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the Mokena Messenger | June 28, 2018 | 11
The mokena messenger
Standout Student
Sponsored by Marquette Bank
Nicole Connolly,
eighth-grader at
Mokena Junior High
What is your dream job?
I don’t know what I want
to be when I grow up, but
maybe a photographer or
lawyer.
What are some of your most
played songs on your iPod?
My favorite genres are
pop, country and some oldies.
What’s one thing people
don’t know about you?
That I’ve been to 14 weddings
and I’m 14 years old.
Whom do you look up to and
why?
My dad because he works
hard and he teaches me to
work hard and because he
coaches me in all of my
sports.
What’s your favorite class
and why?
Either math or history
because i’m usually good
at math and I like learning
about the past.
What extracurricular(s) do
you wish your school had?
Badminton or baking club.
What’s one thing that stands
out about your school?
The teachers because they
have prepared me for high
school.
If you could change one thing
Photo submitted
about school, what would
it be?
To change the start time
from 7:45 a.m. to 8 a.m.
What’s your favorite thing
to eat in the cafeteria?
My favorite is pizza or
slushies.
What’s your best memory
from school?
All the friends I’ve made/
become closer with and new
people I met.
Standout Student is a weekly
feature in The Mokena Messenger.
Nominations come from
Mokena area schools.
Mokena School D159 Board of Education
Summer projects, handbook highlight D159 June agenda
Amanda Stoll, Assistant Editor
The June 20 meeting of
the Mokena District 159
Board of Education was
shorter than usual, but covered
important topics including
updates on facilities,
maintenance and the parent/
student handbook.
The meeting was led by
Board Secretary Anna Briscoe,
as both President Jennifer
Riedl and Vice President
Jaime Staley were absent.
All other board members
were present.
Summer Projects
Representatives from
McKinstry gave updates to
the board concerning summer
building projects including
those approved during
the board’s special meeting
on May 30.
Updates to hot water pipes,
storm sewer infrastructure,
parking lots and HVAC systems
were included in a May
30 motion to approve up to
$672,000 in projects to be
competed before Aug. 22.
Other summer projects discussed
during the meeting and
included in a written report
from Director of Technology
Jake Smith include safety updates
to the school buildings
such as intercom systems, a
physical security system and
installing exterior security access
control panels.
The cost for intercom
upgrades was estimated at
$71,050, which Smith reported
is about $250,000
less than the original projection
because he and his staff
will be doing some installation
themselves.
Proximity readers will be
installed at 23 doors in the
district over the summer,
which will cost an estimated
$40,490.
The board also approved
the purchase of additional
Chromebooks in the amount
of $63,685 and cases for
$10,565.
Handbook updates and
changes
Changes to the parent/
student handbook for the
upcoming school year include
updates to the list of
suspendable offenses, academic
dishonesty violations,
special education services,
student safety and Title I.
Smoking or possession of
e-cigarettes and vaping paraphenalia
were added to the
list of suspendable offenses,
as well as using genderbiased
slurs, either written,
verbal or gestures.
Sharing electronic documents
with another student
and passing it off as their
original work was added to
the list of academic dishonesty
violations.
Don’t let your
advertising cool
down this summer.
BE SMART. ADVERTISE IN
CONTACT
Round it up
A brief recap of other items discussed during the June
20 D159 meeting
• The board approved disposal of 58 plastic band
chairs, which have been replaced, and the old chairs
will be recycled with a local company.
• Board members approved personnel
recommendations, including the hiring of a speech
pathologist, psychologist, social worker, administrative
assistant, two paraprofessionals and six summer
custodians. They also approved the resignation of a
school psychologist and a lunch supervisor.
• District 159 received an Illinois State Board of
Education Preschool for All grant in the amount of
$105,811 to supplement the preschool program
during the 2018-2019 school year.
• Board members were presented information
regarding the proposed County School Facilities Tax
and they may choose to vote on the proposal at the
July 18 meeting which will be held at 7 p.m. in the
board meeting room at Mokena Elementary School.
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real estate
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The Mokena Messenger
LORA HEALY
708.326.9170 ext. 31 l.healy@22ndcenturymedia.com
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