It's a BEAUTIFUL Spring day! We're seeing some sunshine, the birds are chirping, and the temperatures are starting to warm up 🌞🐦
At Lincoln Elementary, our students along with our parent mentors spent some valuable time outside on Tuesday for Earth Day. 🌎🌏 They participated in fun activities like creating DIY reusable bags, planting seeds, and an environmentally friendly science experiment making Oobleck.
Our kiddos went home with a flyer sharing “art from trash” craft project ideas as well as a list of ways that kids can reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Who said drawing on the walls is okay? In this case, Mr. Kee did!
The second grade teacher snapped photos of his students drawings on the hallway walls outside of his classroom. 🖍🖍 This wall will be demolished and expanded as part of a renovation project at Jefferson elementary.
These 2nd graders left some sweet messages like, "Love this Class," and colorful drawings of Easter eggs, flowers and even our solar system.
Adventure is alive in Mr. Harris' class at Washington Middle School!
Students are diving into an upgraded role-playing board game with an old school classroom twist: THE OREGON TRAIL!
Students are building characters, solving challenges, and using strategy, teamwork, and creativity to navigate their 45 day story-driven quest along the Oregon Trail.
JCHS alumnus Cade Cockburn is recognized as a 2025 SIU System Distinguished Service Award recipients.
On April 17th, the SIU Board of Trustees and the Student Advisory Council for the SIU System (SACSS) honored outstanding students in the SIU System. They selected Cockburn as Carbondale's graduate student recipient.
Cade graduated from JCHS in 2021, as one of four Valedictorians. Additionally while at JCHS, he served as the Student Body President, President of the George R. Kee Chapter of the National Honor Society, and FFA President.
Since graduating from JCHS, Cade has been a student at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He was a recipient of the university’s most prestigious undergraduate award, the Chancellor’s Scholarship, which was valued at more than $103,000.
As an undergraduate, Cade was a Saluki Ambassador, Agbassador, and a member of the Student Alumni Council. He held student employee positions in both SIU Undergraduate Admissions and the SIU Alumni Association. He graduated in May of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Systems and Education & Agribusiness Economics.
Cade is now a graduate student at SIU pursuing a Master of Science in Business Analytics, which he is set to graduate with in August 2025. He currently works for SIU Undergraduate Admissions as the department’s Graduate Assistant.
Cade's mother, Channa Cockburn, works as a Special Education teacher at Johnston City High School. Her hope is to show our current students that with hard work and grit, they can achieve anything they set their minds to!
You can read more here: https://news.siu.edu/2025/04/042125-three-siu-carbondale-students-receive-2025-siu-system-distinguished-student-service-awards.php
We're continuing to highlight April as Mathematics Awareness Month.
Mrs. McCluskie’s 7th grade class at Washington Middle School took math to the next level by practicing percentages with an M&M activity!
Students used colorful candies to calculate percentages in a fun, hands-on way that made learning both engaging and delicious. Who knew math could taste this good? 📊🍫
JCHS students continue to volunteer for the food distribution at the First United Methodist Church.
This is the third month in a row that students have volunteered to unload the truck from the St. Louis Area Food Bank, hand out perishable and non-perishable items, and help carry food to cars.
In case you missed it, our schools will have early dismissal today, Thursday, April 17th. The elementary schools and middle school will dismiss at 1:50 p.m. Johnston City High School will
dismiss at 2 p.m.
There is no school tomorrow Friday, April 18th, and there is no school Monday, April 21st.
Enjoy your break and we will see back in the classroom Tuesday, April 22nd!
The Shawnee Region - Illinois Principals Association hosted its annual Student Recognition Dinner at SIU last night. Each principal can nominate two students from exiting grades based on scholarship, character, leadership, or other traits deemed important to their school.
Students left to right: Alexandria Carpenter (8th grade), Patrick Sims (8th grade), Haedyn Lewis (4th grade), Britlynn Williams (4th grade), Kylie Dugger (12th grade), Chase McReynolds (12th grade).
Lincoln Elementary Principal Michelle Smiley, "They are both outstanding 4th grade students who are hardworking, polite and they never give up and they are both great assets to our building!"
Washington Middle School Principal Kristina Armes, "They are both amazing 8th graders that are driven by heart and purpose. They give service and provide leadership, they don’t just make a difference; they make our school a better place for everyone.”
