Our Back-to School August Issue of the district's newsletter, "Mokena Moments", has been published!

Unique to this issue is information about district strategic planning. We are proud to share many accomplishments within our current plan and are seeking input through a survey to help shape our next plan!

You can view the new issue in your email inbox or by visiting the following district webpage: https://www.mokena159.org/page/district-newsletter . As a reminder, all district and school newsletters can be accessed on this webpage throughout the school year.

14 minutes ago, Mokena School District 159
mokena moments newsletter cover

Our fabulous first graders were shining bright at last night's Board of Education meeting as they presented their "Magnificient Things" to our board and community! We are very proud of their perseverance, responsibility, collaboration, and initiative (they taught us what these big words mean!) as well as their reading, writing, and public speaking skills!

about 7 hours ago, Mokena School District 159
first grade students sharing their magnificient things
first grade students sharing their magnificient things
first grade students sharing their magnificient things
first grade students sharing their magnificient things
first grade students sharing their magnificient things
first grade students sharing their magnificient things
first grade students sharing their magnificient things
MIS Rocket Runners were visited by some of our MJHS Cross Country runners as they helped lead stretches and encourage our Rockets on their run! What a great opportunity to learn from future teammates and begin to build these relationships for the future!
1 day ago, Mokena School District 159
rocket runners leading streches
🎵 Congratulations to MJHS musicians Liam and Mila for being selected to the Illinois Music Education Association's (ILMEA) District 1 Festival Band and Orchestra! These two students completed a rigorous audition process and were selected from a very competitive group of applicants from over 60 schools. They will perform with other selected musicians from the area in the District 1 Band and Orchestra at the Junior Concert Festival in November! 🎵
1 day ago, Mokena School District 159
musicians selected for the district band and orchestra

Congratulations to Dr. Johnson, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, for receiving the 2026 Illinois Association for Gifted Children's Bonnie Park Leadership Legacy Award!

This annual award is given to one educator throughout the state who has demonstrated service excellence by going above and beyond to make a significant impact to the lives of advanced and gifted students. IAGC cited her work within Mokena's Strategic Plan Goal 1C including leading a district-wide program review, convening and overseeing an Advanced Learner Task Force that enhanced and strengthened the district's programming, coordinating professional development and opportunities for staff to receive their gifted endorsement, as well as contributing to the wider field of gifted education through conference presentations and a journal article.

2 days ago, Mokena School District 159
Dr. Johnson with the IAGC award
6th grade Advanced ELA students took center stage as they delivered their very own TED Talks, showcasing their learning, sharing their ideas, and speaking with confidence! As the capstone to their unit, students brought everything together to demonstrate their growth, creativity, and ability to communicate their thinking in meaningful ways. We are so proud of the hard work and courage they put into sharing their voices!
2 days ago, Mokena School District 159
student giving a ted talk to classmates
student giving a ted talk to classmates
student giving a ted talk to classmates
student giving a ted talk to classmates
student giving a ted talk to classmates
MIS Craft Club members are learning how to do the different embroidery techniques! Check out their work so far!
2 days ago, Mokena School District 159
embroidery examples
embroidery examples
embroidery examples
Second graders in Mrs. Street's class performed readers theaters for their buddies in Mrs . Kadan's kindergarten class. Our youngest readers were able to hear what fluent reading sounds like as well as learn schools from around the world! Way to be great role models, second grade!
3 days ago, Mokena School District 159
second grade students reading to kindergarten students
second grade students reading to kindergarten students
second grade students reading to kindergarten students
🪚 8th grade students have been busy working collaboratively to design and build their model sheds as part of their Architecture Unit in Tech and Design Class! 🪚
3 days ago, Mokena School District 159
students building and designing a model house
students building and designing a model house
students building and designing a model house
students building and designing a model house
students building and designing a model house
students building and designing a model house
students building and designing a model house
students building and designing a model house
students building and designing a model house
It was a great day for our Meteor Runners at the IESA State Cross Country Meet! We are very proud to share the race results:
🥇Stella C.- State Champion with a time of 11:22.3 (personal best)
🏅 Owen M- 4th Place with a time of 10:41.6 (personal best)
🏅 Cole N.- 44th place with a time of 12:45.6 (personal best)

