Thank you to the IWHS Volleyball Team for welcoming our primary students into school on Friday!
9.12.25 - Week 3
#BlueboysAndBluegirlsAndChargerFAMILY
💙🤍🧡
Please see the attached flyer for details on our dress-up days for Homecoming Week, September 15–19. We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone!
5th grade band meeting for parents & students Tuesday 9/9/25 at 5:00 PM in the CMS cafeteria. Email sknicl@cesd317.org with questions/concerns. Bring a form of payment (check/card) if you intend to rent an instrument.
⛳ Carthage Golfers Shine at Sectionals!
Golf Sectionals were held on September 4th, and our athletes had an outstanding showing:
• Boys: Troy Wear tied for 4th place with an impressive score of 82.
• Girls: Charli Wisehart brought home the sectional championship with an 82, and Brinley Kissinger placed 8th with a 102.
The State Tournament will be held on September 11 (girls) and September 12 (boys).
🎉 Congratulations to Troy, Charli, Brinley, and all of our golf team members who competed at Sectionals! We are proud of your hard work and success. 💙🏌️
Thank you to the IWHS XC Team for welcoming our primary students into school on Friday!
9.5.25 - Week 2
#BlueboysAndBluegirlsAndChargerFAMILY
💙🤍🧡
📢 Stay Connected with Carthage ESD #317!
Please follow our new Carthage ESD #317 Facebook Page to receive the most up-to-date news, announcements, and events. This will be our official social media account moving forward, and the same information will also be posted on our district website.
👉 https://www.facebook.com/share/1YcCekVh7K/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Thank you for making the switch so you don’t miss anything important!
Please follow our new Carthage ESD #317 Facebook Page to receive the most up-to-date news, announcements, and events. This will be our official social media account moving forward, and the same information will also be posted on our district website.
👉 https://www.facebook.com/share/1YcCekVh7K/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Thank you for making the switch so you don’t miss anything important!
We’re READY for an amazing 2025–2026 school year — ready to teach, ready to learn, and maybe even ready for a little chaos too! 🎉📚
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given by the Board of Education of the Carthage Elementary School District #317 in the County of Hancock, State of Illinois, that the tentative budget for said School District for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026 will be on file and conveniently available for public inspection at 210 S. Adams, Carthage, IL in the School District Office from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. until September 17, 2025.
Notice is further given that a Public Hearing on said budget will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the School District Office at 210 S. Adams, Carthage, IL 62321
In spite of some technology obstacles, it has been a great week in Carthage ESD #317! Reminder there is no school on Monday due to Labor Day. We hope you enjoy the extra day with friends and family.
One of our favorite new traditions is High-Five Fridays! Each Friday, students from Illini West High School join us at arrival time to welcome our primary students into the building with smiles, high-fives, and encouragement. It’s a wonderful way to build connections across our schools and start the day with positivity. We’re excited to keep this tradition going each Friday!
Check out the news at 5 or 6:00p.m. on WGEM regarding our collaboration with Memorial Hospital. It takes a village to raise a child, so if you have expertise to share with our teachers and students, please reach out to Dr. Day or the building principals.
One of our favorite new traditions is High-Five Fridays! Each Friday, students from Illini West High School join us at arrival time to welcome our primary students into the building with smiles, high-fives, and encouragement. It’s a wonderful way to build connections across our schools and start the day with positivity. We’re excited to keep this tradition going each Friday!
Check out the news at 5 or 6:00p.m. on WGEM regarding our collaboration with Memorial Hospital. It takes a village to raise a child, so if you have expertise to share with our teachers and students, please reach out to Dr. Day or the building principals.
