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.
NEW STAFF SPOTLIGHT: I was born and raised here in Manhattan! My teaching career started at Wilson Creek teaching second grade until I had my own three children. I was blessed to stay home with them these last 10 years! I'm excited to be back in the classroom again at Manhattan Intermediate teaching 4th grade. I enjoy being outdoors, taking pictures, biking, gardening, and being with my family!
NEW STAFF SPOTLIGHT: I graduated from Chicago State University, got married in June 2024 and we had our son Enzo on May 22, 2025. I have been coaching football at Lincoln-Way West since 2015.
Yesterday, Señora Smith's 7th and 8th-grade students created inspirational chalk art for their peers (and parents) to see as they enter MJHS! Buen trabajo, Spanish program students!
Author Amy Logan dropped by Ole MIS today to share her "Girl With A Cape" kindness book & story. Kids were a wonderful audience. An order form for any of Amy's (4) books will be emailed home next week. A good message to end the week & cultivate all year long.
Have a great weekend Ole MIS. Go Bears on Monday Night Football!
Have a great weekend Ole MIS. Go Bears on Monday Night Football!
During the month of September, we celebrate our first Anna Mac Pack: Respectful Rhinos. Students have been working hard learning and demonstrating strong character. We had our first two Strong Character Winners! We are proud of all of our respectful students!
Our math teachers and students all have been doing an incredible job implementing our new Eureka Squared Math curriculum! The staff are doing great work facilitating the conversations and activities where students are engaged and participating in math discourse!
