Eagle Nation Families,

We are off to a GREAT start at Evans. While our hallways and classrooms are very full, we are excited to welcome our students back and start diving into our curriculum and classwork. Students have been working on establishing learning routines, and we appreciate family support in ensuring students arrive on time and at school every day.

Next week, on Monday, September 15th, we will hold our Lockdown/Evacuation Drill. You should have received a letter outlining the SRP Protocol used by schools and law enforcement to help keep our students safe and use a common vocabulary. Monday, we will practice locking down in classrooms, evacuating the building, loading buses, taking a trip to our reunification site, and then coming back to Evans and practicing our bus evacuation drill upon returning. When we return to Evans, we will return to our regular schedule. Please be mindful, students will not be available to leave (for example, appointments) during this time; we also will not be able to welcome students back (also from appointments or late arrivals) while conducting this drill. We are hopeful this will all be done by 11 a.m. at the latest.

Finally, at the end of this month, we are holding a Talent Show. We hope that your families will consider attending this event or come show your school spirit at a sporting event. Coming to school activities is a great way to learn more about Evans and support our students in their activities!

Respectfully,

Kimberly Martin-Boyd

Principal

Infinite Campus Parent Help Videos

Dress Code

Most students comply with the dress code; however, we still need specific assistance with making sure that clothing adequately covers the body and is not torn or altered in a way that is explicit or suggestive. Shirts, blouses, and tops that are not tucked in must be long enough to cover the midsection when the student is in a standing or sitting position. All tops should have straps, and undergarments should not be seen. Pants or shorts must be worn at the waist and should be at a school-appropriate length. Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times. Slippers and shoes with wheels are not permitted. Finally, sunglasses should not be worn in the building.

Info from the Nurse

Dear Evans Jr. High Families,

As the school nurse for Evans Junior High School, my role is to help each student feel safe, be healthy, and ready to learn. I also help monitor attendance to identify students who may be experiencing issues attending school regularly due to various reasons. Attending school is important. Attending school is not only about education but accountability, responsibility, and socialization.

When your student misses two or more school days in a month, I (or another staff member) will contact you to find out what we can do to support your child’s return to school. Last year I noticed more students coming to the health office due to anxiety. We can work with your students to help them understand how stress may make their bodies feel sick. We can discuss different ways to decrease stress and anxiety. For example, if your student can get involved in an extra-curricular activity at school, this can help with school connectedness and increase attendance. If there is a transportation problem for after-school activities, please let us know.

If your child has a chronic health condition and we have not already connected, please let me know your child’s health needs. We want parents/guardians to feel confident that while your child is in school, we are prepared to address health concerns. If your child requires medication to be taken during the school day, prescription or over the counter, please have their healthcare provider complete the Unit 5 Medication Authorization Form and submit the form and the medication to the health office.

My goal is to make every student and family know they are welcome and are an important part of our school community. I also want to ensure that each student is healthy and safe. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me by email or phone.

Sincerely,

Joely McCaw, MSN, RN, PEL-CSN

IL Certified School Nurse

Evans Jr. High School

mccawj@unit5.org

309-557-4682

High School Football Games

High school football games are great events for junior high and elementary students to attend to start seeing what high school life is like. Junior high and elementary students coming to a football game at either NCHS or West must be accompanied by an adult (18 or older). Junior high or elementary students without an adult will not be allowed to purchase a ticket to enter the stadium. We also ask that students not bring bags, sports balls, or other toys to the game.

Angie Codron, Principal of Normal West
Adam Zbrozek, Principal of Normal Community

EJHS Talent Show

We are hosting our first-ever Evans Talent Show on Friday, September 26th, at 7:00 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend, but a $5 ticket is required for admission. Each ticket is an entry to win a pair of Beats Studio Pro Headphones. There will be concessions available at the event. All profits from this event will benefit our school's PBIS Programming, specifically student rewards.

We need donations for the concession stand; sign up here. We could also use volunteers to assist that evening and those sign-ups are on our PTO Volunteer Sign-up which also includes Bird Bin Volunteers.

