Issue 1: August 16, 2026

Dear Minooka Junior High School Families,

What a wonderful week here at MJHS!

Thank you so much to all of our families who attended our basketball event! Our MJHS community hosted an incredible Pink Heals Staff vs. Local Heroes Basketball Game on Wednesday, October 14, bringing our school and community together for an evening of fun, support, and a great cause. Staff members took on local first responders in a spirited basketball game, with students, families, and community members cheering them on. Through ticket sales, concessions, and community support, the event raised $1,875.44 for Pink Heals. 💗 A special thank-you goes to everyone who volunteered, participated, attended, donated, and helped make the night such a success!

🔵End of the First Quarter

• Friday, October 16: Marks the official end of the 1st Quarter.

• Check PowerSchool: Please log into PowerSchool to view your student’s most updated grades and progress reports.

• We are seeking feedback on our current Report Cards. Please take a moment to complete this quick survey to share your voice. CLICK HERE

🗓️ Save the Date: Parent/Teacher Conferences Parent/Teacher Conferences are just around the corner. Conference Signups: Sign-up links and instructions have been sent out through ParentSquare. Please mark your calendars for the following dates and times:

• Friday, October 30: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (No Student Attendance)

• Monday, November 2: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (No Student Attendance)

Thank you for your continued partnership and support in making MJHS a place where EveryONE Grows, EveryONE Belongs, and We Achieve as ONE.

Have an amazing weekend!

Your MJHS Admin Team

Please find important information outlined below:

Thank you to Minooka Police Department, Minooka Fire Department, Channahon Police Department, & Shorewood Police Department for taking on the MJHS Staff for such an incredible cause!

Minooka Junior High will be celebrating Veterans Day by honoring those who have served or are currently serving our country! We have a few ways to participate, and we would love to recognize our staff members and their families.

1. Veterans Day Breakfast – November 12th at 8:00 a.m.

If you are currently serving, have served in the past, or have a family member who is a veteran, you are invited to attend our Veterans Day Breakfast! Staff members are welcome to step away from class to enjoy light refreshments, take pictures, and spend time with their family. The event will wrap up by 9:30 a.m.

Please complete the RSVP Form by October 29th if you plan to attend.

2. Veterans Day Slideshow Recognition

We will also be creating a slideshow to recognize veterans during the breakfast. If you would like your veteran to be included, please complete the Slideshow Recognition Form and email any pictures to Nicole Thompson at nthompson@min201.org.

Please include both the staff member's name and the veteran's name in your email so the pictures can be matched with the form.

Please submit your information and pictures by October 29th.

3. Video Tribute to Veterans – October 20th

Staff and students are invited to record a short video sharing a message of appreciation, gratitude, or a favorite memory about a veteran who is important to them. Videos will be recorded at school during lunch periods on Tuesday, October 20th. No preparation is needed, just stop by the designated recording location during your lunch period if you would like to participate!

Please know that you do not have to participate in all three activities! You are welcome to attend the breakfast without submitting pictures or a video, submit information and pictures for the slideshow without attending the breakfast, or participate in the video tribute only. Whatever works best for you and your family is absolutely fine!

Thank you to all who have served and continue to serve our country. We appreciate you and look forward to recognizing our veterans!

The 2026-2027 Minooka Junior High School yearbook is now available to order. Families who order by October 31st will receive a 10% discount, and orders placed by March 31st include two free customizable pages for their student. The final order deadline is April 28th to ensure delivery to school by the end of the year. Yearbooks cost $35.00 for a hardcover or $28.99 for a softcover, plus applicable sales tax. To order, scan the QR code on the flyer or visit [treering.com/validate](https://treering.com/validate) and enter passcode **1014719645673538**.

Electronics: Please be mindful of some important changes for the 26-27 school year regarding electronics. Per the Parent and Student Handbook, electronic devices, including smart watches and wireless headphones must be turned off and kept in the student’s locker or book bag upon entry to the school and/or when getting on the bus unless otherwise approved.

Transportation:

If you have questions or concerns regarding transportation, please contact the transportation department at (815) 467-5133 or reach out to your child’s bus driver directly. Please understand that the school has no control over seating charts, routes, pick up/drop off stops or times, late buses, sub bus drivers, missed stops, etc. We will always do our best to communicate changes in transportation to our families as soon as we are made aware.

School Day Hours

The student school day will run from 7:35 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. except on early release days. Arrival will begin at approximately 7:20 a.m. Students must be in their classrooms by the time the bell rings at 7:35 a.m. in order to not be marked as tardy. Dismissal will begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. Doors open at 7am!

Reporting Absences

If your child is going to be absent from school, please call the office before 8:00 a.m. at 815-467-2136, and select option 1. Even if you send an email or communication to your child's teacher, you must still call the office to report your child’s absence.

ELearning Days

In the event of an ELearning Day during the 2026-2027 school year, please take a moment to become familiar with our Minooka 201 ELearning plan found HERE on our district website.

