We are seeking volunteers to help on our February 25th, 11:30 Dismissal afternoon.
If you are interested, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/sjJ2LPsmC4TfV8rE8
Forms must be completed by the end of the day on Tuesday, February 3rd.
Volunteers must have someone (self or an emergency contact) available to pick up their student(s) in the early afternoon.
Calendar Reminders and Updates:
February 11th, 2:00 Dismissal
February 25th, 11:30 Dismissal (Reunification Practice PM)
March 2nd, Regular Attendance Day (make-up day from 1.23.26)
March 6th, End of Third Quarter
March 11th, 2:00 Dismissal
March 25th, 11:30 Dismissal
March 30th-April 3rd, Spring Break - No School
April 6th, Regular Attendance Day (make-up day from 1.26.26)
Yesterday, during our afternoon in-service, Illini Central Staff were trained on how we would reunite students with their guardians in the event of an emergency evacuation from the school building. Should the school building ever be considered unsafe for students due to a fire, gas leak, or other reason, we want to be prepared.
We wanted to update you on what the Reunification process will entail, so we have prepared this document, which can also be found on our website: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zrOZItJtzA7sFLEx87r86svPtimDAyyamrsj7doIYuQ/edit?usp=sharing
We want to practice the Reunification Process on a more realistic scale, so we are seeking volunteers to help on our February 25th, 11:30 Dismissal afternoon. If you are interested, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/sjJ2LPsmC4TfV8rE8. Forms must be completed by the end of the day on Tuesday, February 3rd. Volunteers must be able to pick up their child in the early afternoon.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey provides a comprehensive picture of a school’s organizational culture in an individualized report measuring five “essentials” critical for school success:
Effective Leaders
Collaborative Teachers
Involved Families
Supportive Environment
Ambitious Instruction
Over thirty years of research at the University of Chicago in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of the 5Essentials were 10 times more likely to make substantial gains in improving student reading and math than schools that were weak on three or more of the Essentials. Those differences remained true even after controlling for student and school characteristics, including poverty, race, gender, and neighborhood characteristics. Strength on components within the Essentials also correlated with increased teacher retention, student attendance, college enrollment, and high school graduation.
Generated from a rigorous analysis of student and teacher survey responses, 5Essentials Reports demonstrate that what students and teachers say about their schools can serve as important indicators for school success. In the inaugural 2012-2013 statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey, 87 percent of all schools in the state met the 50-percent participation threshold to receive a 5Essentials Report, with participation from more than 70 percent of all teachers and eligible 6th through 12th graders across Illinois. Starting in 2018-19, fourth and fifth grade students were also included in the 5Essentials survey administration. In 2025, 93 percent of schools qualified for a report.
All district schools, including alternative schools that fall under the district’s domain, are required to participate in a school learning conditions survey every year. Starting in school year 2018-19, the survey will be required annually. The survey was deemed a key component to balanced accountability under the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan by stakeholders, which resulted in state legislative changes requiring the survey annually.
State legislation (105 ILCS 5/2-3.153) allows school districts the option to select an alternative to the 5Essentials from a pre-approved pool for the 2020-21 administration. Selection of an alternative required school board and local union approval and was at the district’s own expense. Details on survey alternatives can be found on the State Board’s website: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/5Essentials-Survey.aspx
Illini Central CUSD 189 will participate in the statewide 2026 5Essentials Survey to meet state legislation and the Board’s mandate. Principals and superintendents will receive their 5Essentials Reports in May. Survey results will also be reported publicly on the UChicago Impact Reporting Website in June and on the State School Report Card website in the fall. An optional parent survey supplement is available to all schools as a supplement to the 5Essentials Survey for teachers and students—results from the parent survey supplement will be included only in the individual school 5Essential Reports. Since 2013-14, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey has been normed using the 2012-13 statewide results so that all schools can demonstrate progress over time. As with last year, the 2025-2026 Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be normed using the 2024 statewide results.
On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, UChicago Impact is providing Illinois 5Essentials to schools statewide. Teachers, students, and parents may complete the Illinois 5Essentials Survey online. For more information visit: www.5-essentials.org/illinois.
If you do not wish for your child to participate in the 5Essentials Survey, please sign and return this letter (https://aptg.co/PYcsCm) to the building secretary by February 3, 2026.
At this time, all evening and weekend activities will continue as scheduled.
At this time, all evening and weekend activities will continue as scheduled.
On Monday, January 26th, our 7th Grade Boys Basketball team will compete in the Cougar Center for the Sectional Title. Students and staff are encouraged to wear their IC gear to support our team as they continue to play in the post-season. We are IC!
Forms have been sent home with students.
The concert will begin at 6:00 p.m.
The event will be recorded & then posted to the Illini Central Cougars YouTube Channel. We will share the link after that recording has been uploaded.
This week, students in grades 6-12 will be sent home with a parent/guardian letter regarding the Erin's Law presentations that will take place on Monday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 27. Erin’s Law requires that all public schools in Illinois implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program which teaches students in pre-k – 12th grade, age-appropriate techniques to recognize child sexual abuse and to tell a trusted adult. More information on Erin’s Law can be found at http://www.erinslaw.org/erins-law/. Please only sign the letter that will be sent home if you do NOT want your student to participate in these presentations. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Lynsey Means, middle/high school counselor, by email at lmeans@illinicentral.org or phone at (217) 482-5180 ext. 1205.
Name: Ms. Welsh
University: Bradley University
Degree: History & Social Studies Education
Softball History: I have played competitive softball my entire life. I won a state championship my senior year at Illini Bluffs and then went on to play Division I softball at Bradley University for four years. I started every game of my career at shortstop at Bradley, becoming the program’s record holder for games played in a career and career assists.
Courses Teaching: I will be teaching Current Events, World History, Modern U.S., and World Geography.
What are you excited about? - I am super excited to meet my students and grow together throughout the year. I have always wanted to be a teacher, and it means a lot to finally see that dream come true. I cannot wait to get started!
Why IC? - I chose Illini Central because of its small, close-knit community. I went to a similar-sized school growing up, and I know how special it is to be part of a school where everyone knows and supports one another.
Welcome to Illini Central, Ms. Welsh!
