This week, we surprised the recipients of our district's Galaxy Award! The Galaxy Award is designed to recognize the outstanding accomplishments and contributions of Mokena SD 159 employees, students, parents, and community members. Congratulations to this year's recipients:
⭐ Lindsay Robbert, 2nd Grade Teacher at MES
⭐ Sharon Youngblood, Instructional Coach at MES and MIS
⭐ Mike Rolinitis, Principal at MJHS
⭐ Melissa Chevalier, 7th Grade Teacher at MJHS
⭐ Brittany Kocher, Physical Education Teacher at MJHS and District Parent
Third grade students wrapped up their final ELA module of the year by studying the importance of clean freshwater around the world. Students chose a water issue they had learned about and then make recommendations to solve the problem. They created posters to share and present their learning and ideas! Awesome work, Stars!
It is our last week of school and we are celebrating our nine retirees! Together they have served the district for 182 years! We thank them for the impact they have had on our students and community! From left to right:
⭐Steve Stein, Superintendent
⭐Mike Rolinitis, Principal at MJHS
⭐Mariann Rankovich, Assistant Cook at MJHS
⭐Ann Lewandowski, Food Service Director
⭐Debi Blank, Kindergarten Teacher at MES
⭐Heather Esgar, 3rd GradeTeacher at MES
⭐Sharon Horvath, 5th Grade Teacher at MIS
⭐Karin McCutcheon, Paraprofessional at MES
⭐Stacie Kittler, Social Worker at MES
Mrs. Arduino's 1st graders learned the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. They listened to a story about what the poppy flower stands for and made their own poppy flowers!
Mrs. Arduino's 1st graders learned the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. They listened to a story about what the poppy flower stands for and made their own poppy flowers!
Friendly reminder: No school on Monday!
1st graders didn’t let the cancellation of their outdoor field trip ruin their day! Instead, they turned it into a “stay field trip”! They did everything from listen to stories, make binoculars, went on an indoor scavenger hunt and even learned about animal traits and adaptations. It wasn't the day they expected, but they had a blast!
The six Mokena SD 159 staff members who received a "Those Who Excel Award" by the Illinois State Board of Education were honored at the state's banquet in Bloomington this past weekend. Congratulations again to our award recipients! We are Mokena proud of you!
Today was the last day of Kinderbuddies. Our kindergarteners took a trip to the junior high to celebrate together!
Last week, MES Students participated in the Respect Week Campaign through Special Olympics of Illinois. In their classrooms, they learned about various disabilities and ways to be respectful and inclusive. In PE, classes welcomed LWSRA where they got to learn about and participate in adaptive sports!
2nd grade animal habitat dioramas are proudly on display in the library! Great work, Stars!
We are hiring for the 2025-2026 school year! Visit https://mokena159.schoolspring.com/ to view our open positions!
What an AMAZING day at the Special Olympics Culminating Event! Our young athletes showed us their skills and had so much fun! Thank you to our staff who coordinated, planned, and assisted, to our board members and Officer Tom who opened and closed the event, to our parents who cheered us all on, to our junior high student volunteers, and to our athletes for trying their best at each event! Also, thank you to the Special Olympics Region E Coordinators for helping to make the day possible!
Thank you to our families for all of the love and gratitude we felt during Staff Appreciation Week! A special thank you goes to the Mokena PTA and Mokena Educational Foundation for their generosity throughout the week!
Happy Staff Appreciation Week! Today we wear green to celebrate our lunch staff!
Happy Staff Appreciation Week! Today we wear red to celebrate our teachers, paraprofessionals, and specialists!
Mrs. Okrazinski's kindergarten class was excited to welcome Officer Zay to school today as he came in a police car! Thank you to Officer Tom and the Mokena Police Department for this memorable morinng and this raffle item at the Volley for a Cure event!
Happy Staff Appreciation Week! Today we wear blue to celebrate our administrators, office staff, and nurses!
It's almost here...On Friday, over 70 Young Athletes from MES will participate in the Special Olympics Culminating Event! We are excited to welcome representatives from Special Olympics Region E and celebrate our students as they showcase the gross motor skills they have been practicing at school!
It's National School Nurses Day! Our school nurses play a critical role in supporting the health, wellness, and academic success of students. Let's thank our school nurses for all they do! #SND2025
