CIS Newsletter

Winter Welcome Back Edition

2025-2026

Dear CIS Families,

December was a busy and fun month at Central. Our students and staff wrapped up the semester with winter music concerts, exciting girls’ basketball postseason play, boys’ basketball in full swing, field trips, the Creative Coders Robotics Showcase, 5th Grade D.A.R.E. graduation, Trojan Treats, and our annual holiday assembly. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the season and recognize our students’ hard work.

We hope our students, staff, and families enjoyed a winter break filled with rest, joy, and special time with family and friends. As we prepare to welcome everyone back on Monday, January 5, 2026, we are excited to begin the second half of the school year together.

I also recognize that when the excitement of the holidays comes to a close, this time of year can sometimes feel a little quieter. Even as adults, settling back into routine can take some adjustment. While I know I thrive in routine, I also enjoy a slower pace and the chance to recharge during breaks. When I am feeling less than thrilled about jumping back into a busy schedule, I try to pause, practice gratitude, and remind myself of all the good things ahead.

And there truly is so much to look forward to at Central. When we return from break, volleyball and Scholastic Bowl will be in full swing, with track season beginning shortly after. Our Drama Club will also begin rehearsals for their March performance. The second semester also brings many of our favorite traditions, including Trivia Night, ROCK, 8th Grade Graduation, Field Day, and our 2nd Annual CIS Family Picnic. These events give us meaningful opportunities to celebrate our students and come together as a school community. Please be on the lookout for more information as dates and details are shared.

As we move into January, our CENTRAL Code word is Thoughtful. Being thoughtful means recognizing how we feel and choosing to move forward with confidence, hope, and a positive outlook. We are looking forward to a strong and exciting second semester together.

CENTRAL Code Word for January: Thoughtful

This month, we focus on what it means to be Thoughtful.

A thoughtful student is confident, hopeful, and positive about themselves and their past, present, and future life experiences. Being thoughtful means approaching situations with optimism, recognizing that challenges are part of learning, and believing that tomorrow can be better than today.

Being thoughtful also means choosing words and actions carefully, showing care for others, and maintaining a positive mindset, even when things feel difficult.

At School

At CIS, students can practice being thoughtful by developing habits that support optimism and confidence. Through classroom learning, goal setting, and daily interactions, students are encouraged to reflect on their thinking and how it influences their actions. Examples include:

Using positive self-talk when learning feels challenging
Encouraging a peer or offering help when someone is struggling
Reflecting on past mistakes and identifying what can be done differently next time
Approaching new or unfamiliar situations with curiosity and confidence

Our goal is for students to understand that their mindset matters and that thoughtful thinking helps them navigate challenges and relationships more effectively.

At Home

Families can support thoughtful thinking by having conversations such as:

“What is something that went well for you today?”
“What is something challenging right now, and what helps you stay hopeful?”
“How do you remind yourself that you can handle hard things?”

These conversations help students build confidence, optimism, and resilience.

Resource to Explore Together

📌 Read Together: "The Power of Positive Reframing" from the Child Mind Institute.

This article offers practical strategies for turning negative thoughts into positive ones, helping children see situations in a more hopeful and constructive way. It aligns with our January focus on being thoughtful by showing how a shift in thinking can change how we feel and respond.

Online Safety Reminder

Technology plays an important role in our students’ lives, and we encourage families to regularly check in on their child’s online activity, including social media, texting, and group chats.

Earlier this year, we shared concerns with students about large group chats. These conversations can escalate quickly and may expose students to inappropriate language, images, or situations. Staying aware of who students are communicating with and which platforms they use can help prevent issues before they arise.

Families can monitor activity on school-issued devices by signing up for the Hapara Parent Portal, which provides visibility into student browsing and device use during the school day. Many families signed up for the Hapara Parent Portal upon school registration in July. If you did not sign up at that time and would like to do so now, please reach out to Dr. Bush at ebush@central51.net.

In addition, there are a variety of parental control and monitoring apps available for personal devices that allow families to set boundaries, review activity, and support safe technology use at home.

Thank you for partnering with us to help keep students safe and supported both online and offline.

