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Graduation Coming Soon! Please see the picture below, or in the link to view the high school graduation schedule for Sunday: https://5il.co/g1t3
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Congrats to Coach Guenther and the golf team for being awarded a $400 Fore Golf Grant towards range expenses at Sunset Hills Golf Club for the team! The River Cup Foundation works to support youth golf programs in the Tri-County area. Check them out here: http://www.rivercup.com/index.php?grantpage
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Join our Team - 2nd Grade Teacher Vacancy
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Happy National Nurses Day!
To all the nurses out there on the front line, we appreciate you!
Nurse Denise and Nurse Shyla, you ladies are top notch and we are blessed to have you as part of our Raider family!
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Midwest Central High School Physical Education Program receives funds from the Forman Valley Community Foundation Grant.
Mrs. Sarff and the physical education department at Midwest Central High School recently applied for funds to help jump start their efforts in promoting fitness education. The project, “Fit for Life”, is aimed at increasing students’ awareness of their own activity levels and teaching them how to monitor their progress and set goals. This project is a new, creative way to educate students on how they can make a positive change in their own life and to also hopefully impact others around them. The grant funds will be used to purchase heart rate monitor technology, which will give students a tool that they can use to monitor their own activity levels and provide them with the ability to increase both their fitness levels and their feeling of control over their physical education performance. The technology provided by the grant funds will give students instant feedback and allow for data collection over time that will give students, their parents, the teaching staff, and our district a look at how our students are improving their fitness levels, and in turn, their health. MCHS would like to thank the Forman Valley Community Foundation for the continued support of programs that help improve the health of our community.
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The staff had a blast delivering signs to MC Seniors!
Students, we are so proud of you!!!!
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Midwest Central High School will hold a modified graduation ceremony on Sunday, May 17th, between 11 AM and 5 PM. We worked with local health officials to determine a method that would meet social distancing guidelines while providing an opportunity to recognize this great accomplishment. Participating seniors will be assigned a time slot where they'll be able to walk the stage and receive their diploma, in the presence of up to 6 family members of the same household. We will also live stream the event on YouTube (details to follow). Details can be read in the pictures below. It will also be distributed by email and mail. Seniors expecting to participate should contact the school to confirm attendance.
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Hello Raiders,
We have received the following correspondence from the State Board of Education that they are releasing additional food benefits for all Midwest Central families. Since Midwest Central is a Community Eligible school every student enrolled in Midwest Central is eligible for this benefit whether they qualify for free lunches or not. In order to receive the additional benefit you must apply (information is below) unless you are currently a SNAP recipient. We have been asked to communicate this to our parents. I have also attached a flyer for more assistance.
Thank you,
Todd Hellrigel, Ed.D.
Pandemic EBT Application Available
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) launched the Pandemic EBT application for families on May 1 at https://abe.illinois.gov/abe/access/. P-EBT is a new special benefit that can help families buy food for their school age children who would normally receive National School Lunch Program (NSLP) free or reduced-priced meals when schools are in session. All families with school age children who attend schools approved for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) are eligible for the benefits as they receive NSLP meals at no charge.
Families that currently receive SNAP benefits do not need to apply for P-EBT benefits. These additional P-EBT benefits will be loaded into Illinois LINK EBT accounts along with regular SNAP benefits. Families who do not currently receive SNAP benefits but do have children who receive NSLP free or reduced-priced meals will need to apply directly with IDHS. The fastest way for families to receive benefits is to complete the application for P-EBT available online (Click “Apply for Benefits” at the link.) A paper application in English and Spanish is also available and can be submitted by email to DHS.FCS.PEBT@illinois.gov. IDHS created a flyer to help families with the application process. We are asking NSLP sponsors to share this flyer with their families.
ISBE is working in partnership with IDHS to ensure that this validation is available for all NSLP sponsors, both public and non-public. Thank you to all the schools that participate in the NSLP for submitting data by the April 17 deadline. We are asking that you please continue to verify that count, so that all families who are eligible can access the additional financial support provided by P-EBT. Instructions for this crucial verification can be found online.
If NSLP sponsors need assistance with the data submission/update, please email the ISBE Nutrition Department at cnp@isbe.net. If families need technical assistance with the application, please direct them to email IDHS at DHS.FCS.PEBT@illinois.gov.
Nutrition Department, Illinois State Board of Education
100 N. First St., Springfield, IL 62777
cnp@isbe.net, www.isbe.net/nutrition
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Haven't switched over to Midwest Central's new app yet? Get the most current information and notifications by downloading our updated app. For ANDROID: http://bit.ly/3005X4y or iPHONE: https://apple.co/35BmKfD.
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Hello Raider Parents,
We have been diligently working on high school graduation and 8th grade transition plans for the past couple of weeks. We were trying to develop alternate plans while also staying in the guidelines of social distancing. We received approval yesterday from the Mason County Health Department to move forward with our plans, and we had planned to email out tomorrow what those plans were going to be.
However, as of last night the State Board has banned any kind of graduation ceremony except virtual (online). They have banned any in person type of ceremony including drive up or drive by ceremonies. This is incredibly disheartening for Midwest Central, our seniors, and our 8th grade students. We do not feel a virtual ceremony is appropriate to commemorate these events.
