Congratulations, Zeke Snodgrass, for being our 3rd Book Blast Treasure Chest winner! Way to go! There is still time to win a Treasure Chest by inviting 10+ family members or friends: https://app.booksarefun.com/CarthageSchs62321. Let’s keep up the momentum to help build our students’ home libraries!
#GiveLiteracy #BookBlast #bookblastadventures @go.booksarefun #goread #lovebooks
Felicidades, Zeke Snodgrass, por ser nuestro tercer ganador del Cofre del Tesoro de la Book Blast! ¡Excelente trabajo! Aún hay tiempo para ganar un Cofre del Tesoro invitando a 10+ familiares o amigos: https://booksarefun.com/standardsocialmediaguide#day-5-post. ¡Mantengamos el impulso para ayudar a construir las bibliotecas en casa de nuestros estudiantes!
#readingadventure #literacymatters #booksaretreasure #BooksAreFun
¡Punto de control alcanzado! El segundo ganador del Cofre del Tesoro de la Book Blast es Knoxen Kissinger. ¡Felicidades! Ahora, ¡más tesoros te esperan por delante! Si aún no lo has hecho, regístrate e ingresa la información de contacto de 10+ personas para apoyar la biblioteca en casa de tu agente y tener la oportunidad de desbloquear el próximo Cofre del Tesoro: https://app.booksarefun.com/CarthageSchs62321
The first (Insert Starting Prize Number) to register and invite 10+ friends and family members will receive their treasure map prizes the very next day! Any student who qualifies after that will still receive their prizes with the book delivery. #bookblastadventures #booksarefun
¡Comienza la Book Blast hoy! Dedica 7 minutos esta noche a completar el Mapa del Tesoro para ganar increíbles recompensas, participar en sorteos de premios y comenzar a construir tu biblioteca en casa. ¡Invita a 10+ amigos y familiares para obtener tus recompensas y la oportunidad de ganar uno de los cuatro Cofres del Tesoro o Cofre del Tesora Epico!
Los primeros (Insert Starting Prize Number) en registrarse y 10+ amigos y familiares recibirán las recompensas al día siguiente. Los estudiantes que califiquen después recibirán sus premios junto con la entrega del libro.
¡y desbloquea tu tesoro!
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.
