February Student of the Month Mallori Thomas sits down with her twin sister, Hillarry to discuss her plans for the future, her favorite class in HS, the advice she would give her Freshman self...and much, much more.
Congratulations again to Mallori!
Here is the link to the episode: https://youtu.be/n9ggnOZe5Bg
Congratulations again to Mallori!
Here is the link to the episode: https://youtu.be/n9ggnOZe5Bg
ACT Testing is right around the corner! Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors will be taking the PreACT or ACT on Tuesday, April 14th, and Wednesday, April 15th. Two-day testing is new this year. We are happy for this change as we feel it is in the best interest of our students.
Please ensure your student is on time for school these days, or they will miss instructional time to make up the exam. Students must have their CHARGED Chromebook and their Chromebook charger for testing. Testing will begin promptly at 8:00 each day.
Seniors will have a Capstone Work Day at the Reimagine Building, where they will be working on their Reverse Career Fair projects. The Reverse Career Fair is on Wednesday, April 29th, in the high school gym.
All students can leave after testing is concluded each day, but MUST have a permission slip turned in to the office by Friday, March 27th . Details regarding this are included in the graphic.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Annie Baugher.
Please ensure your student is on time for school these days, or they will miss instructional time to make up the exam. Students must have their CHARGED Chromebook and their Chromebook charger for testing. Testing will begin promptly at 8:00 each day.
Seniors will have a Capstone Work Day at the Reimagine Building, where they will be working on their Reverse Career Fair projects. The Reverse Career Fair is on Wednesday, April 29th, in the high school gym.
All students can leave after testing is concluded each day, but MUST have a permission slip turned in to the office by Friday, March 27th . Details regarding this are included in the graphic.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Annie Baugher.
Dear Illini Central Community,
We are aware of widespread and rampant misinformation and rumors online and in the school community regarding our school and the conduct of various staff members. While we received, early last week, resignations of two staff members, their reasons were personal, and they were not terminated. It is otherwise not district practice to comment on employment matters.
School students have at no time been in danger at Illini Central schools, and there is no conduct anyone with knowledge of District affairs has alleged at this time to have put them in harm’s way – even still, with the ongoing disruption to our learning environment due to widespread misinformation, staff have been subjected to harm outside the schools from false community rumors which have, at times, been damaging to them.
The District has worked with its counsel throughout the matter, and additional investigations spawned due to community reports have had the assistance of professional investigators. School officials will pursue additional measures as become necessary to ensure the safety of staff and students at all times.
Sincerely,
Illini Central Board of Education
We are aware of widespread and rampant misinformation and rumors online and in the school community regarding our school and the conduct of various staff members. While we received, early last week, resignations of two staff members, their reasons were personal, and they were not terminated. It is otherwise not district practice to comment on employment matters.
School students have at no time been in danger at Illini Central schools, and there is no conduct anyone with knowledge of District affairs has alleged at this time to have put them in harm’s way – even still, with the ongoing disruption to our learning environment due to widespread misinformation, staff have been subjected to harm outside the schools from false community rumors which have, at times, been damaging to them.
The District has worked with its counsel throughout the matter, and additional investigations spawned due to community reports have had the assistance of professional investigators. School officials will pursue additional measures as become necessary to ensure the safety of staff and students at all times.
Sincerely,
Illini Central Board of Education
Below/Attached are updates to our important dates at Illini Central High School
Last week, Hope Thomas was selected as 2nd Vice President of the 2026-2027 Hopewell District Student Council.
The outgoing executive board voted unanimously to approve her nomination during their March meeting.
The Hopewell District council provides leadership training and collaboration among student councils in our area twice per year and represents our district at the Illinois Association of Student Councils at state convention.
Hope is the first Illini Central student to be nominated for and elected to the district executive board.
Congratulations, Hope! We are proud of you!
The outgoing executive board voted unanimously to approve her nomination during their March meeting.
The Hopewell District council provides leadership training and collaboration among student councils in our area twice per year and represents our district at the Illinois Association of Student Councils at state convention.
Hope is the first Illini Central student to be nominated for and elected to the district executive board.
Congratulations, Hope! We are proud of you!
Illini Central CUSD 189 will be CLOSED today, March 16, 2026. All afternoon and evening activities are still scheduled. We will communicate any changes later today.
Udderly Fun is a big supporter of our local community and is always looking for meaningful ways to give back to the students and families at Illini Central.
Udderly Fun hosts play sessions at their building, 105 E Chestnut, every Friday night. They are hosting a play session at Udderly Fun on Friday, April 10th, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This date coincides with the downtown "2nd Friday Community Event,"
Udderly Fun's goal for this event is a specific charitable focus; 100% of the proceeds from this play session will be donated directly to Illini Central to be distributed between negative or past-due student lunch accounts. They know that these fees can be a burden for some families, and want to help alleviate that stress.
Please consider supporting this generous cause.
Congratulations to our High School PBIS Students of the Month for the month of February. Ella, Lilly, Kylie, and Hailee were recognized for kindness! Keep up the great work!
Illini Central Schools will dismiss at 2:00 pm today, Wednesday, March 11th.
Due to the impending weather this afternoon and evening, all practices for today have been cancelled.
This afternoon's 8th-grade girls' Regional Semi-Final match with Midwest Central has been postponed to Wednesday, March 11th. It is at Beverly Manor. First serve will be at 4:30 pm.
Tutoring and after-school detention is also cancelled.
