Mrs. Bush
Mrs. Bush
Embedded Files
Principal's Update
Principal's Update
Dear Families,
Happy February!
National School Counselor Week
National School Counselor Week
School Counseling Week is February 5 - 9, and we are excited to recognize our CIS School Counselor, Mrs. Kristen Brosch. Mrs. Brosch has been a tremendous addition to CIS and is leading the way with social-emotional learning! Thank you, Mrs. Brosch.
Valentine's Day Trojan Treats
Valentine's Day Trojan Treats
Thanks to all of the families who have donated to Trojan Treats! Each fifth through eighth-grade classroom will visit Trojan Treats in the library on Wednesday, February 14!
Chess Tournament at Mark Bills
Chess Tournament at Mark Bills
The CIS Chess Team took first place at the Mark Bills Winter Classic on Saturday! They competed against players from thirteen different schools! Congratulations Mr. Plank and the Chess Team!
ROCK (Rewarding Outstanding Central Kids) Save the Date
ROCK (Rewarding Outstanding Central Kids) Save the Date
It's never too early to start thinking about ROCK! The second and final CIS ROCK is scheduled for Friday, April 19.
ROCK is a reward party for students with no detentions between Monday, February 12 and Friday, April 12.
Look for more information about ROCK from PTO later this winter!
Communication
Communication
We hope all of our Central families have a wonderful winter break! 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
Ms. Martin
Assistant Principal's Update
Assistant Principal's Update
January sure did zip by and we are definitely enjoying the nicer weather that February is bringing! It's great to see students enjoying being outside for recess again!
Bus Safety
Bus Safety
While students are going to and coming from school, we want them to be as safe as possible. In the interest of the student’s safety and in compliance with State law, students are expected to observe the following while riding a school bus:
Dress properly for the weather. Make sure all drawstrings, ties, straps, etc. on all clothing, backpacks and other items, are shortened or removed to lessen the likelihood of them getting caught in bus doors, railings or aisles.
Arrive on time at the bus stop, and stay away from the street while waiting for the bus.
Stay away from the bus until it stops completely and the driver signals you to board. Enter in a single file without pushing. Always use the handrail.
Take a seat right away and remain seated facing forward. Keep your hands, arms, and head inside the bus.
Talk quietly on the bus. No shouting or creating loud noises that may distract the driver. Tablets, iPods®, iPads®, smart phones, and other electronic devices must be silenced on the bus unless a student uses headphones.
Help keep the bus neat and clean. Keep belongings out of the aisle and away from emergency exits. Eating and drinking are not allowed on the bus.
Always listen to the driver’s instructions. Be courteous to the driver and other students. Sit with your hands to yourself and avoid making noises that would distract the driver or bother other passengers. Remain seated, keeping your hands, arms, and head inside the bus at all times.
Wait until the bus pulls to a complete stop before standing up. Use the handrail when exiting the bus.
Stay out of the danger zone next to the bus where the driver may have difficulty seeing you. Take five giant steps away from the bus and out of the danger zone, until you can see the driver and the driver sees you. Never crawl under a bus.
If you must cross the street after you get off the bus, wait for the driver’s signal and then cross in front of the bus. Cross the street only after checking both ways for traffic.
Never run back to the bus, even if you dropped or forgot something.
Please see the image below indicating areas of protentional hazard for students and areas most appropriate for students to wait and load onto the bus.
Thank you for your continued support at home!
Mrs. Brosch
Counselor's Corner
Counselor's Corner
Welcome to 2nd semester! For the month of January, the focus of CENTRAL Code was Thoughtful, which represents that DESSA competency of Optimistic Thinking. During SEL time on Wednesday, January 31, we held our Thoughtful assembly. For the month of February, we will focus on Responsibility!
If you or your child have any questions or concerns that you think I can help with, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at kbrosch@central51.net.
