Reavis Principal Mr. Kostopoulos completed the final preparations for Home Learning Activities Week 3. These new activities can be found on the district website. Paper copies can be picked up from the Coolidge Kitchen (Door 4) from 9:00 am to 11:00 am when our grab-and-go meals are also available. Happy learning!
District 158 has been safely completing our donation of 50 refurbished laptop computers to families in need during the school closure. The picture below is from Reavis last week. This initiative allows more students to remain engaged in learning activities and access educational technology. Computers are being donated at all five schools. Thanks to our #158Strong Board of Education for approving this!
Throwback Thursday: a few pictures from the outstanding Black History Program our #MustyMustangs delivered back in February! Students presented about the Chicago Renaissance, highlighting the lives of African Americans who helped positively shape Chicago culture and the world. Great job, Memorial - you are #158Strong!
Even though we're practicing safe social distancing because of the shelter-in-place, our #158Strong District Leadership Team is still meeting, planning, and doing everything we can to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and continuity of education for our students. This picture is from our most recent video conference. Email is the best way to get ahold of us right now - we look forward to hearing from you!
Attention #158Strong Families: next week we are going to be holding a Virtual Spirit Week! Let's have fun from home and stay positive during this pandemic. Monday, March 23 is Good Morning Monday! We encourage you to share or comment with pictures working in your pajamas. Happy posting!
Memorial's Book Madness is underway! Our #MightyMustangs will be voting for the best book and/or series during the month of March.
Once again Memorial has made history this year. A HUGE #158Strong congratulations to our record five students who qualified for the State Science Fair at Regionals this past weekend: Annika Biegel, Ainsley Grant, Ryleigh Lafferty, Esmeralda Spencer, and Angel Urquizo! This is the most we've ever had in one year. #MightyMustangs Morgan Kleidon, Angel Ruiz, Godiva Torsjo, and Ezra Vitale also represented Lansing at the event. We'd like to give a shoutout to 8th Grade Assistant Principal Mr. Paredes, as well, who came to support our students and helped judge during the day. It's another great day to be a Mustang!
Lansing School District 158 has a new logo! Please let us know what you think. We are planning to update our school logos in the future, as well. #158Strong
Memorial's 8th Grade Parent Information Night was a big success! Despite the cold, we had over 150 parents attend for a standing room only crowd. A special shoutout to our #158Strong Interpreter Mrs. Boshears, who translated for the families in attendance. #MightyMustangs
Memorial's 8th Grade Parent Information Night has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 6:00 PM. Hope to see you there! #MightyMustangs
Memorial participated in the Great Kindness Challenge last week. Students were challenged to complete acts of kindness from a checklist. They also earned "Kindness Matters" bracelets for their kind acts, raised $300 to help build a school/ friendship center in Mexico, and participated in spirit wear theme days. Tuesday's theme was "Shine Bright for Kindness". Students were encouraged to wear neon colors. Wednesday was "It's No Sweat Being Kind" Students and staff wore sweatshirts and sweatpants. Thursday was "Tied Together by Kindness" where students and staff wore neckties. #MightyMustangs
On Tuesday, February 4th, the Memorial 8th Grade Boys Basketball team won their championship game against Coolidge Middle School. The #MightyMustangs are Regional Champions for the first time in school history! Next, Memorial will play Prairie Hills Junior High School on Wednesday, February 12th for the Sectional Championship. The game starts at 6:30 pm at Prairie Hills.
Attention Memorial Parents: our Eighth Grade Family Information Night scheduled for 6:00 PM today has been cancelled due to inclement weather. We will reschedule in the near future. Coolidge parents, we are also cancelling fifth grade morning practice tomorrow. They will meet again on Tuesday, February 11. Please drive safe and be careful in this snow
Attention Memorial Parents: our Eighth Grade Family Information Night scheduled for 6:00 PM today has been cancelled due to inclement weather. We will reschedule in the near future. Coolidge parents, we are also cancelling fifth grade morning practice tomorrow. They will meet again in Tuesday, February 11. Please drive safe and be careful in this snow
Eighth grade #MightyMustangs learn to type blood in order to solve a crime. Students used Anti-A serum, Anti-B serum, and Anti-RH serum to find out if the blood sample found at the crime scene was Type A, B, or O and if it was negative or positive. This lab wrapped up our Human Systems chapter on the circulatory system.