We can't wait for this event - Hope to see you there!

Family Coodinator Update

Hello Eagle Nation,

My name is Elaina Albrecht. I am the Family Coordinator for Evans, Benjamin, and Towanda

this year. I am looking forward to my first year supporting families, students, and staff

in this role. If you or anyone you know may need some support from me, please don’t hesitate to

reach out to me at albrechte@unit5.org. Whether it’s school supplies, community resources,

social, moral support, and beyond, I am here to support however I can.

As a Family Coordinator, I am dedicated to fostering strong, healthy, and supportive family

units. My role involves serving as a central point of contact and support for families, helping

them navigate various challenges and access the resources they need to thrive.

My primary responsibilities include:

Needs Assessment: I work closely with families to understand their unique

circumstances, challenges, and goals. This involves conducting comprehensive

assessments to identify areas where support is needed, such as financial assistance,

educational resources, healthcare access, or emotional support.

Resource Navigation: I serve as a bridge between families and a wide range of community

resources. This includes connecting them with social services, counseling, educational

programs, childcare options, and support groups. My goal is to empower families by

ensuring they have the information and access to the tools necessary for their well-

being.

Advocacy: I act as an advocate for the families I serve, ensuring their voices are heard

and their needs are met within various systems.

Support and Guidance: I provide direct support and guidance to family members,

creating a compassionate and non-judgmental space for them to discuss their concerns. I

help them develop problem-solving skills, improve communication, and build resilience.

My work is rooted in a deep commitment to family well-being and a belief that every family

deserves the opportunity to succeed. I am passionate about creating a positive and lasting

impact on the lives of those I work with, helping them build a stable foundation for the future.

With kind vibes,

Elaina Albrecht

School Picture Day - 9/22

School picture day will take place on Monday, September 22. Students have their school pictures taken during PE classes. If you want to order their pictures, you can order your student's pictures before OR after they've been taken at this link. There will also be some paper order forms placed in the office if you prefer to order that way. If you have any questions, email Mrs. Poulos at poulosab@unit5.org.

PTO Updates

This week we had our first PTO meeting of the year, our next meeting is October 14th at 6 p.m. at Evans and ALL families are welcome to attend. Our big "Unraiser" fundraiser will be coming soon (October) but we are always collecting used Evans Spirit Wear for our resale fundrasier. If you have Evans items to donate please send them with your student and have them take to Mr. Kep's room in the S Pod. He will reward them with some Elite Eagles.

Ready to help now? We will continually update our 2025-2026 PTO Volunteer Sign Up - specifically right now we need help with our Bird Bin on Friday September 19th.

Elevate & Celebrate

Let's share positive praise for the Evans staff this year by completing the Elevate & Celebrate Form. I will then anonymously share the praise each week in my staff notes! Keep the positive energy flowing.

#BetheGood #EagleNation

Cell Phone Policy

Silent & Away means the ringer is on silent, and cell phones are completely out of sight. It should never be in the student's hands during the school day. Please note, Smart Watches and Wireless Headphones should also not be used during the school day. Thank you for helping our students follow the schoolwide expectations!

EJHS Athletics Updates

Yearbook Orders

"It's time to order your yearbook! We do not order very many extra books at the end of the year. If you want your child to be guaranteed a book, you must order one through Josten's. Click HERE to order! If you have questions, email Mrs. Poulos at poulosab@unit5.org*

Dine to Donate - Nov. 18th - Portillos

Save the date! Both 6A and 6B are teaming up to raise money for a variety of activities this year (field trips, team days, etc.) for our wonderful 6th graders. We will be hosting a Dine to Donate at Portillos on November 18th. Mark your calendars because we hope to see you there!

SAFE2HELP

The State of Illinois has established the Safe2Help site to provide a resource for students and families needing information on or assistance with safety issues such as mental health, bullying, self-harm, and much more. Individuals can make reports regarding such issues to the site and EJHS will be contacted as appropriate. This is another resource being provided to keep our students and school safe.

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!

Unit 5 Calendar 2025-2026