Nurse Martin
Nurse's Notes
Nurse's Notes
5th Grade Parents & Guardians
Did you know you can get a head start on medical forms your student will need to enter 6th grade next year? Once your student turns 11 years old they can receive the required immunizations and school physical in one appointment. You can turn those forms in at any time. Please see all 6th grade entrance requirements below.
Illinois School Physical Form (A sports physical cannot be accepted in place of the School Physical. However, the Illinois School Physical can be accepted in place of a sports physical.)
Updated Immunizations needed: Tdap & Meningococcal Vaccines (Students must be 11 years old to receive the Meningococcal vaccine so keep that in mind when making your student's appointment)
Dental Exam Form - Due May 15, 2025 but we can accept dental exams dated as early as November 15, 2023 so feel free to turn your students most recent dental exam in anytime!
These forms can be turned into the office anytime or may be scanned and sent as a PDF to my email: kmartin@central51.net. **Pictures cannot be accepted
Mrs. Perko - Reading
Skill Building
Skill Building
In our work with students as Interventionists, we often ask them to make goals at the start of a new semester. I told my college student about this activity. He said emphatically, “Are you helping them, mom? Setting goals is difficult.” He reminded me how much help students in middle school need to make meaningful goals.
So often their goals are very general. These are some first draft goals from my students:
Get better grades
Study more
Focus
Do my homework
We take those first drafts and ask questions to help them transform their goals into mini-plans to create improvement. What will they do specifically? When will they do it? Where will they do it? The more specific the better. How will they know if they met their goal?
With IAR right around the corner, it is still not too late to make some goals. 6th-8th grade students have access to a program called ALEKS in math to help them grow. 5th grade could use 99 Math to sharpen their math facts. Could they set a goal to work on math three times a week for 15 minutes? To help sharpen the goal, find a time and a place when this will happen. How will they track their progress? In reading, they could try a more challenging AR book at a slightly higher Lexile level to expand their skill and vocabulary. Could they finish one higher level book in February? Could they plan to take the AR test before the IAR test to check their comprehension? When and where will they work on their reading? How many pages a day would be needed to finish in February. Our students just need a little guidance to sharpen their goals.
As we looked back over student written goals for the first semester, we noticed a few of the students who made some really amazing progress had written specific and measurable goals for the fall. With some guidance we can help middle school students practice this important life skill. If you would like to learn more about goal setting for middle school students, here are some tips from the Schoolcues Blog Seven Goal Setting Strategies for Students
Mrs. Hahn - Math
Mrs. Clarke - PE
Mrs. Lang - PE
Physical Education & Health
Physical Education & Health
We have been excited to welcome Mr. Dylan Anderson as a student teacher from ISU in our PE classes. He began with us in January, and will be with us until early March when he will go finish his student teaching with Mr. Dalberg at CPS.
We will be doing our winter fitness testing sometime later this month. The students will be working to improve on their fall fitness scores, as well as try to meet targets set for their age.
Mr. Godinez- Health
Mr. Betson - PE Paraprofessional
Mrs. J. Uftring
Student Council
Student Council
DONUT DAY- WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH Donuts will be sold at grade-level locations for $1
SPIRIT DAYS-
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH- SUPER BOWL- wear team colors or a football shirt/ jersey
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH- VALENTINE'S DAY- wear red, pink, purple, or white for Valentine's Day
VALENTINE'S BASKET RAFFLE- The student council will be coming around in study hall from February 1st- to February 13th selling raffle tickets. Buy a ticket for $1 for a chance to win a gift basket valued over $150. (there are two baskets to choose from)
Guess the number- on Valentine's Day, during lunch, we will have jars filled with candy for each grade level. Whoever is closest without going over wins the jar of candy.
7th and 8th grade DANCE- FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD 7-8:30 Mardi Gras
Mrs. Heffta
Library News
Library News
We are starting our book for One Book, One School on February 5. The books and the author visit were purchased with funds from the PTO and we are truly grateful for this opportunity.
We are starting our book for One Book, One School on February 5. The books and the author visit were purchased with funds from the PTO and we are truly grateful for this opportunity.