October 12th- No School

October 13th- B Day

October 14th- A Day

October 15th- B Day-

October 16th- A Day

Oct. 16th- End of First Quarter

Oct. 28th-Early Dismissal - (5 Hour) School Improvement

Oct. 30th- Parent Teacher Conferences - No Student Attendance

Nov. 2nd- Parent Teacher Conferences - (Times TBD) - No Student Attendance

Nov. 3rd- Not In Attendance

Nov. 11th- Veteran’s Day - School In Session

Nov. 12th= Veterans Day Celebration- 8am

Nov. 18th- Early Dismissal - (5 Hour) School Improvement

Nov. 25th- Thanksgiving Vacation - No Student Attendance

Nov. 26th- Thanksgiving Day - No Student Attendance

Nov. 27th- Thanksgiving Vacation - No Student Attendance

As we continue through the school year, we want to ensure our cafeteria remains a safe, positive, and welcoming environment for every student. We reinforce our CHAMPS expectations daily in the lunchroom, emphasizing the importance of being respectful, keeping area spaces clean, and adhering to school procedures.

To maintain a smooth lunch period:

• Respect & Cleanliness: Students are expected to clear their tables, throw away trash, follow directions from supervisors, and treat cafeteria staff and peers with respect

• Partnering with Families: If behavioral issues arise in the lunchroom, our team will reach out directly to families so we can work together as a team to support positive student choices.

• Order Meals in First Hour: As you review the monthly lunch menu with your child, please help them decide on their lunch choice each morning before school. Students should place their meal order during 1st Hour so our kitchen staff can accurately gauge numbers and efficiently prepare enough meals for everyone.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in helping our lunchroom run smoothly each day!

As we head into October, we are seeing more seasonal illnesses make their way around our school community. A few simple reminders can help keep our students healthy, learning, and ready to take on each day!

Please remind your student to:

• 🧼 Wash hands often with soap and water.
• 🤧 Cover coughs and sneezes.
• 💧 Stay hydrated throughout the school day.
• 🛌 Get plenty of rest each night.
• 🌡️ Stay home when sick and follow district guidelines for returning to school.

Thank you for partnering with us us to keep MJHS a healthy place for everyone! If your student has a health need or you have questions or concerns, please reach out to our school nurses. We are always here to support our students!

Mrs. Karen Anderson, RN

email: kanderson@min201.org

Mrs. Rebecca Wood, RN
email: rwood@min201.org

Thank you!

CLICK HERE for Athetics INFO and Important Dates for Upcoming Sporting Events

Boys Basketball tryouts will be held on October 19th and 20th 7th grade is from 5pm-7pm and 8th grade is from 2:45-5pm at the JH. Please make sure to have a current sports physical on file.

Questions regarding sport information, please contact:

Mr. Zachary Vienne, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
email: zvienne@min201.org

Mrs. Kelly Melendez, Athletics Secretary
email: kmelendez@min201.org

Ready to get involved? There are so many opportunities for clubs this school year! Registration windows typically open 2 to 3 weeks prior to each club's specific deadline, and individual club sign-ups will only appear in PowerSchool while their registration window is actively open. Please note that registration must be completed in PowerSchool using Parent credentials for your student's account. For step-by-step instructions on how to register, visit the district Athletic Page and click the 'How To' link. If you run into any issues or need technical assistance, feel free to contact our tech team at pshelp@min201.org. Be sure to check the registration calendar so your student doesn't miss out on their favorite activities!

Junior high is a unique, dynamic chapter in a student's journey, and our staff works tirelessly to make it a supportive, engaging, and memorable experience.

Congratulations to our incredible team members who were recently SPOTTED going above and beyond for our students, colleagues, and MJHS families!

This week's shoutout is a celebration of the people who bring our motto to life. Thank you for creating a space where everyone belongs, everyone grows, and we achieve as one. Your teamwork, support, and commitment make the difference!

Our Minooka CCSD 201 Strategic Plan guides our continuous efforts to prepare students for success both inside and outside the classroom. This week, we are highlighting our commitment to developing Collaborative Leaders and Engaged Community Members.

What does this look like in our school community?

• Teamwork in Action: Students collaborate on shared projects, learning how to listen actively, respect diverse viewpoints, and leverage each other's strengths to reach a common goal.

• Community Connection: Through special events like our Pink Heals Basketball Game and community outreach projects, our students learn the value of service, empathy, and supporting local heroes.

• Student Leadership: Whether serving as student helpers, participating in clubs, or encouraging peers in the hallways, students are given daily opportunities to step up and lead by example.

How You Can Support at Home:

• Promote Shared Responsibility: Encourage teamwork at home by assigning shared household activities or projects where siblings or family members must plan and work together to accomplish a task.

• Discuss Community & Empathy: Talk with your child about upcoming community events or local heroes, asking open-ended questions like, "Why is it important to support members of our community when they need help?"

Together, as a school and home community, we empower our students to Be the ONE!

CONTACT Information:

Minooka Junior High School

Mr. Jason Finkelstein, Principal
email: jfinkelstein@min201.org

Mrs. Krystal Retzke, Assistant Principal
email: kretzke@min201.org

Mr. Darrell Mathis, Assistant Principal
email: dmathis@min201.org

Mr. Zachary Vienne, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
email: zvienne@min201.org

*****************************************************************

Location: 333 McEvilly Road, Minooka, IL 60431

Main Office Phone: 815-467-2136

*****************************************************************

Secretary:

Mrs. Kim Gessner, Secretary
email: kgessner@min201.org

Mrs. Monica Eder, Secretary
email: meder@201.org

Mrs. Kelly Melendez, Athletics Secretary
email: kmelendez@min201.org

**********************************************************************

Website: https://mjhs.min201.org/

Lunch Menu: https://www.min201.org/parents/lunch-menu

Powerschool: https://mjhs.min201.org/for-families/powerschool

2026-2027 District Calendar: HERE