Congratulations to our runners and coaches for these amazing accomplishments!
5 days ago, Mokena School District 159
cross country runners
cross country runners
cross country runners
🚀 Congratulations to the MIS September Big Deal Award Winners! We are very proud of each of you! 🚀
6 days ago, Mokena School District 159
september big deal award winners
October Kinderbuddies was spooky fun today as buddies created a witch craft together!
6 days ago, Mokena School District 159
october kinderbuddies working together
october kinderbuddies working together
october kinderbuddies working together
october kinderbuddies working together
october kinderbuddies working together
october kinderbuddies working together
october kinderbuddies working together
october kinderbuddies working together
october kinderbuddies working together
october kinderbuddies working together
🏀 Tryouts for MJHS boys basketball start next week! As a reminder, the registration link can be found at https://mjhs.mokena159.org/o/mjhs/page/mokena-athletics . 🏀

Please note that your child MUST be registered and have an updated sports physical on file in order to participate. No exceptions will be made. (If your child is an incoming 6th grader, their school physical will suffice as their sports physical. )

GO METEORS! ☄️
6 days ago, Mokena School District 159
boys basketball tryout information
🎥 Our junior high is fortunate to have its very own Meteors Broadcasting Club in which students get the experience of putting together the school announcements through writing, producing, anchoring, recording, and production! Thank you to Dr. Albon and Ms. Horsch for sponsoring this awesome club for our students! 🎥
6 days ago, Mokena School District 159
Meteor broadcasting club working on the announcements
Meteor broadcasting club working on the announcements
Meteor broadcasting club working on the announcements
Meteor broadcasting club working on the announcements
7th grade scientists are learning about cell organelles by investigating live Paramecium!
7 days ago, Mokena School District 159
7th graders investigating with the microscope
7th graders investigating with the microscope
7th graders investigating with the microscope
7th graders investigating with the microscope
7th graders investigating with the microscope
7th graders investigating in the microscope
Our first graders enjoyed their field trip this week to the Homewood Science Center!
7 days ago, Mokena School District 159
students at their field trip to the homewood science center
students at their field trip to the homewood science center
students at their field trip to the homewood science center
students at their field trip to the homewood science center
students at their field trip to the homewood science center
students at their field trip to the homewood science center
students at their field trip to the homewood science center
students at their field trip to the homewood science center
students at their field trip to the homewood science center
students at their field trip to the homewood science center
Our district-wide Teachers Institute Day took place last Friday. We appreciate the time to learn and grow together as a district staff!
8 days ago, Mokena School District 159
Teachers Institute Day
Teachers Institute Day
Teachers Institute Day
Teachers Institute Day
Teachers Institute Day
Teachers Institute Day
Teachers Institute Day
Last week, our 8th grade students had the opportunity to hear from Kylie Goodman and Mandy Chaviers who work at Xylem, a company that focuses on water sustainability and technology. This virtual presentation and Q&A provided real world application of their Weather Unit in science as well as concepts within their Industrial Revolution unit in history! In addition, students also learned about careers in this industry.
9 days ago, Mokena School District 159
virtual presentation and students

📖 A day off school is the perfect time to register for the Mokena PTA's Read-a-Thon which officially kicks off on October 19th! Sign your preschool through 8th grade Mokena student up for the Read-a-Thon by visiting https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/tHCBTa/1?utm=email and choosing their homeroom or advisory teacher. Students can win prizes from the PTA and earn Read-a-Thon bucks to be used in the online prize store.

Help the PTA reach their goal of 500 readers, 150,000 minutes read, and $25,000 raised to support PTA activities including field trips, assemblies, ELA projects for each grade, teacher grants, dances, Color Run & MORE! 📖

10 days ago, Mokena School District 159
pta read a thon
Don't forget about these important October district dates!
11 days ago, Mokena School District 159
october dates