News You Can Use January 17, 2025

Dear Families,

This week we received our banner and our plaque from US News & World Report honoring Eastview Middle School as one of THE BEST MIDDLE SCHOOLS in the state! As I have previously shared, this is a first time award for EVMS and an incredible honor of achievement for our entire community. None of it would be possible without our dedicated teachers and staff, our amazing students, and our supportive parents. It takes a village and our village IS TOP NOTCH! The banner will soon be displayed in front of the school for all to see and our plaque is located at the entry by door one. We will strive every year to achieve the goal of being not just THE best middle school in U-46, but one of THE best in the state!

Our first semester data indicates that we are trending in the right direction. Our overall attendance rate for first semester was 92%. Additionally, 81% of students are passing classes with a C or higher. Our behavioral referrals for first semester was 351 in comparison to 312 at the end of first semester last year. This increase is attributed to entering tardy and no ID's into infinite campus as students earned consequences. Our panorama survey results for first semester indicates a 3% growth in student sense of belonging moving us to 50% of our students feeling connected to school. The district average is 47%.

We are also planning our Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) campaign. "I AM READY.... ARE YOU?" posters will begin appearing around the school in the coming weeks. Student IAR test dates are March 10-March 14. Detailed testing information will be out next month. Last year, we beat Kenyon on this test and I am confident that we can beat them again! As always, WE GOT THIS!!

Please take a moment to review this newsletter as there is important information and dates about upcoming events. If you have any questions, please reach out to me angelaginnan@u-46.org.

Together in Learning,

Angie Ginnan

Principal

#wegotthis

*Shameless plug.... Let's Go Buckeyes as they take on the Fighting Irish January 20!

Also, if you would like to shout out our amazing staff, please fill out a Howl A Gram. These will be shared with the respective staff member.

Did you know that this year, EVMS is offering over 10 clubs in addition to athletics? These clubs range from crochet to volleyball to writing! Please check out the daily bulletin on the website to read when clubs are meeting.

In order to make the daily bulletin accessible to all, it can be found on the EVMS website under special announcements. Look here to find out when clubs and sports are meeting!

Thanks to those of you who have made donations, we appreciate you!!

We are continuing to seek donations, we are in need of a few things, and we are hoping you can help! On Wednesdays, we wear college gear, but we would like to make this a post-secondary day. If you are in the trades and have shirts of your work, we will take them! If you have old college gear that you have no use for anymore, we will take them! On Friday, we wear EVMS gear for school spirit day. I like to randomly select one 7th grader, one 8th grader, and a staff member. If they are wearing EVMS wear, then they can earn a prize. Traditionally, I have received gift cards in small denominations ($5) from local businesses to give to the students. If you have any gift cards or small prizes you would like to donate, please drop them off at school.

Students who are bus riders and stay after school for a club/activity/sport can take the activity bus home Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays. The bus arrives to EVMS at 4:45pm and departs at 5pm. Here are the stops.

As part of our commitment to ensuring a safe learning environment, Eastview will be conducting random, non-invasive searches throughout the school year in accordance with board policy and law. These searches are a proactive step towards maintaining safety and fostering an environment where learning can thrive without disruptions. They will be carried out by trained school personnel, in a manner that respects the privacy of all students. We assure you that these measures are standard safety procedures and not in response to any specific incident or concern. If a student refuses to participate in the random search, the school administration will follow the necessary steps in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Should you have any questions, please contact the school's main office.

CELL PHONES SHOULD BE AWAY FOR THE DAY!

All middle schools in the district will be following the district guidelines of "AWAY FOR THE DAY" for cell phone usage. Students will not be allowed to use their cell phones during the school day, including during lunch, in the locker room or bathrooms. These district-wide middle school guidelines support classroom learning and improved culture and climate efforts for all middle school students in order to minimize distractions and help teachers create and manage a classroom and school environment conducive to learning, discussion and collaboration. It also helps protect students against bullying and/or inappropriate social media use during school hours, which are often exacerbated by cell phone access.

In accordance with our secondary cell phone guidelines, students are expected to put their silenced or powered-off cell phone in their locker upon arriving at school. Our intention is to help students create better habits when in learning environments. If students are unable to keep devices out of sight and in their lockers, teachers may provide a warning and remind/ask their students to put the phone away in their lockers or cell phone holders until the end of the period. If students do not comply and continue to engage in electronic device misuse, progressive discipline procedures will be followed. This may include, but is not limited to, the following consequences: having the student turn over his/her phone to the main office for parent pick up, or issuance of referrals resulting in detentions and other discipline-related interventions.

Parents - If you need to get a hold of your student during the day, please call the main office at 630-213-5550 and we will either relay your message or bring your student to the main office for you to speak to them directly.

Student attendance is critical in learning. If students are not present, then they miss instruction. Strong attendance has a proven impact on school success. Chronic absence — missing 10 percent or more of school days due to absence for any reason—excused, unexcused absences and suspensions, can translate into third-graders unable to master reading, sixth-graders failing subjects and ninth-graders dropping out of high school.

Of course, we understand students become ill and may not be able to attend school. In those instances, parents must inform the school of their student's absence. You can call 630-213-5550 or email eastviewattendance@u-46.org

We expect students to be in attendance every day and ready to learn!

The PTE has been busy the past few months and is finishing the year strong. We’ve had several teacher appreciation events including dinner during parent teacher conferences and the Winter Break breakfast this morning. We’ve participated in a few dances, ran a few dine’n’shares and had a very successful Ripple Grant Fundraiser.

In the new year we will be focused on processing the Ripple Grant applications and distributing the funds as well as Teacher Appreciation Week in May and our yard sign campaign for 2025 Eastview graduates. It will also be time to start looking forward to next year and building the 2025-2026 PTE team, we are always looking for new members to join us.

We hope every enjoys the Winter Break and coming back in January relaxed, refreshed and ready for the spring semester.

PTE Volunteers

In addition to the open PTE board position of Co-President there are numerous ways to help the PTE get things done. These opportunities include helping plan and schedule Dine and Share events, the 8th grade graduation lawn signs and soliciting donations from local businesses. If you are able to help us with these focused, short duration activities please reach out at pte.eastview@gmail.com.

Community Advisory Council (CAC) Meetings

Each U-46 school is allowed up to 5 CAC members, Eastview currently has one seat filled so there are four open seats. This is the U-46 description of CAC participation:

As a member of the Community Advisory Council, your role is crucial in providing guidance and support to the U-46 Board of Education and Administration to ensure all students receive the best educational opportunities. CAC members serve as liaisons between their schools, the CAC, and the School District to identify children’s needs and bring ideas to the District.

Upcoming Events & Announcements:

• Spirit Wear Website with Eastview logo is open for orders! All NEW items and design - visit the website here.

• Next PTE Meeting: Tuesday, January 21 @ 7PM in the EVMS Library

Additional ways to support the PTE:

• Engage with the Eastview community on the Eastview Families facebook page.

• Our PTE can be reached at pte.eastview@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

We look forward to hearing from you!

1/28 &1/29: PAWMART OPEN

2/7: SUPERBOWL Assembly

2/10-2/14: ACCESS Testing

3/10-3/14: IAR Testing

2/25 & 2/26 : PAWMART OPEN

3/18 & 3/19: PAWMART OPEN

4/22 & 4/23: PAWMART OPEN

5/13 &5 5/14: PAWMART OPEN

5/16/25: 8th grade dance 6pm-8pm

5/22/25: 8th grade recognition @ Bartlett High School 6pm doors open. Ceremony starts @ 6:30

5/23/25: Field Day