CIS Daily Announcements

The CIS Daily Announcements include up-to-date information for students about school and extracurricular activities. The CIS Daily Announcements can be found HERE. They are also available on the school website and the Central District 51 Facebook page!

Communication

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns!

Email: ebush@central51.net

Office Phone: (309)444-3943 ext. 2402

Sincerely,

Dr. Bush

Community Resources

As a reminder, the following programs are available for families. If you have questions about either of these programs that you would like answered before signing up, please do not hesitate to reach out to any member of the CIS Office Staff.

Washington Weekend Snackpac

Provides free bags of nonperishable food for weekends and breaks.
Distributed on the last school day before a weekend or break.
Available to students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Operated entirely by local volunteers and donors.
To participate:
- Complete the online permission form HERE.
- Or print and return THIS PAPER FORM to the CIS Office.

Branches of Washington Care Closet

Offers free hygiene products (shampoo, body wash, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.) and gently used or new clothing (pants, shirts, hoodies, leggings, socks, and underwear).
Available once per month at Central Primary and Intermediate Schools.
Open to students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
To participate:
- Complete the online permission form HERE.
- Or print and return THIS PAPER FORM to the CIS Office.

University of Illinois Extension – Find Food Illinois
Use the interactive map to find local pantries, meal sites, and other food resources across the state. Visit Find Food Illinois

Academic Highlights

eLearning Reminders

As winter approaches, Central Intermediate School will continue using e-Learning Days in place of traditional snow days when weather makes in-person learning unsafe. On e-Learning Days, teachers will post assignments or provide paper activities by 9:00 a.m., and students are expected to complete the work independently. Teachers will be available by email throughout the school day to provide support.

Participation is required, and the completion of assigned work determines student attendance. Paper packets are available for families who need them, and accommodations for students with IEPs, 504 Plans, or English Learner services will continue as required. Families should report absences due to illness as they would on a regular school day.

Our counselor and social worker will also be available by email to support students’ social-emotional needs. We appreciate your partnership in helping make e-Learning Days productive and successful for all CIS students.

Click HERE if you would like to revisit the letter that was sent to families on December 8.

For questions, please reach out to your child's teacher.

Semester 2 Term Dates

We concluded Term 2 on Friday, December 20th. Term 2 Report Card grades will be available on Friday, January 9th, via Skyward Family Access. If you have any questions about missing assignments or grades, please don't hesitate to contact your child’s teacher(s) starting on Monday, January 5th.

The term dates for the second semester can be found below:

Term 3 Start Date: Monday, January 5
Term 3 Midterm: Friday, January 30
Term 3 End Date: Friday, March 6
Term 3 Report Cards Published: Friday, March 13
Term 4 Start Date: Monday, March 9
Term 4 Midterm: Friday, April 10
Term 4 End Date: Friday, May 29 (with 5 emergency days)

Attendance & Tardies

Attendance and punctuality are vital for students' academic success, and our goal is that students are present and on time each school day.

We understand that occasional circumstances, such as illness, emergencies, or family situations, may prevent a student from attending school. In such cases, please let the school office know. It is important to note that absences become unexcused after ten absences without a doctor's note. In certain situations, accumulating three unexcused absences may lead to a truancy referral.

If your child's attendance is affected by special circumstances, please contact Mrs. Bush (ebush@central51.net). We are committed to supporting our students and families to ensure their success.

The CIS office accepts doctor's notes or documentation from previous appointments to adjust attendance records. Please forward any notes or documentation to Mrs. Bright at cbright@central51.net, and she will ensure that attendance records are updated accordingly. While doctor's notes are not mandatory for absences within the first ten days, we encourage families to provide them if available, especially if your child's absences are likely to exceed ten days.

Our school day begins at 7:50, and students are expected to be in their classrooms, ready to learn, by this time. Students arriving late and not in their classrooms by 7:50 will be marked tardy. Accumulating three tardies will result in a detention.

For any special circumstances, if you have any questions or require assistance regarding attendance or tardies, or if your student or family needs support, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Bush at ebush@central51.net.

