Hello Trojan Families,

We hope that our students, staff, and families had a great Thanksgiving break. December is a busy month at Central, and our days are full in the best way. December brings concerts, games, projects, and holiday activities, and we remain focused on helping students learn, grow, and feel connected. Thank you for your support and partnership as we move through this month together. 

Extracurricular Expectations

As we move into a busy season of boys basketball games, music concerts, art shows, and other school events, we want to remind families of the expectations in place to keep students safe and to ensure every event reflects the pride we have in our school. These expectations apply to all activities hosted at Central, and we are asking families district wide to review and discuss them with their children before attending.

1. Student Supervision

   • Students in 5th grade and younger must be accompanied to events by an adult.

   • Students in 4th grade or younger must sit with their parent or guardian for the entire event. They may go to the concession stand, but must return directly to their parent/guardian once they have purchased items.

   • 5th-grade students may sit in the student section during games, but must have a parent or guardian present at the event.

   • Students 6th - 8th grade may be dropped off for events and must be picked up promptly at the conclusion of the event.

2. Restricted Areas

   • Students may not play or gather in areas outside of the gym, including Holford Lobby, Central Lobby, or other school spaces.

3. Court Access

   • Only players are allowed on the court during halftime and between games.

   • Spectators are not allowed on the court at any time and may not play with basketballs or volleyballs during games.

4. Fifth Grade Students

   • Fifth graders must have a parent present at the game at all times. They may sit in the student section during the game but remain under parental supervision.

5. Respect for Facilities

   • All spectators are expected to pick up after themselves and help keep our facilities clean.

6. Cheering, Sportsmanship, and Respect

   • We encourage loud, proud, and positive cheering for Central.

   • Cheering against the other team—such as turning backs during free throws, chanting “you can’t do that,” calling “air ball,” or mocking opponents—will not be allowed.

   • Even if other fans participate in these behaviors, Central students will be expected to model respectful sportsmanship.

   • Referees, coaches, and officials must be treated with respect at all times. Any negative comments, arguing, or disrespectful behavior toward officials will not be tolerated.

7. Consequences for Misconduct

   • Failure to comply with these expectations, or any additional conduct concerns, may result in removal from the game and/or a ban from future extracurricular events.

   • The on-duty supervisor will actively monitor and enforce these expectations to ensure a safe and positive experience for everyone. 

We want all students and families to enjoy their time at Central events. These procedures help ensure students are safe, supported, and able to take pride in representing our school. Thank you for helping us create a positive experience for everyone. 

Thank You, Central 51 Board of Education!

School Board Appreciation Day was Saturday, November 15, and we want to take a moment to recognize and thank the Central District 51 Board of Education. Their commitment to our schools is evident in the time they dedicate to supporting and celebrating our students and staff. They have created and maintained a strong vision for student success and well-being, and we are deeply grateful for their leadership. 

Quarter 2 Is Here!

It is hard to believe we are already this far into the second quarter of the school year. This part always goes fast, and we now have only three weeks left before the end of the term.

As we move through the remainder of the quarter, our focus remains on learning, growth, and celebrating our amazing students. This is a great time to check in on your child’s grades, follow up on missing assignments, and encourage them to attend Homework Assistance if they need extra support. Staying engaged now will help them finish the quarter strong.

Winter Benchmark Testing

Our winter Star Reading and Math benchmark assessments begin on Monday, December 8. These assessments help us measure each student’s progress and identify the support they may need.

During the first quarter, students set their own academic growth goals, and we are excited to see how far they’ve come. We look forward to celebrating growth in all of our students!

If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

Community Day Recap

Our Community Day was an incredible reminder of what makes Central such a special place. Students spent the day giving back to others through a wide range of service projects that supported both our local community and organizations beyond Washington. From creating cards and care packages to helping with campus clean-ups and donation drives, our students showed kindness, leadership, and pride in their school.

We also kicked off the morning with a meaningful assembly that highlighted the importance of service. Several students shared what Community Day means to them, and one of our eighth graders, Reagan, spoke about her experience as a military child. Her message encouraged everyone to recognize both the big and small ways we can contribute to our community.

Thank you to our staff, Mrs. Youngman, and Central Care Club for organizing the projects and for keeping this tradition alive. Our students set such a positive example through their actions, and we are proud of the difference they made during this special day.

CENTRAL Code Word for December: Noble (Self-Awareness)

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

• A noble student shows self-awareness by recognizing both strengths and areas for growth. 

• A noble student also consistently works toward improvement and takes ownership of their choices. 

Being noble means having the courage to pause, reflect, and take steps toward becoming our best selves.

