CIS February Newsletter
Keeping you informed about what's happening at CIS.
Principal Update
Construction is moving right along and our Fine Arts Wing is really beginning to take shape. Mr. Heidbreder, Mrs. Bush, and myself are taking 8th Grade students on tours of the new Band, Choir, and Art rooms. The students are excited to see the progress and very excited that they will be able to have classes in there this year! Boys Basketball Post Season is in full swing with the 7th Grade Boys Basketball team heading to state this Saturday at Fieldcrest!
We will be hosting another Parent Cafe on Thursday, February 13 at 8:30 in the CIS Small Gym for any parent interested in discussing electronic resources available to provide information about your student, student data, and to follow up on our last Parent Cafe Discussion on our Vision. We hope to see you on the 13th. You can sign up to attend by filling out the following form:
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at bhoelscher@central51.net or 309-444-3943.
Brian Hoelscher, Principal.
A Message from Mrs. Bush
It's not too late to complete the 5 Essentials survey!
5Essentials
Thanks to those families who responded to the Skyward message regarding the 5Essentials survey by taking the survey! For those of you who have not taken the survey yet, please do so if your family would like a Central Trojans window cling! Just check out the instructions below!
Please follow the steps below to earn your child a Central Trojans window cling! All surveys and verification forms are due by Friday, February 14th, 2020.
Instructions:
Yearbook Orders
The link to order a Central District 51 yearbook is now open. Orders will only be taken online at the Lifetouch website. Please know it is an ECE-8th grade yearbook that is combined for both schools! The last day to order a yearbook will be Sunday, March 15th, and no additional orders can be added after that date.
Please go to: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com
Central Yearbook ID Code: 9966420
Any questions, please contact, Julie Ori Gruber or Stephanie Boehm Redlingshafer at yearbook@central51.net
Update from PTO President, Stephanie Redlingshafer
Thank you SO MUCH to all who attended the Trivia Night!! It was an extremely fun night that brought in $1255 for the PTO! This money will go back into the budget to meet the needs of the students, teachers, and the schools!! Our next meeting is Thursday, February 6 at 7 pm in the CIS library. The school year is moving fast, but we will still have several events left! The next ROCK is Friday, Feb. 7 for CIS students. Valentine parties will take place on Friday, Feb. 14 in the morning at both buildings. The next VIP Breakfast at CPS is coming up in March. Look for more details to come home in a few weeks. Thank you for your continued support of the PTO!
Health Update
Notes from the Nurses
Carrie Bright RN- Central Primary School
Kim Martin RN- Central Intermediate School
Trending in the Nursing Offices now:
Strep Throat: Fever, headache, sore throat, stomach ache, vomiting
Upper Respiratory Illnesses: Running nose, cough, sore throat, fatigue
Pneumonia: Cough with (low-grade) fever, fatigue- Please see a doctor immediately!
Influenza A & B: Sudden onset of sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches and soreness, congestion, and cough.
Stomach flu: Stomach ache (severe pain reported by some students), vomiting, diarrhea, fever
It’s NOT too late!
Tazewell County Health Department website, is reporting a HIGH incidence of influenza A & B in the Peoria-Tazewell area. Affected Central students are missing 3-5 days of school as a result.
It’s not too late to get a flu vaccination! While getting the flu vaccine does not guarantee you will escape the flu, several studies have found that flu vaccination can reduce the severity of illness in people who get vaccinated. If you do suspect you have influenza, antiviral drugs can be a second line of defense. Studies have found that in addition to lessening the duration and severity of symptoms, antiviral drugs can prevent flu complications.(IDPH.gov)
Medication Rules
If you would like your student to have access to medication (prescription or over-the-counter) available at school, you must submit a completed Medication Authorization Form. NOTE: It must be signed by a parent/guardian AND a doctor. DO NOT send medication to school with your student without a completed Medication Authorization Form.
Of course there are exceptions to every rule… COUGH DROPS/SUCKERS do NOT need a Medication Authorization Form. However you still need to send a note with the cough drops stating your student may take the cough drop. Don’t forget to include a parent signature. Cough drops are kept in the nursing office. Students must ask to go to the office, sit and eat/suck on the cough drops until gone in the office. This is for safety reasons.