CIS Homework Assistance

Homework Assistance is a great opportunity for all students! Check out the details below:

Homework Assistance is available every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- From 3:00 - 3:30, students can get help from any of their teachers.
- From 3:30 - 4:00, students can get help from the supervising teacher.
Homework Assistance is open to all students, providing a quiet workspace, additional teacher support, and a chance to catch up on missed work.
If you're involved in after-school extracurricular activities, don't worry! You can discuss a schedule accommodating Homework Assistance and activities with coaches and sponsors.

Homework Assistance Transportation

Transportation Procedure for Mandatory Homework Assistance

Form Submission: Please complete the Google Form linked below if your child requires transportation home from Mandatory Homework Assistance. Forms are also available on grade-level websites and Google Classrooms.
Timing: Forms must be submitted by 3:00 PM the day before transportation is needed.
Notification: Once submitted, the form will notify your child’s teacher, the transportation department, and the office.

Transportation for Non-Mandatory Homework Assistance

Students who stay for Homework Assistance to have a quiet place to work or receive extra help are also welcome to use transportation.
Form Submission: Complete the form linked below according to your child’s grade level and arrange this with your child’s teacher ahead of time.
Regular Use: If your child regularly stays for Homework Assistance and would benefit from transportation, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher to set up a regular transportation plan.
Submission: Forms must be submitted by 3:00 PM the day before transportation is needed.

We’re looking forward to supporting our students and making Homework Assistance more accessible.

4th Grade Homework Assistance Request Form

5th Grade Homework Assistance Request Form

6th Grade Homework Assistance Request Form

7th Grade Homework Assistance Request Form

8th Grade Homework Assistance Request Form

If you have questions about Homework Assistance, please contact your child's teachers, Mrs. Bush, or Ms. Martin.

Benchmark Testing & Renaissance Home Connect

As part of district-wide efforts to improve student achievement, all Central Intermediate students take benchmark assessments three times per year (fall, winter, and spring) to measure their academic progress and growth. CIS students completed benchmark testing during the week of Monday, December 8.

Please take a moment to read the CIS Benchmark Assessment Family Letter for detailed information about benchmark testing.

If you would like immediate results from your child's benchmark assessments, sign up for Renaissance Home Connect to get the most up-to-date information on your child's benchmark test results and Accelerated Reader.

Renaissance Home Connect

Log into your child’s Renaissance account, or have them log in for you.

Username: Last two digits of student's 8th grade graduation year, first initial, last name
- Example username: 29mperko
Password: Student's 4-digit lunch PIN
- Example password: 1234

Once logged in, scroll to the bottom of the screen. On the bottom left of the screen, click "Get Email Updates."
On the next screen, add your preferred email address.
Scroll down to preferences. Here, check any assessments for which you would like to be notified.
- Recommended: Accelerated Reader Tests, STAR Reading, STAR Math

The next time your student takes an AR test or a STAR reading or math assessment, you will be notified via email of the results within minutes of test completion!

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Home Connect through Renaissance, please email or call Mrs. Perko (mperko@central51.net), reading interventionist, or Mrs. Hahn (ehahn@central51.net), math interventionist.

Health & Safety

Central District 51 Safety

At Central, the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain a top priority. As we continue through the school year, we wanted to take a moment to remind families of the many safety measures in place across our district and the proactive steps we take to keep our schools safe.

Key updates include:

Building Security: Locked entrances, shatterproof safety film on doors, and increased surveillance.
Visitor Management: Raptor Technologies ensures visitor screening and monitoring.
Crisis Response: The CrisisGo app and "I Love You Guys" protocols enhance communication and preparedness.
Classroom Safety: Locked doors during class time.
Law Enforcement Support: Close partnership with the Washington Police Department for immediate response.
Student Involvement: Safe2Help Illinois allows students to anonymously report safety concerns.
Social-Emotional Support: Full-time counselors, social workers, and a Behavior Specialist available for student needs.

As part of our commitment to student safety, we have conducted multiple drills to practice the "I Love You Guys" Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP). These drills are designed to help students and staff feel prepared to respond effectively in various situations.

