The Superintendent leads an annual evaluation of staffing needs to maintain equitable and appropriate class sizes and supports for student learning needs, while remaining within budget guidelines. Highlights of this work include:
-Annually monitor spending by student through building based budgeting and site based accounting
-Annual evaluation of staffing needs for core and non-core staff based on school and student needs
-Yearly staffing recommendations presentation provided to the Board of Education based on above evaluation
Join the PTA on Tuesday for their school board candidate meet and greet!
Please take a few minutes to complete the 5Essentials Parent Survey this weekend at https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ . We are currently at a 7% parent response rate and need at least 20% to receive a parent report. Thank you in advance for your feedback!
MJHS students celebrated Special Olympics Illinois "Respect Week" in many ways this week! Our PE teachers provided education on various topics each day as well as engaged students in adaptive games . Students signed a banner pledging respect and inclusion, passed out kindness grams, received beads from staff members when spotted displaying kindness and inclusion, and designed posters!
Our district has conducted ongoing work on this goal area to ensure all students are engaged in rigorous curricular programming as well as extending opportunities for advanced learners. Below are highlights of this work:
-Curriculum program adoptions for ELA and Math were all centered around the alignment to the rigorous Illinois learning standards
-Updated information and procedures for the district’s Accelerated Placement Programs were made available on the district website
-Reviewed MJHS Math Enrichment Course criteria and expanded additional sections for these courses
-Partnered with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development to conduct a district review on advanced learning needs in our district which included staff, student, and parent feedback
-Convened a District Task Force that utilized Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development’s report to identify, plan for, and strengthen opportunities within the district for advanced learners
-The Board of Education approved the Task Force’s recommendations to expand advanced learner programming across the district starting in the 2025-2026 school year
-Professional development for staff focused on differentiation and instructional practices for advanced learners
Special shoutout to Mrs. Catain (2nd grade teacher) and Ms. Youngblood (Instructional Coach) for presenting at the Illinois Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development's "Pump Up Primary" Conference today. We are very proud of you and thank you for showcasing the great work happening in our classrooms with educators from across the state!
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 all of the families and students who came out to MES Family Night! Thank you to our amazing staff for planning and running this memorable evening. Smiles were abundant and fun was had by all!
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!
📢 MES Family Night is Tomorrow! 🎉
Join us for an evening of science exploration, crafts, and penguin fun! 🐧✨ Dive into the world of Mr. Popper’s Penguins, snap a picture with our special guests, and enjoy hands-on activities for the whole family.
📅 Date: March 5, 2025
📍 Location: MES
⏰ Time: 5:30-7:30 PM
Don't miss out on this exciting night of learning and laughter! See you there! ❄️🎨🔬 #MESFamilyNight #MrPoppersPenguins
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!
Congratulations to the 7th Grade Monthly Medalists!
The first day of MES Spring Walking Club was a huge success! We love watching this group of students start their day with exercise to get their minds and bodies ready to learn.
Today is "Thank an Athletic Director Day"! Let's give a big shoutout to Mr. Munch and Mr. Shaughnessy for working behind the scenes to keep our junior high athletics thriving! From coordinating practices and games to scheduling buses and supporting coaches, we are very grateful for all they do! #ThankAnAD #IESA
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
WOW! What a great performance by our students last night! Opening night was a huge success! Showtimes today are 3:00pm and 7:00pm at Lincoln Way Central.
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
