CJHS "Chargers Connection"
February 23, 2024
From the Principals...
Reminder to our families to take a moment to take our 5 Essentials Survey! It is an important survey administered to provide us feedback on our school improvement and is a part of our ESSA designation. More details are listed below!
~Ms. Nicasio, Principal
~Mr. Tripp, Associate Principal
~Mr. Larson, Assistant Principal
Sharing the Joy!!
Special Congratulations to...
The CJHS school community is proud to announce that two of our staff members will be receiving the Illinois State Board of Education 2024 Those Who Excel Award at a special banquet in their honor along with stellar educators across the state on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Congratulations to Terri Peoples (8th grade Literature & Composition teacher) and Susie Vincent (Art teacher)!
Congratulations to our Positive Principal Referrals!
Good news from MathCounts...
What a weekend MathCounts had at the local competition held at Chiddix Junior High School.
Chiddix team competitors brought home 1st place. The participants were Praveer Garapati, Shaurya Didigam, Shrinath Hariharan, and Arnav Hiremath.
In the Countdown Round (Individual Competition), Arnav Hiremath finished in 1st place, Shaurya Didigam finished in 2nd place, and Jesshu Chadalavada finished in 4th place.
Other participants as individuals at the local competition were Aadya Manthena, Paari Hawbam, Laasya Ayyapusetty, Shloka Chebolu, Vanshika Bandaru, Mahesi Annapragada, Srinidhi Gurijala.
Students have qualified to continue to the MathCounts State Competition on Saturday, March 9th in Oswego:
Individual Competition - Shaurya Didigam, Arnav Hiremath, and Jesshu Chadalavada.
Team Competition - Arnav Hiremath, Shaurya Didigam, Praveer Garapati, and Shrinath Hariharan
What a great job these MathLetes have done in MathCounts and representing Chiddix!
Not Pictured in the group and team picture below was Shrinath Hariharan.
Let's play Rock Paper Scissors on Leap Day!!
On Thursday, February 29th, our CJHS school community is invited to play ROSHAMBO also known as rock, paper, scissors!!!!
When?
On February 29th - before school, during passing periods, and lunch.
Who?
All students and school staff will be issued a necklace by your Language Arts teacher on Wednesday, Feb. 28th. Beginning as soon as you enter the school on February 29th, you can play against anyone in the school until 3:06 p.m.
Final Games & the Champion will be crowned During the assembly at the end of the day on
Thursday, February 29th!
Your Language Arts will explain the rules to you but you can click here to read them too!
5 Essentials Survey
Teachers, parents, and students across Illinois have an opportunity to participate in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey.
This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child's school. Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the environment at your child's school. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be conducted through Friday, March 29, 2024.
To take the survey:
1.Visit http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
2. Click on "Start here" under the Parent category
3. You may enter your email address but that is not required. It is completely optional.
4. Enter "McLean" for the County
5. Begin typing your child's school name and you should see it pop up. Click on the appropriate school.
Please take a separate survey for each school where you have a child enrolled.
The survey is also available in Spanish.
The Illinois 5Essentials gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are
Effective Leaders
Collaborative Teachers
Involved Families
Supportive Environments
Ambitious Instruction
Research in more than 400 schools has shown that schools strong on at least three of these indicators were 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains in math and reading than those that were weak on three or more Essentials.
Unit 5 students in grades 4th-12th will be given the opportunity to take this survey. Our CJHS students will be taking it during Advisory on Monday, February 13th. If you do not want your child to take the survey, please contact your child's principal by Monday, February 6.
Please be aware that under the Protection of Pupil Rights Act. 20 U.S.C. Section 1232(c) (1) (A), you have the right to review a copy of the questions asked of your student(s). Survey questions can be found on the Illinois 5Essentials Support Center ( Illinois 5Essentials Survey Questions).
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.
News from the CJHS IMC...
The CJHS IMC is hoping to "shower" the shelves with some great new titles for our eager Charger readers. Want to help us out? Simply visit our wishlist at Amazon or Bookshop.org and purchase any title. Books will automatically be shipped directly to Chiddix Junior High School for the IMC.
Thank you for considering!
--Michelle Glatt, School Librarian
Illinois Assessment of Readiness
On March 12, 13, and 14th, students will be taking the Illinois Assessment of Readiness. Students will be taking the English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) and Mathematics assessments .
