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
The MES cafeteria was full of 1st graders and their special someones as they made bird houses together as an extension to their reading and writing module about birds! We can't wait to see birds in their new homes around town! Thank you to the PTA for providing the bird house kits for this wonderful event! 🐦
Our MIS musicians put on a great show last night. Thank you to our directors, Ms. Clifford, Ms. Schubbe, and Ms. Nyder, for their hard work with our Rockets. Our Beginning Band, Cadet Band, and Orchestra never sounded better!
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.
The nominations form for the Galaxy Award opens today! Check your email for more information.
Third grade students in Mrs. Lacny's class have been thoroughly enraptured with reading the novel Peter Pan! You can hear a pin drop in the classroom when they read each chapter. The students beg to read more each day!
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".
🏐 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. 🏐
Join the MIS Beginning Band, Cadet Band, and Orchestra for an evening concert tomorrow night! The event starts at 6:30 at Mokena 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!
Mrs. Hentsch's 4th grade students are learning about the Midwest's climate and how the geography of the Midwest affected those who lived here long ago. Students are using their learning to begin to plan for their "Midwest Road Trip" Inquiry Project together!
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!
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!
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
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!
