Illini Central Middle School

Parents, we are trying something new for electives next year at the middle school. All rising 7th and 8th grade students received a survey today with the information for our new elective selections, which include choir and band, along with support for students who need it, and new elective options. All survey responses are due by next Thursday, May 22nd. Please contact the school counselors with any questions.

Mason District Hospital will be providing no cost sport physicals to students on July 30th from 8:30- 12:00. They will have two providers available and will do them on a walk in basis. A parent/guardian must be present.

While it might only be the second week of summer, the maintenance crews are busy getting ready for next year! This summer, we are making some updates to the PreK playground and the basketball court on the main playground. These areas are closed until the project is completed. The playground portion at the grade school is still accessible, just not the basketball hoops or swings adjacent. Please stay away from the areas marked with caution tape.

Part Two: Today, we celebrated our staff's "Workaiersaries". The "Party Golf Cart" brought fun, excitement, and ice cream sandwiches to those celebrating a milestone anniversary! Royce Koeppen - 10 years Katie Allen - 15 years Lori Avart - 15 years Susie Brummell - 15 years Wesley Newton - 15 years Miles Allen - 20 years Val Henning - 20 years Megan Nissan - 20 years We are so thankful to those who have chosen Illini Central as their work home. We appreciate you all! #WeAreIC

Part One: Today, we celebrated our staff's "Workaiersaries". The "Party Golf Cart" brought fun, excitement, and ice cream sandwiches to those celebrating a milestone anniversary! Rachel Bohannan - 5 years Jillian Clark - 5 years Alex Custodio - 5 years Brittany Wrigley - 5 years Rachel Golden - 10 years Amy Gronewald - 10 years Todd Hull - 10 years We are so thankful for those who have chosen Illini Central to be their work home. We appreciate you all! #WeAreIC

Join our team at Illini Central! For a list of all vacancies, visit: https://tinyurl.com/IC189Vacancy

Students will be turning in their Chromebooks and chargers this week for the Summer. Juniors, Sophomores & Freshmen should turn their device & charger in when they are done with Finals or before they leave tomorrow if they do not have to take Finals. 8th graders should turn in their device and charger either today or tomorrow before the end of the day. 5th, 6th & 7th graders should turn in their device & charger on Thursday before the end of the day. This will be coordinated with their teachers. All devices and chargers should be given to Mr. Wherley. Thank you in advance & have a great day.

ICMS will hold their Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 21st at 1:30. Doors will open at 1:15. Invitations are being passed out to students who will be receiving an award.

Tomorrow May 14, Illini Central schools will dismiss at 2:00 for school improvement meetings.

In the last week, two of our Illini Central Middle School students have been seriously injured in accidents. Paxton Kelsey, 7th grade, was involved in a go-kart accident, and Parker Swaar, 8th grade, was wounded by a shot put. Both boys required extended hospital stays and extreme medical bills. In addition to Paxton's injury, his family recently lost his mother and had to postpone her services until he was released from the hospital. At Illini Central, we take the phrase, "We Are IC" to heart, and we want to support these two boys on their road to recovery. On Monday, May 12th, ICMS students can wear their pajamas to school for a minimum donation of $1. This week, ICHS students are competing to collect the most money. The teacher who collects the most money will have a bucket of ice water poured on his or her head. If the winning teacher collects $250 or more, the principal, Mrs. Baugher, will also have a bucket of ice water dumped on her head. The money collected from these fundraisers will be divided between the two boys. Anyone wishing to donate may also drop off cash or checks in the Illini Central Middle and High School office. We recently learned that Mason City National Bank has set up an account to support Paxton and his journey to recovery. Please consider donating to support our IC family!

Many have asked how to support the Swaar family after Saturday's accident, and here are a few ways: -A savings account has been set up for Parker Swaar at the Alliance Community Bank in Mason City -A GoFundMe page has been set up here: https://gofund.me/996e4793 -Donations can also be dropped off in the Illini Central Middle and High School office The family appreciates all the support as Parker has a long road to recovery. #WeAreIC

Illini Central is coming together in support of our eighth-grade student, Parker Swaar, who suffered a skull fracture when accidentally struck by a shot put during our recent track meet. He's receiving excellent hospital care, and while his condition remains serious, we're encouraged by the early signs in his recovery journey. Our thoughts and prayers are with Parker and the entire Swaar family during this incredibly difficult time. The district is fully committed to supporting them however we can throughout Parker's recovery. Counselors are available at school for any student needing emotional support. Parents should contact us if their child needs these services. We're conducting a thorough review of all safety protocols for our athletic events. Safety remains our highest priority. We appreciate the community's concern and support for Parker and his family, and ask everyone to respect their privacy during this challenging time.

Illlini Central Schools will dismiss at 11:30 on Wednesday, 4/30. The PreK will have their Transportation Day during the morning hours, and busing is not provided. The Cheesed Out Food Truck will be on site! The Seniors will present their Reverse Career Fair, showcasing their plans for the future. The fair will be open to the public from 8:30 to 11:00, so stop in and see what our seniors will do with their futures! Grade School students are encouraged to "Dress for the Future" and dress as their future career. Last but not least, tomorrow from 4-7 p.m., the first annual Illini Central STEAM Fair will be showcased throughout the building. It is also an open house, so feel free to stop by and see the new addition if you haven't already. #WeAreIC

The ICMS Spring Dance will take place on Friday, May 16th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Admission will be $5 and a concession stand will be available.

As a reminder, Illini Central Schools are closed tomorrow, Friday, April 18th. We WILL be in session on Monday, April 21st. Have a great weekend!

Attention 6th and 7th grade students. Your next opportunity to learn more about the upcoming New York City/Washington DC trip will be on Monday, April 21st at 6:30. The meeting will be held in Room 28. This meeting is for those that are still thinking about signing up for the trip in March 2026. Those that have already registered do not need to attend. For more information, please check out this link: https://myprogram.worldstrides.com/custom/2026-illini-central-dc-218756/

Please read the linked letter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c-RrNyIbB_HsI0vGgmir6tvVGHJOe0KF/view?usp=sharing

On Thursday, April 17th, at 6:30 p.m., the Illini Central Board of Education will hold a Special Meeting to reorganize the Board and welcome our new board members. The regular meeting will follow at 7:00 p.m. Both meetings will take place in the new professional development rooms at ICGS. Please use the old ICGS entrance (Door H3) if you plan to attend the meeting.

As a reminder, Illini Central Schools will dismiss at 2:00 pm today, April 9th.

The Illini Central Student Council has decided to Egg Your Yard. The members would come at about 8:00pm on April 19th and set up an Easter Egg Hunt for your kiddos! Each egg will have one piece of candy in it. This year we have again decided to limit it to Mason City Residents ONLY. All proceeds for the Egg My Yard fundraiser will be donated to the Mason City to Peoria St. Jude Run! The form and payment are due by Monday, April 14th. Here is the link to the form: https://forms.gle/1cejaqm7rKnSPEpS8 Please return the eggs with your student on the Monday after Easter or as soon as possible. Finally, if you have pets, please make sure they will not be able to get out while we are in your yard on Saturday night. Contact Mrs. Davis at her email address (hdavis@illinicentral.org) with any questions.