We've had this happen to us multiple times already where we've made plans only to have them taken out of our control by the State Board of Education or the Governor. Midwest Central has the desire to do something special for our seniors and 8th grade students; therefore, we're again putting high school graduation and 8th grade transition on hold until we have some better guidance. Our hope is that by waiting we'll be able to do something in June or July although we can't anticipate to what extent at this point. We realize none of this is ideal, and we're also frustrated with the Chicago machine dictating downstate plans. Unfortunately our hands are legally tied right now. As we receive more information, rest assured we'll update you on how we can honor our senior and 8th grade students. I've attached the State Board's email for your information.
I'm sorry I have to keep sending you unfortunate news. This will eventually pass, and we'll eventually go back to normal. Sunny days are ahead.
Sincerely,
Todd Hellrigel, Ed.D.
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Our PE department has been taking this extra time to remodel our strength training area. We're offering a strength training class next year and will be replacing older equipment. If you're interested, consider donating to help obtain equipment. If you donate before April 29th, using the code LIFTOFF during checkout, your donation will be matched up to $50 shorturl.at/dhlDT
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Join our team! We have an opening for Reading Interventionist.
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Join our team! We have an opening for a 1:1 Paraprofessional.
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If you have not already signed up, please contact Coach Brittany at richmond@midwestcentral.org to get the link to the online meeting.
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Happy Administrative Professional's Day!
MC is lucky to have an amazing group ladies in this category! Thank you all for your hard work, allowing the students to have a better educational experience and making the day to day operations of the the District run as smoothly as possible. You are truly the best!
Raider Nation - If you get a chance, make sure to thank an Administrative Professional today.
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Reminder - Senior quotes and Who's Who responses are due by the end of this week--Friday, 4/24.
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Dear Raider Parents and Community Members:
I hope this message finds you and your families safe and well. Friday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced that remote learning in Illinois will be extended through the end of the 2019-20 school year.
Although in-person learning has been suspended for the remainder of the year, at Midwest Central, I assure you our entire staff remains committed to learning and engaging with all students through remote learning, as well as continuing with our food distribution program.
Like you, we are saddened by the reality that our school community will not be able to reconvene in person this school year due to this public health crisis. So many of you have worked so hard to learn and grow in both the classroom and in extracurricular activities that today’s announcement may feel like a step back.
I wanted to update you with the current plans for the remainder of the year:
1. We will provide a 3rd learning packet to students next week. We will have a pick up on Wednesday, April 29th from 6am - noon and Thursday from noon - 6pm. These will be due May 13th. We’d ask you to drop off your 2nd learning packet April 29th.
2. We will be using a pass/incomplete grade for the 2nd semester grades. We again ask that you work with your student to do the best they can in completing these packets. I have asked our building principals and teachers to work with those students that were failing 3rd quarter as this is an opportunity for them to bring up their grades.
3. Lockers will be cleaned out by the custodial staff and student items will be bagged for a pick up on the 13th of May. Student items in classrooms will also be bagged up for a pick up on the 13th of May.
4. We ask that you bring both class texts and library books to return when you pick up your packet on the 29th or 30th or when you drop off your packets on May 13th. These are expensive items so we ask that you work hard to get them returned to us.
5. High School Graduation and Middle School Transition are currently on hold. As we get further guidance on social distancing our hope is we can perhaps hold some sort of recognition for these in May. (thinking positive). Unfortunately, we’re at the mercy of our Governor on this. We are committed to trying to do something to recognize the hard work of both our 8th grade students and our seniors who have been robbed of these special moments.
6. We will continue to serve meals through the 22nd of May. Don’t forget to pick up meals M, W, and F if you’re not on a delivery route.
7. Last official day for seniors is May 8th and for all other students it will be May 15th.
Sincerely,
Dr. Todd Hellrigel
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The IHSA met today to determine the implications of the updated school closure on spring sports. They determined that all state series events have been cancelled for the spring and summer contact days are suspended. It's unfortunate that all of our athletes, especially our seniors, will not be able to compete this spring. At this time it is unclear if we will be able to offer summer sports camps or open gyms. More information will be posted as it becomes available. Coach Cihlar prepared a message to his athletes, which is included as a picture. Here is a link to the IHSA message: https://www.ihsa.org/default.asp
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Hello Raiders,
I hope you're all staying home and staying safe. These are certainly strange times, and I'm sure cabin fever is getting old at this point. We appreciate all you're doing to help your students. We had a great packet pick up turn out and I wanted to thank you all for your efforts.
We've also been asked to share with you food bank locations. Here is a link to area food bank locations.
https://tazewellcounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Nearby/index.html?appid=bcaaa73edb8043febd79c83b70c94c26
Thank you for your support in these troubling times. Keep smiling!
Dr. Todd Hellrigel
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To improve access to technology at home and assist remote learning, Midwest Central will be selling our older Chromebooks (with soft case) to district families for $15 each. These Chromebooks were purchased by the district approximately 5-6 years ago and are no longer supported by Google; however, they all have been reset to factory settings and work very well. Students will need to use their gmail account to log into them. We will be organizing the sale based on demand and need. Midwest Central will not providing service or support for devices after sale. INTERESTED? Please fill out this form OR call your school between 8-2 on Wednesday.
https://forms.gle/d8ToRbtasTxzMadW8
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