On January 30th, Memorial Junior High students put on a Talent Showcase for a crowd of 200 people. 26 students were involved, whether they were performing, MCing, or working backstage. We are so proud of our students and the hard work they put into this show! Go #MightyMustangs!
Band Director Mr. Becker has a student teacher! Mr. Canning - shown here leading a low brass sectional at Oak Glen - joins us for the spring semester from VanderCook College of Music. Dr. Schilling, a former band director himself, also dropped by to give the students a few tips. This is #158Strong music education!
Band Director Mr. Becker has a student teacher! Mr. Canning - shown here leading a low brass sectional at Oak Glen - joins us for the spring semester from VanderCook College of Music. Dr. Schilling, a former band director himself, also dropped by to give the students a few tips. This is #158Strong music education!
Congratulations to all 135 of our #MightyMustangs who showcased their Science Fair projects last weekend! We had 57 projected rated Outstanding! A big thanks to Science Department Chair Ms. Schroeder and all of our students, staff, and parents who came out to make this event successful - you are #158Strong!
On Tuesday, January 7, the Memorial Administrative Team and school social workers presented anti-bullying assemblies to each grade level. The goal of these presentations was to educate and safeguard our students from acts of bullying. The Memorial staff wants to encourage students to stand up against bullying by telling an adult and understand that these are harmful behaviors. #MightyMustangs
Memorial's Boys Basketball Team won their third straight Crosstown Classic Championship on Monday, December 16 beating Heritage 61-56! Their record is now 10-2. Keep going #MightyMustangs - you are #158Strong!
The Fall/Winter 2019 Mustang Media Newscast is here! Great job Jasmine Arnold, Jaidyn Carradine, Miles Courtney, Kamya Henderson, and Lily Luchene for writing, producing ,and videotaping this - you are #MightyMustangs!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOcoveyJR4A&feature=youtu.be
Our #MightyMustang cheerleaders did an amazing job at their first game yesterday. They cheered on our 7th and 8th grade boys basketball team as they both defeated Brookwood!
Memorial celebrated Unity Day on October 23rd. Unity Day is an annual event occurring during National Bullying Prevention Month. Students and staff wore orange to promote joining together to create a healthier, happier school community through kindness, acceptance of difference, and inclusion. Students and staff created the mural, "No Place For Hate". Each student wrote and decorated a feather that included a positive message reflecting the theme of Unity Day.
Learning is underway at Memorial Junior High! In science, Mr. Moran and Ms. Kemp are introducing students to the scientific method using computer-based activities. In the Common Area, many of our eighth graders like to study and complete art projects together after lunch. Those are #MightyMustangs!
Memorial eighth grader and #MightyMustang Hugo Rincon competed in the IESA Boys Class 3A State Cross Country Championship this past weekend! He ran a personal best of 12:08 for the 3200M against the best competition in Illinois. Hugo doubles as a Memorial baseball player and club soccer player, as well - a great lesson that hard work pays off! #158Strong
Memorial's Kids of Character helped kids decorate pumpkins at Lansing Autumn Fest this past weekend. #MightyMustangs
Neither rain nor cold could stop Memorial's Concert Band from performing at Lansing Autumn Fest! Thanks to Board President Mr. Wood, Board Vice President Mrs. Long, Superintendent Dr. Schilling, and all the parents and families who made it out - you are #MightyMustangs and #158Strong!
The seventh graders at Memorial are just wrapping up their unit on engineering in Ms. Schroeder’s science class! The students created a display to show off their self-moving car designs that were tested in class. #MightyMustangs
Mrs. Yanke's science class at Memorial making DNA models using licorice and marshmallows! The different color marshmallows represent the different bases and the students had to create a DNA sequence. #MightyMustangs
Memorial students in Mr. Schmidt's 7th grade math class are working on an integer scavenger hunt. Each pair received a starting number and problem. Once that problems is solved, its answer leads them to the next problem. If the answer's not on the wall, then they know that they need to revise their answer. This activity provides the opportunity to work with a partner and receive instant feedback so students can quickly correct their own answers!
Yesterday Memorial's Baseball Team became Regional Champions! Our Mighty Mustangs were down 2-1 going into the bottom of the sixth and scored six runs to take the victory over Flossmoor 8-2. Next stop, Sectionals. Keep going boys - you are #158Strong!