The SRP outlines five key actions:

Hold: Remain in the classroom and keep hallways clear.
Secure: Move inside and lock exterior doors.
Lockdown: Lock doors, turn off lights, and remain out of sight.
Evacuate: Safely leave the building to a designated location.
Shelter: Follow specific instructions for hazards like tornadoes or earthquakes.

Through these drills, we continue to evaluate and refine our practices to ensure the highest level of preparedness for everyone in our school. Families can learn more about the SRP and watch an informational video here.

We appreciate your support in keeping our schools safe.

Student & Family Reporting

At Central, student safety is our top priority. To ensure a safe and supportive learning environment, our district participates in the Safe2Help Illinois program. This initiative provides students, families, and staff with confidential resources to prevent bullying, school violence, self-harm, and other safety concerns.

Key Features of Safe2Help Illinois:

24/7 Helpline: 1-844-4-SAFEIL
Free Mobile App
Website: www.Safe2HelpIL.com

Students can anonymously share concerns in a safe environment. Once reviewed, tips are shared with school officials or emergency services, if needed. The goal is to intervene before harm occurs, not to punish.

Additional Ways to Report Concerns:

Central District 51 Bullying Report Form
Counseling Form (CIS Announcements)
Families and students are always welcome to email or call school staff to report any concerns.

For Families
Parents/Guardians may also use Safe2Help Illinois to anonymously report safety concerns. In urgent, life-threatening situations, Safe2Help will notify emergency services.

We believe Safe2Help and other reporting tools help foster kindness, mental health awareness, and important lessons like internet safety and the importance of reporting. If you have questions about Safe2Help or social-emotional learning at Central, please contact Mrs. Bush at ebush@central51.net.

Winter Weather Reminder: Recess Guidelines

Weather permitting, recess will occur outdoors unless the wind chill drops below 20°F or it is actively snowing or raining.

To ensure students stay safe and comfortable during recess:

Ensure your child brings necessary winter gear—including a winter coat, hat, gloves, scarf, and boots—to school, and have a conversation with them about wearing these items during outdoor activities (arrival, dismissal, recess, etc.).
Discuss the importance of bringing all necessary winter gear to lunch, as students are not allowed to return to the building during recess due to supervision limitations.

If your family needs winter gear, please contact a trusted school staff member for assistance. We are here to help ensure all students are prepared for the season.

Staying Healthy

With the colder months upon us, it’s important to take simple steps to protect ourselves and our families from common illnesses like colds, the flu, RSV, and COVID-19. Here are some easy ways to stay healthy this season:

Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing, or touching your face.
Cover coughs and sneezes using a tissue or your elbow.
Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth, to help stop the spread of germs.
Stay home when feeling sick to prevent spreading illness to others.
Clean and disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and devices regularly.

Check out the Tazewell County Health Department website HERE for helpful tips and updates.

Transportation

CIS Arrival & Dismissal Safety Guidelines

Thank you to our students, staff, and families for continuing to keep arrival and dismissal safe and smooth every day. We especially want to recognize our incredible staff members who step up as crossing guards and traffic directors, ensuring everyone gets where they need to be safely and efficiently.

We've put in place important guidelines to help maintain safety in our parking lot and on nearby streets during these busy times. Please keep these in mind as you drop off and pick up your students:

Drivers may not enter the CIS carline via the CPS lot. This creates backups, disrupts the flow of traffic, and increases the risk of unsafe situations for students.
For the safety of all, students must be accompanied by an adult when walking across the parking lot. If you choose to park and drop off your child in the parking lot, please exit your vehicle and escort your child to the crosswalk in front of the CIS Main Entrance.
Please use the designated drop-off line if you prefer to remain in your vehicle during drop-off. Remember that dropping off or picking up students across the street from the school is strictly prohibited, as we want to avoid unnecessary crossings during high-traffic times.
Ensure your child exits and enters vehicles on the side closest to the sidewalk. This practice ensures their safety by preventing them from walking in front of or behind cars to reach the sidewalk.
To help maintain smooth traffic flow on Eagle Avenue, please refrain from turning left into the parking lot entrance.
To accommodate as many cars as possible, please pull up as far as possible in the car line during drop-off.

