We have exciting new! Our school is partnering with Books Are Fun and the Book Blast program to help put brand-new, age-appropriate books into the hands of every one of our students!
Hear from a real school about the magic of Book Blast and Books Are Fun: Fulton Elementary News Clip
Here’s why we love Book Blast:
Every student receives books they’ll love and want to read
100% of all contributions go directly to books and classroom needs
The book list is thoughtfully curated and truly engaging
Here’s how your student can join the fun:
They’ll be bringing home a Treasure Map—their ticket to joining the fun, earning books and unlocking awesome prizes! It’s simple, exciting, and brings reading to your home.
Keep an eye out for a message from me with more details soon. Make sure your kids can join in on the fun!
In the meantime, you can learn more about Books Are Fun and the Book Blast program https://www.bb.booksarefun.com/testimonials.
We’re looking forward to a great kickoff!
Asunto: ¡Consigue libros nuevos para tu estudiante: ¡Se acerca la promoción de libros!
Estimadas familias de Carthage Primary School,
¡Tenemos noticias emocionantes! Nuestra escuela se está asociando con Books Are Fun y el programa Book Blast para ayudar a poner libros nuevos y apropiados para cada edad en las manos de cada uno de nuestros estudiantes!
Escucha a una escuela real hablar sobre la magia de Book Blast y Books Are Fun: Fulton Elementary News Clip
Esta es la razón por la que nos encanta Book Blast:
Cada estudiante recibe libros que le encantarán y querrá leer.
El 100% de todas las contribuciones se destinan directamente a libros y necesidades del aula.
La lista de libros está cuidadosamente seleccionada y es realmente atractiva.
Así es como tu hijo/a puede unirse a la diversión:
¡Se llevará a casa un Mapa del Tesoro, su boleto para ganar libros y desbloquear premios increíbles! Es sencillo, emocionante y fomenta la lectura en casa.
Mantente atento a un mensaje mío con más detalles pronto. ¡Asegúrate de que tus hijos puedan unirse a la diversión!
Mientras tanto, puedes obtener más información sobre Books Are Fun y el programa https://www.bb.booksarefun.com/testimonials.
¡Estamos deseando que tengamos un gran comienzo!
Dear CMS Parents and Guardians,
We would like to share a list of upcoming events and important dates at Carthage Middle School. Please review the information below and mark your calendars.
This Week (February 23–27)
Wednesday, February 25: 8th-grade meeting during Pods with Ryan Bliss from I.W.
Thursday, February 26: IW Showcase at CMS 10:15 a.m.
Friday, February 27: We will run a half-day schedule for classes, then all students go on a walking trip to The Legacy Theatre to see ScienceSplosion! at 1:00 p.m.
March Highlights
Tuesday, March 3: Friday, March 13: Book Blast
Saturday, March 7, Tuesday, March 10, Thursday, March 12: Host 8th-grade volleyball regional games
Monday, March 9 - Friday, March 13: Scholastic Book Fair
Friday, March 13: Half Day: Students dismiss at 12:30 p.m. School Improvement: 12:30–3:30 p.m.
Friday, March 13: End of 3rd Quarter
Monday, March 16 - Monday, March 23: Tickets on sale for Students Rule the School Drawing; more information to follow.
Wednesday, March 18: Board of Education Meeting: 7:00 p.m.
Friday, March 20: Winter Sport Team and individual athlete pictures.
Saturday, March 21: Kids Who Cook @ CPS for registered students; registration is available in the office and ends this Friday.
March 24–28: IAR Testing (5th - 8th grades ELA & Math)
April Highlights
Wednesday, April 1: Students Rule the School Day
Thursday, April 2: Half Day student attendance
Friday, April 3: No School (Good Friday)
Monday, April 6: No School (Easter Break)
Monday, April 13 - Friday, April 17: Roller Skating in P.E.
Wednesday, April 15: CESD Family Night and Color Run
Saturday, April 18: Science Olympiad State Finals in Champaign
Monday, April 20 - Friday, April 24: Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) for 5th and 8th graders and STAR assessment for 6th and 7th graders
Wednesday, April 22: 8th Grade Tour and Orientation at IW; 8th graders will walk to and from IW for this event.
Friday, April 24: Half Day for School Improvement: 12:30–3:30 p.m.
Friday, April 24: Spring Dance: 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Monday, April 27 - Friday, May 1: STAR Assessment (5th and 8th graders)
May Highlights
Friday, May 1: Safety Fair at Adams County Fairgrounds (6th grade only)
Wednesday, May 13: 5th Grade Field Trip (Mark Twain Cave)
TBD: 6th Grade Field Trip (St. Louis)
TBD: 7th Grade Field Trip (Springfield)
Monday, May 18: 8th Grade Promotion: 6:00–7:30 p.m. (Please note: this is a day earlier due to a conflict with State Track on May 14th)
Wednesday, May 20: 8th Grade Field Trip (Chicago)
Monday, May 25 – No School (Memorial Day)
Wednesday, May 27 – Last Day of Student Attendance; 1/2 day, students dismissed at 12:30 p.m.; SIP Day for staff: 12:30–3:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 28 – No School (Teacher Institute)
Thank you for your continued support of Carthage Middle School. If you have any questions, please contact the CMS office.
Sincerely,
--
Mindy Bockenfeld
Carthage Middle School Principal & Athletic Director
640 Buchanan Street
Carthage IL 62321
(217) 357-1523
mbockenfeld@cesd317.org
@go.booksarefun #bookblastadventures #bookblast #booksarefun #literacy
¡Atención, agentes! Nuestro evento "Libros Explosivos" comienza la semana que viene. Nos embarcaremos en una misión para construir las bibliotecas en casa de nuestros estudiantes. Sigan los pasos del Mapa del Tesoro que llegará a casa la semana que viene para embarcarse en esta operación y ganar emocionantes premios y libros.
Carthage Primary School students recently brought home Staff Medal forms to recognize a staff member who has made a difference in their life. If your child needs an extra copy, we’ve attached it here for you to print at home.
Please return completed medals to Mrs. Toubekis by Friday, February 27. We can’t wait to see the kind words our CPS students share about our amazing staff. 💙
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
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.
As we notice increasing absences due to illness, we want to share these guidelines to help keep you and our schools healthy.
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.
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!
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!
