MJHS Mission

We value the consistent and active review of curriculum elements to assure that all students are allowed fair & equal opportunity to master these elements through effective teaching approaches designed to meet the needs of all learners.
We value the demonstration of our professionalism in all environments within the school by treating fellow staff, students & parents with respect and kindness.
We value a supportive school atmosphere where everyone feels emotionally, physically, and intellectually safe.
We value the Identification and reinforcement of behaviors deemed desirable, and the consistent application of stated consequences to extinguishing undesirable behavior.
We value the usage of department meeting times to share successful strategies, lessons, and assessments. We value work with other departments to coordinate cross-curricular connections.
We value effective and professional collaboration with fellow teachers in order to promote student success by opening our minds to the ideas & opinions of others irrespective of our individual teaching styles and beliefs.
We value and respect strong leadership within the school community. The leadership within the school will maintain the highest standards for themselves and find it essential to consistently strive to earn the respect of their peers, students and the community as a whole.
We are committed to collaboratively identifying and implementing organizational methods and strategies that will maximize effectiveness and efficiency for the global learning community and ALL its members.
We are committed to facilitating active involvement on the part of our parents in order to create a true educational partnership for their children and our students.
We are committed to supporting parents as they seek to facilitate the educational goals of MJHS by providing their child/children with a stimulating and nurturing learning environment within the home, as well as exposure to rich and diverse educational opportunities outside of the home and school.
We value the active involvement in finding resources that enhance the curriculum in order to provide success to all students based on their needs.
We are committed to working with administration in order to identify the necessary resources needed to meet the instructional needs of all learners.
We value the importance of the impact that resources have on the learning environment. We value the creation of our own resources using ingenuity; we look for the best outside resources that we can afford. We acknowledge the fact that we, as a school team, are the best resources we have.

MJHS Mission:	The mission of Mokena Junior High School, as part of an educational community, is to provide early adolescents with opportunities for academic and social growth in order to be successful in a dynamic, global society.
MJHS Visions:	Academics To ensure that, when they graduate, the students of MJHS have the skills and knowledge that will allow for a smooth transition into high school and will lead to being confident, considerate, independent thinkers and life-long learners.	Climate To consistently model and promote good social skills in a fair and safe environment of mutual respect, responsibility, and collaboration between students, parents, and staff that will promote positive behavior and social interactions, enhance student learning, and promote community spirit.	Communication To promote collaboration and communication among staff to facilitate student success, while creating an atmosphere that encourages unity and teamwork.	Leadership Administration will work in collaboration with staff, students and parents to reach goals and identify new challenges in order to meet the needs of all students.
	Organization The administration and the staff will collaborate to plan and execute the most efficient implementation of curriculum, facilities, resources, schedules, and staff development to create the optimum learning environment in order to prepare students for high school success as well as being productive members of the community.	Parent Involvement Mokena Junior High School will be recognized as an outstanding school and an asset to the community, in which parents and staff act as true partners to facilitate students achieving their optimum level of success in a safe and welcoming environment.	Resources Administration and staff will collaboratively identify the appropriate resources to give students the level of support required for academic success based on individual needs and fiscal constraints.
MJHS Values:	We value the consistent and active review of curriculum elements to assure that all students are allowed fair & equal opportunity to master these elements through effective teaching approaches designed to meet the needs of all learners. We value the demonstration of our professionalism in all environments within the school by treating fellow staff, students & parents with respect and kindness. We value a supportive school atmosphere where everyone feels emotionally, physically, and intellectually safe. We value the Identification and reinforcement of behaviors deemed desirable, and the consistent application of stated consequences to extinguishing undesirable behavior. We value the usage of department meeting times to share successful strategies, lessons, and assessments. We value work with other departments to coordinate cross-curricular connections. We value effective and professional collaboration with fellow teachers in order to promote student success by opening our minds to the ideas & opinions of others irrespective of our individual teaching styles and beliefs. We value and respect strong leadership within the school community. The leadership within the school will maintain the highest standards for themselves and find it essential to consistently strive to earn the respect of their peers, students and the community as a whole. We are committed to collaboratively identifying and implementing organizational methods and strategies that will maximize effectiveness and efficiency for the global learning community and ALL its members. We are committed to facilitating active involvement on the part of our parents in order to create a true educational partnership for their children and our students. We are committed to supporting parents as they seek to facilitate the educational goals of MJHS by providing their child/children with a stimulating and nurturing learning environment within the home, as well as exposure to rich and diverse educational opportunities outside of the home and school. We value the active involvement in finding resources that enhance the curriculum in order to provide success to all students based on their needs. We are committed to working with administration in order to identify the necessary resources needed to meet the instructional needs of all learners. We value the importance of the impact that resources have on the learning environment. We value the creation of our own resources using ingenuity; we look for the best outside resources that we can afford. We acknowledge the fact that we, as a school team, are the best resources we have.
2008-2009 & 2009-2010 School Improvement Goals and Action Steps	I. To improve student achievement across curricular areas by using common assessments and data analysis to improve instruction. ISAT Data by curricular area and subtest scores, across grade levels, will be used to assess progress Longitudinal data obtained from common assessments will be utilized to evaluate long-term progress and improvement 1. Each curricular department will develop and/or utilize one common unit assessment, for each grade level, during the 2008-2009 school year. 2. Common assessment data will be utilized to identify areas of strength and need in terms of curriculum/instruction. 3. Instructional units will be refined and improved based upon results of common assessments, with reteaching (individual and group) provided whenever possible. 4. Common assessments will be expanded to include additional units during the 2009-2010 school year. Each department will propose an expansion process that coincides with departmental curriculum goals and objectives. II. To enhance the current MJH building climate by promoting Respect, Responsibility, and Collaboration through the teaching, modeling, and reinforcing of leadership skills with both student and staff. This goal will be measured by the following: Student Climate Survey administered each fall Staff Climate Survey (same as above) Semester Incentive Eligibility increased by 2%, at each grade level, each semester. External suspension rates decreased by 5% annually. Extra-curricular Participation Rates increased by 5% annually. 1. MJH Climate Committee will continue to expand and implement Students Taking A Responsible Stand (STARS) program and provide additional training to staff. 2. Climate committee will develop and administer periodic climate surveys to students and staff to assess climate strengths and areas of need. 3. Six STARS periods will be implemented on an annual basis, focusing on different character concepts. 4. Incentive activities and materials will be provided to individual and groups of students who demonstrate the appropriate character concepts. 5. Provide leadership training to staff and students (assemblies, Irons Oaks, STARS, Challenge Leadership, etc.) 6. Collaboratively utilize MJHS vision, values, and goals during 2008-2009 to expand leadership skills for internal stakeholders. 7. Explore possible addition of extracurricular activities to promote increased student involvement through inter-mural programs, as well as clubs and activities. 8. Special education department will implement “Response to Intervention” programs through RTI training and collaboration with District 843 psychologists.