We appreciate your cooperation in following these guidelines, as we share the responsibility of prioritizing the safety and well-being of our students and families.

CIS School Bus Safety Expectations

As we reach the midpoint of the school year, we want to remind families of our bus expectations to ensure every student who rides school transportation has a safe and comfortable ride to and from school. It is our goal that all students arrive safely at school and home each day.

Mrs. Bush and Ms. Martin reviewed these procedures and expectations with students at the start of the year, and we would appreciate any reinforcement at home.

Bus Expectations:
In the interest of safety and in compliance with State law, students are expected to:

Dress Appropriately: Wear weather-appropriate clothing. Shorten or remove drawstrings, ties, or straps on clothing, backpacks, and other items to prevent them from getting caught in bus doors or railings.
Arrive On Time: Be at the bus stop on time and stay away from the street while waiting.
Board Safely: Wait for the bus to stop completely and for the driver’s signal before boarding. Enter in a single file and use the handrail.
Stay Seated: Take your seat immediately and remain seated, facing forward.
Sit in Assigned Seats: Students with assigned seats must sit in those seats unless otherwise directed by an administrator.
Be Quiet and Respectful: Talk quietly and avoid shouting or loud noises that might distract the driver. Electronic devices must be silenced unless headphones are used.
Keep the Bus Clean: Keep belongings out of the aisle and away from emergency exits. No eating or drinking on the bus.
Follow Instructions: Listen to the driver/monitor directions, be courteous, and avoid distracting noises or actions.
Exit Safely: Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before standing. Use the handrail when exiting.
Stay Out of the Danger Zone: Take five giant steps away from the bus to ensure the driver can see you. Never crawl under the bus.
Cross Streets Safely: If crossing the street after exiting the bus, wait for the driver’s signal and cross only after checking both directions for traffic.
Avoid Running Back: Do not run back to the bus for dropped or forgotten items.

We appreciate your continued support in reviewing these expectations at home to help us maintain a safe and secure bus environment for all students.

Central District 51 PTO

Upcoming PTO Meetings

All meetings are held in the CIS library starting at 6:30 p.m., on the first Thursday of the month unless otherwise noted:

*Thursday, January 8th, 2025 (Second Thursday due to winter break)
Thursday, February 5th, 2025
Thursday, March 5th, 2025
Thursday, April 9th, 2025
Thursday, May 7th 2025

Want to learn more about Central District 51 PTO? Click HERE to check out the Central District 51 PTO website!

Trivia Night - Save the Date!

The CIS PTO Activities Committee is busy planning for the second annual CIS PTO Trivia Night on Wednesday, March 4.

Trivia Night is fun for students, staff, and families, and we hope you can join us for this exciting event!

Be on the lookout for more information!

ROCK - Save the Date

The second and final CIS ROCK event is scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2025. ROCK is a PTO-sponsored reward event designed to celebrate students who have demonstrated good behavior at school.

To ensure consistency with our fall ROCK celebration, spring ROCK eligibility is based on a defined 9-week time span. To qualify, students must have no detentions or suspensions (in-school or out-of-school) between Monday, February 2 and Friday, April 10.

ROCK wouldn’t be possible without the help of parent volunteers. It’s a fun and rewarding way to get involved and support our students. If you’re interested in volunteering, look for more information from PTO closer to the date.

Thank you for encouraging your students to follow the CENTRAL Code and make daily positive choices!

