RCS NEWS for Families 03.01.2026

RCS NEWS for Families March 1, 2026 Calendar Monday, March 2: No K-5 After School Activities. Thursday, March 12: Family-Teacher Conferences in PM. March 13-March 22: Spring Break. School resumes on Monday, March 23. Thursday, March 26: Regular School Board Meeting. Black History Month Celebration On Friday, February 27, RCS hosted its annual Black History Month Celebration. This year's theme focused on Black-owned business and entrepreneurship. Thank you to the many businesses, vendors, and local organizations that participated. Thank you also to all of our volunteers including NIA, Rantoul Family Advocacy Coallation, Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee, and RTHS. Thank You, RCS Families! Thank you to all of our RCS Families who have taken the time to complete the 5Essentials Family Survey. Our goal was to get 20% of all families. Now we are at nearly 30%, and ALL of our schools have met the 20% threshold. The survey remains open until March 13. Click Here for 5Essentials No March 2 School Board Meeting In the last RCS News for Families, it was shared that there would be a Special School Board Meeting on March 2. That meeting will not be taking place. The Board plans to address the relevant topics at their Regular School Board Meeting on Thursday, March 26. And the winner is... Each year, RCS staff and students decorate classroom doors as part of our Black History Month celebrations. Many, but not all, of the doors were entered by teachers into consideration for "Best Door".  A survey went out to all families and staff to select the winner. Congratulations to Mr. Locsin, math teacher at JW Eater, and his students for putting together the winning door. If you would like to see all the doors that were entered, please check out this link: https://forms.gle/1dud9ay1THpugUwj7 Family-Teacher Coferences On the evening of March 12 schools will host spring family-teacher conferences. All families are encouraged to attend family-teacher conferences. If a family is unable to schedule a time on March 12, please contact the school office to find an alternate date and time. 2026-2027 School Calendar The 2026–2027 school calendar is set, and it includes a full week Fall Break in October. If pending legislation makes Election Day 2026 a holiday, the Board may amend the calendar, which would likely move the last day of school to Friday, May 28 instead of Thursday, May 27. The approved calendar is attached to the newsletter.

Sunday, Mar 01 2026

Black History Month Celebration-FRIDAY

RCS District-Wide Black History Month Celebration Rooted in Resilience: Business, Culture & Community Rantoul City Schools invites all families to join us for our District-Wide Black History Month Celebration! Friday, February 27 6:00–8:00 PM Doors open at 5:45 PM JW Eater Jr. High This special evening will celebrate Black history, culture, and community while uplifting Black voices and honoring resilience. Enjoy: Photo opportunities to capture the moment Village Square” featuring: Food vendors Merchandise vendors Community resource vendors Food served at 6:15 PM (while supplies last)  Program begins at 7:00 PM We hope to see all RCS families there as we come together to celebrate, learn, and strengthen our community.

Monday, Feb 23 2026

RCS NEWS for Families 2.22.2026

RCS NEWS for Families February 22, 2026 Calendar Monday, February 23: No K-5 After School Activities. Friday, February 27: District-wide Black History Month Celebration. 6:00 at JW Eater. Friday, February 27: K-5 Report Cards Sent Home. Monday, March 2: No K-5 After School Activities. Thursday, March 12: Family-Teacher Conferences in PM. March 13-March 22: Spring Break. School resumes on Monday, March 23. Thank You, Mr. JT! Huge congratulations to Pleasant Acres's head Custodian, Mr. JT! He received a You Make A Difference Award at the school board meeting on February 19 for his heroic efforts earlier this year to use quick thinking and his wealth of knowledge to save a student who was choking. Black History Month Celebration We want to see all RCS families at our February 27 district-wide Black History Month Celebration (6:00 PM at JW Eater Junior High). The evening will feature: Food, fun, and fellowship Student artwork and displays Arts and crafts activities for students Opportunities to support and learn about local Black-owned businesses A complimentary book for the first 100 students in attendance Interested in volunteering? Sign up here: https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/72892455 Black History Month Volunteer Thank You, RCS Families! Thank you to all of our RCS Families who have taken the time to complete the 5Essentials Family Survey. Our goal was to get 20% of all families. Now we are at nearly 28% and almost all of our schools have met the 20% threshold. We still need two more PreK families to complete the survey. The survey remains open until March 13. Click Here for 5Essentials February Board Meeting Notes The evening began with a special recognition of someone our students know simply as “Mr. JT.” He is the Head Custodian at Pleasant Acres who helped save a choking student earlier this year. The Board approved the 2026–2027 school calendar, which includes a full week Fall Break in October. Because Memorial Day falls on May 31, we are able to try a fall break while still finishing school prior to Memorial Day weekend. If pending legislation makes Election Day 2026 a holiday, the Board may amend the calendar, which would likely move the last day of school to Friday, May 28 instead of Thursday, May 27. The approved calendar is attached to the newsletter. The Board received two key presentations: An update on district literacy efforts, highlighting promising mid-year reading data at K–5. An initial discussion of potential spending reductions for next school year in anticipation of lower revenues. To continue the budgeting discussion, the Board will hold a special meeting on March 2. Shared with the Board was a contract with Leading Simply Consulting, which will conduct focus groups this spring with families, community members, and staff. This work supports District Improvement Plan Priority Area 5, focused on strengthening school programs and services. A report on the ExPLORES program was provided. The District has applied for grant funding to be able to offer a limited after school program for some students next year, but we will not have ExPLORES next year. We have yet to be notified if we will receive this grant. To review the agenda, supporting materials, and to watch the video of the meeting, please visit the Board of Education webpage here: https://www.rcs137.org/board-of-education/board-of-education Family-Teacher Coferences On the evening of March 12 schools will host spring family-teacher conferences. All families are encouraged to attend family-teacher conferences. If a family is unable to schedule a time on March 12, please contact the school office to find an alternate date and time.