Memorial's Baseball Team won their first game of Regionals 10-5 over the weekend and are now moving on to play in the Regional Championship on Tuesday afternoon! The game is at 4:00 pm at Lions Park in Homewood. Come out and support the guys to a win! #158Strong
Kudos to 8th Grade Assistant Principal Mr. Paredes for helping teach Spanish at Memorial! He is teaching students various Spanish vocabulary words and how to pose simple questions to their classmates. Mr. Paredes even led the class in singing a short Spanish song! In addition to being a certified school administrator, Mr. Paredes is a National Board Certified World Languages Teacher. The students greatly enjoy learning from him!
Congratulations to Memorial's Baseball Team on completing their regular season with an undefeated record of 10-0! They have scored over 100 runs in the regular season and will start Regionals on Saturday, September 21. Keep up the good work gentlemen - you are #158Strong!
The Memorial Mustang softball team wrapped up their regular season with an 8-5 victory over Columbia Central-Steger on Monday! The Mustangs got down early 4-1 but in the Fourth Inning, Jaila Martinez hit a two run home run to start the comeback. In the Fifth, Cecilia Szotek, Briana Rosas, Isabella Sprene, Priscilla Martinez, and finally Jaila again all crossed the plate to give the Mustangs the lead. Priscilla's pitching and key defensive plays from Cecilia and Briana helped to seal the victory. Way to go girls - you are $158Strong! The Mustangs now enter Regional play against Lockport-Oak Prairie.
Thanks to our new LRC Director at Memorial, Mrs. Arseneau, for putting together this reading board showing what books our faculty and staff are currently reading outside of school. See, students, reading isn't just for school! Find something that interests you and grab a book!
The Memorial Junior High Back to School Bash was another great success this year! Many students came out to enjoy festivities such as tic-tac-toe, basketball, Tiki funhouse, volleyball, and much more. No one left empty handed as Memorial staff handed out backpacks and school supplies for the upcoming school year. Many thanks to all of the staff and community members that were available to support the event!
Please congratulate our Mustang Softball Team on their 16-10 win over Parker! On the mound, Emily Dominiak got the win and Priscilla Martinez scored the save along with two hits. Jaila Martinez added two triples and two walks, and Ryleigh Lafferty and Cecilia Szotek made key defensive plays down the stretch to seal the victory. The Mustangs will be on the road for three games next week. Our next home game is a doubleheader with Hart on Saturday, August 24 at 10:0 AM. #158Strong
Memorial Junior High School Cross Country will have its first callout/practice on August 12th at 8:30-9:30. Practice will be behind the school on the track. All incoming 6th-8th graders interested in running on the team are welcome.
MEMORIAL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL - GIRLS SOFTBALL TEAM 2019
Memorial Junior High School Baseball and Softball Information
On Wednesday, May 29, Memorial Junior High was honored to conclude our Graduation Ceremony by recognizing eighth grader Keith Johnson. Keith stood from his wheelchair and walked across the stage to receive his certificate of promotion from Board Member Dr. Wallace. Also pictured are his family and Memorial administrators. Congratulations Keith and the Class of 2019! You are #158Strong!
Superintendent Dr. Schilling, Memorial Principal Dr. Ross, and Memorial Assistant Principal Mr. Paredes would like to thank our graduating eighth graders and their families for an outstanding Graduation Ceremony on May 29, 2019! This event was truly a representation of the wonderful support our schools receive from the parents and families in Lansing. Best wishes to the Class of 2019 as you move on to future success. It's a great day to be a Mustang!
Memorial Assistant Principal Mr. Nagle addresses sixth graders about the transition to seventh grade next year, including schedules and expectations. We're already planning for 2019-2020! Have a great summer District 158!
After such a wonderful Graduation Ceremony for our Memorial eighth graders, our Mustang students culminated the year with their annual dance celebration! The student body voted on this year's theme: Red Carpet/Hollywood. Kudos to our amazing PTA and Student Leadership Committee for their efforts in executing such a successful celebration.
Sixth graders at Memorial worked in pairs to create a container that would keep an egg from cracking at different heights. This week they completed egg drops from 40 and 90 feet! The containers were also used as baseballs while different teachers tested their strength. Results: 20 projects survived the 90-foot drop and 11 survived Ms. Brown's turn at the bat. Thanks to the Lansing Fire Department for helping with this lesson!
Memorial's Student Council has hosted a Senior Brunch annually for the past seven years. This year's event was very well attended with over 130 seniors participating. The program included performances from the jazz band and choir, a STEM demonstration, preview of the Spring Musical, several notable speakers including the Mayor, and brunch provided by Jimbooo's. We look forward to continuing this event in the future!
