Manhattan School District 114

Mrs. Kim Maher - Director of Communication, Development, and Safety:

9/24 Teacher Institute Day: Our SRO Team contributed to our safe learning spaces strategic goal work.  The entire district started their day at MJHS where Officers Bernardy and Beauchamp addressed the staff about the role of the SRO, our Manhattan-specific program, and how they are able to support both staff and students of Manhattan School District 114.  Following, MSD114 administrators reviewed the Standard Response Protocol, ALICE, and developmentally appropriate language and student responsibilities for drills and crisis response.

Safety Week Drills: The weather cooperated and our plans for running both evacuation and lockdown drills at all four schools over two days during safety week was a success.  Now that we have established plans for crisis response, drills with the Manhattan Fire Protection District and Manhattan Police Department extend beyond the procedures and expectations for students.  For the fire drill, the principals were able to have the fire department sign off on their required drill while the Deputy Fire Marshall completed his annual walk-thru, test of the alarm system, and formally timing a drill.  For the law enforcement drills, the Manhattan Police Department coordinated with Will County dispatch to measure and assess the amount of time between the pressing of the lockdown alert button at the schools and the response at 9-1-1.  One of the schools had dispatch connected to the MPD in just 17 seconds! They also checked the doors of every classroom during the lockdown.  Our students and staff did a wonderful job with both drills! Following the drills, we will make a few adjustments to our public address and RLock Alert systems.  We will continue to build on our preparedness for emergencies we hope to never experience!

Transportation Communication Update: While some of our transportation challenges remain, we are now able to communicate to individual bus routes at all four schools.  Rather than inundating families with text messages, delay information is shared by text message with specific bus routes at each school, whenever it is available to us.     

New Teacher Mentor Program: Our new teachers and their mentors have met at least three times so far.  While these are more formal meetings with guided topics of discussion, the support of the mentors to the new staff is constant.  Our new teachers are doing well as members of their teams as well as with their students and families.  New teacher check-in meetings will take place each trimester throughout year 1.

PTO Read-A-Thon Fundraiser: For the 2nd year, our PTO is sponsoring a Read-A-Thon Fundraiser.  While promoting reading among our Preschool-5th grade students, they'll work to achieve the same success they had last year, allowing them to decrease the number of fundraisers throughout the year.  Thanks to the contributions of videos from our teachers, families can log reading minutes by watching the video of a picture book being read that the PTO shares each night. 

Mrs. Cheryl Donovan - Director of Curriculum and Instruction:

Fall Benchmarking 

• All students participated in fall benchmarking. 

• Data meetings were held both in small groups and individually to review data, set goals, and problem solve. 

• Benchmark reports were sent home and intervention notices followed for those receiving Tier II or Tier III services. 

Teacher Institute Curriculum and Instruction Highlights:

• MSD114 4th-8th Grade staff participated in professional development Session I: “The Why” behind the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan. Thank you to our reading specialist and instructional coaches for leading this professional development. 

• Data discussions were held across the district

• K-8 Art and Music Vertically Articulated

• Physical Education, Library Media Specialist/Technology, and Social Emotional Learning Multi Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) teams met to review and plan for the Illinois Mandated Instructional Units

• Continual planning took place to ensure our students have the strongest Curriculum and Instruction

Implementation of Eureka Math Squared:

• Part of our adoption includes support from Great Minds, the parent company of Eureka Math Squared (EM2). The instructional specialist team has an avenue to communicate and collaborate with the EM2 team quickly. I meet with our lead trainer, Nadine, bi weekly. The leadership team and staff are encouraged to ask questions as we learn together.

• I echo the building leadership. A curricular resource adoption is a heavy lift. Thank you to our staff for all they are doing and will continue to do as we learn a new resource. The staff is encouraged to give themselves grace as they navigate each module, topic and lesson. 

• Here is a direct link to our Vision & Mission that we are continually working toward. Thank you to our building leadership and instructional specialists for being mindful of the time needed to support implementing a new resource. 

Mrs. Julie Hantson - Director of Special Education: 

CPI training has wrapped up throughout the district with over 25+ staff throughout the district being trained. This learning is critical in understanding de-escalation strategies and supporting the emotional regulation and safety of all of our students and staff. 

Our 2025-2026 Student Services Night is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2025 (5:30pm-7pm) at Wilson Creek School.

We were notified by ISBE that our ISBE Special Education Compliance Visit is scheduled for the 2027–2028 school year. Preparations will be underway for this moving forward.

DESSA screening is currently underway and once that is wrapped up 10/10, staff will meet and discuss next steps for our students.