Please refer to the Central 51 Parent & Student Handbook for other policies pertaining to medications at school
Student Learning
Math
As we move through the 3rd quarter of the school year, students can begin to feel run down and tired of school. This may be a good time to provide incentives to encourage academic success! Find out when your student’s next math test is and challenge him/her to earn a certain score. When he/she meets that goal, follow up with the agreed upon reward. Ask your student about the skills he/she is learning in math class each night and ask them to teach you.
You may have fallen away from math facts practice this winter….if so, make some time each night to practice those facts by using flash cards or an app/game.
Reading
Friday, February 28th is the cut off for AR Points/Books for Quarter 3. Ask your child how many points/books they have so far. They should be ½ way to their goal.
Staff Book Picks of the Month:
Mrs. Warren - Genghis Khan 13th Century Mongolian Tyrant in the Wicked History Series
Mrs. Pacelli - Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Mrs. Lohse - Where is the Great Barrier Reef in the Where Is/Who Was/What Was Series
Mrs. Lawson - The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer
Renaissance Notifications
In an effort to keep parents as informed as possible, the teachers at CIS are asking you to take a moment to sign up to receive email notifications about STAR Math/Reading and Accelerated Reading tests. The Ren Place program has a feature that allows parents/guardians to get immediate results each time your student takes one of the above tests. This is an AWESOME way to stay connected with your student’s progress!
Please click here for directions on how to sign up for the Renaissance Place email notifications as well as the Home Connect site link.
Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning Resources
Right now, articles, home activities, games, and resources are available on the website for K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 students! We will continue to add to the website as Social Emotional Learning across the district progresses!
Check it out by clicking the button below!
Feel free to check out these additional resources as well:
Update from Mrs. Freeman, Mrs. Arms, and Mrs. Neal
Psychology Today-Posted Jan 25, 2020
Annie Simpson, Ph.D.-Author of Anxiety is Not the Boss
It was a beautiful day in July. My husband and I decided to take our then 6-year-old daughter to our local amusement park, Playland. As we approached the gates, she excitedly listed all the rides she was going to go on: the Ferris wheel, the carousal, the teacups, the Superslide.
When we got up to the gate, where the height measurement was, she realized that this summer she was tall enough to go on the Wooden Roller Coaster which she had heard so much about from her older brother. (The Wooden Roller coaster was built in 1958 and is the oldest roller coaster in Canada, and you can tell! How a 6-year-old is tall enough for one of Canada’s scariest roller coasters, I’ll never understand.)
We walked in, saw the roller coaster, and the questions started flying at rapid speed.
Daughter: “Mom is it scary?”
Me: “I have no idea. I have never been on it.” (Innervoice: “YES!!!”)
Daughter: “Is it safe?”
Me: “I guess so – seems to be?” (Inner voice: “I don’t know how that possibly could be safe!)
Daughter: “Should I go on it?”
Me: “If you want to. But you’re still young there will be other years” (Inner voice: “NO!”)
Daughter: “I’m scared – I don’t want to” (Inner voice: “Thank goodness! Dodged that bullet!”)
And that was the end of the questions about the roller coaster. We rode the rides, ate donuts and cotton candy, and after a long day, got ready to go home.
But as we were leaving my daughter said, “I want to go on the big roller coaster!”
So, I said, “ok, if you want to. You are tall enough. I’ll wait right here while your dad and you go on it and I’ll see you when you get off.”
Daughter: “No mom I want you to come too!”
Now, I’m a child psychologist who treats anxiety disorders. We have many conversations about anxiety in our home and about being brave and facing our fears one step at a time. So, I responded:
“Oh sweetie, I really don’t want to. I’m way too scared to do this. This is like a 10 out of 10 for me! You go. I’m so proud of how brave you are! You and daddy will have so much fun.”
Daughter: “What kind of brave doctor are you. You call yourself a psychologist?”
And that was that. I have given hundreds of lectures where I tell families that rewards have to be proportional to the fear, and that even for 2 million dollars I wouldn’t go on the old wooden roller coaster at Playland. Apparently, having my six-year-old daughter shame me was the motivation I needed!
