We are updating course titles for certain elective classes to ensure accurate alignment between course names, content, and grading practices.
What's changing:
5th Grade: Keyboarding → Keyboarding and Math Foundations
6th Grade: Computer Science → Computer Science and Math Foundations
7th Grade: Life Skills → Life Skills and Math Foundations
Why this change:
These courses have included both the elective content and math facts practice. The updated titles accurately reflect all components that contribute to the course grade. Students are graded on their participation and accuracy in math facts (most are multiplying numbers 0-12) not new math content.
What stays the same:
Course content and instruction, Student grades, Class schedules
This change is effective immediately and will appear on report cards beginning this quarter.
If you have questions, please contact your student's teacher or Mrs. Bockenfeld.
What's changing:
5th Grade: Keyboarding → Keyboarding and Math Foundations
6th Grade: Computer Science → Computer Science and Math Foundations
7th Grade: Life Skills → Life Skills and Math Foundations
Why this change:
These courses have included both the elective content and math facts practice. The updated titles accurately reflect all components that contribute to the course grade. Students are graded on their participation and accuracy in math facts (most are multiplying numbers 0-12) not new math content.
What stays the same:
Course content and instruction, Student grades, Class schedules
This change is effective immediately and will appear on report cards beginning this quarter.
If you have questions, please contact your student's teacher or Mrs. Bockenfeld.
Dear Families,
At last month’s Board of Education meeting, the Carthage ESD #317 Board of Education approved a 2-hour delayed start schedule to be used when needed. We wanted to share what a delayed start day will look like for families.
On a 2-hour delayed start day:
PreK will be canceled
School doors will open at 9:40 a.m.
Classes will begin at 10:00 a.m.
Lunch times will remain the same
Dismissal times will remain the same:
2:45 p.m. – Shuttle Bus
3:00 p.m. – Primary
3:10 p.m. – Middle School
This schedule allows us to keep the school day as consistent as possible while ensuring lunch remains at an appropriate time for students.
Please continue to watch for district communication any time a delayed start is announced.
Thank you for your continued support.
Carthage ESD #317
🌟 Preschool Screenings Are Coming Up! 🌟
Do you have a child who is 3, 4, or 5 years old? Carthage Elementary School District #317 will be offering Developmental Preschool Screenings on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Screenings will look at speech and language, learning skills, motor development, and vision and hearing. Appointments are required, and no walk-ins will be accepted.
📞 Call 217-357-9202 to schedule an appointment.
📄 Please see the attached flyer for full details.
Do you have a child who is 3, 4, or 5 years old? Carthage Elementary School District #317 will be offering Developmental Preschool Screenings on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Screenings will look at speech and language, learning skills, motor development, and vision and hearing. Appointments are required, and no walk-ins will be accepted.
📞 Call 217-357-9202 to schedule an appointment.
📄 Please see the attached flyer for full details.
The Blueboys Basketball Team is State-bound and we will be celebrating this achievement with all Blueboys (and Bluegirls) at 1:05pm tomorrow in the CMS gym. They will be escorted out of town at 1:30pm. The game will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel, CESD 317 at 10:00 am Saturday. For more information about postseason games, go to IESA.org. Go Blueboys!
As we notice increasing absences due to illness, we want to share these guidelines to help keep you and our schools healthy.
8th-grade families, save the following dates:
February 11th - Illini West Orientation at The Legacy Theater 6:00 p.m.
May 14th - 8th Grade Promotion 6:00 p.m.
May 20th - 8th Grade Trip to Chicago - 5:45 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
February 11th - Illini West Orientation at The Legacy Theater 6:00 p.m.
May 14th - 8th Grade Promotion 6:00 p.m.
May 20th - 8th Grade Trip to Chicago - 5:45 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
📣 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.