Manhattan School District 114

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

Student & Community Safety: SRO Bernardy will be returning with "WE Thing Wednesdays" in the new year.  Parents were surveyed for input in order to prioritize topics and efficiently provide content that will help them support their children and be aware of potential dangers in the digital world.

Transportation Communication: It is anticipated that MSD114 parents will receive information and instructions for the Zonar MyView app.  We will be the first district served by LW210 to utilize this tool that allows parents to establish a radius to receive notifications.  When the bus enters the radius, typically near their home, they will receive a notification.  We anticipate a learning curve for all involved but appreciate the opportunity to better connect our parents to their child's transportation.

Together in Support Memorial Fundraiser: We are grateful for the overwhelming response to our efforts to raise funds to help permanently memorialize Danny Bayles and Chance Hunnicutt at MJHS.  Between the funds raised through Action Sports and monetary donations, we currently have almost $4,000 to put toward the project!

New Teacher Mentor Program: Our new teachers and their mentors continue to meet at least monthly, some as often as weekly, to provide support and information for the success of the new staff in our district.  This fall, new teachers had the opportunity to observe other teachers and continue shaping their understanding of curriculum and instruction in MSD114.  Thank you to the mentors, instructional specialists, and building principals for working together to support our new staff!

Memorial Support for Student Lunch Balance Accounts: In his obituary, Scott Mancke's family listed donations to MSD114 student school lunch balances in lieu of flowers. The former board member regularly made donations and we are grateful to his family for thinking of our students in honoring him. Just over $1,000 was added to unpaid lunch account balances for students across MSD114.

Mrs. Cheryl Donovan - Director of Curriculum and Instruction:

MTSS

During November the Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS) teams at each building held check-in meetings with classroom teachers to prepare for further intervention and/or dismissal. 

Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan

All staff continue to build their capacity in understanding the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan. Literacy is a shared responsibility across our entire staff at all levels. 

The Reading Specialist and Instructional Specialist teams are starting to preview word study supplemental materials for grade four through eight. Word study provides instruction in phonics, morphology, vocabulary, and spelling while strengthening decoding, spelling, and language comprehension.

Math

The Instructional Specialist team, building leadership, and I, continue to prioritize strong support for our math implementation. I meet biweekly with our LEAD representative from Eureka Math², and the Instructional Specialist team and I collaborate biweekly to vertically share insights and strengthen alignment. In November, the Instructional Specialists, building administrators, and I also met to reflect on our leadership during this first trimester of implementation.

Our teachers remain committed to learning the resource, preparing thoroughly for each lesson, and doing what is best for students each day. We are grateful for their dedication, professionalism, and focus on math instruction.

English Language Learners / Multilingual Learners (EL/ML)

ACCESS testing for all students identified as EL/ML will take place in February. This assessment measures each student's acquisition of the English language in the areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening. We currently have eight languages represented and celebrated among our EL/ML students.

Other

Manhattan 114’s Early Entrance & Acceleration Procedures have been updated and posted on our website. 

I look forward to further exploring the Illinois School Report Card at tonight’s meeting. 

Mrs. Julie Hantson - Director of Special Education: 

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

We had our 1st meeting for Remediation for Preschool for our LRE and have begun steps to rectify and move forward with a game plan. We have a team of people to problem solve how to have exposure to general education preschool students for our district.

Our district is up for ISBE Indicator 8: Parent involvement survey. In 2026, the Indicator 8 Parent Involvement survey will be distributed to the parents of students with disabilities in our district to determine how well schools throughout the state are involving parents in their children’s education. 

Ms. Cari Rohe - Wilson Creek: 

Wilson Creek has wrapped up the first trimester!  Our parent teacher conferences were held on November 24th and 25th with almost 100 percent attendance by parents.  Our technology teacher Brianne Kaluzny wrapped up the Scholastic Book Fair that week as well.  Wilson Creek sold over $12,000 in books! This is great news as the profits go directly back to the Wilson Creek library.

Our classrooms that raised the most money during the Readathon had their pizza parties and Mrs. Schoppe and Mrs. Rohe got silly stringed by the students who earned that reward!  Fun was had by all!  We also held our November Pride Assembly where we honored classes and students who exhibited the character trait of gratitude!

