CIS Families:
Happy September!
I am so excited about the beginning of this school year. We have had a great start to 25-26, and it already feels like our students are settling into their new routines and showing us their potential. Fall is a season of change, and just like the leaves remind us that growth often requires letting go of what feels comfortable, middle schoolers are learning to stretch themselves in new and important ways.
Each month, I will be sharing a message focused on what we can help middle schoolers grow and thrive. These themes are tied to our CENTRAL Code and to the social-emotional skills that prepare students for success.
For September, our focus is on being Capable. A Capable Trojan is:
A student who controls their emotions and behaviors
A student who completes tasks in new or challenging situations
Being capable is really about self-management. Self-management is the skill of regulating emotions, setting goals, and following through, even when things feel difficult or uncomfortable.
Middle school is full of moments that feel uncomfortable, such as tough assignments, new schedules, or friendship challenges. Self-management is about learning to stay steady in that discomfort and finding a way forward, rather than shutting down or giving up.
Here is how that can show up at each grade level:
5th Grade: Learning to manage switching classes for the first time. Staying calm when they forget a book and remembering that mistakes are part of the process.
6th Grade: Facing bigger projects and responsibilities, and leaning into the discomfort of long-term work by breaking it into steps and sticking with it.
7th Grade: Handling new independence. Sometimes choosing between activities or balancing time means saying no to something fun to meet commitments.
8th Grade: Preparing for high school and managing the stress of future decisions while still showing up for today’s responsibilities.
Normalize discomfort: Remind your child that feeling nervous or frustrated does not mean they are failing; it's a normal part of the learning process. It usually means they are growing.
Practice “one small step”: When something feels overwhelming, help them identify the very next step they can take.
Celebrate resilience: Point out when your child pushes through a hard or uncomfortable moment, such as finishing homework, trying a new activity, or apologizing after a conflict.
Thank you for continuing to support your student’s journey toward becoming a Capable Trojan who practices self‑management, leans into discomfort, and builds resilience through challenge.
If you're interested in learning more about how to help your child bounce back from tough moments and grow stronger through them, check out this insightful resource from the Child Mind Institute on raising resilient kids and nurturing adaptability and tolerance for failure.
Check out Raising Resilient Kids Who Are Prepared for the Future, a short article from the Child Mind Institute by Dr. Madeline Levine.
Sincerely,
Ericka Bush
Principal
Central Intermediate School
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
Hello CIS Families!
It has been great to have students back in the building! Seeing students excited to see friends and learning has been a highlight to the year so far. We look forward to a fantastic year with CIS students, staff, and families!
We want to highlight a great opportunity for the community. On September 4, 2025 at 5:30 PM, Central will be hosting Rachel's Challenge. The program encourages kindness, compassion, and positive connections within school. Please click HERE to see the letter that was sent home to families. We hope to see you there!
Please see the reminders below for policies and procedures throughout the school day.
To ensure all students get the most out of their learning experience, we want to remind everyone about the importance of being on time for every class. Arriving promptly allows you to settle in, be prepared for instruction, and minimizes disruption for your classmates and teachers.
Many students are doing a great job of getting to class on time! As a reminder, the school day starts at 7:50 AM. Students may enter the building beginning at 7:40 AM. All students should be in their homerooms by 7:50 AM when the first bell rings.
We understand that occasional delays can happen, but consistent tardiness can impact academic progress and classroom flow. In order to maximize your child’s educational experience, it is necessary for the student to be at each and every class on time and ready to learn. Students late for any class will earn a tardy. After three UNEXCUSED tardies, students will earn a detention. Excessive tardies will be handled with families and administration on an individual basis.
Our goal is to support every student in forming positive habits that contribute to their success and a productive learning environment. Let's work together to make sure everyone is on time and on track for success!"
Please also note that tardies count toward detentions for ROCK, so arriving at school on time each day is an important part of staying eligible. We encourage families to help students build strong routines and take pride in their positive behavior!
At CIS, we believe in creating a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment where all students can learn and grow. Students are expected to treat others with kindness, follow school rules, and make responsible choices throughout the day—whether in the classroom, hallway, cafeteria, or on the playground. We teach and reinforce these expectations regularly and work together as a team to support positive behavior. When students make mistakes, we see it as a chance to reteach and help them learn from the experience. However, when behavior becomes unsafe, disruptive, or disrespectful, appropriate consequences will follow, and families will be contacted as needed.
All of our behavior expectations, policies, and procedures are outlined in the CIS Student-Family Handbook, which we encourage all families to review together at the beginning of the school year. Below are a few key expectations students will encounter during the school day. Reviewing these ahead of time helps set everyone up for a safe, successful, and respectful school year.
At CIS, we love celebrating students who consistently make positive choices and follow school expectations. One of the most exciting rewards is getting to attend ROCK—a fun, PTO-sponsored evening event filled with games, junk food, and friends! Students with no detentions or suspensions are eligible to attend!
Cell phones must remain in students’ lockers throughout the school day and are not permitted in classrooms, the cafeteria, or at recess. Our goal is to minimize distractions to create the best possible learning and social-emotional experience for our students.
