Thank you to all our families for your partnership in preparing students to return to school. We have had an amazing start to our school year at Evans - the best in recent years. While we are still ironing out a few transportation issues and practicing navigating the hallways and using lockers for the first time for our 6th graders, we feel confident that, in the near future, everything will become routine.

As we move into September, students will begin to dive into their grade-level curriculum, and we will take our first of many standard assessments. Next week, students will take their STAR Math and STAR Reading assessments during their classes. Please help encourage them to do their best on this test. It shows us where students are starting the year and can guide teachers in matching their content and challenges to individual students' needs. This test is repeated in the Winter and the Spring to help us track student growth and identify any interventions we might need to put in place to support students who are struggling. Your support and encouragement at home to do their best reminds students that the school and their family are all on the same team and invested in their learning.

There are many ways for families to get involved in our school through volunteering, PTO participation, and attending school events. The first event is Nest Fest, our Open House, on Monday, August 24th. It will welcome students and families in the building to walk schedules, meet staff, and even socialize while visiting our food truck community partners - we will have Kona Ice, Twisted Sisters Drinks, and The Daily Wrap food trucks here during the event from 530 - 7 p.m. We hope to see you all at Evans Monday night.

Respectfully,

Kimberly Martin-Boyd

Evans Jr. High School Principal

Family Support

Elaina Albrecht is our Family Coordinator and would love to help you and your student(s) transition back to school this year. Please reach out to her for school supply needs, attendance, community resources, social/emotional support, etc.

You could also complete the family survey to let us get to know how we can further assist you and your student(s). Family Survey

albrechte@unit5.org

office: 309.557.4177

cell phone: 309.684.2776

Bus Routes & Transportation Information

Bus route information will be available soon through your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Once logged in to your parent portal, click on "More" on the left-hand side, then click "Transportation" from the drop-down menu in the center of the page. If you have any questions or concerns, please call 309-557-4287 (4BUS). We ask that you recheck this information prior to the first day, as sometimes changes occur.

Families choosing to drop off and pick up their students will do that by driving to the back of the school building and following signs and staff directions. Parents/Families are NOT to park and/or exit their vehicles; you should pull as far forward (towards the end of the sidewalk) as possible, and the student will either walk back to the door or will walk forward to your car. By doing this, you allow for many students to load or unload at one time. Students are NOT allowed to cross the drop-off traffic or bus lane to reach cars parked in parking spaces.

NEW THIS YEAR - Unit 5's live bus tracking tool - check out more information here - My Ride

PE Clothes Ordering

PE Clothes for the 26-27 school year are now available to purchase!! This order will be open from now until Friday, September 4gh.

Ordered clothes will be delivered to school near the beginning of the year.

Students are REQUIRED to have black shorts and a Grey shirt.

We have provided OPTIONAL sweatpants and sweatshirts for those colder days.

Please reach out to Coach Curby at curbyd@unit5.org

https://selectspiritwear.com/collections/evans-jr-high-pe

Nest Fest - Open House

Our Back to School Open House event - NEST FEST - will take place on Monday, August 24th from 530 - 7 p.m. This is a time for families to come together, see the building, walk schedules with students, and meet staff members. You can come and go as you like that evening, but we will close promptly at 7 p.m. to allow our staff time to be at home with their families.

During this time, you are encouraged to visit the food trucks (The Daily Wrap, Twisted Sisters Soda, and Kona Ice are confirmed right now!) we will have on site; visit our PTO table to find out how to be more involved, tour the building (which looks amazing thanks to our custodial crew), and walk your child's schedule.

This event is not required, but strongly encouraged for families to get connected to start the school year - we look forward to seeing you August 24th.

Family & Student Activity Passes

All family, friends of family and student Activity passes will be sold through GoFan.co or scan the QR Code below. These passes are good for ALL Unit 5 regular-season athletic events (middle school and high school). These passes will not work for regular-season tournaments and IHSA postseason events.

100 Caring Adults Event - August 28th

August 22nd Evans will partner with Promise Council for our 100 Caring Adults Event - This event welcomes the community to line the sidewalks at Evans Jr. High School and greet students with smiles, high fives and well wishes for the school year. It is a great way to show the students and staff that the community supports our efforts and plans for the year! Sign up HERE!

Before School Supervision

Please note that we will be offering a before-school supervision program for families that are interested. Students will be supervised by a teacher from 7:20 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. At that time, students would join the rest of the students in the gym/cafeteria. Parents will be responsible for transporting their child to school each day.

The program fee is $85.00 per quarter (which equates to about $2.00 per day). The fee must be paid prior to the start of the quarter. There will be no refund if a student does not attend on any given day. Students who are causing continued disruptions may be removed from the program.

You must register for before school care with this LINK

EJHS Athletics Updates

Evans PTO

Want an easy way to get involved at Evans and always be in the know of things happening for our Eagle Nation Community? Our PTO meets once a month (usually an hour or less) to discuss ways to support Evans students and staff. Come check out how you can get involved!

First meeting is Tuesday, September 8th @ 6 p.m.

