The April 8, 2026 Board of Education meeting VIDEO recording is now available.
Meeting Recording Includes:
Open Session Meeting
Superintendent & Boards Reports
APRIL 2026 Highlights
MJHS Student Recognition and Performances
Administrator Reports
Mrs. Kim Maher - Director of Communication, Development, and Safety:
The first review of the draft Board Policy Manual is complete. We will review changes and identify areas requiring further board review before an anticipated meeting with our representative from IASB on April 15th.
Registration is now open for returning students, new families, and incoming Kindergarten students. The registration process is online and includes both payment and proof of residency. Families can register at a discounted rate until April 15th.
We will recognize our 11 bus drivers on April 28th, Bus Driver Appreciation Day. We are grateful for the drivers that consistently serve our community, transporting our students safely to and from school in MSD114. We'd also like to recognize Mrs. Pam DeBoer who serves as our liaison with Lincoln-Way 210 Transportation and works to ensure smooth arrival and dismissal at each school, every day.
Mrs. Cheryl Donovan - Director of Curriculum and Instruction:
The Illinois School Board of Education has published and accepting feedback on the Illinois Numeracy Plan. Approval is expected at the June board meeting.
Manhattan 114 IAR testing is complete. Thank you to our staff for ensuring we were prepared for a successful testing session, our teachers for preparing our students, and the students for putting forth their best effort. We look forward to preliminary scores to come our way in a few months and official scores later in the summer. Our 5th and 8th graders will complete the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) later this month.
This past month the Spanish department articulated and completed observations with Lincoln Way West. We enjoyed hosting Lincoln Way West this year and we thank them for their partnership as we work together to ensure a smooth transition for our students from 114 to 210.
Thank you to our staff, families and students for completing the Illinois 5Essentials survey. We look forward to getting reports back and reviewing the data.
Mrs. Julie Hantson - Director of Special Education:
Our 2025-2026 Student Services Community Night is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2026 (5:30pm-7pm) at Wilson Creek School. We have a variety of activities, vendors, animals, and a sensory truck confirmed for attendance for that night. We hope to see you all there!
The Indicator 8 Parent Involvement survey was 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. Parents have received them and have begun filling them out and sending them back to the state. Our case managers have reached out to parents to ask them to fill them out online for the state. As of March 27, 2026, Manhattan SD 114: 351 surveys mailed, 301 parents received email reminders, 67 surveys completed - District Response Rate: 17.09%. The survey closes May 15, 2026.
We are in the process of registering our students for ESY 2026! ESY will take place June 15 through July 17 at Mokena Schools.
The district completed our year 1 Remediation Plan for Preschool compliance in regards to having students in the LRE and access to general education peers. We continue to work to stay in compliance with state and federal mandates. Thank you to Ms. Rohe and Mrs. Schoppe for your assistance.
We extend our sincere thanks to our BCBA, Kaylee Pellack, for her ongoing commitment to supporting our students and staff. We were proud to recognize her on World Behavior Analyst Day, March 20th.
Ms. Cari Rohe - Wilson Creek:
Spring is in the air at Wilson Creek! We had our monthly Pride Assembly where we celebrated our students of the month who exhibited cooperation! We also had a special visit from a Leprechaun! Our 1st grade students were able to put their leprechaun traps (stem project) to the test as well! Kindergarten took a trip to Hawaii! They boarded the plane all ready for the beach to coincide with their ocean unit!
PFA held their spring parent involvement day! The preschool students put on a fashion show for their guests! All of the colors of the rainbow were represented! Then the guests went back to their classrooms to do some hands-on activities together! PFA and EC staff also held another Preschool screening day!
The PTO sponsored the spring parties! We had lots of volunteers in the building for the K-1 classrooms. The volunteers brought lots of fun games for the students to play and a great time was had by all!
Wilson Creek staff continue to prepare for the 26-27 school year! During our early release, K-1 classroom teachers worked collaboratively with other staff in the building to prepare draft class lists for the upcoming school year! We also celebrated PFA teacher Liz Zlogar with a baby shower and held a staff luncheon!
K-1 staff also held their six week data check ins as we are closely monitoring student intervention and some kindergarten staff concluded the interview process for the vacant kindergarten position!
Wilson Creek ended its pizza set up fundraiser! We sold almost 240 pizza set ups and raised $1300!
Mrs. Elise Kirk - Anna McDonald:
March Madness- Thank you to Mrs. Rea, our librarian, for running our tournament of books. 16 picture books faced off and our students voted on their favorites using a bracket. The winning book will be announced after Spring Break!
