Dear CIS Families,

It’s hard to believe we’ve already reached the end of the 2025–2026 school year! This has been one of my favorite years as a principal, thanks to our amazing students, dedicated staff, and supportive families. I feel incredibly fortunate to work in a district that provides so many opportunities for our students, thanks to a strong and caring school community.

As we reflect on this year, I am so proud of all that our students have accomplished, academically, socially, and personally. Thank you for your partnership, encouragement, and support throughout the year! 

🎉 Get Ready to ROCK! 🎉 

Our rescheduled ROCK is coming up on Friday, May 8, and we are very excited! There are no changes to the invitations. Students who were invited to the original ROCK may attend on Friday, May 8.

This PTO-sponsored event is always a student favorite, featuring games, time to hang out with friends, and the always-popular Junk Food Buffet!

🎟️ ROCK is invite-only. Families should continue to reference the original invitation shared through Skyward Family Access.

Event Times:

• 5th/6th Grade: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

• 7th/8th Grade: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

To help ensure a smooth and fun evening, CIS will send out a reminder of ROCK expectations during the week of the event. Please take a few minutes to review these with your child so everyone can enjoy a safe and successful night.

CIS Awards Celebration - Tuesday, May 12

We are excited to honor our students' academic achievements during our Annual CIS Awards Celebration on Tuesday, May 12, in Holford Gym. Awards will take place during the following times, and families are welcome to attend. 

• 7:55 - 8:38 - 8th Grade

• 8:41 - 9:24 - 6th Grade

• 9:27 - 10:10 - 5th Grade

• 10:13 - 10:56 - 7th Grade

8th Grade Graduation - Thursday, May 14

Central's 8th-grade Class of 2026 will celebrate the end of their time at Central and the beginning of their high school journey on Thursday, May 14th, at 6:30 p.m. in Holford Gym. We are excited to host graduation at CIS this year and look forward to celebrating this special milestone together in a place that holds so many memories for our students and families!

CIS Field Day & Family Picnic - Monday, May 18

We are excited to continue a fun CIS tradition with our 2nd Annual Family Picnic on Monday, May 18, held during our schoolwide Field Day lunch (time TBD). Families are invited to join their child during their lunch period to celebrate, relax, and enjoy time together.

Bring a picnic lunch and join us on the playground for this special opportunity to connect and celebrate the end of the school year. Feel free to bring lawn chairs, blankets, or umbrellas to make your picnic more comfortable!

We had a wonderful turnout last year and look forward to another great event with our CIS families. Please note that the rain date will be Tuesday, May 19.

Last Day of School

The last day of school for students and staff is Thursday, May 21. This will be a half-day for students.

Summer Office Hours & Availability

Offices Closed:

• Monday, May 26 – Memorial Day

• Thursday, June 19 – Juneteenth Observed

• Friday, July 4 – Fourth of July

Office Hours:

• Tuesday, May 26 – Friday, June 5: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM

• Monday, June 8 – Friday, July 24: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Monday–Thursday)

• Beginning Monday, July 27: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM

🏖️ Please note that some office staff will take vacation time over the summer. You are always welcome to reach out to the CIS Office by phone or email, and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Thanks in advance for your patience and understanding!

I hope your family has a wonderful, relaxing, and well-deserved summer break. Thank you again for being such an important part of our school community. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in August for another great year!

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!

It's hard to believe it is May! This has been a phenomenal year at CIS and that is all thanks to the students, staff, and families! As we approach the final bell, I wanted to take a moment to look back at everything our middle schoolers have accomplished. From the first-day jitters in August to the confident, budding young adults we see in the hallways today, the growth has been nothing short of extraordinary.

This year was defined by more than just grades; it was about the connections made and the milestones reached. We’ve watched our students:

• Master New Challenges: Whether it was tackling complex algebraic equations, performing on stage for the first time, or winning a hard-fought game on the court.

• Build Community: Seeing the kindness in our hallways and the way students supported one another through every project and presentation.

• Discover Passions: From coding and robotics to art and athletics, your children have explored new horizons with curiosity and grit.

To our families, THANK YOU! Your partnership, late-night study sessions, and endless carpool shifts made this success possible. We are so proud of our students and grateful for this incredible school community.

I wishing you all a safe, restful, and sun-filled summer break!

8th Grade Students

Congratulations on finishing your journey at CIS! Your hard work has been evident and it will serve you well at the high school. Hopefully, you can look back at your time at CIS with fond memories. Best wishes as you move on to the high school! We will miss you!

Celebrating Our Super Staff

Get ready to roar! Teacher Appreciation Week is officially May 4–8, 2026, and the excitement is already building. During this week, we will celebrate all CIS staff as it takes everyone involved to make sure students have an amazing place to learn and each person is valuable in that success.

The CIS staff have a special kind of magic; they are part-educator, part-mentor, and full-time advocates for our students during these transformative years. We are incredibly lucky to have a staff that goes above and beyond every single day, and we can’t wait to shower them with the recognition they deserve.

A Heartfelt Thank You

A celebration this big takes a village, and we are feeling the love! A huge shout-out to:

• Our Amazing PTO: For the tireless planning and "behind-the-scenes" magic.

• Community Partners & Local Businesses: For your generous contributions.

• Family Volunteers: For giving your time to make our staff feel seen and valued.

• Our Students: For the kind words and high-fives that truly make a teacher’s day.

Summer Activities

There are many activities in the summer for students to participate in. Click HERE for a list of camps and their information. Don't forget to look at community resources to see what is offered for your child as well.

Scooter Safety at School

Whether it’s the morning rush or the afternoon surge, the school parking lot can be a hectic place. If your child is commuting bicycles or scooters, keeping things safe ensures the day starts and ends on a high note. Please keep these items in mind as you talk with your children at home about scooter and bike safety:

🛡️ The Golden Rules of the Ride

• Gear Up Every Time: A properly fitted helmet is highly recommended. Ensure it sits level on the forehead and the straps form a snug "V" under the ears.

• The "Walk Zone" Policy: To keep pedestrians safe, riders should hop off and walk their scooters once they hit the school sidewalk. Scooters must be walked when in a cross walk.

• Eyes Up, Ears Open: Ditch the headphones. Being able to hear an approaching car or a staff's instruction is vital in a busy parking lot.

• Check Your Tech: Do a quick "bolt check" once a week. Ensure the handlebars are tight, the brake is functional, and the wheels aren't wobbly.

🚗 Navigating the Traffic Mix

The biggest danger during drop-off is visibility. Remind your rider that just because they see a car doesn’t mean the driver sees them. Always cross at designated crosswalks and make eye contact with drivers before getting into the road.

Pro-Tip: If you’re scooting in the dimmer light of early morning or winter afternoons, add a clip-on LED light or reflective tape to the scooter’s stem to stay visible.