NEW STAFF SPOTLIGHT: I’m Kari Jo, but friends and family call me KJ. We love to travel—this summer we spent two weeks in Florida, visiting Destin and St. George Island.
MJHS Parents- Join us for Breakfast with Admin at MJHS this Thursday, September 18th from 7:00-7:40 am! ☕🥯 Connect, ask questions, and start the day together. We can’t wait to see you!
NEW STAFF SPOTLIGHT: I hold certifications as both Certified Medical & Nursing Assistant, and also bring valuable experience from my time as a paraprofessional substitute in the Manhattan school district. My favorite hobbies are baking & cooking, but mostly spending time with my family
On Friday, MJHS had its House Reveal where 6th-grade students and any new student to the Junior High were welcomed into one of the five Houses! From there, we played a school-wide game of rock, paper, scissors to decide our five House champs as well as the MJHS winner! Congrats to the Hawks on their win! We look forward to our first Small Group House Meeting this week and our first House Olympics of the year in a few weeks! Thanks to Mrs. Benfante for the pictures!
NEW STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Hi, my name is Tara Broz. My family and I moved to Manhattan about 6 years ago. We absolutely love it here. I’m a mom of 3 very active boys. As a family we love to go on adventures, whether it’s taking a vacation to a new place or just enjoying an event with some great friends!
I am looking forward to this next adventure!
I am looking forward to this next adventure!
NEW STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Hi, I am Betsy Harris! I'm very excited to join Wilson Creek team. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Leadership and have over 10 years of experience in the early childhood field. I’m also a proud mom to two wonderful kids—Logan (10) and Margaux (8)—and we live in Manhattan. In my free time, I love to read and run; I’m currently training for my fifth marathon, which I’ll be running this October. I look forward to being part of such a supportive and engaging community.
For more information, check the message from Dr. Aherne sent by email on 9/12.
Ms. Innes' 5th graders spent time with Mr. Horne from Thrivent Financial this week. He visited their class to donate school supplies to MIS and discuss the value of saving money. As a former band director, he also enjoyed hearing about the many instruments played by our 5th grade band and orchestra students!
NEW STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Hi everyone! My name is Madeline. I just currently finished working as a private practice therapist in New Lenox and will be taking some additional classes for School Counseling. I am so excited to be back in a school setting and be part of the family atmosphere that I love so much about being in the school setting. I have always heard nothing but amazing things about the Manhattan schools, having cousins who have been through the school system, and am looking forward to an amazing school year! In my free time, I enjoy hanging with my giant dog, giant cat and baking and reading as well as spending time with my family
6th-8th Grade Girls Basketball Team Tryouts are coming this Monday, September 15th! All athletes must have a physical on file to tryout and 5th graders are eligible to tryout for the 6th grade team. Please contact Coach Stadter, Coach Minuth, or Coach McWilliams with any questions! Go Demons!
**9/12 UPDATE: ALL THREE GRADE LEVELS TEAMS WILL TRYOUT AT MJHS. 6th-8th graders can stay after school to tryout. Parents of any 5th graders interested in trying out will be responsible for getting them to MJHS by 2:50 for tryouts.
Today Manhattan Jr. High hosted our New Student Welcome Breakfast and it was all about building connections. Our newest Demons teamed up with 8th graders from the Principal’s Cabinet to share breakfast, ask questions, and get to know life at MJHS.
We love seeing students supporting students and can’t wait for more moments like this throughout the year! Got to love that Demon Pride! 💙🖤🤍
NEW STAFF SPOTLIGHT: My name is Michelle Brown and I live in Manhattan with my husband and our 3 kids, ages 13, 8, and 6. I’ve lived in Manhattan my whole life. I love being close to family, reading, baking, and hiking. I’ve been a volunteer in the district for the last 7 years and a substitute teacher for a year. I’m so excited to be a part of the reading team at Anna Mac!
NEW STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Hi! My name is Katie Talsma. I live in Elwood with my husband and our for kids. I’m excited to be starting a new role this year as an Instructional Assistant at MIS! Last year, I worked in the lunchroom at Anna McDonald, and I’m looking forward to seeing some familiar faces over at MIS. I’m grateful for the opportunity to support students and staff in a new way and can’t wait to get started!
Our MJHS scientists have been hard at work this week! 6th graders have being working on making predictions and measuring in their Metric Olympics, the 7th graders are rotating through activities to learn more about cell theory, and the 8th graders are collaborating to find out more about the nervous system! Great job, students and staff!
NEW STAFF SPOTLIGHT: My name is Melissa Bendoraitis & I have been in education for 14 years. I am married and have 2 boys. Ryder is 3 and Felix is 1 1/2. I am very excited to be teaching in Manhattan this year!
NEW STAFF SPOTLIGHT: My name is Jenniffer Faruzzi and have been married to my husband Jerry for 26 years. We live in New Lenox and have two adult boys, Nick 24 and Jake 23. Our boys are both engaged with 2026 weddings planned! I have been in education for 17 years, 10 as a paraprofessional and the last 7 as a preschool special education teacher. I am very excited to start a new chapter in my life!
Say cheese, MJHS Demons! 🧀
MJHS Picture Day is on Monday, September 15th. Parents, please keep an eye on your inbox! Picture proofs will arrive about two weeks later.
MJHS Picture Day is on Monday, September 15th. Parents, please keep an eye on your inbox! Picture proofs will arrive about two weeks later.
2nd graders learned about acceptance by reading the story "Yoko." They even enjoyed special friendship sushi!
Wow! Thank you to all of the families that contributed and to our hardworking PTO for giving our staff such a warm welcome in their staff lounges today. We are so grateful for the support of our families and this gesture to express appreciation and support of our dedicated MSD114 staff! Thank you again, Manhattan 114 PTO and families!
NEW STAFF SPOTLIGHT: I am a new member of the Special Education Department, coming from Peotone Schools and the Peotone Park District. My free time is taken with reading, crochet, marveling at what my husband (of 22 years) can make with his 3D printers, going to conventions and nerding out with my daughter (18) , and spending too many hours to count at the rink watching my son (15) play hockey. I'm looking forward to this new position and new district.