Upcoming Events

CIS Important Dates

Monday, January 5:
- Students Return from Winter Break
- Term 3 Begins
Tuesday, January 6
- Boys Basketball vs. St. Vincent
Wednesday, January 7:
- Early Dismissal
- Wrestling Match vs. Peoria Heights @ Beverly Manor
Thursday, January 8:
- Boys Basketball vs. East Peoria @ Home - 6:30 p.m.
- PTO Meeting @ CIS Library - 6:30 PM
- WCHS Music Informational Meeting for 8th Graders - 7:00 p.m.
Friday, January 9
- Report Cards Published
Saturday, January 10:
- Girls Volleyball Home Scrimmage at CIS - 8:00 a.m.
- Wrestling Match @ Olympia Middle School - 9:00 a.m.
Monday, January 12
- Volleyball @ Dunlap Middle School - 4:15 p.m.
Tuesday, January 13:
- Competitive Bowling Team Tryouts - 4:00 p.m.
- Boys Basketball vs. WMS @ Home - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 14:
- Early Dismissal
Thursday, January 15:
- Boys Basketball @ Canton Intersoll - 4:30 p.m.
- Wrestling Match vs. Galesburg @ Beverly Manor
- Board of Education Meeting @ CIS Library - 7:00 p.m.
- WCHS Parent Information Night @ WCHS - 7:00 p.m.
Friday, January 16:
- Girls Volleyball 7th Grade City Tournament @ Home
Saturday, January 17:
- Volleyball 8th Grade City Tournament @ Home
  Wrestling @ Normal Parkside Junior High School - 9:00 AM
Monday, January 19:
No School - MLK Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 20
- Volleyball @ Morton - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 21:
- Early Dismissal
- Wrestling Match vs. Tremont @ Beverly Manor (8th Grade Night)
- Volleyball vs. Dunlap Valley @ Home - 4:15 p.m. (6th grade game after 7 & 8)
Thursday, January 22
- Volleyball @ Pekin Broadmoor - 4:15 p.m.
Friday, January 23
- CIS Spelling Bee
Saturday, January 24:
- CIS Cheerleading Competition @ Sterling
- JV Wretling Tournament @ Bloomington High School
- Volleyball 6th Grade Tournament @ Germantown Hills
Tuesday, January 27
- Volleyball vs. Tremont @ Home - 4:15 p.m.
Wednesday, January 28
- Early Dismissal
- ILMEA/ILMEC All-State Jr. High Band & Choir Festival
Thursday, January 29:
- ILMEA/ILMEC All-State Jr. High Band & Choir Festival
- Volleyball vs. St. Mary's Metamora @ Home - 4:15 p.m.
Friday, January 30:
- Term 1 Midterm
- ILMEA/ILMEC All-State Jr. High Band & Choir Festival
Saturday, January 31:
- ILMEA/ILMEC All-State Jr. High Band & Choir Festival

8th Grade Important Dates

WCHS Parent Information Night: Thursday, January 15, 2025

Thursday, January 15, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., WCHS will host a Parent Information Night for parents/guardians. While students are welcome to attend, this evening is geared toward parents/guardians.

Counselor Visit from WCHS: Date TBD

Each year, counselors from Washington Community High School visit Central and speak with 8th graders. For the second year, Central will accommodate smaller groups of students in a classroom setting, giving students more time and a smaller environment to ask questions they have about high school.

WCHS 8th Grade Orientation Night: Thursday, March 12 at 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 12, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., WCHS will host 8th grade Orientation Night for parents/guardians and students at WCHS in Torry Gym. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

8th Grade Awards: Tuesday, May 12, 2024

We look forward to highlighting our students’ accomplishments each year at our CIS Awards Ceremony in Holford Gym. During this event, we highlight students who have earned academic achievements and classroom awards. Times for the 8th Grade Awards Ceremony will be announced in the spring.

8th Grade Dance: Date TBD

The 8th Grade Dance is sponsored by Central District 51 and our parent partners and is a celebration of our 8th-grade students as they near the end of their time at Central. To help ensure the event is safe, enjoyable, and positive for all students, those who receive an in-school or out-of-school suspension during Terms 3 and/or 4 will not be eligible to attend the 8th Grade Dance.

8th Grade Graduation & Last Day of School for 8th Graders: Thursday, May 14

I am pleased to share that our 8th-grade graduation ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. in Holford Gym at Central Intermediate School.

Due to the unpredictable weather in recent years, we have decided to move our 8th-grade graduation ceremony back to Central Intermediate School rather than hold it at the high school football field. This change provides greater predictability for the many staff members who work hard to prepare for this special event.

We are especially excited to host graduation on our own campus, where our students have spent the past several years learning, growing, and becoming who they are today. It feels especially meaningful to celebrate this milestone in the place that has been such an important part of their Central journey.

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