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
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!
⭐ Attention 2025-2026 kindergarten families! Please save the date for kindergarten informational night! ⭐
Thank you to all of the families and students who came out to MES Family Night! Thank you to our amazing staff for planning and running this memorable evening. Smiles were abundant and fun was had by all!
Did you know that penguins looooove snow? It's the perfect night to come down to MES to celebrate all things penguin! We will see our MES families soon!
Thank you to the Mokena Fire Protection District and Fire Marshal Tom Murray for providing members of our staff with important CPR training throughout the day. We appreciate your partnership and support!
Goal 3A: The district has developed a Facilities Master Plan to organize, prioritize, and forecast maintenance and infrastructure projects. Funds from the 2019 referendum are utilized to pay for these critical projects to ensure our schools are “warm, safe, and dry”. In addition to the many projects at individual schools, below are project highlights that have occurred in all three schools:
-Renovations or replacements of HVAC systems
-Updated and expanded parking lots
-Improved sidewalks
-Tuckpointing and building envelope work
-Exchanged exterior door locks and added multiple keyless entry points
-Expanded security coverage with additional interior and exterior cameras
📢 MES Family Night is Tomorrow! 🎉
Join us for an evening of science exploration, crafts, and penguin fun! 🐧✨ Dive into the world of Mr. Popper’s Penguins, snap a picture with our special guests, and enjoy hands-on activities for the whole family.
📅 Date: March 5, 2025
📍 Location: MES
⏰ Time: 5:30-7:30 PM
Don't miss out on this exciting night of learning and laughter! See you there! ❄️🎨🔬 #MESFamilyNight #MrPoppersPenguins
Friendly reminder, tomorrow is an early dismissal day!
Drumroll, please! today MES announced the next One Book, One School selection! After weeks of clues, we revealed that Mr. Popper's Penguins is our next book! The oldest student in each family at MES will bring home a copy of the book for the family to read. Inside is a bookmark with the suggested reading schedule. Please enjoy this story with your family!
MES Stars kicked off Read Across America Week with a visit from New York Times best-selling Author Alan Katz! Mr. Katz signed books and encouraged every student to write every single day. Thank you to Mrs. Janes, Mrs. Esgar and MES Student Council for this opportunity.
The Human Resources Coordinator in conjunction with the Superintendent and the Administrative Team have developed a set of resources and processes for the onboarding of new employees. Highlights of Goal 4C’s work include:
-A new hire onboarding process for all new staff members led by the HR Coordinator that includes completion of paperwork, review of policy and procedures, and an explanation of all benefits
-Substitute teacher onboarding process including the review and receipt of a newly designed district substitute teacher handbook
-Yearly substitute teacher orientation that provides substitutes with information regarding the district, policies, and procedures
-Three day New Staff Orientation in August that includes learning about district department supports, meeting mentor teachers, curriculum and instruction training, time with building principals, and our infamous district bus tour
-Two year mentoring program for new certified staff members
Happy School Social Workers Week! Join us in celebrating our district's dedicated social workers who play a pivotal role in enhancing the well-being and success of our students!
Strengthening the district’s website as a means of communication and information has been a continued goal over the past several years. Accomplishments within this goal include:
-Launch of brand new, modernized website
-Regular review and update of website contents including school sites and department specific pages
-Survey sent to families seeking input on website and adjustments made based on the trends in survey data
-Sought feedback from Parent Advisory Committee on how to make the website more user friendly and efficient for parents
-Addition of transparency page to include a one stop place for information on contracts, financial reports, tax levy, budgets, audits, bids, and grants.
-Linked district and school calendars with important dates and events
1st graders were busy this week writing about how a bird's beak or feathers help it survive. They have grown so much as writers this year! Go Stars!
📣 Thank you for celebrating National Public Schools Week with us! Our schools shape the future! With your continued support, we will prepare our students for success! Drop a 💚to show your support for Mokena SD 159! #PSW25
MES students are loving the sunshine and the playground at recess! Recess is an important time of the day for not only physical activity, but the benefits also extend to growing skills such as relationship builiding, creativity, leadership, cooperation, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
Kindergarten enrollment is open now! If your child will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2025, they are eligible for Kindergarten enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year. For more information, go to the Mokena School District 159 Kindergarten Enrollment page of our website: http://bit.ly/4hXYESc
🌍 Public schools are more than classrooms! From family events to partnerships with local organizations, public schools bring people together. Share a story of how your school has made a difference in the community! #PSW25#PSW25
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