Memorial Junior High held its annual Career Day for 8th graders on Friday, May 17. Students listened to professionals who spoke about choosing a career path, educational decisions, overcoming adversity to find success, job responsibilities, and general advice for becoming successful. Careers represented included a pharmacist, travel agent, physical therapy assistant, business owner, medical technologist, actor, author, financial manager, international pro basketball player, clinical psychologist, and U.S. Army journalist!
On May 16-17, Memorial students performed their Spring Musical Seussical Jr.! Congratulations to directors Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Burri, and Mrs. Eckert on a great production. Our students did an amazing job with their singing and acting skills! The program was very entertaining and well received by the audience.
We are happy to announce that Ana-liese Torian is the new State Champion in the 100m hurdles with a time of 14.9 seconds. The track and field state competition finals took place on Saturday, May 18th at Corwin Clatt Field in East Peoria. We are so proud of Ana-liese, our fearless Mighty Mustang!
Congratulations to Memorial Junior High School for receiving the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) Division C Sportsmanship Award this year! This recognition is given to schools and communities "that exemplify all around good behavior indicative of good citizens and good sports." Memorial will be receiving a banner to display for the award. Great job! #158Strong
Good luck to our track athletes as they compete at the state track meet finals on Friday and Saturday in East Peoria. Memorial has athletes qualified in the following:
7th grade girl's 100 meter dash- Samaria Green
7th grade boy's 100 meter dash- Hugo Rincon
7th grade boy's 110 meter hurdles- Jordan Dorsey
7th grade boy's 4x400 meter relay
(Jordan Dorsey, Charles miles, Hugo Rincon, Cedric Tientcheu)
7th grade boy's high jump- Charles Miles
8th grade girl's 100 meter dash- Ana-liese Torian
8th grade girl's 100 meter hurdles- Ana-liese Torian
8th grade girl's 4x100 meter relay
(Ana-liese Torian, Laniya Porter, Britney Virgil, Lashawnda Phillips)
8th grade boy's 100 meter dash- James Major
This past weekend, Memorial Principal Dr. Ross and Science Department Chair Ms. Schroeder had the pleasure of accompanying three of our students to the State Science Fair. Seventh graders Ainsley Grant and Olamiposi Sulaimon both received Silver Awards in their categories! Eighth grader Craig Morrison received a Bronze award as well as a certificate and $100 prize for Outstanding Project! We are so proud of the job they all did and how well they represented our school. #158Strong
Dr. Ross congratulates 8th graders Gracie Pucher (pictured left) and Kaylyn Pamon (pictured right) at the Illinois Principals Association Student Recognition Breakfast. This event took place on Friday, May 3rd at the Odyssey County Club in Tinley Park. Both young ladies were recognized for their academic excellence, school leadership, and community service involvement. We are so proud of our Mighty Mustangs!
Memorial Junior High School welcomed 29 new members into National Junior Honor Society on Wednesday, May 1! These remarkable seventh and eighth graders not only reflect high academic abilities, but also utilize their leadership skills to make a positive difference in their community through volunteer work. Congratulations!
From April 23 to April 26, Memorial's Concert Band and Concert Choir went “On Tour 2019” and traveled to Memphis, Tennessee! While there, they enjoyed wonderful tours of the Sun Recording Studio – Birthplace of Rock & Roll, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Memphis Rock & Soul Museum, and the National Civil Rights Museum. The Band and Choir also toured the Mansion of the 'King of Rock & Roll' and performed on the grounds of Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland! It was a very educational, exciting and fantastic trip and the students represented District 158 and Lansing, Illinois very well.
8th Grade Dance
Memorial Junior High School's Concert Band was treated to a wonderful clinic on Thursday, March 7 from guest clinician Mr. Nendza, Director of Bands at Jack Hille Middle School in Oak Forest. Mr. Nendza's visit and clinic was part of the Music Department's Music-A-Thon annual fundraiser. He offered great constructive feedback to help the band improve as they prepare for their performance at the IGSMA District Competition this Saturday. Good luck band!
Memorial Junior High sent 11 students to North Central College on Saturday, March 9 to complete in the Regional Science Fair. Two are advancing to State on May 3-4: seventh grader Ainsley Grant and eighth grader Craig Morrison. Congratulations! Thanks to Assistant Principal Mr. Paredes, Science Department Chair Ms. Schroeder, and Science Teacher Mrs. Bonaire for being there to support our students.