The English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) assessments will focus on writing effectively when analyzing text. Mathematics assessments will focus on applying skills and concepts, and understanding multi-step problems that require abstract reasoning and modeling real-world problems, precision, perseverance, and strategic use of tools. In both content areas, students will demonstrate their acquired skills and knowledge by answering selected response items and fill-in-the-blank questions.
You will receive information about your student’s individual performance on the state tests in the fall. These results assist us in action planning for our academic goals at each grade level.
Please help you student be successful by:
Making sure student laptops are fully charged;
Students should arrive to school by 8:35 a.m.;
Making sure your student goes to bed early;
Providing breakfast at home or making sure they eat breakfast at school; and
Motivating your student to do their absolute best.
Headphones Needed!!!
Students will need a set of working headphones in order to take the test. Please check with your student to see whether their headphones are still in working order. This is crucial to the success of your student.
Pi Day is coming up and we need your help!!
Please click here for the Sign-Up Genius link to help us provide a slice of pie to the Chiddix staff on March 14th!!
From the PTO...
Chiddix Parents and Guardians,
As parents/guardians, you have the opportunity to serve as part of the Chiddix PTO and we would love to gain your insights and assistance throughout the year for various activities and events. The best way to get involved is by attending a PTO meeting. Our next PTO meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 21st from 6-7pm in the IMC.
The Chiddix PTO has an urgent need to fill several open board positions for the coming 2024-2025 school year. Serving on the PTO Board provides a unique opportunity to connect with school administrators, staff, and other parents who are interested in providing our students and kids with the best educational experience possible.
The PTO raises money through an annual "Un-raiser", lining up several Restaurant fundraisers, and organizing specific donation requests to supplement PTO hosted activities. The PTO budget provides financial support to students and staff throughout the school year. So far this year we have been able to grant a variety of teachers' requests, fund events like the Charger's Champion Breakfast, provide money to help stock the PBIS Charger store, and help thank our teacher and staff by providing a few special treats and lunches.
We would greatly appreciate your consideration to join us at an upcoming meeting and getting involved with the PTO. Please see the description of the open board positions below and send us an email at chiddixpto@gmail.com if you have any interest!
2024-2025 PTO Board Openings:
President - Presides at all PTO and Executive Board meetings and serves as the speaker representative of the Chiddix PTO at all applicable functions.
Vice-President - Acts as an aide to the President and performs the duties of the President in the absence or inability of that officer to serve. Coordinates and runs the "Un-raiser" and other fundraising activities.
Treasurer - Keeps an accurate record of receipts and expenditures; and pays out funds in accordance with the approval of the Executive Board.
We appreciate your support, and with your participation, look forward to a successful school year with a thriving and engaged PTO for many years to come!
Sincerely,
Meghan Quinn, PTO President
Save the Date...Meetings for DC and Europe Trips
2025 Trip to DC (for current 7th Graders)
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
7-8 PM
Chiddix Cafeteria
2026 Trip to London, Normandy, and Paris
Thursday, March 14, 2024
7-8 PM
Chiddix Cafeteria
Charging into the Future Guest Speakers...
On Monday, April 8th during 1st hour, we are looking for members of the community who would be interested in coming in to share their experiences with our CJHS students!! This is part of our academic school improvement goal which includes communicating to students the importance of math and literacy in everyday life and career.
Communicating with our students would take the format of two 20 minute presentations. If you or anyone you know anyone who would like to speak with our Chiddix Chargers about the importance of growing their academic skills and how they are used in your daily work, please complete this survey.
Visitors
All visitors to school property are required to check into the Building Principal's office and receive permission to remain on school property. All visitors' log, identifying their name, the date and time of arrival, and the classroom or location they are visiting, show identification, and wear a visitor's badge.
Chiddix Junior High School
Ms. Nicasio, Principal
Mr. Tripp, Associate Principal
Mr. Larson, Assistant Principal
Phone Numbers:
- General Information: (309) 557-4405
- Guidance Office: (309) 557-4850
- Attendance Line: (309) 557-4454
- School Nurse: (309) 557-4687
- Transportation: (309) 557-4287
Email: nicasim@unit5.org
Website: https://www.unit5.org/Domain/25
Location: 300 South Walnut Street, Normal, IL, USA
Phone: 309-557-4405