Carthage Primary School, Picture Day is Wednesday, Aug 27.
https://inter-state.com/flyerentry?code=0129EM&mrkt=PERFall&utm_campaign=20_PIC%20Fall%20PERs&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9XTgqlm1chQAvbxkFNOCNhvVtEogQDDe6FN_SYA62Topy2FmCWLowzt3s6vGo_af4d4Qc7vpSGqEC-IqziJAx5j6An9w&_hsmi=376616851&utm_content=376615972&utm_source=hs_automation
https://inter-state.com/flyerentry?code=0129EM&mrkt=PERFall&utm_campaign=20_PIC%20Fall%20PERs&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9XTgqlm1chQAvbxkFNOCNhvVtEogQDDe6FN_SYA62Topy2FmCWLowzt3s6vGo_af4d4Qc7vpSGqEC-IqziJAx5j6An9w&_hsmi=376616851&utm_content=376615972&utm_source=hs_automation
Wow, what a way to start the school year! I hope you have heard as many positive stories about these first few days as I have and thank you for your patience as we get used to our new normal at CMS.
Monday started with a welcome and the students chanting, "I am awesome! Change is difficult. I can do difficult things!" before being released to their classes. We started using Today's First Five in classrooms and ended with the installation of a new GaGa Pit and popsicles, both donated to the students of CMS.
We have a request for next week and moving forward to use the alley or Washington Street for drop off and pick up. The businesses across the street and the bus lane should not be used at these times.
Thank you! I look forward to a great year at CMS.
Monday started with a welcome and the students chanting, "I am awesome! Change is difficult. I can do difficult things!" before being released to their classes. We started using Today's First Five in classrooms and ended with the installation of a new GaGa Pit and popsicles, both donated to the students of CMS.
We have a request for next week and moving forward to use the alley or Washington Street for drop off and pick up. The businesses across the street and the bus lane should not be used at these times.
Thank you! I look forward to a great year at CMS.
Attention girls entering 6th-8th grade at CMS who are interested in playing g softball. There will be a camp next week: July 16 - 18th. More information and registration is at Illini West in the office or contact Coach Dooley.
Board Vacancy
Interested applicants, please submit a cover letter and
resume to show your interest to Kristi Thompson
(kthompson@cesd317.org) by June 13, 2025. Interviews
will be held at the Board Meeting on June 18, 2025 during executive session.
CMS Summer Office Hours:
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on the following days in June:
Monday, 6/2/25
Tuesday, 6/3/25
Wednesday, 6/4/25
Tuesday, 6/10/25
Wednesday, 6/11/25
Thursday, 6/12/25
Tuesday, 6/17/25
Wednesday, 6/18/25
Thursday, 6/19/25
Monday, 6/23/25
Tuesday, 6/24/25
Wednesday, 6/25/25
Thursday, 6/26/25
July and August dates available by appointment:
Leave a message at school 217.357.3914 or contact Mindy Bockenfeld directly at
mbockenfeld@cesd317.org or 217.357.1523
A packet was sent home last week with resources to get the 6th grade healthcare; immunizations and dental care are required in 6th grade. Also information to obtain a sport physical. Please contact Christen Osborne in the CMS office for more information or another copy of the packet.
CMS Amazing Race is tomorrow 8:15-11:15am. Each section will complete 10 tasks around the square. Permission form is required to participate. The prize is Pizza & Polar Pop in the afternoon. Non-participants will stay at CMS with a teacher/staff member. Thank you!
You should have received a permission slip for your student to participate in the Amazing Race being held on Tuesday. On Wednesday, we will have a BBQ and field day. Students will be released at 12:30 for summer.
We collected Chromebooks & power cords; you may bring missing parts to school on Tuesday.
Report cards are coming home with students today. Contact your student's homeroom teacher with any questions.
Carthage Primary
Friday, May 23 - Last day for PreK
Monday, May 26 - NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day
Wednesday, May 28 - Early Dismissal 12:20 Shuttle Bus, 12:30 everyone else
Wednesday, May 28 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR CESD#317 STUDENTS
Have a Safe & Fun Summer!
To keep students engaged in learning during the end of this school year, each section is earning points by being BLUE & turning in assignments. Points will be added to their team's Amazing Race Points on Tuesday, 5/27. Additional information can be found in the announcements.