Be safe today.
Due to the weather forecast, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the Choir Concert for tonight to this Thursday, March 12th, at 6:30 pm. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Annie Baugher or Kyra Fancher.
Take a look at the March Newsletter from CPAC.
The Illini Central Board of Education is currently exploring the potential of leaving the Sangamo Athletic Conference. While Illini Central has a long and proud history in the Sangamo, it is important for school districts to periodically reflect on past practices and consider whether current structures continue to best serve our students.
As enrollment patterns, travel considerations, and competitive balance evolve, the Board and administration are reviewing options that may provide the best long-term opportunities for Illini Central student-athletes and activity programs. At this time, no final decision has been made.
To help answer questions from our community, we have created a Q&A document with additional information about the process:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zkKHD0upcyEha8qgQUN0gREg17WS8nFeHEri72anWrs/edit?usp=sharing
We appreciate the continued support of our students and the Illini Central community.
If you have further questions or would like to share insights, we welcome you to contact Superintendent Jennifer Durbin at jdurbin@illinicentral.org. The public is always welcome to attend the board meeting on March 19th at 6:30 pm in the Professional Development Room.
As enrollment patterns, travel considerations, and competitive balance evolve, the Board and administration are reviewing options that may provide the best long-term opportunities for Illini Central student-athletes and activity programs. At this time, no final decision has been made.
To help answer questions from our community, we have created a Q&A document with additional information about the process:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zkKHD0upcyEha8qgQUN0gREg17WS8nFeHEri72anWrs/edit?usp=sharing
We appreciate the continued support of our students and the Illini Central community.
If you have further questions or would like to share insights, we welcome you to contact Superintendent Jennifer Durbin at jdurbin@illinicentral.org. The public is always welcome to attend the board meeting on March 19th at 6:30 pm in the Professional Development Room.
The Mason City Library is partnering with the nonprofit organization Neighborhood Forest to celebrate Earth Day by giving free trees to children in the community. Families can register their child by scanning the QR code or signing up online before the March 15 deadline. Trees will be delivered to the library before Earth Day on April 22, and families will be notified when they are ready for pickup. The program aims to encourage environmental stewardship while helping communities plant more trees.
ICGS Spring Picture Day is next Tuesday, March 10th.
Parents can register for their photos by scanning the QR Code on the flyer or by visiting our online store.
Here is the link: https://gpi.portraitpics.co/?key=7486ZYCMJJMNMY
Parents can register for their photos by scanning the QR Code on the flyer or by visiting our online store.
Here is the link: https://gpi.portraitpics.co/?key=7486ZYCMJJMNMY
As a reminder, Illini Central Schools ARE in session tomorrow, March 2nd. We will see you in the morning!
As a reminder, Illini Central Schools will dismiss at 11:30 pm on February 25, 2026. There is no school for PreK students because the PreK is hosting screenings for new PreK students.
Last week, the Illini Central Board of Education approved the updated 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school calendars. Both can be found under General Information: https://www.illinicentral.org/page/info.
The 2025-2026 Calendar was amended to reflect the two emergency days that have been used.
The 2026-2027 Calendar reflects a later start date, following community feedback on the Illinois State Fair's later schedule. School would start on August 19th, with a 2:00 dismissal on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to help ease students, especially the early grades, into the school routine. Based on student and staff feedback, we have moved the 2:00 Professional Development Days to 9:30 late starts. This would allow students to avoid missing practices when school staff cannot start practice until 3:15 on those days. Additionally, students can take the shuttle bus after school to return home from practices.
The 2026-2027 calendar builds in a fall break after family conferences, Veterans Day off, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off, and two weeks at Christmas. It also allows for a full week at Spring Break and Emergency days scattered throughout the second semester. It also allows for students to be completed before Memorial Day, provided no more than 2 emergency days are utilized.
The 2025-2026 Calendar was amended to reflect the two emergency days that have been used.
The 2026-2027 Calendar reflects a later start date, following community feedback on the Illinois State Fair's later schedule. School would start on August 19th, with a 2:00 dismissal on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to help ease students, especially the early grades, into the school routine. Based on student and staff feedback, we have moved the 2:00 Professional Development Days to 9:30 late starts. This would allow students to avoid missing practices when school staff cannot start practice until 3:15 on those days. Additionally, students can take the shuttle bus after school to return home from practices.
The 2026-2027 calendar builds in a fall break after family conferences, Veterans Day off, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off, and two weeks at Christmas. It also allows for a full week at Spring Break and Emergency days scattered throughout the second semester. It also allows for students to be completed before Memorial Day, provided no more than 2 emergency days are utilized.
Next week is National FFA Week and the Illini Central FFA Chapter has dress up days and activities planned for the Middle School and High School.
Middle School will be able to participate in the dress up days and the pie in the face only! The pie in the face money will be going towards PWS!
We can't wait to celebrate FFA and all of our members!
Middle School will be able to participate in the dress up days and the pie in the face only! The pie in the face money will be going towards PWS!
We can't wait to celebrate FFA and all of our members!
Illini Central's GSA Club will sponsor an ImpactLife blood drive tomorrow, February 18, from 9am to 3pm . The Donor Bus will be located in the parking lot next to the Mason City Library. We still have some appointment times available! If you're interested in making an appointment please contact the school at 217. 482. 5180 ext. 1205 and ask for Lynsey Means. We hope to see you tomorrow!
