September 2026 Newsletter

• September 1

• Soccer at Home at 4:30

• Cross Country at Cantlin Park at 4:15

• September 3

• CIS School Pictures

• Soccer at Coal City at 4:30

• September 4 - Golf at Deer Park at 4:30

• September 5 - Soccer at Milton Pope

• September 7 - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

• September 8 - Cross Country at El Paso at 4:00

• September 9 - Girls’ Basketball pictures at 3:00

• September 10 - Soccer at LaSalle at 4:30

• September 12 - FCS Auditions from 9:00-11:30

• September 14 - Soccer at Mendota at 4:30

• September 15 - Soccer at Home at 4:30

• September 16 - Cross Country at Home at 4:30

• September 17

• Soccer at Home at 4:30

• Girls’ Basketball at Marquette at 5:00

• September 18 - HALF DAY OF SCHOOL - 11:30 Student Dismissal

• September 21 - Soccer at Morris Saratoga at 4:30

• September 22

• Cross Country at Plano at 4:15

• Girls’ Basketball at Pontiac at 4:30

• September 22 - Soccer at Minooka at 4:30

• September 24

• Girls’ Basketball at Morris Saratoga at 4:30

• OCA Event 7:00 at Central

• September 25

• Trimester 1 midterm

• Soccer at OHS at 4:30

• September 28 - Girls’ Basketball at Home at 4:30

• September 30 - Girls’ Basketball at Channahon at 4:30

In order to keep our students safe, we ask that anyone dropping off, or picking up, a student wait in the drop off/pick up line in front of Central School. Cones will be placed in our fire lane to keep it open, as a safety measure, and will be removed as we approach dismissal time. We ask that parents arrive no more than 30 minutes prior to dismissal. We also ask that those picking up their student remain in the pick up line, and refrain from parking in the parking lot. It is unsafe for our students to run across traffic to get to a car waiting in the parking lot, therefore, students and parents will not be permitted to walk through traffic in the parking lot. Thank you to everyone for your understanding and patience as we work through the beginning of year kinks!

School pictures will take place the morning of September 3rd for Central School students. Smile big and look your best!

Central students are invited to attend the sporting events we host here at Central. There are a few guidelines that we ask them to follow:

• Students are not allowed to stay after school for our home games. They must go home first, and then return for the game.

• After school events and activities are subject to the same expectations and consequences as during the school day.

• Students are not to play on the railings outdoors.

• No hanging out in the hallway, students should be in the gym.

• Enter and exit the gym by going down the music hallway.

• Students should never be running in the building.

• Students will be allowed to go to the restroom and concessions at halftime of each game and between games ONLY.

• Cell phones need to be put away. The only time you can have them out is when you are told to call home for a ride. Students are not allowed to take pictures or videos and you are not allowed to play music.

• Keep the bleachers clean - no throwing food or wrappers. You will be asked to clean up after yourselves before leaving.

• Everyone needs to call for a ride at the beginning of the 4th quarter of the last game (basketball), or before the last set (volleyball).

• Once you leave the building, you are not allowed to return.

• Attending after school events is a privilege. If poor behavior becomes an issue, you will not be allowed to attend in the future.

Friendly City Sound, is the choir at Central Intermediate School. Our choir is an auditioned group of fifth and sixth graders who spend the year learning how to sing in two or three part harmony and perform together in a number of concerts. FCS (Friendly City Sound) practices every Tuesday from 2:20-3:20 in the Central music room.

Auditions will be Saturday, September 12 from 9:00-11:30 a.m. in the Central music room. (These are on a first come, first serve basis.) Please enter through door 9 when you arrive at Central. Students will be asked to fill out a short audition form and will wait until their name is called. Once their name is called, they will audition by singing "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" (sheet music provided) and will do a few short warm-ups in front of me. If chosen, the student will be notified via the mail and will be provided with FCS performance dates, practice schedules, and rehearsal procedures.

I hope to see many Central students at auditions! If you have any questions, please feel free to email Mrs. Sanders at: ksanders@oes141.org

Students need to have headphones that have a USB-C connection for their iPad. If your child already has regular headphones, an adapter with a USB-C connection will work, as well. Please contact the office if you have any questions.