What is One Book, One School?
What is One Book, One School?
One Book, One School gets an entire school community - including families - involved in the joy of reading. Everyone will get a copy of the book “Words On Fire”, thanks to the PTO. Students will read the book with their classmates, family, and friends. We will then celebrate with an author visit from Jennifer A. Nielsen at Five Points. When families and staff are reading together, students will be surrounded by literacy.
One Book, One School: Every student will receive a copy of Jennifer A. Neilson’s book “Words On Fire”
The books will be handed out February 5 - 9, during each grade's library time
Students read the book independently
Family Participation Ideas:
Help your student follow the reading schedule
Ask questions about the book
Read the book along with your student
Mrs. Youngman
Central Care Club
Central Care Club
The Central Care Club has two events happening during the month of February.
The Souper Bowl Food Drive: We have two large signs in the cafeteria for the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Students are encouraged to bring soup (or any nonperishable item) to be placed under the poster of the team they think will win the Super Bowl. This is a fun way to show team spirit as well as help those in need!
ALL ITEMS WILL BE DONATED TO WHIP:)
Lovin' on Your Pet: We are collecting items to donate to TAPS (No Kill Animal Shelter) such as towels, blankets, bed sheets, bleach, detergent, etc.... Items can be new or gently used. The donation drop off area is in the CIS Lobby as you enter the building.
Please see attached flyer for more information
Blue and Yellow Abstract Football Sunday Instagram Post (8.5 x 11 in) (1).pdfTaps! (1).pdf
Important Dates:
Important Dates:
February 1
Volleyball at Metamora Grade School, 4:15 pm
Unified Volleyball at Metamora Grade School, 5:00 pm
Boys 6th Grade Basketball at St. Philomena School (A & B) 5:30 pm
February 5
Volleyball hosts Dee Mack Junior High School, Central Gym 4:30 pm
(8th Grade plays 1st, then 7th Grade)
February 6
TazWood County Spelling Bee at Germantown Hills Middle School, 12:00 pm
Scholastic Bowl hosts Dunlap Middle School, CIS Library, 4:00 pm
Volleyball at Beverly Manor School, 4:15 pm
February 7
IESA Cheer State Competition at Peoria Civic Center, All Day Event
Boys 6th Grade Basketball at Beverly Manor School (A & B), 4:30 pm
February 8
Boys 6th Grade Basketball at Washington Middle School (A & B), 5:00 pm
February 10
Volleyball 7th Grade County Tournament at Pekin Broadmoor, Time TBD
Chess Tournament at Mark Bills Middle School, 8:30 am
February 13
Volleyball at Germantown Hills (plus 6th Grade Game), 4:15 pm
Boys 6th Grade Basketball at Metamora Grade School (A & B), 4:30 pm
February 15
Volleyball hosts East Peoria (shortened 6th Grade game to follow) Central Gym, 4:15 pm
Boys 6th Grade Basketball hosts Dunlap Valley School (A & B) Holford Gym, 4:30 pm
February 17
Volleyball 8th Grade County Tournament at Parkview School, Time TBD
February 19
Observance of President's Day - No School
Boys 6th Grade Basketball hosts Washington Middle School (A & B) Holford Gym, 4:30 pm
February 20
Volleyball hosts Normal Kingsley Junior High School, Central Gym, 4:15 pm
February 21
Boys 6th Grade Basketball at Germantown Hills Middle School, 5:00 pm
February 22
5th Grade Band Preview Concert, Holford Gym, 7:00 pm
February 23
7th/8th Grade Dance, Holford Gym, 7:00-8:30 pm
February 24
6th Grade Boys Basketball Tournament at Metamora Grade School, 8:00 am
February 26
CIS PTO Family Trivia Night!
Bowling Team hosts Morton Junior High School at Plaza Lanes, Time TBD
February 29
Boys 6th Grade Basketball Team at Beverly Manor, 4:30pm
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