The April 9, 2025 Board of Education meeting video is now available.
Meeting Video Includes:
Open Session Meeting
Visitors to be Heard - (none)
Superintendent & Committee Reports
April 2025 Meeting Highlight
25-26 Bell Schedules available on the 2025-2026 School Calendar
Administrator Reports
Mrs. Kim Maher
Staff members from all four buildings will attend a CharacterStrong “Brain and Behavior” training on April 10th. Based on the instructional framework of our social-emotional learning curriculum, this training intends to equip educators with easy-to-use tools that impact student behavior and school culture. Staff will share their learning at their respective buildings this spring.
On March 25th, the Will County Safety Task Force communications team met at Manhattan Junior High. We are working on a library of communications templates that can be used to provide consistent and appropriate communication to families when standard response protocols have been implemented.
Just a friendly reminder that discounted registration pricing will end on April 15th. Families must complete the online registration by April 15th to benefit from this pricing. Once the registration is complete, Lisa Lee will contact them when their fees have been applied and are ready for payment.
The amended 2025-2026 school calendar is available on the district website. In addition to the adjustment of Teacher Institute Days, there will no longer be an e-Learning day for MJHS on March 17th, as MJHS will not be used as a polling place.
Mrs. Cheryl Donovan
Hats off to all of those who helped in the largest and smallest of capacities to ensure 3rd-8th grade ELA and Math Illinois Assessments of Readiness were completed. Thank you!
The Math Learning Committee (MLC) will submit their evaluation surveys by April 19th. The MLC team was also invited to share surveys with their students and parents. In addition, the MLC members were invited to an optional one-on-one debrief session with me. This week and next, teachers can also collaborate on a digital platform or come in person on April 16th. I will share an update and recommendation with the board once all feedback is complete (after April 19th). Both Eureka Squared and enVisions will remain on display through the May board meeting. We hope to provide initial training before leaving for the summer.
Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) will be taken by our 5th and 8th-graders later this month.
Our last Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) intervention cycle begins next week.
Mrs. Julie Hantson
Our Student Services Community Night is April 23rd from 5:30-7:30 pm at Wilson Creek.
Ms. Cari Rohe
March was a busy month at Wilson Creek! We held our Kindergarten Fine Arts Fair. The music performances both nights were full! Mrs. Walsh and Mrs. Miller Amato outdid themselves in planning this successful event!
PFA held their Spring Family Involvement Day! This event had 100% participation and featured something new this year, a fashion show! The students did a great job showing off their style on the stage, and families enjoyed engaging with their students in the classroom with some activities!
All students enjoyed creating Leprechaun traps as a STEM activity as well as the visit from the giant leprechaun that was creating mischief all around Wilson Creek! We closed out the month with Beach Day in Kindergarten and Spring classroom parties! Kindergarten boarded Wilson Creek Airlines and headed to Hawaii for the day! All students enjoyed classroom games planned by the PTO!
Teachers have been busy wrapping up the math pilot and preparing for data days this month as well. Everyone was ready for spring break, and it was well deserved!
Mrs. Elise Kirk
LW Art Show- Thank you to Mrs. Jenny Davis for all of her hard work and extra effort at the LW Art Show!
March Madness- Thank you to Mrs. Rea and Mrs. Bisch for running our tournament of books. 16 picture books faced off and our students voted on their favorites using a bracket. The winning book was “Why” by Adam Rex.
IAR- Thank you to all 3rd grade students and staff for helping to make state testing a success. Thank you to Mrs. Bolbat and Mrs. Donovan for helping to troubleshoot on the spot with staff.
Pack Council- Our student council group raised over $800 from open gym. Pack Council voted to donate items to the NICU, our bus drivers, and Clarendale Senior Living. At their last meeting they packed baskets and made cards and will be delivering these items to Silver Cross on April 12th.
Matt Wilhelm- We welcomed Matt Wilhelm this week for an Anti-Bullying BMX school-wide assembly. The kids loved his show and powerful message!
PTO Spring Parties- Thank you to our PTO and parent volunteers for a wonderful spring party!
Family Night- On April 15th from 5-6:30 pm, we will host Anna Mac Pack Family Night. We welcome all families to join and experience a special evening showcasing our special school. This night will also include an Art Show and Music Performance.
Mr. Ryan McWilliams
Hope everyone had a wonderful spring break!
ELA & Math IAR testing was completed before the break. The 5th grade is in the process of completing the science testing this week. Thank you to Mrs. Barr for facilitating all things testing, working with all the testing, troubleshooting & make-up testing. She was on call and only a text away for staff, and it's very much appreciated
Thank you to our PTO and the parent volunteers for hosting the St Patrick's dance at MIS. It is always a good turnout.
