7th grade scientists are having fun learning about amps, voltage and different circuits. 💡
The Mokena Athletic Boosters 4v4 Basketball Tournament is underway! A HUGE shoutout to the entire athletic boosters board for all of their hard work to make this a memorable evening for the students!
Hello Meteor Families!
IAR testing starts next week: Click on the following link for guidelines and information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1inT844e1oeOukm-8esmXhVfcqpMXArmd/view?usp=sharing
Save the Date! Informational Meetings will take place on April 29th to share updates to our programming for Advanced Learners for the 2025-2026 school year.
Quality literature is the cornerstone of our reading and writing curriculum. 6th grade students are currently reading the novel "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen.
This novel not only supports students learning the reading standards, but also opens doorways to meaningful reflection and discussion about decision-making as students see how characters navigate complex situations and in turn it helps students learn to think critically about their own choices.
"Sometimes you're going to be faced with situations where the line isn't clear between what's right and what's wrong... In the end, all that's left is to look at both sides and go with your best judgment." (f)rom Carl Hiaasen's novel "Hoot")
This goal area aims to provide students with more opportunities to extend learning through exploratories curriculum areas. Accomplishments include:
-Addition of an Orchestra program at MIS and MJHS that started in 2022 with 28 students and now has 86 students!
-Project Lead the Way program adopted within the STEM exploratory at the junior high that includes the following classes: Design and Modeling, App Creators, Green Architecture, and Computer Science
☘️ Issue 2 of "Mokena Moments" has been published! You can view the new issue in your email inbox or by visiting our website at: https://www.mokena159.org/page/district-newsletter . ☘️
On Friday, our Administrative Assistant for Payroll, Diana Lopez-Cosme, our Transportation Coordinator, Ervin Walker and our Chief School Business Official, Dr. Teri Shaw presented at the state Bookkeepers Conference on "Payroll: Start to Finish for Transportation
'.
They were part of a roundtable discussion with four different school districts discussing their procedures for processing payroll for the transportation department.
We are very proud to have representation from Mokena 159 at the Illinois Association of School Business Officials Annual Bookkeepers Conference to share their collective wisdom!
6th grade scientists had an exciting week as they viewed microorganisms from their ponds under microscopes and added frogs to their pond ecosystems!
Our 8th grade mathematicians celebrated Pi Day (3.14) yesterday by measuring circular objects to prove the ratio of circumference to diameter is pi!
Utilizing additional avenues for communication with our families and community is an ongoing goal. Our work thus far includes:
-Increased social media postings to highlight events, happenings, celebrations, and student learning throughout the district
-Creation of district app that allows families to have a mobile version of the website
-Use of a new communications platform, Apptegy, that has allowed administrators easier and more efficient access to communicate within multiple platforms at the same time
-Increased development of news stories that are published on the website and/or other news outlets
Hello Meteor Families!
This week's edition of the MJHS Friday Update is now available. Please take a minute to check it out and families should check their email inbox for the script and important links.
YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/pXT-V8FCyp0
As we approach warmer temperatures, The Matthew Kocher Foundation wanted to educate our students on water safety. Our students will learn or learned preventable measures to take near the water by learning the meaning of the flags at the beach, how to keep little siblings safe at home, and survival techniques if caught in a rip current. Ask your child to explain FLIP, FLOAT, and FOLLOW and be sure to share this information with family and friends.
A big thank you to Dave Benjamin from The Great Lakes Surf and Rescue Project for dedicating his life to educate others, as he himself is a survivor of drowning.
MIS and MJHS had their presentations last week. MES will have their presentation April 18th.
8th graders are applying their argument and speaking skills trying to negotiate their way onto one of the Titanic's lifeboats during their study of "A Night to Remember".
The nominations form for the Galaxy Award opens today! Check your email for more information.
🏐 Come out tonight to cheer on the 8th grade girls volleyball team as they compete in the Regionals Championship Game! The game is at 4:30 at Summit Hill Junior High. 🏐
Continual work in this goal has been a major focus of the district and will continue to be throughout the life of the Strategic Plan. Some highlights of the ongoing and completed work in this goal include:
-English Language Learner (ELL) program review conducted by ELL teachers and Administrative Team which included the strengthening of our programming models and processes for monitoring exited students
-Multilingual Guidebook created by above committee that outlines district wide programming models, procedures, and expectations
-Interventionists reviewed current instructional materials and resources for reading and math intervention classes and have added materials for both content areas based on the needs of students
-Addition of teachers within our Interventions, Special Education, and ELL departments based on student needs
-Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) staff committee created district wide processes and procedures for interventions which includes the development and publication of a staff MTSS Guidebook to ensure consistent practices from school to school
-Creation of three year school-based MTSS improvement plans based on above guidebook
-Strengthening of differentiated practices for all students in reading and math through professional development
-Special Education programming review conducted with recommendations for furthering the department’s work
-Special Education Steering Committee formed to utilize recommendations and currently planning for next steps in improvement
Looking for a fun family event this weekend? The Lincoln-Way ArtWorks Festival is Saturday from 10-3 at Lincoln-Way East. Many of our students will have art on display in addition to hands-on workshops, music, and more!
7th grade scientists started a brand new unit today called "Electricity, Waves, and Information Transfer." Students rotated through stations in which they started to learn about electrical circuits, energy transfer, and energy transformation!
Hello Meteors!
Unfortunately we did not receive enough interest to hold the PTA's Minute to Win It activity this Friday. The PTA will regroup and work on a new fun event for the spring.
