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
After the visit from viola soloist, Matthew Lipman, some of our orchestra students attended a weekend performance of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra as they performed Star Wars and More: A Celebration of John Williams!
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
Our 6th grade ELA Word Hunters are crushing their morphology game! These etymology experts have mastered an impressive 80 word parts in just three weeks - tackling 20 Greek roots, 20 Latin roots, and 40 affixes. By breaking down words to their core elements, they're building the skills to decode any challenging vocabulary they encounter!
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
The Annual Book Fair Coin Drive starts Today thru Friday.
The Coin Drive helps us to buy books for low income students.
Collection takes place in advisory.
The advisory that collects the most will win a Pizza Party!
Please help support by sending in your change or cash.
🏫 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
⭐ Please consider helping the MES Student Council as they work towards their "Sharing Makes Us Shine" mission by sending in cleaning items for the Frankfort Township Food Panty! Collection is the week of February 24th. ⭐
The Dungeons and Dragons club is underway at MJHS!
Matt Lipman from the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra visited both our MIS and MJHS Orchestras on Friday. He performed and gave our musicians some valuable advice to help improve their own performance. Thank you Ms. Nyder for coordinating this wonderful experience.
Thank you to everyone who came out to meet and greet our newly appointed Superintendent, Mr. Gurney! It was a great way for him to get to know some of our families, students, and staff before starting in July.
The MJHS bowling team got the ball rollin’ to kick off their season this week!
We are Mokena proud of our 3rd graders who shared their "Freaky Frog" writing at our Board of Education meeting last night! These students have become frog experts and their public speaking abilities were "toadally" amazing! Great job to Noah, Owen, Graham, Paisley, and Olivia!
8th Grade Meteor Families,
The Graduation Diploma Form due date is Friday, February 21st.
As of today, we have 72 students whose families have not filled out the form. Please fill out the form and pay your grad fees ASAP
Link: https://forms.gle/5WyYuFZ4b9xAZYoE9
Graduation Picture Retakes are Tomorrow (2/20/25) first thing in the morning. These pictures are only for those who were absent on Grad Picture day or need a Retake.
See this link for more info: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IUSO87AoOoJIksaD0JEobnxbt_wqlyAK/view?usp=sharing
Congratulations to the 6 Mokena staff members that have received the Illinois State Board of Education's "Those Who Excel Award"! Your hard work and support for students, colleagues, and the community have made a lasting impact and we are incredibly proud of your achievements!
You can read more about the award and the recipients at: https://www.mokena159.org/article/2038730 .
Ms. Wardell's kindergarten class collected valentines from all 50 states and few countries outside of the United States including Canada, Rome, Germany, and Sweden. A big thank you to all who sent cards and made this a wonderful learning experience! We feel the love! ♥️