At School

At CIS, students set academic and social-emotional goals that align with our focus on growth and self-awareness. Academic goals help students understand that effort, persistence, and good habits lead to progress. Social-emotional goals help students reflect on their relationships, problem-solving skills, and daily behaviors. Examples include:

• Helping a classmate who might need support

• Taking responsibility for words and actions

• Using positive self-talk during challenging moments

• Making a plan for how to handle disappointment or frustration

Our goal is for students to recognize where they can grow and actively work toward those goals throughout the year.

At Home

Families can reinforce self-awareness by having simple, reflective conversations such as:

• “What is something you’re proud of right now?”

• “What’s one thing you want to get better at, and how can I help you?”

• “What do you do when something feels difficult, and what helps you keep going?”

These questions help students build insight into their habits, emotions, and choices.

Resource to Explore Together

🎥 Watch Together: “The Power of Yet” by Carol Dweck (TED-Ed animation)
This short, student-friendly video introduces the idea that learning is a journey and that growth happens when we believe we can improve. It reinforces the heart of being noble: knowing where we are, believing in where we can go, and practicing the skills to get there.

Communication

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

Ericka Bush

Principal

Central Intermediate School 

Email: ebush@central51.net

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

Hello Central Families!

Outdoor Recess: It’s Time… for Coats! 🧥

Even though we know middle schoolers often think coats are optional fashion accessories, we promise, they’re not! As temperatures drop, please remind your child to bring a coat and any needed winter gear. Students will continue to go outside for recess as long as the “real feel” (wind chill) temperature is 20°F or above.

If your family needs a coat or other winter gear, please contact the CIS Office. We’re happy to help ensure every student has what they need to stay warm this season.

Car Rider Drop-Off Procedures

As we move into the colder months, more families are choosing to drive students to school. To keep arrival safe and efficient for everyone, please review the drop-off expectations and safety reminders below. Your support helps us maintain a smooth start to each day.

Arrival Window

• Drop-off runs from 7:40 to 7:50 a.m. Students must be in their seats by 7:50.

• Students may not enter the building before 7:40 a.m. unless early arrival has been arranged with a staff member.

CIS Drop-Off Line Expectations

All car riders must use the CIS Main Entrance (Holford Gym doors).

• Drivers MUST enter the drop-off line from the Eagle Avenue entrance. Drivers are not to enter the car line from CPS. This stops the flow of traffic around the parking lot. 

• Please refrain from turning left into the parking lot from Eagle Avenue. This delays entry into the CIS lot.

• Drivers who wish to stay in their cars during drop-off MUST use the CIS drop-off line to drop off students. For student safety, drivers are not to drop students off on the street.

• Drivers should pull forward as far as possible in the drop-off zone in front of the CIS entrance to allow as many cars as possible to drop off.

• Students should be ready to exit the vehicle as soon as the vehicle stops in front of the sidewalk by CIS. When traffic is paused, students should exit the vehicle quickly and enter the building.

• Please have students exit the vehicle on the side closest to the sidewalk so they do not have to walk in front of or behind cars to get to the sidewalk. Students should remain in the vehicle until it comes to a stop in the drop-off zone.

• Drivers who wish to have their students use the crosswalk in front of the main entrance should park and walk their students to the crosswalk. For student safety, please do not allow your child to walk across the parking lot alone.

Important Arrival Safety Reminders

Please help us maintain a safe arrival environment for all students:

• Do not use cell phones in the school zone.

• It is unlawful to pass a bus with the stop arm out.

• Refrain from speeding or making U-turns while on school grounds.

• Remind your child to use crosswalks near the school and in the parking lot.

• Drop children off only in designated zones.

• Use extra caution during the winter months when visibility may be limited.

• Students riding bicycles or scooters should strongly consider wearing a helmet.

A Quick Reminder: Water Only During the School Day 💧

To help maintain a safe and focused learning environment, please remember that students are only permitted to have water in their bottles during the school day. Here are some additional expectations:

• Beverages such as soda, juice, flavored drinks, coffee, and sports drinks must be brought in a separate, clearly labeled container and are only permitted during lunch. These beverages must remain in the cafeteria and are not allowed on the playground or in classrooms.

• Energy drinks are not allowed at any time during the school day, including lunchtime, due to their high caffeine and sugar content and their impact on student focus and behavior.

If a student brings a non-water beverage in their water bottle, it will be held in the office until the end of the day. Additionally, students returning from appointments (such as doctor or dentist visits) with beverages other than water will be asked to dispose of them before returning to class.

Thank you for your support in helping us keep our classrooms safe, focused, and ready for learning each day!