Students are allowed to wear smart watches, but they must only be used as a watch during the school day. Calling, texting, or using other communication features is not permitted during school hours. Students who use their smart watches as a cellular device will receive consequences as outlined in the Student/Family Handbook.
In some cases, school staff may permit students to use their cell phones to call or text a parent/guardian. These calls should only take place in the school office or the classroom with a teacher.
Students who do choose to use a cell phone without permission during the school day will be subject to the consequences outlined in the Student/Family Handbook:
First offense – The device will be confiscated by school personnel. A verbal and written warning through Skyward will be assigned. The student will receive the device back at the end of the day in the school office.
Second offense – The device will be confiscated. A detention will be assigned and noted in Skyward. The student’s parent/guardian will be notified and required to pick up the device in the school office.
Third offense – The device will be confiscated. A detention will be assigned. The student’s parent/guardian will be notified and required to pick up the device in the school office. Additionally, the student will be required to turn in their device to the school office for the next 10 school days. If the student is found in possession of the device during this 10-day period, the student will face consequences for insubordination.
Fourth and subsequent offense – The device will be confiscated. The student will be assigned a detention and will be required to turn the device into the office for the remainder of the school year. The student’s parent/guardian will be notified and required to pick up the device in the school office. The student will also face consequences for insubordination.
We love when students come support their fellow classmates at extracurricular events! Please keep in mind that students are expected to adhere to the following behavior during all Central events:
Students are expected to show good sportsmanship at all times. Central students cheer FOR our athletes, NOT against the opponents. Actions like booing, turning backs to players, taunting, and making noises during expected silent times, and cheering against the other team do not show good sportsmanship.
Students should not yell or attempt to talk to officials, coaches, or opponents.
Students are expected to be in the gym during gameplay. Students may not hang out in Holford Lobby/Foyer during games.
Students should stay off the court of play at all times, even during halftime.
Concession items are allowed in the gym. Students should pick up after themselves.
Students should arrange for transportation prior to the event.
As we progress through the school year, it is a great opportunity for students to try new extracurriculars. Studies have shown that students involved in extracurriculars have advantages in academics, social-emotional development, life skills, and character development.
Take a look at the document below to see the various offerings CIS has to offer students.
Monday, September 1
Labor Day – No School
Tuesday, September 2
Girls Basketball Open Gym | 3:00 PM
Softball at Tremont | 4:15 PM
Baseball hosts East Peoria | 4:15 PM
Cross Country at Panther Invite | Washington Park | 4:15 PM
Wednesday, September 3
Boys Golf at Sectionals | El Paso Golf Club | 8:00 AM
Softball hosts WMS | 4:15 PM
Baseball hosts WMS | 4:15 PM
JV Baseball at WMS | 4:15 PM
Thursday, September 4
Girls Golf at Sectionals | Wolf Creek Golf Club | 8:15 AM
Girls Basketball Open Gym | 3:00 PM
Softball hosts Metamora | 4:15 PM
Baseball hosts Metamora | 4:15 PM
JV Baseball hosts Morton | 4:15 PM
PTO Meeting | CIS Library | 6:00 PM
Friday, September 5
Softball hosts Pekin Edison (double header) | 4:15 PM
JV Baseball at Dunlap Valley | 4:15 PM
Saturday, September 6
Baseball at Prairie Central (double header) | 10:00 AM
JV Baseball at Fieldcrest (double header) | 10:00 AM
WCHS Marching Band Invitational | All Day | All parking lots are closed.
Monday, September 8
Baseball at Germantown Hills | MTCO Park | 4:15 PM
JV Baseball at Normal Chiddix | 4:30 PM
Tuesday, September 9
Girls Basketball Open Gym | 3:00 PM
Wednesday, September 10
Baseball at Olympia | Olympia HS | 4:30 PM
JV Baseball at Olympia | Olympia HS | Follows Varsity
Thursday, September 11
Girls Basketball Open Gym | 3:00 PM
Cross Country at City Meet | Wenger Shelter | 4:00 PM
Monday, September 15
Girls Basketball Tryouts | Holford Gym | 3:00 PM
Tuesday, September 16
Girls Basketball Tryouts | Central Gym | 3:00 PM
Cross Country at Warrior Invite | Great Oaks Community Church | 4:00 PM
Softball at Regionals | JF Edwards Complex, Geneseo, Field #1 | 4:30 PM
Saturday, September 20
Cross Country at East Peoria Invite | 10:00 AM
Baseball at Regionals | East Peoria Central | 11:00 AM
Tuesday, September 23
Cross Country at Spartan Invite | Dunlap Valley | 4:15 PM
Wednesday, September 24
Cross Country at Tazwood Conference | Lower Lake, Eureka | 4:00 PM
Thursday, September 25
Vision & Hearing Screenings | All Day
Friday, September 26
Vision & Hearing Screenings | All Day
Cross Country at Dunlap Meet | Detweiller Park | 4:00 PM
Tuesday, September 30
Girls Basketball hosts St. Vincent de Paul | 6th Grade Game Follows | 4:30 PM