Staff received professional development on our early release day November 12th.  The focus was on behavior management techniques, classroom wide behavior incentives and staff were able to share strategies that are effective in their setting with their peers.  Our Instructional Specialist and Reading specialist also planned activities for all of the staff to rotate through stations where the pillars of literacy were reviewed.  

The six week data day check ins occurred with all K and 1 teachers.  Our MTSS process is in full swing!  Our leadership team met to review our Wilson Creek School Improvement Plan and our staff are working hard to meet the goals we have identified at Wilson Creek and at the district level.  We are about to start an internal audit of our writing curriculum and needs. A monthly coffee chat for staff to discuss various podcasts was also started at Wilson Creek by staff! This is optional for staff to attend but was well attended!

The holiday season is in the air! On Friday, November 21st, our Kindergarten and First Graders celebrated Thanksgiving with their annual feasts and parade! Teachers are educating students about all of the various holidays celebrated around the world!  Students shopped for loved ones at the Santa's Workshop last week as well.  The countdown to winter break spirit days are in full effect!

Mrs. Elise Kirk - Anna McDonald: 

Parent Teacher Conferences- Thank you to all of the staff and parents who made our parent teacher conferences a success. The home-school connection is a crucial part of ensuring success for students. Thank you to our PTO for the delicious dinner during parent teacher conferences.

Manhattan Music Booster- Thank you to all the parents and volunteers that made Santa's secret workshop a success! The students loved shopping.

Choir Club- Choir club will host a holiday show at 2pm on December 18th. Family members of choir club students are invited to attend! 

Pack Council- Pack council hosted a very successful food drive. Members were able to drop off donations at the local food pantry. In addition, Pack Council visited the Clarendale Retirement community in Mokena to sing Christmas carols and bring holiday cheer. 

Trimester Reward- We are so proud of how hard our 2nd and 3rd grade students have worked during trimester 1. They have been demonstrating respect, responsibility, and gratitude exceptionally well. Students enjoyed a reward trip to The Mar to see Pets on a Train.

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 Gratitude. Their picture is displayed on our Specials Superstar wall and they received a certificate and trophy.

Space Week- 3rd grade students enjoyed an engaging week of Space Exploration. Staff transformed classrooms and hallways into a space themed land of wonder. Space week will end with an in-house field trip to StarLab.

Holiday fun- The month of December includes lots of  holiday fun. Christmas around the world, Gingerbread houses, choir concerts, and a dodgeball tournament. Oh, what fun!

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

Ole MIS News

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break. Prior to break I sent this out to the MIS parents:

Hello Parents of MIS,

As we head into the holiday season, I just wanted to express how well things are going thus far this school year at Ole MIS. On Oct 29th I met with all the kids and shared how grateful and proud I, and all the adults at MIS, are of them. I expressed how good they are doing coming to school happy, ready to engage & learn, and meeting expectations. They are doing all the little things that make a difference. From how they come in the building each morning & walk the halls; to the use of the washrooms; to playing at recess & cleaning up after lunch; riding the bus appropriately; and all throughout the day, they are all doing really, really, really good. Perfection isn't expected nor realistic for me, you, them, but trying their best to be a good person and doing their job of getting work done and following directions and being better today than they were yesterday, is what we can strive for. We have great kids that know right and wrong and what it means to be a good friend & person. Thank you for your support and keep sending us those smiles in the morning. 

Happy Holidays!

Ryan

Thank you to all the parents that came to parent / teacher conferences. I hope all the conversations were meaningful & informative. 

MIS went to see Zootopia 2 on Dec 2nd & 3rd at the historic MAR Theater in Wilmington. Thank you Mrs Abbott for coordinating that trip for us.

The Fine Arts Fundraiser was hosted in the library Dec 4th & 5th. Appreciate Mrs Pedziwater for coordinating this for staff.

December 9th was the 67th day of school..."6-7!" Kids at all grades get a kick out of this whole 67 craze.

20th Annual Dodgeball Tourney & PTO Parties slated for Friday, December 19th. Thank you to all our parent volunteers for joining us at party time and facilitating the fun activities for the kids.

Art Club with Mrs. Boersma will be starting after winter break.

Have a great winter break everyone!

B&G

I will be meeting with a handful of service providers during the winter season to get quotes on items such as flooring, ceilings, painting, & HVAC at various sites & conduct preventative maintenance.

All the new lighting at Wilson Creek was installed. Things are looking bright over there. Thank you for your financial support of that project. Soon I will be asking for the ComEd Energy Savings rep. to get the district a quote to retro fit all pendant lighting at WC, AM, and MIS with LED.

