⭐ Attention 2025-2026 kindergarten families! Please save the date for kindergarten informational night! ⭐
Last week, our 4th graders had the wonderful experience of squid dissection as part of our science curriculum and connection to our ELA curriculum module on animal defense mechanisms. We brought in a "squid-pert" to lead the engaging activity. We want to thank Frank's Shrimp and Chicken for donating all of the fresh squid for the activity!
Thank you to the Mokena Fire Protection District and Fire Marshal Tom Murray for providing members of our staff with important CPR training throughout the day. We appreciate your partnership and support!
Goal 3A: The district has developed a Facilities Master Plan to organize, prioritize, and forecast maintenance and infrastructure projects. Funds from the 2019 referendum are utilized to pay for these critical projects to ensure our schools are “warm, safe, and dry”. In addition to the many projects at individual schools, below are project highlights that have occurred in all three schools:
-Renovations or replacements of HVAC systems
-Updated and expanded parking lots
-Improved sidewalks
-Tuckpointing and building envelope work
-Exchanged exterior door locks and added multiple keyless entry points
-Expanded security coverage with additional interior and exterior cameras
MIS students are taking part in Respect Week ! This week is for schools across Illinois to celebrate inclusion, acceptance, and respect for all abilities. MIS Student Council has planned activities throughout the week to celebrate. A few of these include signing a banner pledging respect, wearing different colors throughout the week to show support and awareness, and frienship bracelets representing kindness and inclusion.
Friendly reminder, tomorrow is an early dismissal day!
The Human Resources Coordinator in conjunction with the Superintendent and the Administrative Team have developed a set of resources and processes for the onboarding of new employees. Highlights of Goal 4C’s work include:
-A new hire onboarding process for all new staff members led by the HR Coordinator that includes completion of paperwork, review of policy and procedures, and an explanation of all benefits
-Substitute teacher onboarding process including the review and receipt of a newly designed district substitute teacher handbook
-Yearly substitute teacher orientation that provides substitutes with information regarding the district, policies, and procedures
-Three day New Staff Orientation in August that includes learning about district department supports, meeting mentor teachers, curriculum and instruction training, time with building principals, and our infamous district bus tour
-Two year mentoring program for new certified staff members
Happy School Social Workers Week! Join us in celebrating our district's dedicated social workers who play a pivotal role in enhancing the well-being and success of our students!
Our teachers continue to inspire their students years later! Ms. Fuessel was one of Mr. Roberts' 5th grade math students in 2008. They are back together again, this time she is his student teacher! #growingourown #futureteachers
Strengthening the district’s website as a means of communication and information has been a continued goal over the past several years. Accomplishments within this goal include:
-Launch of brand new, modernized website
-Regular review and update of website contents including school sites and department specific pages
-Survey sent to families seeking input on website and adjustments made based on the trends in survey data
-Sought feedback from Parent Advisory Committee on how to make the website more user friendly and efficient for parents
-Addition of transparency page to include a one stop place for information on contracts, financial reports, tax levy, budgets, audits, bids, and grants.
-Linked district and school calendars with important dates and events
Our 4th graders had a wonderful experience as part of our science curriculum, squid dissection. We brought in a squid-pert to lead the engaging activity. We want to thank Frank's Shrimp and Chicken for donating all of the fresh squid for the activity.
📣 Thank you for celebrating National Public Schools Week with us! Our schools shape the future! With your continued support, we will prepare our students for success! Drop a 💚to show your support for Mokena SD 159! #PSW25
🌍 Public schools are more than classrooms! From family events to partnerships with local organizations, public schools bring people together. Share a story of how your school has made a difference in the community! #PSW25#PSW25
Mokena School District 159 has made substantial efforts to improve the appearance and cleanliness of all three schools. We are proud to share a few highlights of this work:
-Ongoing painting projects in each building to modernize the look of the schools’ interiors using a dedicated color palette
-Exterior soffit and lintel work at each school
-Painting and repair work to the exterior doors and windows of each school
-Annual landscaping and exterior maintenance beautification projects
-Cleanliness report cards completed by building principals to provide feedback on school custodial services and cleaning
-Improved flooring at all three schools including repair and replacement of broken tile, replacement of carpet, and updated flooring
👩🏫 Teachers, counselors, administrators, and support staff—public school educators shape our future. Today, let’s recognize their dedication. Share a thank-you note to a Mokena educator who made an impact on your life! #PSW25 #ThankAPublicSchoolTeacher
Our MIS students are loving the sunshine and spending time on the new play area! From soccer matches to football games to a game of four square, there are smiles and laughter all around! We look forward to adding a basketball hoop and gaga ball pits in the spring!
🌟 Our schools nurture the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers. Today, we’re celebrating student success! Whether it’s excelling in the classroom, on the field, or in the arts, share a story or picture of a student or students who inspire you! ✨#PSW25
The district has worked hard to provide our teachers with high-quality professional development, learning opportunities, and collaboration time that is aligned with school and district improvement goals. Below are several highlights of development and learning that have taken place within Strategic Plan Goal 2B:
-Two year Keys to Literacy training for teachers in Grades K-5 that focused on “The Science of Reading”, evidenced-based instructional practices and routines for teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, word work, comprehension, and writing
-Year-long professional development plans utilizing Early Release Days focused on school improvement goals including responsive teaching, implementation of new instructional materials, and writing across the content areas
-Relaunch of the district’s instructional coach program in which all teachers have access to coaches that enhance student learning through a student centered coaching model as well as provide professional development aligned to district and school goals and job-embedded curriculum implementation support
-Yearly staff surveys regarding professional development topics of need to shape our Teacher Institute Day into a conference-like day in which teachers and staff choose sessions to best meet their individual growth goals
-Program specific professional development opportunities for teachers of English Language Learners, students receiving Special Education services, and Advanced Learners
-Multiple school based book studies aligned to school improvement goals including the topics of phonics, the middle school model, and metacognition
🏫 Public Schools Week starts today! From Feb. 24-28, we’re celebrating the incredible impact of Mokena's public schools. Let’s lift up the stories, people, and programs that make our schools shine. Join us by sharing what makes you #mokenaproud! #PSW25
Mokena School District is proud to be participating in the Special Olympics of Illinois' Respect Week to celebrate inclusion and to highlight themes of disability awareness. MIS and MJHS will participate the week of March 3-7 and MES will participate the week of May 5-9. This year's theme is "In My Respect Era."
You can join in the commitment to inclusion and kindness by purchasing shirts at https://willpromo.com/soill_respect/shop/home !
#ChooseToInclude