Ms. Cari Rohe - Wilson Creek: 

Wilson Creek has held 2 assemblies since our last report! We had The Ned Show in the middle of September.  The students were entertained by a performer doing yo-yo tricks while telling a story about Never Giving Up, Encouraging Others and Doing Your Best! Last week, we had our first Pride Assembly of the school year! We celebrated the Cunningham Family (yellow family) and learned about the character trait Respect.  New this year, we honored students from each class who exhibited the character trait this month! 

We had an institute day.  Staff learned about the safety drills in our district and more about ALICE specifically.   Staff had time to collaborate as a grade level on Eureka.  They also had time to collaborate with other staff in the building.  Our school leadership team has been working on our School Improvement Plan and it was submitted to Dr. Aherne last week.  We also continued our professional development with our SEL curriculum, Character Strong as a whole staff. 

Wilson Creek had 2 safety drills last week, a supervised fire drill with Manhattan Fire Department as well as our ALICE Drill with the Manhattan Police Department. Our students did such a great job with both drills! Shout out to our staff for all of their work in preparing the students. 

Wilson Creek had a special visitor, our Regional Superintendent Dr. Caparelli-Ruff came to read to a Kindergarten and First Grade classroom! The students enjoyed the visit and the Dr. Seuss book she donated to their room! 

The Wilson Creek staff had a fundraiser at Posh West in Manhattan! We are appreciative of their partnership to support our staff!

Mrs. Elise Kirk - Anna McDonald: 

Rock Your School: On Friday, October 3rd our school joined schools across the country to Rock your School. Students and staff dressed up as rock stars, the school and classrooms were transformed with decorations, and activities throughout the day had a shared theme. This event brought so much engagement and joy to our halls!

2nd Grade: 2nd grade is off to Plum Creek next week for a field trip. Thank you to teachers and chaperones for helping to give our students this great experience.  

3rd Grade: 3rd grade walked to the Manhattan Historical Museum to learn more about the history of our special town. The trip helped to enhance a recent social studies unit. 

Police and Popsicle Storytime: On October 23rd, our school will partner with Manhattan Public Library and Manhattan Police Department for an event called Police and Popsicle storytime. Students will take turns walking over to the public library during the school day for this collaborative community event! 

Pack Council- Thank you to our sponsors, Mrs. Mancke and Mrs. Davis, for a second year of our pack council at Anna McDonald. This after school club will meet twice per month to participate in community service projects, promote our pack culture, and find ways to help our school community. We are excited for this club!

Strong Character Awards- Throughout the month students earned tickets for demonstrating strong character in their classroom, lunchroom, and in specials. Each Friday two names are pulled to win a character award and water bottle.  We are so proud of all of our students for demonstrating such strong character! 

Data Meetings- Thank you to Angie Newman and Jess Patterson for running our Fall data meetings. The teachers did a great job advocating for their students and discussing their academic, social and emotional growth. Intervention groups are up and running. 

Eureka Squared- A major shoutout to all of our teachers implementing Eureka Squared. A new resource is a heavy lift and staff have done an excellent job learning, discussing and supporting each other and students through this process. 

Specials Superstar: Each month our Art, Music, PE and STEM teachers nominate two students that exemplify the monthly character trait. This month we recognize students who demonstrated RESPECT. Their picture is displayed on our Specials Superstar wall and they receive a certificate and trophy. We are proud to share Cooper O, Eliana F, Francisco E, Kinley M., Abe C, Penny B, Colton S. and Orion C.

Mr. Ryan McWilliams - Manhattan Intermediate, Director of Buildings and Grounds:

Thank you Ms. Innes for coordinating a 5th grade visit with Senator Joyce; Rep. DeLuca; & Manhattan Mayor Adriaensen. All 3 will be at MIS on October 22nd to share their experiences in politics.

A shout out to Mrs. Ramsey for her technology problem solving and getting all our ViewSonic boards in the classrooms to function like SmartTV's / Interactive boards. This has been a game changer implementing our new math curriculum this school year.

40+ 4th & 5th graders have joined the MIS choir program. This is very exciting and encouraging that so many kids are taking interest in the fine arts programs.

I appreciate the guidance Mrs. Barr is providing our Math team at MIS implementing the new math curriculum, as well as the diligence, integrity and patience the staff demonstrates tackling the new series. There are always hurdles & obstacles with anything new and the team is taking it in stride and making them opportunities to be better. GO OLE MIS!

The ELA squad continues to enhance its delivery of curriculum & instruction. Mrs. Barr & Ms. Lamont have been collaborating with the team to refine lessons, assessments, and instruction.

I can't say enough about the people at MIS and that "All In" approach each team member has when cultivating our climate. It takes everyone to make the difference! Thank you, MIS staff.