The fire sprinkler systems at WC, MIS & MJHS will all be inspected over winter break. Deficiencies from last year's inspection were rectified at WC & MIS over Thanksgiving break.

Mr. Vince Perillo - Manhattan Junior High:

Parent-Teacher Conferences: Thank you to all our staff members as well as all the parents who attended Parent-Teacher Conferences before Thanksgiving. This year, MJHS held all conferences on Tuesday virtually over Google Meet to maximize time spent with parents. It was great meeting to celebrate the successes of the students, hear feedback from parents, and work collaboratively on how to continue to best serve all of our students.

Student Council - Angel Tree Network: The Angel Tree donations at lunch from all three

grade levels are raising money to help purchase Christmas gifts for Manhattan families this holiday season. 8th-grade student council members will go shopping to buy the items to be delivered to the families. The student council would like to thank EVERYONE who donated to this great cause for their generosity. The grade level that brings in the most money will receive a dodge-ball tournament before the holiday break. Our student council is coordinated by Mrs. Kozlowicz and Mrs. Shinovich.

Blue Crew / Athletic Boosters: The Blue Crew will be selling Candy Cane Grams before school the week of December 15th-17th. For a dollar, students can purchase candy canes and write a message to give to a friend or staff member. The money raised from this will be donated to the Kevin Molloy State Farm Toy Drive.

On Monday, December 15th, the Athletic Boosters will be hosting a “Game with the Grinch” for our home basketball game against Martino starting at 4:15. Students are encouraged to come out and show their Grinch-mas Spirit, as the Mean Green Machine will be in the building that night! As a part of the “Game with the Grinch”, Blue Crew and the Athletic Boosters are hosting a Staff Appreciation Night that evening.

Rooms 500, 502, & 503 Christmas Play: Another holiday tradition at MJHS is the Rooms 500, 502, & 503 Christmas Play, which will take place on Thursday, December 18th. The cast of characters will be giving four performances that day!

Music: The 6-8th Band-Orchestra-Choir students will perform their Annual Christmas Concert on Tuesday, December 9th, at 6:30pm in the gym at MJHS. On Tuesday, December 2nd, the Demon Choir will travel to Lincoln-Way West to attend the LWW Madrigals final dress rehearsal dinner and receive a Q&A with the performers!

On Friday, December 5th, at 6:30 pm, the Demon Choir performed at the annual "Winter Fest" at the Round Barn Farm (Baker Pavilion). On December 10th, the Manhattan Madrigal Singers will perform a short set of music for the Manhattan Resident Holiday Luncheon. The Madrigals are very excited to celebrate the season with our community!

The Band Boosters will be having their annual Secret Santa fundraiser in December. Secret Santa will take place at WC from December 1-3, MIS from December 4-5, and AM from December 8-10. Thank you to everyone who has signed up to help at our biggest fundraiser of the year!

Athletics: Congratulations to our 7th and 8th grade Girls Basketball teams on successful seasons. The 7th grade team traveled to Champaign on Wednesday, December 3rd for their sectional game, but fell to Mahomet-Seymour. 8th grade made it to the first round of regionals but lost to Ottawa Shepherd.

Congratulations to our 6th Grade Girls team on a great season that concluded in mid-November with the DPVC Tournament at Mokena.

Our Boys' Basketball teams continue on as their seasons progress.The Blue Crew and Athletic Boosters will again be hosting their annual "Game with the Grinch" during the boys' basketball games on Monday, December 15th.

Led by Coaches Paul Galassi, Kyle Quinn, Brandon Egan, and Chance Satka, wrestling's first practice was held on Monday, December 1st at 3:00 p.m. at MIS. 85 student-athletes came out for the team, including 10 females. The team hosted its Blue and White Meet on Tuesday, December 9th, which is an intrasquad meet. Their first tournament is Saturday, December 13th. Good luck, wrestlers!

Close to 90 girls have attended the Girls Volleyball Open Gyms over the past few weeks. Tryouts will be held on Monday, December 8th and Tuesday, December 9th before school. The teams, coached by Nicole Campos and Grace Hallihan, will practice all of December to prepare for their first game on Tuesday, January 6th. Best of luck, ladies!

More information will be coming on a Bowling informational meeting in January, so please stay tuned!