📣 CESD Families — We Want Your Voice!
The Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey is now open, and your feedback helps us continue building the best possible school experience for our students. The survey is quick, confidential, and truly makes a difference!
👉 Take the survey here: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
Open February 3 – March 13, 2026.
Thank you to all of our families who take a few minutes to share their thoughts — we appreciate your partnership and support!
The Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey is now open, and your feedback helps us continue building the best possible school experience for our students. The survey is quick, confidential, and truly makes a difference!
👉 Take the survey here: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
Open February 3 – March 13, 2026.
Thank you to all of our families who take a few minutes to share their thoughts — we appreciate your partnership and support!
🎉 CPS 100th Day of School Celebration 🎉
At CPS we will be celebrating the 100th day of school on Wednesday, February 4th! Students can participate by dressing up. Fun ideas include wearing a 100th Day shirt or dressing like a 100 year old. Participation is optional, but all students are welcome to join in the fun.
Teachers may also have special activities planned in their individual classrooms as we celebrate 100 days of learning and growth together!
At CPS we will be celebrating the 100th day of school on Wednesday, February 4th! Students can participate by dressing up. Fun ideas include wearing a 100th Day shirt or dressing like a 100 year old. Participation is optional, but all students are welcome to join in the fun.
Teachers may also have special activities planned in their individual classrooms as we celebrate 100 days of learning and growth together!
All CESD #317 students have an exciting opportunity to experience a planetarium on Monday, February 2nd! Please talk with your student(s) about it before and afterwards. Middle school students will be walking to CPS; please dress for the weather.
CMS Families, we’re excited about our Scholastic Bowl program! If your student is interested in participating, please see the attached letter from our Scholastic Bowl Coach, Mrs. Calvin.
Good afternoon, Due to inclement weather, road conditions, and predicted morning temperatures, there will be no school on Monday, January 26, 2026. All evening activities will continue as scheduled.
At approximately 1:48 pm the middle school was placed on a soft lockdown as a precautionary measure. At approximately 2:42 pm, the soft lockdown was released and students resumed normal activities. Student safety is our most important priority. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the superintendent of schools, Dr. Dustin Day, at 217-357-3922.
Calling all CESD families! Our CPS & CMS Student Councils have some super fun Valentine’s Day fundraisers planned, including roses for sale and a custom candy table. Be sure to check out the attached flyers for all the details! 💙
Hello 8th-grade parents,
It is 2nd semester of 8th grade year and we are preparing for graduation and the transition to freshman year at Illini West. The following is from our Josten's representative:
Jostens met with your students today to discuss topics that should help them prepare and get ready for high school next year. They should be bringing a packet home that has information that was covered, along with an order form that they can use to order their class t-shirts and other high school apparel if they choose to. Order forms are due back to the school office no later than next Friday, January 16th. You may also use the link below to place your order online. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Jostens representative Brock Danko at brock.danko@jostens.com.
Click Here to Order Online: https://form.typeform.com/to/V2pVeuUu
Thanks,
Brock Danko
Jostens
1229 Peoria St.
Washington, Illinois 61571
Office: (309) 691-9081
It is 2nd semester of 8th grade year and we are preparing for graduation and the transition to freshman year at Illini West. The following is from our Josten's representative:
Jostens met with your students today to discuss topics that should help them prepare and get ready for high school next year. They should be bringing a packet home that has information that was covered, along with an order form that they can use to order their class t-shirts and other high school apparel if they choose to. Order forms are due back to the school office no later than next Friday, January 16th. You may also use the link below to place your order online. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Jostens representative Brock Danko at brock.danko@jostens.com.
Click Here to Order Online: https://form.typeform.com/to/V2pVeuUu
Thanks,
Brock Danko
Jostens
1229 Peoria St.
Washington, Illinois 61571
Office: (309) 691-9081
This is to inform CESD #317 families that today, December 19, 2025, there will be an early dismissal for Kindergarten through 8th grade due to school improvement. Dismissal times: Shuttle Bus 12:20, Primary 12:30, Middle School 12:35. Have a wonderful Holiday Season!
Butterbraid and Cookbooks are in and will be sent home with the sellers today. If your student had a large order, it will be available for pick up after school in the cafeteria.
See picture regarding our dress up days for next week.
Come cheer on the Blueboys at 6:00pm tonight in our rescheduled game against LaHarpe
I apologize for the early message. Due to the weather, there will be no school on Friday, December 12, 2025. All activities, games, and practices will be decided later today. Thank you and have a safe weekend.
Boys basketball game canceled due to weather. Please drive safe and I apologize for the late notice!
This line dancing unit at CMS has been so fun! Today we had a visiting dance teacher to share new moves.
Carthage Primary & Middle Families:
We are still in need of volunteers for our Hot Cocoa Run coming up next week. If you’re able to help, we would love to have you join us and make this fun tradition a success for our students.
Please use the link below to sign up:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12xko6H7lEMsX2v-NcmBGT2ffkCNdpUXaarFtobcRacM/edit
Thank you for supporting our Blueboys & Bluegirls!
Congratulations to Elliotte for receiving the Sportsmanship Award and to our 8th-grade Regional Champions!
📣 Carthage Primary School Winter Concert
Join us Wednesday, December 10th at 6 PM in the Illini West High School gym (600 Miller St). 🎶
All PreK–4th grade students will perform, youngest to oldest. Please have students dress nicely—festive holiday accessories are welcome!
Doors open at 5:40 PM. Please supervise your child until they meet their teacher. For the best experience, avoid entering or exiting while students are singing.
The concert lasts about one hour, with time afterward for group photos. Please silence devices and help us keep the gym quiet and respectful.
We can’t wait to see you there! ❄️🎄
The 8th grade regional championship game will be played on Saturday, December 6th 10:00am at IW.
Come to IW to cheer on the Bluegirls against Camp Point tonight at 6:00p.m. and hopefully again on Saturday.