 24, 2020. Mrs. Regina Paddick MCHS Director of Guidance

Seniors: Wabash Area Development, Inc. (WADI), in coordination with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, through the Community Services Block Grant Program, is announcing the availability of 7 scholarships in the amount of $1150 available to income eligible students in Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Saline, Wabash, Wayne and White counties for use during the 2020-2021 school year. Priority is given to graduating high school students. The scholarship applications are available in the Guidance Office. Completed applications should be returned to WADI by 5:00 p.m. April 16, 2020 Should you have questions, please contact Debbie, 262-4151.

Seniors: The South East Illinois Area Health Education Center (SEIL-AHEC) is accepting applications for $500 Future Healthcare Hero awards for 2020 high school graduates attending high school in one of the following counties: Alexander, Clay, Crawford, Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Johnson, Lawrence, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Richland, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, White, and Williamson. · Applicants must be pursuing entry into any health science program for the 2019 fall semester. · Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA · Applicants must submit the following items: • completed and signed application and release • transcripts (may be sent separately) • two letters of recommendation. · Applications are available in MCHS Guidance Office · Deadline for submitting required documents is March 15, 2020. · For questions regarding this award please contact: Kristi Howell at 618-847-8381 · All applications as well as required documents may be sent via post, email or fax to: Kristi Howell, BSN Director, South East Illinois AHEC 1021 Harding Street Fairfield, IL 62837 Email: Kristi.howell@fairfieldmemorial.org FAX: 618-847-8360

MCHS Boys Basketball Senior Night Game Time Change. The boys basketball game vs Richland County on Monday, February 17th will start with the JV game at 5:30. The original time had a 6:15 start. The JV game will now start at 5:30, with the SENIOR NIGHT Ceremony in between the JV and Varsity games.

Seniors: The Bev Morgan Memorial Scholarship is available to a Mt. Carmel High school senior who is majoring in a medical field. Applications are available in the Guidance Office. The deadline is 3:00 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2020.

2020 Yearbook Facts: The book cost is $50 till March 13th, after that it goes to $52 The book is delivered in September 2020 Checks should be payable to MCHS Yearbook Checks must be taken to MCHS Office or Room 159 Cash is acceptable Cash/Check must be received by March 13th before prices increase Partial payment is acceptable but you have to buy online at www.jostensyearbooks.com. Share your pictures with through the ReplayIt app. SENIORS: Important information (Deadline is March 30th!!!!) Seniors need to meet with their assigned yearbook staff member to fill out the senior information that will be included in the senior pages of the yearbook. Activities, sports, clubs, awards, and recognition for all 4 years at MCHS Senior picture Baby picture Senior quote (must be school appropriate) and is optional Pictures & questions need to be emailed to ekieffer@wabash348.com We still have 2019 yearbooks that have not been picked up in the office and less than 10 still available for sale. The price is $50. 2018 is $25, 2017 & 2016 is $20. Spread the word that we still have old yearbooks for sale 1991 - 2015 are $10 limited supplies and availability. Email ekieffer@wabash348.com to purchase.

MCHS FFA week is the last week of February! Monday-Pajama Day Tuesday-America Day Wednesday-CAMO Day Thursday-Farmer Day Friday-BLUE AND GOLD DAY Be sure to stop at the ACES STORE in the MCHS Library to get all your CAMO, BLUE AND GOLD GEAR support FFA!!!!!

Mount Carmel junior/senior high school lunch menu has changed for tomorrow (Monday). We will be having hotdogs, baked beans, french fries, and fruit and vegetables choices.