IAR- Thank you to all 3rd grade students and staff for helping to make state testing a success. Thank you to Mrs. Patterson, Mrs. Cheryl Donovan, and our Tech Department for helping to troubleshoot on the spot with staff. Our students put in an abundance of effort and we are so proud!
Edward Tulane- Our students are doing a great job reading and participating in our weekly raffle of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. Each week students turn in story questions for a chance to win a different novel by Kate DiCamillo. Thank you to our families for supporting this literacy initiative at home.
Family Night- On April 21st from 5-6:30pm, we will host our Family Night. We welcome all families to join and experience a special evening themed around the story Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo.
Pack Council- The Pack Council hosted Movie Madness during the last few months and raised almost $1,000! Students were able to stay after school and watch a movie with their friends for a nominal fee. The Pack Council voted to use the funds raised to buy stuffed animals for sick children at Silver Cross, give the bus drivers gift cards, and buy lunch for Manhattan Police and Fire Departments. We are also using some of the funds to provide lunch for our teachers during the first week of May. It was a very successful fundraiser with many meaningful outcomes!
PTO Spring Parties- Thank you to our PTO and parent volunteers for a wonderful spring party!
Character Strong- This month we are learning about Courage and celebrating our Courageous Chameleons!
Mr. Ryan McWilliams - Manhattan Intermediate, Director of Buildings and Grounds:
Manhattan Intermediate School
Hope everyone had a nice spring break. This time of year always puts smiles on faces. Thank you to all our parent volunteers & PTO for facilitating the spring parties. All IAR testing is completed. ISA testing (5th grade only) will take place the week of April 20th. Thank you to Mrs. Donovan for treating the MIS staff to Green River &/or A&W floats - very kind and much appreciated by the staff. It's the little things that sometimes make big impacts. Thank you! A fire drill slated for April 14th and Code Blue drill on April 17th. Speaking of drills, thank you to Nurse Jaime and our SW Mrs Ciurej for responding to a medical emergency in a classroom. The response was handled nicely and we learned a little something from it for the next time. Looking forward to our Family Engagement/Art Show night on April 30th. A LOUD SHOUT OUT to our support staff & assistants across the building for supporting our kids day in and day out. The care they provide our kids is very much appreciated and without you, we would never be who we are. THANK YOU!!! It's been another wonderful school year. I expect MIS to finish strong and for all our students, but especially the 5th graders who opened up Ole MIS last year and have been a wonderful group of kids, an enjoyable closure to the 2025-26 school year!
Buildings and Grounds
1. MJHS concession area
a. This work to start once board approved
2. Door project
a. This work will be completed in July. This fulfills many line items on 10 year inspection
3. Walk through with 2010 Engineering took place on Tuesday, March 17 to develop an extensive HVAC plan for AM & MIS
4. Getting quotes to complete lighting projects at all three schools
5. WC sealcoating in July
6. Chillers at Wilson Creek were serviced on March 17 & 18. Anna Mac & MIS are next. This is part of preventative maintenance plan
New field grooming machine should arrive at the beginning of April. This was a much needed machine for the ball fields
Mr. Vince Perillo - Manhattan Junior High:
IAR Testing: Testing was completed before Spring Break, and the process of make-up exams have 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 Christina Studlow, 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 20th.
N.J.H.S. (Induction Ceremony): Faculty Advisors Sarah Johnston and Jamie Smith are excited to announce that 29 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, Andrea Kozlowicz, and Reilly Faber) for their help in the process. The N.J.H.S. Induction Ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 23rd at 6:30 P.M. at MJHS.
Art Show: The 2026 Art Showcase is on Wednesday, April 22nd from 5:00-7:00 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: The MJHS Bowling Team has had a wonderful start to their competitive season with a 2nd place finish for the girls team and a 4th place for the boys at the Homer Tournament. On top of that, we're proud to celebrate some individual accomplishments as well with a boys first place finish and girls 3rd and 5th place finishes! Way to roll, Demons! The MJHS Wrestling team finished up a historic season with nine state qualifiers and six individuals coming home with medals! As a team, the Demons finished as the state-runner up as well. With two boys placing second, two third place finishes, one fourth, and one fifth, they truly fought their way to the top! Congratulations, Demons! Track and Field has begun practicing, with 132 students participating this year. Good luck to all involved as they begin their competitive season when we return from spring break! Parents who are interested in volunteering to work the concession stand for Track & Field Sectionals on Saturday, May 16th should contact the Athletic Boosters. Manhattan Athletic Summer Camp information will be coming out soon for students to sign up.
IGSMA State Competition for Band/Orchestra/Choir:
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 11:00am and the Symphonic Band performs at 12:30pm. Go Bands!
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.