As the roller coaster began, and I started going up the rickety old wooden tracks, higher and higher, I thought to myself, “How did I get here????”
I know exactly how I got here – by creating a family culture where anxiety is not the boss of my family. Anxiety is a normal and important component of life. However, it doesn’t need to be the boss, dictating and controlling what you do and importantly, don’t do. So how does one create a family environment that keeps anxiety where it belongs, with you (or apparently your 6-year-old) in charge?
1. Teach your kids that although normal and important, anxiety can sometimes be a false alarm.
Anxiety and fear are normal and important human emotions. They keep us safe and motivate us to do our very best. When there is a real danger –a bear in caveman times or a speeding car today – fear is our bodies alarm system. It shouts loud and clear, “Danger!” Similarly, anxiety helps us try our best at things — it motivates us to study for that big test, or practice for that piano recital.
When we feel anxious our “fight-flight-freeze” response gets triggered. As a result, we spring into action. Our body is prepared to react – for example our heart beats faster to pump blood to our muscles – so we can run or fight off that big scary bear! It is important to teach your children that anxiety is important, the feeling although uncomfortable, is not dangerous, and it serves a very important purpose. We need anxiety.
However, we also need to make sure it’s not the boss. Some children experience anxiety more easily, and more often – even when there is nothing to be anxious about. Talking about anxiety as sometimes being a false alarm is helpful. Just like how the fire alarm will go off when dad burns the toast, even though there is no fire, so too can our alarm system when there is nothing truly threatening.
My daughter was clearly anxious about going on a roller coaster (as was I for that matter). However, she knew that this was a false alarm. (After all, thousands of people go on the ride each day!)
2. Identify the anxiety as separate from the child by giving it anxiety a name.
When anxiety becomes really bossy, it becomes easy to mistake your child for their anxiety. By giving anxiety a name, and externalizing it from the family, it becomes easier to show anxiety who really is the boss.
Parents often will say things like “you are so anxious right now,” or why are you so scared of that little dog?” Children often like to name their anxiety something like, “worry dragon,” “the bully,” or even “destroyer.” With older teens just referring to it as “anxiety” or “the worry” but in the third person is important. Now, instead of saying things like “you are really too anxious to go to that birthday party” we can say “the worry bully” is really bossing us all around right now and saying we need to miss the fun. Let’s show the worry bully who is really the boss!
Why is externalizing anxiety so important? It sends an important message that you and your child are on the same team against an external third entity. Anxiety in the home tends to create high levels of conflict – when you name the anxiety as a third party – it decreases the conflict with each other and puts it where it belongs. Now everyone can fight back together. It also allows your child to realize that they are not their anxiety, it does not define who they are – instead it is a temporary situation that they can be empowered to cope with.
3. Teach your family that anxiety goes away on its own. We don’t need to avoid anxious situations to feel better.
This point is key! When anxiety hits, it feels really crappy. Our body alarm is going off loudly and our natural reaction is to do anything and everything to stop that unpleasant feeling by any means possible and as fast as possible. So… we avoid. We stay away from that scary dog, or other kids, or giving that big speech, or being away from our parents, or the roller coaster!
Avoidance works well in that it decreases anxiety in the short term. However, the problem is when your child avoids, they never get the chance to learn they can actually cope and handle the situation.
When kids avoid things that feel scary and frightening, they are even more anxious the next time they encounter that thing and even more likely to avoid the situation. By facing your fears one small step at a time, children learn that the feelings pass, and they can cope.
4. Model bravery daily by showing anxiety who is the boss with your own fears and worries.
When my daughter said, “what kind of brave doctor are you – you call yourself a psychologist?”, I knew exactly what I had to do – even though I really didn’t want to. When you create a family culture in which anxiety is not the boss, it’s not about hiding your anxieties from your child. Quite the opposite. In fact, actively looking for opportunities when you feel worried and scared and modeling bravery for your children goes a long way. Making bravery a “family lifestyle” means that everyone is sharing in each other’s successes. Anxiety is surely not the boss in that type of home.
