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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 have had a hard time getting on time and prepared for school during this 2024-2025 school year.

Opinion | Just show up

Afton Ingraffia, Features Editor December 11, 2024

A student wakes up on a dreaded Monday morning and decides they're too tired to go to school. They tell their parents and promptly go back to sleep. That same student wakes up to police cars outside talking...

Sophomore class of 2026 sits in the auditorium for a mandatory AIM meeting discussing new attendance policy for the spring semester

Opinion | The new attendance policy could be more harmful than helpful

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor January 23, 2024

Students sit in the MCHS auditorium as a presentation is projected before them. It states that if they do not maintain a 90% attendance rate, prom, parking passes, and open lunch privileges could hang...

MCHS students will attend prom on Friday at the Renaissance in Schaumburg. This year's theme, "Tale as Old as Time," was inspired by the Disney franchise "Beauty and the Beast."

MCHS hosts ‘Tale as Old as Time’ prom on Friday

Mackenzie Sroka, Sports Editor April 24, 2023

This year’s “Tale as Old as Time” prom will be hosted on April 28 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center. Students are expected to attend their full school schedule the day of prom, and...

At the beginning of the school year, MCHS introduced digital IDs and hall passes in an effort to curb bad behavior. At the end of the school year, data suggests that the new systems are helping students make better decisions.

The new digital norm

Tati Rubi, Staff Writer April 21, 2023

As the school year comes to an end, students and staff at MCHS are reevaluating whether the new online passes and ID known as Minga and MyHomework really work. Both students and staff have gotten used...

MCHS has had more teacher absences than other schools in the area, especially those in the Fox Valley Conference. According to the Illinois School Report Card, only 50 percent of teachers have fewer than ten absences.

A missing piece

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor February 13, 2023

Week after week, a student walks into their class room to a large empty desk. The chair that was supposed to have their teacher in it sat cold and empty just like it did almost everyday. The student huff...

The halls of MCHS's Upper Campus have been clearer since administration began a more concentrated effort to reduce cuts and wayward students, especially while "flexing" during blended classes.

Cut it out

Grace Hunt, Contributing Writer January 30, 2023

The student lands themselves in the dean’s office again. “Why?” The student aks the dean. He fails to see the purpose in attending their classes, and it has landed him in this seat on multiple occasions....

Though many found the transition to digital IDs and passes confusing, students and teachers at both campuses are getting used to Minga and My Homework.

A digital upgrade?

Tati Rubi, Staff Writer September 26, 2022

A student is sitting on the 4th floor of MCHS’ new edition as a security guard approaches them. The student automatically pulls up their Minga ID proving that they are allowed out for flex learning....

Though blended learning has been successful in many ways, MCHS has also struggled with this new class structure.  Blending more frequently and offering blended in different classes might remedy many issues.

Opinion: The solution to blended learning’s problems? Blend more.

Josie Cable, Opinions Editor December 15, 2021

As blended ends early for this semester, administration is looking into changes to be made to the new system. Increasing how many times students blend a week as well as adding certain courses to the blended...

TJ South reads in the hallways at the Upper Campus during his blended class on Nov. 8.

Blended Learning faces new challenges as more students cut class

Josie Cable, Opinions Editor November 12, 2021

Administration is weighing changes to the new blended learning system as a result of a higher number of students not reporting to class.  On Nov. 1 and 2, blended learning was put on pause to allow...

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