Memorial's Black History Program took place on Thursday, Feb. 28th at 5:30 pm. During the program, students displayed their talents while celebrating the important contributions of African Americans in our American History. The students demonstrated wonderful performances that included singing, dancing, acting, and amazing monologues portraying the speeches of notable African Americans. Thanks to Ms. Anthony, Mrs. Davis, Mr. Harlston, Mr. Schmidt, Mrs. Scott, Mr. Thompson, and Ms. Washington for helping make this program a great success!
Memorial Junior High School's Area Science Fair took place on Saturday, February 16 and was a big success! A total of 126 students participated - almost 30 more than last year - including 17 from our neighboring Sunnybrook School District 171 . 52 projects were rated Outstanding and 11 students are moving on to Regionals at North Central College. Thanks to Science Department Chair Ms. Schroeder and all of our science teachers, judges, and staff for making this a great event!
It was standing room only at Memorial's Eighth Grade Parent Night on February 13, 2019! All parents received an informational packet that was translated into Spanish thanks to Mrs. Boshears, who also interpreted during the presentation. Dr. Ross, Mr. Paredes, Mr. Herron, Dr. Carter, and Mrs. Barbosa were also on hand to assist with questions. A special thanks to T. F. South Assistant Principal Mr. O'Rourke for sharing the high school open house presentation with our parents.
On Thursday December 20th, Memorial Junior High School’s etiquette course “Guys with Ties and Girls with Pearls”, celebrated the end of the program with a formal tea party. In the company of their adult guests, teachers and administrators, students were able to practice the skills they've learned; including introductions, proper handshakes, making polite conversation, dressing for success, and table manners.
Every school year the staff at Memorial Junior High School works to educate and safeguard our students from acts of bullying. As we began our second semester, students participated in an anti-bullying assembly with guest speakers Vincent Gray and Brian Kizer, Sr. from Follow Your Dream. Both speakers shared their personal experiences with bullying in a powerful, educational format that opened the minds and hearts of our students.
On Monday, December 17, Memorial Junior High swept the Crosstown Classic with the girls winning 47-19 against Heritage Middle School and the boys winning 49-33. Congratulations to our basketball programs and thanks to Ofc. Pierce of the Lansing Police Department for continuing to support this great event!
On Thursday, December 13, Memorial Junior High participated in Shop with a Cop with the Lansing Police Department. Students from Memorial and Heritage were driven by the police to our local Walmart on Torrence and given a $50 gift card to buy gifts for themselves and family. We had a total of 15 Memorial students participate (11 who attended the shopping trip and 4 more who were unable to attend but still received the $50 gift card). There will also be 15 students (5 each from our 3 elementary schools) who will also receive gifts from the Lansing Police. This event was spearheaded by Officer Wilson Pierce.
Memorial's 8th Grade Girls Basketball Team defeated Oak Prairie on Wednesday, December 5 by a score of 62-44, winning Sectionals and earning a trip to State! The girls play against Rochester at 11:30 AM tomorrow at Meridian High School, 728 S. Wall Street, Macon, IL 62544. This is the second consecutive year Memorial's girls basketball program has gone down to the State Tournament!
Congratulations is in order for Memorial's 8th Grade Girls Basketball Team, who just won the IESA Regional Championship convincingly against Prairie Hills! They play in Sectionals this Wednesday, December 5 at 6:30 PM against Oak Prairie Junior High. The game will take place at Prairie Hills in Markham. Go Mustangs!
STEM at Memorial: sixth grade students in Mrs. Schab's class testing their skimmers, which were designed and built with the goal of traveling the furthest distance.
Memorial's Halloween Dance, "Nightmare on Ridge Road", took place on Friday October 26. This event is sponsored by the MJHS Student Council. The members of Student Council worked very hard to develop a theme, create and display decorations, and plan this event. The event included a guest DJ, concessions, and a photobooth created by the Drama Club. Students were able to dress in a creative costume, dance, and have fun together. It was a fun experience for all involved!
Summer Band has been hard at work under the baton of Mr. Becker preparing for their upcoming performance at Memorial Junior High School, which will take place on Friday, August 17 at 11:00 AM. A total of 74 students in grades 6-8 are involved. We hope to see you at the performance!