There are endless opportunities that come up in everyday life where you can model bravery. It could be that big scary spider in the bathtub, or traffic causing you to be late for an important meeting at work. Maybe it’s that turbulence on the airplane going on a family vacation. In these moments, identifying and acknowledging you are scared is the first step. You could say, “I’m feeling very scared right now with all of this turbulence on this airplane.” And then model coping by saying, “I’m going to take some deep breaths and show anxiety who is boss! Turbulence is just normal bumps in the air, and they will soon pass.”
By using these four strategies, you can start to create a family culture where anxiety is not running the show.
Now, am I glad that my daughter is good at showing anxiety who is the boss? Absolutely. Will I ever go on that roller coaster again? Absolutely not!
Annie Simpson, PhD., Author of Anxiety Is Not the Boss
Student/Parent Handbook Highlights
Recess
Please make sure students are dressed appropriately for outdoor recess.
Recess
Students will go outside for recess on a daily basis depending on weather conditions. Assuming other relevant conditions are conducive to outdoor recess, students will go out when temperatures, with wind-chill, are 20 degrees or above.
Teachers/administrators may allow abbreviated recess time when temperatures are in the 17-20 degree (with wind-chill) range. These instances usually occur during the winter when students have been forced to remain indoors for several days/weeks.
School Closings
School closings may occur for a number of reasons. One major factor is the weather. If our schools are cancelled because of weather conditions or other emergencies, the district will put out a School Messenger call, and the following radio and television stations will be contacted prior to 6:30 a.m. whenever possible:
WMBD, WPEO, WCBU, WEEK, WJBC, WHOI, WIRL, WTAZ, WXCL, WCRI
Sometimes weather conditions or emergencies require schools to delay start times or dismiss early. In case of delayed start time for early dismissal, a School Messenger call will be placed, and the radio and television stations will be contacted. Care for children dismissed early from school is important. Parents are urged to plan for such events by arranging for temporary care of children in advance of an early school closing.
Please be sure to check your child's e-Learning Day Expectations on days that school is closed!
Central 51 Activities
Holford Gym Expectations
Please review our Holford Gym Expectations:
Popcorn and water are the only food and drink items allowed in Holford Gym.
K-3 students must be accompanied by an adult at all times during events.
Please remain on the bleachers when the ball is in play.
Please be respectful of players, coaches, officials, and spectators at all times.
Important January 2020 Dates
Friday, February 7th
- ROCK @ CIS
Saturday, February 8th
- 7th Grade Boys Basketball State Game @ Fieldcrest Middle School - 10:00 a.m.
Monday, February 10th
- Volleyball @ Dee Mack - 4:15 p.m.
- 6th Grade Boys Basketball Game vs. Dunlap Valley @ Holford Gym - 4:15 p.m.
Tuesday, February 11th
- Volleyball @ Beverly Manor - 4:15 p.m.
Wednesday, February 12th
- 8th Grade Boys Basketball Sectional Game @ WMS - 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 13th
- Volleyball @ St. Pat's - 4:15 p.m.
- 6th Grade Boys Basketball Game vs. WMS @ Holford Gym - 4:15 p.m.
- Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
Friday, February 14th
- Early Dismissal
Monday, February 17th
- No School - President's Day
Tuesday, February 18th
- Volleyball vs. Germantown Hills @ Holford Gym - 4:15 p.m.
- Scholastic Bowl vs. E. Peoria Central @ Home - 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 19th
- 6th Grade Boys Basketball Game @ Germantown Hills - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 20th
- Volleyball vs. East Peoria @ Holford Gym (8th Grade Game first) - 4:15 p.m.
- 8th Grade Orientation at WCHS - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 22nd
- 8th Grade County Volleyball Tournament @ Home - All Day
Monday, February 24th
- Volleyball @ Morton - 4:15 p.m.
Tuesday, February 25th
- Volleyball vs. Normal Kingsley @ Holford Gym - 4:15 p.m.
Thursday, February 27th
- Scholastic Bowl vs. Germantown Hills @ Home - 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 29th
- 6th Grade Boys Basketball Tournament @ Metamora
Check us out on Social Media!
Email: bhoelscher@central51.net
Website: central51.net
Location: 1301 Eagle Avenue, Washington, IL, USA
Phone: (309)444-3943
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centralschooldistrict51/
Twitter: @central51