Student IDs

All Students were given (or will be this coming week) a school ID and an Evans lanyard; the expectation is that students will wear the ID (visible on the lanyard around their neck) whenever they are on school grounds. This is NOT optional for students. They use it in multiple locations throughout the building, and it allows us to quickly identify students who belong in our building. Thank you for helping your student remember this important school policy. The may choose to wear a different lanyard as long as their ID is still attached and visible.

2026-2027 Unit 5 Calendar

No Outside Food or Drink

Outside food and drinks are not allowed in the building, and students may not have food/drinks outside of the cafeteria. Please do not bring large bags of food to "share" they will be taken away. Students are allowed to have a water bottle filled with water only. Do not bring energy drinks, soda or coffee drinks to consume throughout the day. Students should also not have outside food delivered to them throughout the day (by parents or outside groups like Door Dash), this includes celebrations like birthday lunches, parents should not bring in treats.

Student Dress Code

Please help your student understand what is considered school-appropriate clothing - staff does not want to address dress code issues with students; it is uncomfortable for all involved. The Unit 5 Handbook outlines specific terms of what students cannot wear to school; please review:

Student dress (including accessories) may not advertise, promote, or picture alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, violent behavior, or other inappropriate images.
Student dress (including accessories) may not display lewd, vulgar, obscene, or offensive language or symbols, including gang symbols.
Coats and sunglasses may not be worn in the building during the school day.
No head coverings are allowed that obscure the view of the student's face. (No sweatshirt hoods are to be worn up at Evans).
Hairstyles, dresses, and accessories (scarfs/headbands) that pose a safety hazard are not permitted in the shop, laboratories, or during physical education.
Metal studs, chains longer than jewelry, and any other objects that may be used as weapons or that may be hazardous to persons or property are specifically prohibited.
Clothing which fails to adequately cover the body, or which is torn or altered in an explicit or suggestive manner, will not be permitted. Shirts, blouses and tops which are not tucked in must be long enough to cover the midsection when the student is in a standing or sitting position (this is a new addition). Pants or shorts must be worn at the waist.
Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times. Slippers and shoes with wheels are prohibited.
If there is any doubt about dress and appearance, the building administration will make the final decision.
A student whose dress causes a substantial disruption to the orderly process of school functions or endangers the health or safety of the student, other students, staff, or others may be subject to discipline.

Who Do I Contact?

Knowing who to contact about certain issues can be challenging. We hope this mini-guide helps as to who to contact first when you need assistance.

Absences (partial or full day): EJHS Attendance Line 309-557-4455
Classroom level issues (grades, behavior, etc.): Your Student's teacher(s) (Staff Contacts)
General Questions about Evans: EJHS Main Office line 309-557-4406
Physicals, Medical or Illness Related Questions: Nurse McCaw 309-557-4682 or mccawj@unit5.org
Student Records/Registration: EJHS Student Services Office 309-557-4694
Student Schedule Issues: EJHS Student Services Office 309-557-4694
Athletics Issues/Questions: Mr. Papoccia 309-557-4163 or papocciab@unit5.org
Student Behavior Issues: Dr. Burt (Assistant Principal) burtm@unit5.org or Mr. Gliege (Associate Principal) gliegeta@unit5.org

Cell Phone Policy

Unit 5 handbook states: Students are allowed to possess and use electronic mobile devices prior to 8:45 a.m. and after 3:45 p.m. providing they do not cause a disruption. To clarify this - cell phones are to be "silent and away throughout the day", phones and wireless earbuds/headphones are not to be seen or used between 8:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Only with staff permission may students use wired headphones/earbuds in the classroom, connecting to the student's chromebook. Smart watches are also not to be used for communication purposes during the school day.

If you need to contact your student do not text them - please call the EJHS main office at 309-557-4406. If your student needs to contact you they will be allowed to use the school phone as well. Please partner with us on communicating the expectation to your student.

Evans is Hiring!

Are you looking for a rewarding, part-time way to make a difference in our school community? We are looking to add a Noon Hour Supervisor to our team to help create a safe, positive environment for students during 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-grade lunches. If you are interested in supporting our students in this capacity, we would love for you to apply at this link!

Unit 5 is also still seeking several paraprofessionals, food service support, substitutes, and special education teachers. Check out available opportunities HERE!

Upcoming Important Dates:

August 24th - Nest Fest (530 - 7 p.m.)
August 24th - August 28th - Fall STAR Testing
August 28th - 100 Caring Adults Event
August 31st - Evans School Safety Drill
September 2nd - Bus Evacuation Drill (upon arrival at school)
September 7th - No School - Labor Day
September 8th - PTO Meeting - 6 p.m.
September 11th - Back to School Bash (Student Activity Night!)
September 18th - Bird Bin (Student Reward Store during lunches)
September 21st - School Picture Day

Check out our Amazon Wish List if you are looking to make a donation to EJHS!

Donate without spending any extra money by scanning your Box Tops for Education by getting the app and selecting Evans Jr. High for your school!