Pets of any kind are not allowed on the school campus, or in the school building. This rule pertains to all schools in our district. Please leave your pets at home if you are attending an event at our school or on school grounds.

We request that parents not bring in fast food for their child as a lunch option. Additionally, please see the following policy about deliveries from our handbook:

Flowers, balloons, food, and/or other assorted items sent to the school for delivery to a student are prohibited. Please be advised that such deliveries will not be accepted at school.

A friendly reminder to parents and students that Needohs and other toys are not permitted at school. Please help us keep classrooms focused and learning-friendly by leaving these types of items at home. Thank you for your support and cooperation!

Kroger Community Rewards makes fund-raising easy by donating to local organizations based on the shopping you do everyday. Once you link your card to Central Intermediate School, all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Shopper's Card!

A digital account is needed to participate in Community Rewards. If you already have a digital account, you will need to ensure you have a Plus Card linked to your account. Then, go here to select Central Intermediate School.

Please note, a Shopper's Card is required for the Community Rewards program so that your transactions apply toward the organization you choose.

We also ask that you send your receipts from Handy Foods to Central School. A percentage of the sales comes back to Central. You can collect them, and send them in monthly.

For safety reasons, the track on Central and Shepherd's campus is closed to the public on school days when students are present.

Ottawa High School has asked that we pass along their expectations for athletic events at the high school:

All elementary, middle school, and junior high school students must have an adult accompany them into all OTHS athletic events. Additionally, the expectation is that these students sit with that adult, or in the last section at the far east end of the north bleachers.

Please make sure that the water bottle your child brings to school is sealed and leak-proof. Items with straws tend to spill. Only water is allowed in water bottles. Please refrain from juice, soda, and other flavored drinks. We also ask that you try to put your child's name on their water bottle. Thank you for your help with this!

DRESS CODE

We believe the appearance of students is primarily the responsibility of the parent. However, when a student’s appearance is felt to be detrimental to the educational process or presents a health or safety issue, the student will be asked to make appropriate changes. In general, school attire must cover the individual from the shoulders to the mid-thigh area. Clarification and guidelines of the general rule follow.

• Inappropriate clothing for the school setting, such as see-through items, short-shorts, shirts that expose the midriff or attire that advertises drugs or alcohol, symbolizes gangs, or displays profanity, sexual innuendos, inappropriate practices, or obscenity will NOT be allowed.

• Shirts must have a modest neckline. Sleeveless shirts must have 1” minimum shoulder coverage. Backless shirts are not allowed.

• Pants need to be secured at the waist level and not expose undergarments.

• Students are required to wear appropriate footwear. Flip flop sandals are not allowed during PE or recess.

• Ear and body piercings are not allowed during PE classes or recess due to safety issues, and any exposed piercing other than in the ear need to be removed or covered until they can be removed.

• Hats, ball caps, hoodies, or any other head covering, unless of religious affiliation, are not to be worn in the building.

• Coats, jackets, and bags are to remain in lockers during school hours.

• Proper school attire is required for all field trips.

Students who do not meet the dress code criteria or have questionable attire will be referred to the school office. The Principal, Assistant Principal/Dean, or designated office staff member will make the final determination on appropriate school attire.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

The use of electronic devices and other technology at school is a privilege, not a right. Students are prohibited from using electronic devices, except as provided herein. An electronic device includes, but is not limited to, the following: cell phone, smartphone, audio or video recording device, personal digital assistant (PDA), ipod©, ipad©, laptop computer, tablet computer or other similar electronic device. Pocket pagers and other paging devices are not allowed on school property at any time, except with the express permission of the building principal.

While on school property, personal electronic devices must be powered-off and kept in lockers.

If your child will be absent, please make sure to call the school office at 815-433-3671, or email our secretary , Mrs. Abram, at aabram@oes141.org. If you are calling before or after school hours, please leave a message stating who you are, your child's name, and reason for absence.

For changes in after school transportation, please notify the office prior to 1:45. This gives the office time to get the message to your child.