MM_092018

mokenamessenger.com School
the Mokena Messenger | September 20, 2018 | 11
The mokena messenger
Standout Student
Sponsored by Marquette Bank
Marissa Lacny
Marissa Lacny is a fifth-grader at
Noonan Elementary Academy
What do you like to do when not in
school or studying?
When I am not in school or studying,
I like to play soccer. A new
season just started so I’m really excited.
When is your dream job?
My dream job is being a
teacher. I’ve always wanted to
be a teacher since I was little.
I want to be a teacher because
I would like to teach kids new
things.
What is one thing people don’t
know about you?
One thing people don’t
know about me is that at
school I’m quiet but at home
I’m really talkative.
Whom do you look up to and
why?
I look up to my family because
they inspire me to be the
person I am and know what’s
right and wrong.
Who is your favorite teacher
and why?
My favorite teacher is Mrs.
Hurt, who taught second
grade. She was fun and taught
through fun ways.
What’s your favorite class and
why?
My favorite class is science
because you get to do fun experiments
and learn about cool
things.
What extracurricular(s) do you
wish your school had?
I wish my school had a soccer
team.
If you could change one thing
about school what would it
be?
If I could change one thing
at school, it would be more
time for lunch.
What’s your favorite thing to
eat in the cafeteria?
My favorite thing to eat is
Domino’s pizza.
What’s your best memory
from school?
My best memory is the
school field trips. They are so
fun!
Standout Student is a weekly feature
for The Mokena Messenger.
Nominations come from Mokena
area schools.
Photo Submitted
Summit Hill D161 Board of Education
Teacher, Frankfort Square
Elementary receive recognition
Megan Schuller
Freelance Reporter
After the Cub Scout Pack 101
led the pledge of allegiance, the
Summit Hill District 161 Board of
Education members ran straight
down the agenda at their Sept. 12
regular meeting, starting with recognition.
Laura Fifer was recognized as
the district’s Excel Honoree and
an award recipient in Illinois for
the classroom teacher category,
given to those who excel in education
statewide.
“We just want to thank you for
all you do for the kids, for staff
members and each other,” Superintendent
Barb Rains said.
Chicago Magazine recently
published its selection of the top
155 schools out of more than
2,000 elementary, middle and
high schools in Chicago and the
suburbs. Of the top 10 schools in
Will County, Frankfort Square Elementary
was ranked No. 7.
Performance standards were selected
and weighted with input by
the University of Chicago Urban
Education Institute, using data
from the 2017 school year. Factors
included instructional spending
per student, daily attendance
and Partnership for Assessment
of Readiness for College and Careers,
or PARCC, testing results.
“Those of us within the community
know and understand that
staff members throughout the district
work very diligently to support
student growth and achievement
in an inspiring and caring
learning environment,” Rains
said. “Having an outside entity
also recognize our dedication and
efforts that we live and breathe
every day is very heartwarming.”
Frankfort Square Elementary
School Principal Jason Isdonas
said the staff was excited to hear
that their school had been named
a top 10 school in Will County.
“It is a team effort, it goes beyond
the staff who are here,” Isdonas
said. “It’s the kids, the parents,
the community, the certified
and non certified staff, district administration
and the school board.
This isn’t just a Frankfort Square
recognition, it’s a D161 recognition.”
Staff members of the school
stepped forward in order to receive
a copy of the magazine and
the recognition of the board that
comes with it.
The next D161 regular meeting
will be held on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.
Unit District Committee update
At the previous meeting on
Aug. 15, Illinois School Board
of Education employee Michelle
Heninger gave a presentation on
district reorganization to the unit
district committee and the more
than 30 residents who attended
the meeting.
“At the next meeting we’re going
to come up with next steps and
we’ll take it from there,” Board
President Rich Marron said.
The next unit district committee
meeting will be held at 6:30
p.m. Sept. 19 at the Mary Drew
Administrative Center, 20100 S.
Spruce Drive in Frankfort.
cross fit
From Page 3
ronzo said.
Radtke said that as a volunteer it
means a lot to her that people care
enough to donate their time, money
and resources toward the animals.
“Without people doing stuff like
this, we wouldn’t be able to take in
the animals we have, or pay for the
surgeries and medical care that the
animals need,” Radtke said.
In previous years, CrossFit Mokena
raised money for the Pink Heals and
1Pet 1Vet charities. PAWS hit close to
home for members, who drive by the
shelter every time they go to CrossFit
Mokena.
“It really has a special place in our
members’ hearts because they picked
the charity, but I really love that it’s
right here in the community. It’s literally
across the field from us so we can
see our impact when we give back,”
Neighbors said.
Several puppies and a few adult
dogs were available at the event to
greet participants in hopes of getting
exposure for adoption. They will stay
at the PAWS shelter for as long as it
takes until they find a home.
“Some people who have adopted
through us will bring their dogs to
events, and I love seeing the amount
of life those dogs have now. I will cry
the day this dog gets adopted,” Radtke
said as she held on to BoJack’s leash.
Ashton Bengala, 6, of New Lenox, gets his hand licked by one of the PAWS
puppies as he pets it. CrossFit Mokena was able to raise $4,400 for the
shelter. Megan Schuller/22nd Century Media