Johnston City High School Principal Kristi Schell, "Kylie and Chase excel in academics and are also involved in extracurricular activities, community service, and serve as leaders at JCHS. We are very proud of all their accomplishments. "
Students at Jefferson Elementary are celebrating Heart Week.
The school has been raising funds for the American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge. Students have also been learning life lessons like getting active, asking for help, resting well, and being kind.
To celebrate, students had the chance to wear their pajamas to school today. Here's a look at Mr. Kee and Mrs. Cheers' classes in their comfy PJs.
Last week, FFA members attended SIU's Livestock Judging competition. There were approximately 300 students from across Southern Illinois in attendance!
While all of our FFA members in attendance did great, we had a couple students that stood out in our group. Gracie Barker placed 40th in Varsity and Sophia Altier placed 31st in Junior Varsity.
REMINDER: Tomorrow is the deadline to sign-up for the new basketball program for all students in the 2nd - 6th grade. Please fill out the form and have your child turn it into their school.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r37ReF0q2HerRISsBdRuLYDauTnyoIv_EYHGG0XM48A/edit?tab=t.0
Parents/Guardians,
A friendly reminder our schools will have early dismissal tomorrow, Thursday, April 17th. The elementary schools and middle school will dismiss at 1:50 p.m. Johnston City High School will dismiss at 2 p.m.
There is no school Friday, April 18th, and there is no school Monday, April 21st.
Enjoy your break and we will see back in the classroom Tuesday, April 22nd!
❤️ It's Day two for Jefferson Elementary's Heart week! 🖤
Students are continuing to dress up to spread more awareness about the American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge. Recently, our students learned Hands-Only CPR and the warning signs of a stroke.
Today students celebrated their new skills by wearing their favorite superhero gear, including 1st graders in Ms. Smith's class and Kindergartners in Mrs. Cheers' class who are showing off their SUPER-sized muscles! 💪
At Lincoln Jefferson, Mrs. Cheers uses several classroom management strategies to ensure students are ready for learning.
Every day, her class starts with meditation by doing some vagus nerve stimulation, which is known to reduce stress and improve mood. Then, it's circle time with a Native American talking stick where students take turns sharing and responding to a question of the day!
Mrs. Cheers also uses natural lighting, alternative seating, and sign language and allows students to wear slippers for comfort!
IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Lions Club Vision and Hearing Screening scheduled for this Saturday, April 19th, at the Johnston City Ballfields is now postponed due to mechanical issues with the mobile unit.
Once a new date is set, we'll make a new announcement regarding the time and location.
Jefferson Heart Week kicked off today ❤️🖤 Our students have been raising money for the American Heart Association while learning what it takes to have a healthy heart!
To celebrate and promote more awareness, the school is holding themed-days this week. Today, some of our students wore their favorite hat to school.
✏️ April is Mathematics Awareness month ✏️
Today we're highlighting Lincoln Elementary School where our 4th graders were given a hands-on math/science lesson by our Student Teacher Ms. Weber.
Students had to create a toothpick tower strong enough to support the weight of an egg. These 4th graders worked collaboratively to design and implement their ideas!
Our high school's top six seniors in academics attended the Southern Illinois Society for High School Academic (SISHSA) banquet last night at SIU.
▪️Ty Clark - Excellence in Academics
▪️ Cassidy Hermetz - Excellence in Academics
▪️ Emma Kirby - Excellence in Academics
▪️ Chase McReynolds - Excellence in Academics
▪️Peyton Smith - Excellence in Academics
▪️ Katelynn Turner - Excellence in Academics
We're so proud of the hard work and dedication these students put into their studies, and can't wait to see the positive impact they make in future!
🧮 Real-World Math in Action!🧐
Washington Students in Mrs. Dobraski’s class recently put their math skills to the test by calculating their GPA and setting goals for the rest of the school year! This hands-on activity gave students the chance to apply real-life math while also focusing on their academic growth.
By crunching the numbers and reflecting on their progress, they learned how math isn’t just about solving equations—it’s about setting goals, making plans, and striving for success.
Way to go, students! Keep aiming high and working hard! #MathMeetsMotivation
Way to go!! Four Johnston City High School FFA members competed in different areas of the Crab Orchard Public Speaking competition (with moral support of our FFA President).
▪️ Brayden Hayes competed in Extemporaneous.
▪️ Sophia Altier competed in Prepared Speaking.
▪️ Jetlin Kellermeier competed in Creed Speaking.
▪️ Blake Clarida also competed in Creed Speaking, placing 3rd!!!
