McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger
McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger
McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger
Students log onto schoolodgy to join their class zoom call

Opinion | Cold day criteria in schools is inconsistent and needs to change

Mason Sites, Staff Writer • March 11, 2025

It’s a frigid Sunday night. Snow and ice swarm the windows of your home. Every step outside feels as if every individual part of your body is freezing one-by-one. Not only is the arctic-like climate...

Dr. Jeff Prickett, who has served as one of MCHS's principals since 2017, announced Wednesday that he will be leaving District 156 at the end of the school year.

Upper Campus principal to leave MCHS at end of school year

Ffion Curtain, Online Managing Editor • February 27, 2025

On Wednesday, Dr. Jeff Prickett announced his resignation from MCHS as the Principal of Upper Campus. He is heading to Meadowview Elementary School in Grayslake, IL. Prickett has been an administrator...

Senior dean Jordan Deener works at his desk in the main office after a year at the Freshman Campus. Deener is one of several administrators who changed positions at the beginning of the school year.

Familiar faces

Michalina Sotka, Staff Writer • October 3, 2023

As of the new school year‭, ‬there have been some changes in the administrative staff‭. ‬These changes are believed to be leaving positive impacts on the student and staff atmosphere so far‭,...

Blended learning is supposed to empower students to work at the pace and place that best suits them. So why is MCHS denying the flexibility that some students need to thrive?

Opinion: MCHS should allow off-campus blending

Leylah Moreno, Artistic Director • September 21, 2023

In previous years‭, ‬students who met requirements were allowed to leave the classroom and even school property during the period‭ ‬on designated blending days‭. ‬However‭, ‬it has now...

Despite a state law that says "A student may not be issued a monetary fine or fee as a disciplinary consequence," students at MCHS continue to receive tickets from the McHenry Police Department for their behavior in school.

Still fine

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor • May 19, 2023

Walking through the halls, a McHenry High School student notices fighting near the bathrooms. In response, a school resource officer nearby issues adjudication citations, or tickets, to the students. All...

MCHS celebrates students every single day, but for the same sorts of things — good grades and amazing athletic performance. Other talented students work hard in other ways and deserve recognition as well.

Opinion: Some students don’t get the recognition they deserve

Freedom Tomasello, Opinions Editor • May 12, 2023

MCHS Administration claims to want the best for all students, but they fail to treat everyone equally. Students with lower GPAs than others are consistently forgotten about, along with athletes overshadowing...

Communicating important information is a tough job for a high school, who has to keep students, staff, and parents in the loop of every major event and decision. Still, many stakeholders at MCHS wish communication from the district was clearer.

Partial disclosure

Kennedy Tetour, Managing Editor • March 20, 2023

A student walks into class, hearing rumors of a snow day from students and staff alike. She opens her email only to find no update from administration. No email means no snow day but, with no update to...

Dr. Jeff Prickett meets with a teacher during a free moment on March 7 in the communications conference room at the Upper Campus. Prickett has been offering to meet with teachers to chat about how improve the school's culture.

Making an impact

Evanel Gonzalez, Contributing Writer • March 10, 2023

Jeff Prickett stands in the South entrance awaiting the stampede of teenagers to roll his way. He eagerly looks at the clock, it’s 2:50. He enthusiastically greets the students goodbye as they walk out,...

Editorial Cartoon: Amingus

Editorial Cartoon: Amingus

Nikki Sisson, Staff Writer • September 21, 2022

Though digital apps like My Homework and Minga are designed to help students and staff, many have found the transition confusing and unhelpful — and a possible breach of privacy.

Opinion: Mingapocolypse

Gabe Santos, Staff Writer • September 9, 2022

It's the first day back to school at MCHS and students are going into lunch. There are students on a staircase, shoulder to shoulder. It’s stressful, cramped, and loud.  Later, a student in class realizes...

The McHenry Police Department is housed at the McHenry Municipal Center on Green St. The department has partnered with MCHS to send student resource officers to the school.

This is fine

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor • May 19, 2022

A McHenry High School student carrying an e-cigarette walks out of the bathroom when he notices a student resource officer staring right at him. Doing his job, the SRO issues a ticket to be resolved in...

Community stakeholders — including students, parents and teachers — have been invited to complete the Portrait of a Graduate survey in order to define the sort of student who graduates from MCHS.

MCHS develops Portrait of a Graduate

Grace Hunt, Freshman Campus Bureau Chief • May 10, 2022

MCHS is working on a Portrait of a Graduate project that articulates outcome goals for all students who leave MCHS and become active participants in the community in order to reach success after graduation.  A...

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