Creative things are happening in Art, Music, PE, & STREAM. These opportunities are important to the overall well being & development of our kids and this group of staff are always seeking ways to enhance the experiences in the classroom. Thank you Mrs. Boersma, Mr. Quiaoit, Mrs. Rossi, Mrs. Mikos, Mrs. Ramsey, and Mrs. Fox.

Many thanks to Mrs. Houk & Mrs. Paskauskas for promoting the opportunity for kids to walk the track outside in the morning. Kids that enter the building between 7:10-7:20am can go outside for some fresh air and exercise.

All of the Fall benchmark testing is done and data days to discuss student performance have been completed & executed. Thank you Mrs. Barr & Ms. Lamont for facilitating these meetings and to the staff for coming prepared to discuss their students. 

It's been a wonderful August & September. Our 4th graders have acclimated well to the expectations held at MIS and our 5th graders are demonstrating the maturity needed to be leaders. Love the smiles, the happy feeling each day, and the high fives at MIS.

Mr. Vince Perillo & Mrs. Gina Burlison - Manhattan Junior High:

Data Days: Big Team Data Days and Individual Data Days were beneficial for all staff. Teachers went over last year’s IAR data and recent STAR data and determined learning trends amongst groups of students. They worked as teams to determine goals for each group for the year. Thank you to Mrs. Petschinsky, Mrs. Goberville, and Mrs. Watson for their hard work preparing for and implementing these days.

8th-Grade PreACT: The PreACT is a test all 8th graders take in October each year to guide their course placement for next year at Lincoln-Way West. This year, 8th graders will take the PreACT on October 29th. Thank you to Tracey Miller from LWW for coming to MJHS to train both administrators and staff on the platform and how to administer the test, as well as Cheryl Donovan and Meghan Petschinsky for helping with the coordination of the test.   

Room 505: The Junior High Room 505 class started their 6th year of Rainbow Cafe Coffee Cart strong! This year along with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and apple cider they added flavored iced tea and popcorn.  They would like to thank teachers and staff for all of their support!

Students of the Month:  In September, MJHS focused on the characteristic of preparedness.   Congratulations to our nine winners of Student of the Month.

6th-Grade:  June Boersma, Brenna Bauer, David Krystopa

7th-Grade:  Charlotte Bauer, Brayden Uranin, Ben Zolecki

8th-Grade: Anna Dotzenrod, Rosalynn Virgilio, Joseph Williamson

Principal’s Cabinet:  Congratulations to the sixteen 8th-grade students who were selected by staff members to be members of the Principal’s Cabinet (formerly LEAP).  These students have been extremely helpful already this year, assisting with events such as Locker Move-In, Summer Bridge Program, and the start of school.  Members of the Principal’s Cabinet this year are Parker Obiala, Olivia O’Sullivan, Molly Shanahan, Kellen Smith, Cael Watson, Zach Milosovic, Zoei Johnson, Delaney DePolo, Anna Boersma, Cameron Lanz, Wyatt Benson, Abby Hannigan, and Ben Yanong.

Athletics: The MJHS Lady Demons Basketball teams have begun their competitive seasons! The MJHS Boys Volleyball teams head into their conference tournament on 10/7- Good luck, gentlemen! The MJHS Cross Country team hosted the Conference Meet at the Round Barn on Wednesday, October 1st. Congratulations to 8th grader, Ryder Ethridge, on his Conference Champion title along with 21 personal best times! Thank you to Ms. De Masi and Mrs. Ethridge for helping to organize this DPVC school event! Good luck to our running Demons as they host our Sectionals meet on Saturday, October 11th! Cheerleading tryouts will be held on October 7th-9th. Good luck to all those trying out! Boys’ Basketball tryouts will be held on October 20th and 21st for all three grade levels. Good luck to all the boys trying out! 

MJHS Music Groups: The band students have started their band lessons during their gym class. The Symphonic Band is currently working on new music for the Veteran's Day Assembly. The 6th Grade Concert Band is currently reviewing out of their band book and will start working on music for their Christmas Concert in December. The 4th and 5th grade Band, Orchestra, and Choir will be having their next concert on Thursday, November 13th at 6:30pm in the MJHS gym.

Athletic Booster’s / Blue Crew’s “Pink Out”:  On Thursday, October 23rd, the Blue Crew and Athletic Boosters will be hosting a Pink Out for the home girls’ basketball games starting at 4:00 P.M.  All week, MJHS will be having a spirit week to promote the event to raise money to donate to Pink Heals Joliet.  

Manhattan PTO Events @ MJHS:  The PTO will be hosting their Halloween Dance on Friday, October 17th, at MJHS for students in grades 6-8.  On Saturday, October 25th, the PTO will be holding their Trunk-or-Treat at MJHS.  This year, student groups from the Junior High (Blue Crew, NJHS, and Student Council) will be running games and activities inside of the building for the kids to be able to do.