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!
Updated Save the Dates for ICHS
As a reminder, Illini Central Schools dismiss at 2:00 pm today!
We were notified this morning of an alleged threat made at the high school. The police were called and responded immediately, and they have been on site all morning. The source of the threat has been identified and is being addressed. Police assure us that no students or staff were ever in danger and that there is no imminent danger to the school or community. As they continue their investigation, please do not be alarmed by the increased visibility of officers in the area; we have requested additional visibility in the coming days to protect our entire community.
We want to thank the Mason City police for their rapid, competent, and thorough response. We will continue implementing additional measures to ensure the safety of our entire school community.
As a reminder, anyone can report a safety concern by submitting the Say Something form on our website under Quick Links.
The Winter Olympics Celebrations continue in Family and Consumer Science courses. The students have been cooking up some master pieces during the International Unit.
Menu:
Croquet Madame from France
Apple Strudel from Germany
Bitterballen from the Netherlands
Mando Panna Cotta from Italy
Nasi Goreng - Indonesian Fried Rice
Gyro from Greece
Tortilla Española (Spanish Egg & Potato Omelette)
Karpatka (Polish Cream Puff Cake)
Chinese Mango Pudding
Hungarian Paprika Sour Cream Pork Chops
Chivito Sandwich from Uruguay
Chinese Ramen Noodle Soup
Menu:
Croquet Madame from France
Apple Strudel from Germany
Bitterballen from the Netherlands
Mando Panna Cotta from Italy
Nasi Goreng - Indonesian Fried Rice
Gyro from Greece
Tortilla Española (Spanish Egg & Potato Omelette)
Karpatka (Polish Cream Puff Cake)
Chinese Mango Pudding
Hungarian Paprika Sour Cream Pork Chops
Chivito Sandwich from Uruguay
Chinese Ramen Noodle Soup
A lot of fun learning and community outreach projects have been happening at ICHS:
1.Kylie Harp (an independent art student) and I have been working the last few weeks on a professional sign for Darling Industries in town. They reached out regarding a 'Main Entrance' sign for their company and we took on the task! They picked up their sign yesterday and it should be up at their company soon on display! This was a fun and unique community connection and project. Kylie did a great job representing IC and showcasing her artistic talent, and they were happy with the final result!
The ICHS Art Club has been working on a custom cabinet mural in the art room this semester. The cabinets were dated and rough, so the Art Club has been working hard to beautify them and update their look! Students just finished the base coat and are now planning small murals that will be painted inside of small numbers on each cabinet. I will send you more images as this project progresses and continues! We try to meet every Thursday after school, so it is a bit of a slow process, but it's coming along!
1.Kylie Harp (an independent art student) and I have been working the last few weeks on a professional sign for Darling Industries in town. They reached out regarding a 'Main Entrance' sign for their company and we took on the task! They picked up their sign yesterday and it should be up at their company soon on display! This was a fun and unique community connection and project. Kylie did a great job representing IC and showcasing her artistic talent, and they were happy with the final result!
The ICHS Art Club has been working on a custom cabinet mural in the art room this semester. The cabinets were dated and rough, so the Art Club has been working hard to beautify them and update their look! Students just finished the base coat and are now planning small murals that will be painted inside of small numbers on each cabinet. I will send you more images as this project progresses and continues! We try to meet every Thursday after school, so it is a bit of a slow process, but it's coming along!
Congratulations to our ICHS Students of the Month for the month of January! Caid Liesman, Addison Liesman, Drake Ratliff, and Megan Hughes were recognized for showing integrity. Keep up the great work!
To celebrate the Olympics, ICHS Foods classes are having an international food festival. Students
selected a country that is participating in the Olympics, researched the country, and chose a recipe for
which the country is famous. The recipes were prepped and prepared. The classes enjoyed a wide
variety of tastes. Selected countries included Italy, Spain, France, Great Britain, Greece, Indonesia,
Poland, Germany, Ireland, China, Hungary, and Uruguay.
selected a country that is participating in the Olympics, researched the country, and chose a recipe for
which the country is famous. The recipes were prepped and prepared. The classes enjoyed a wide
variety of tastes. Selected countries included Italy, Spain, France, Great Britain, Greece, Indonesia,
Poland, Germany, Ireland, China, Hungary, and Uruguay.
We need volunteers! We are looking for 25 families to participate in our reunification training on 2/25. We are providing lunch, and we promise to make it fun for the kids! We will have a "gas leak" at the school that requires us to relocate to the Mason City Christian Church. The only "hook" is that an emergency contact will need to pick the students up at the church that afternoon. To participate, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/CW1LezbTHDZHJm9o6
Update for high school parents: Your students received their course request forms for the 2026-2027 school year. As you plan for next year, you can reference the course descriptions found on the Illini Central website under Student Info, then ICHS Students. All course requests are due on March 2nd.
Mrs. Miller's classes have been getting a head start on Valentine's Day. Sugar cookies for everyone! The best way to the heart is through the stomach.
Pre-K Screenings are being held for new students Wednesday, February 25th. If you have a 3-5 year old, call the Pre-K to get them signed up. You can call the school at 217-482-5180 ext. 5 for the Pre-K or email Mrs. List at alist@illinicentral.org.