IAR Pep Rally was a blast! Mrs, Ciurej walked away winning 300 beads in the Rock Paper Scissors Championship. Mrs. Barr & Mrs. Ramsey took home the NASCAR trophy in staff scooter races. Student Council presented their IAR Pep Talk Video that was so good. And the afternoon ended with staff country dancing choreographed by Mrs. Abbott. It was a good way to end the week. We even had Dr. Aherne in front of the kids!
Quick shout out to our 4 food service moms in the district. When I make my B&G rounds, they are always smiling and friendly
Thank you, Ms. Lamont, for facilitating the 6-week Check-Ins with classroom staff.
Mrs. Turek returned from leave. Glad to have her smiling face and positive personality back at the MIS!
Building & Ground News
Fire Inspections for the 4 buildings were on Monday, March 31st
Still working on quotes for Anna Mac's gym floor project
Allied Nursery will be giving the property at MJHS 1 last fertilizer treatment this spring
Mr. Vince Perillo
IAR Testing: Testing was completed before Spring Break, and the process of making up exams has already begun. The MJHS staff is to be commended and is second to none with their flexibility and positivity with the students throughout the process. Thank you to Cheryl Donovan and Meghan Petschinsky for their leadership with state testing, especially given a new platform for staff. Special thanks to Michele Hallihan, Amy Goberville, Joyce Watson, Gerry Glunz, and Jimmy Butler, who were able to help troubleshoot and problem-solve on the spot without necessitating schedule adjustments.
ISA Testing: ISA Testing for 8th grade students will be completed the week of April 14th.
N.J.H.S. (Induction Ceremony): Faculty Advisors Sarah Johnston and Vince Russ are excited to announce that 28 seventh and eighth-grade students have been selected to become inducted as members of Manhattan Junior High School’s Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. Students who were interested completed and submitted a candidate information packet, where they were scored on scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship, character, and responsibility. Thank you to the Faculty Council Members (Gina Burlison, Betsy Dobczyk, Michelle Hassett, and Lisa Flavio) for their help in the process. The N.J.H.S. Induction Ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 17th at 6:30 P.M. at MJHS.
Cycle Showcase: The 2025 Art Showcase is on Wednesday, April 30th from 5:30-7:30 at MJHS! There will be interactive and displayed student work from Art, Computers, Spanish & STEM! Staff, students, BOE members, and families are welcome and concessions will be available. Thank you to all of our Cycles teachers, Mrs. Johnston, Mrs. Marshall, Señora Smith, and Mrs. Duff, for putting all of their hard work and creativity into this wonderful event for our students (along with the guidance of Gina Burlison and Meghan Petschinsky)!
Athletics: Bowling wraps up at the end of this month with 63 students participating across all three grade levels. On Saturday, April 5th, the MJHS competitive bowlers participated in the Homer Bowling Tournament. Our boys team took second place overall and 8th grader, Michael Schmitz placed fourth as an individual. The competitive bowlers head to the Sectionals on Saturday, April 5th. Thank you to our coaches, Mrs. Lamont and Mr. Glunz, and good luck to all of our bowlers!
MJHS Track & Field season has kicked off and the team is hosting its first meet on Tuesday, April 8th, and has another home meet on Thursday, April 10th to start the season. Good luck to all our track and field athletes and our track and field coaches as they begin their competitive season! MSD 114 Summer Athletic Camp information will be distributed soon.
IGSMA State Competition for Band/Orchestra/Choir:Congratulations to the Demon Choir and Madrigal singers for receiving Division 1 Ratings at the IGSMA District Choral Contest on Saturday, March 1st. Both ensembles are headed to the State level on Saturday, April 26th at Westmont HS.
Congratulations to the Demon Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra for receiving Division 1 Ratings at the IGSMA District Orchestra Contest on Saturday, March 8th. Both ensembles are headed to the State level on Saturday, April 26th at Joliet West HS.
Good luck to the 6th grade Concert Band and the Symphonic Band as they participate in the IGSMA State Band Festival on Saturday, April 26, at Lockport East High School.
The 6th grade Concert Band performs at 11:00 am and the Symphonic Band performs at 12:30 pm.
Room 122 News: Miss Tooley and Mrs. Dunlap’s classes held the 16th Annual Leprechaun Trap Contest on St. Patrick’s Day. As always, students wowed the audience with their designs and presentations. We appreciate everyone who came out to support the event.