MENDOTA - Addressing the District 280 Board of Education meeting on Feb. 20, Mendota High School Principal Denise Aughenbaugh extended an invitation from the high school’s ESSA Committee and BPAC Committee to families and community members interested in learning more about mental health issues and local resources.

A series of programs titled, “Mendota High School Family and Community Engagement Nights” will be presented by Danielle Stoddard, LCPC in English on March 1, March 7 and April 11. Spanish presentations will be given by Nina Montero, BPAC Bilingual Family Engagement, on March 14, 21 and 28.

Aughenbaugh said those attending will leave with a better understanding of mental health needs, skills they can use to help reduce stress/anxiety that mental health issues cause, and learn about resources regarding how and when to get help. The community is encouraged to attend these events.

English presentations

* March 1 - 5-6 p.m., Auditorium, La Salle County State’s Attorney Office, “Juvenile Court System and Cyber Delinquency,” Karen Donnelly and staff. Includes issues such as drug use/abuse, cyberbullying and sexting. Questions may be submitted prior to the workshop by e-mailing daughenbaugh@mendotahs.org.

* March 1 - 7-8 p.m., Media Center, Danielle Stoddard, Family Engagement, “Stop the Worry Cycle…How to help your teen with Anxiety”

* March 7 - 7-8 p.m., Media Center, Danielle Stoddard, Family Engagement, “Teen Depression and Self Injury”

* April 11 - 7-8 p.m., Media Center, Danielle Stoddard, Family Engagement, “Parenting the Soon to Be Adult”

Spanish presentations

* March 14 - 6- 8 p.m., Media Center, Nina Montero, BPAC Bilingual Family Engagement, “Teenage Mental Health and Parent/Teen Communication”

* March 21 - 6- 8 p.m., Media Center, Nina Montero, BPAC Bilingual Family Engagement, “Teenage Mental Health and Parent/Teen Communication 

o Spanish Presentation

* March 28 - 6- 8 p.m., Media Center, Nina Montero, BPAC Bilingual Family Engagement, “Teenage Mental Health and Parent/Teen Communication”

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

* During National FFA Week, Feb. 17-24, Mendota FFA members planned daily activities concluding with a lock-in on Feb. 24.

* MHS hosted the 2A Boys Basketball Regional Semifinals and Championship games on Feb. 19, 20, 21 and 23.

* The MHS Special Olympics Team took the Polar Plunge at Lake Mendota on Feb. 24. Donations to Special Olympics and the MHS team may be given online at https://soill.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=8764. Aughenbaugh recognized MHS student, Addison Gott, who is the Special Olympics ambassador this year.

* The MHS Booster Club Drawdown will take place on Saturday, March 3 at the Mendota Moose Lodge. Tickets are available from any MHS Booster Club member.

* Starting on March 7, SAT prep classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. in computer labs 201 and 207 at MHS.

* The spring musical, “The Little Mermaid” will be presented by the MHS Drama and Choir departments on March 16, 17 and 18.

PERSONNEL

The board approved a recommendation to rehire Janet Nagel as assistant girls track coach.

The next regular board of education meeting will be held at the high school on Monday, March 19 at 6 p.m.