Hello Trojan Families,

We hope our students, staff, and families are staying warm as we move into February. We recently made it through five very cold days, and in the school world, five consecutive days of indoor recess is no small feat. We appreciate the flexibility and patience shown by students and staff during that time.

To break up the routine, we tried something new: allowing students to sit in the bleachers and visit with one another during what would have been recess. Since Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter, we will resume using the indoor recess games purchased by our PTO on future indoor recess days. Thanks again to PTO for purchasing these for our students!

Please check out the rest of the February newsletter for important information! 

CENTRAL Code Word for February: Responsible

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

A Responsible Trojan is:

• A student who is careful and reliable in their actions

• A student who contributes to group efforts

A responsible student understands that their choices matter. Being responsible means following through on commitments, taking ownership of actions, and doing their part to help the group succeed. Responsible students know when to ask for help, when to help others, and how to make decisions that positively impact themselves and those around them.

Being responsible also means understanding that mistakes happen and learning from them. Students who practice responsibility grow in independence, trustworthiness, and confidence as they learn to manage their actions and responsibilities.

At School

At CIS, students can practice responsibility by developing` habits that show care, reliability, and accountability. Through classroom expectations, teamwork, and daily routines, students are encouraged to recognize their role in the school community. Examples include:

• Completing assignments and tasks to the best of their ability

• Following school and classroom expectations

• Contributing positively during group work

• Taking responsibility for mistakes and working to make them right

• Being prepared and ready to learn each day

Our goal is for students to understand that responsibility helps build trust, strengthens teamwork, and supports success both in and out of the classroom.

At Home

Families can support responsibility by having conversations such as:

• “What is something you were responsible for today?”

• “How do your choices affect others at home or school?”

• “What can you do when something feels hard or overwhelming?”

• “How do you know when it’s time to ask for help?”

These conversations help students build accountability, independence, and confidence in managing their responsibilities.

Resource to Explore Together

📌 Read Together: "Helping Kids Make Decisions" from the Child Mind Institute.

Find out:

• How old should a child be when they start making their own decisions?

• How can you help your child learn to make decisions?

• Should you let your kid make a bad decision?

National School Counseling Week - Thank You, Mr. Coovert!

We are incredibly grateful for our school counselor, Mr. Coovert, who provides daily support to both our students and staff here at Central. Mr. Coovert joined us at Central last March, and he has been a steady presence for our students ever since. Mr. Coovert works with Central through a partnership with Children's Home, and we are thankful for the knowledge and resources he brings with him to provide school-based therapy. 

If you would like to thank Mr. Coovert for all he does for our students, feel free to send him a quick email: jcoovert@central51.net.

Thank you, Mr. Coovert, for your dedication, compassion, and commitment to our school community. We are so thankful to have you with us at Central!

Important ROCK Information

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!

Winter SEL Assessments 

During the week of Monday, February 9, teachers and students will participate in the SAEBRS and mySAEBRS SEL screening tools. These brief, research-based tools help staff better understand students’ social behavior, emotional well-being, and learning-related skills, enabling us to provide timely support and help students succeed at school.

This is not a graded activity or a diagnostic tool. This screening is the second of three SEL benchmark screening tools administered during the school year. The information helps staff monitor student well-being over time and adjust supports as needed.

Teachers will complete ratings for all students, and students will complete the student portion, mySAEBRS, during SEL time on Wednesday, February 9. The final screening will take place at the end of the school year, allowing us to reflect on student growth and progress.

If you have any questions about the screening tools or how the information is used, please feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher or the school office.

Illinois 5Essentials Survey

Families will soon receive information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey gives students, families, and staff an opportunity to share feedback about their experiences at school, and the information plays an important role in our school improvement efforts.

The survey focuses on five key areas that research shows are critical to student success: effective leadership, collaboration among teachers, family involvement, a supportive school environment, and ambitious instruction. We regularly review and use this feedback to guide decisions and strengthen our practices.

Families who would like to complete the survey now are welcome to do so. Participating early helps ensure your voice is included, and we greatly appreciate your time and input. The survey can be accessed at:
http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/

Hearing from a wide range of families helps ensure the results truly reflect our school community, and we thank you for partnering with us in this important work.

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!

Focus, Fidget, & Flourish: A Quick Guide to Classroom Tools 

We’ve noticed many students find that "fidgeting to focus" helps them stay engaged during lessons. When used correctly, the right tool can improve concentration and reduce anxiety. However, not all fidgets are created equal! To keep our classrooms a safe and productive environment for everyone, we ask for your help in following these guidelines:

• Silent & Subtle: Fidgets should be quiet. If it clicks, pops loudly, or whistles, it’s likely distracting neighbors and needs to stay in the backpack.

• Small & Manageable: Tools should fit comfortably in the palm of a hand. Large gadgets take up desk space and often become toys rather than focus aids.

• Safety First: Please avoid oversized "sensory" items or DIY gadgets containing liquids/chemicals that could leak or—in rare cases with pressurized items—burst. If it looks like it could make a mess or cause a hazard, it’s best left at home.

• Purposeful Use: A fidget is a tool, not a toy. If a student is focused more on the object than the teacher, it’s time to take a break from it.

Recommended "Silent" Favorites:

• Marble-and-mesh sleeves

• Smooth "worry stones"

• Quiet fidget rings or infinity cubes

• Kneadable erasers

Extracurricular Expectations

As we continue attending volleyball 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. 

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.