Sunday, Feb 22 2026

Black History Month Volunteers Needed

Please consider signing up for a volunteer spot at our annual Black History Month celebration. The event is Friday, February 27 from 6:00. Volunteer spots are available at times before, during, and after the event. All volunteers enter the Annex Entrance (athletics) at JW Eater and check in at the volunteer table at the time specified. ​

Thursday, Feb 19 2026

RCS NEWS for Families 2.15.2026

RCS NEWS for Families February 15, 2026 Calendar Monday, February 16: Holiday, No School. Thursday, February 19: Regular School Board Meeting. Monday, February 23: No K-5 After School Activities. Friday, February 27: District-wide Black History Month Celebration. 6:00 at JW Eater. Click Here for 5Essentials Black History Month Celebration We want to see all RCS families at our February 27 district-wide Black History Month Celebration (6:00 PM at JW Eater Junior High), but here are three ideas to celebrate Black History Month now: 📚 1. Read and Learn Together Visit the Rantoul Public Library or explore books at home about Black leaders, inventors, artists, and changemakers. Reading together helps students connect with history in a personal way. 🎵 2. Explore Black Culture and Contributions Listen to music, explore art, or learn about influential figures in sports, science, education, and the arts. Talk about how these contributions continue to impact our world today. 📍 3. Discover Local Black History Through the Heritage Trail Explore the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail to learn about the people, places, and events that helped shape our region. This is a great way for families to connect national history to stories right here in our community: https://ccafricanamericanheritage.org/ We look forward to celebrating together on February 27! Stay Connected with ParentSquare ParentSquare is our district’s primary tool for communicating important information with families. We encourage all parents and guardians to activate and regularly check their ParentSquare account to stay informed about school news, events, and classroom updates. ParentSquare is especially critical during school closures, weather-related delays, or other emergencies, as it allows the district and schools to share timely updates through email, text messages, phone calls, and app notifications—all in one place. Families can access ParentSquare by: Downloading the ParentSquare app (available for iOS and Android), or Visiting www.parentsquare.com  and signing in with the email or phone number on file with the school. If you are having trouble accessing ParentSquare or need to update your phone number or email, please contact your student's office or email dwidener@rcs137.org.

Sunday, Feb 15 2026

RCS NEWS for Families 1.30.2026

RCS NEWS for Families January 30, 2026 Calendar Monday, February 9: NAAPID Events at each school during the day. (National African American Parent Involvement Day) Monday, February 9: No K-5 After School Activities. Friday, February 13: Teacher Institute, No School. Monday, February 16: Holiday, No School. Thursday, February 19: Regular School Board Meeting. Monday, February 23: No K-5 After School Activities. Friday, February 27: District-wide African American Heritage Celebration. 6:00 at JW Eater. RCS Blood Drive The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply of blood, drawing down the blood supply by about 35% over the past month. Hospitals already strained by the worst flu season in nearly 20 years are now also being forced to triage critical blood products. High flu activity in nearly every state may be sidelining donors, slowing efforts to rebuild the Red Cross national blood supply. We need your help! Rantoul City Schools #137 and the American Red Cross are hosting an upcoming blood drive. Black History Month Celebration SAVE THE DATE!! Spanish-Language Planetarium Shows The Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College is hosting public planetarium shows completely in Spanish. No English is spoken in the dome. Featuring: One Sky, One World: The Big Bird Adventure Big Astronomy Presented by Dr. Ricardo Covarrubias, astronomy professor at Parkland College, with a look at the winter night sky. Saturday, February 7 3:30 PM – One Sky, One World: The Big Bird Adventure 4:30 PM – Big Astronomy Admission: $4 Tickets: https://tickets.parkland.edu Phone: 217-351-2446 Website: https://planetarium.parkland.edu Bring the whole family and enjoy an out-of-this-world experience in Spanish. Stay Connected with ParentSquare ParentSquare is our district’s primary tool for communicating important information with families. We encourage all parents and guardians to activate and regularly check their ParentSquare account to stay informed about school news, events, and classroom updates. ParentSquare is especially critical during school closures, weather-related delays, or other emergencies, as it allows the district and schools to share timely updates through email, text messages, phone calls, and app notifications—all in one place. Families can access ParentSquare by: Downloading the ParentSquare app (available for iOS and Android), or Visiting www.parentsquare.com  and signing in with the email or phone number on file with the school. If you are having trouble accessing ParentSquare or need to update your phone number or email, please contact your student's office or email dwidener@rcs137.org. Eaglettes Dance Camp – Grades K–8 Sharing... Rantoul Township High School’s Eaglettes invite students in grades K–8 to participate in a fun and energetic Dance Camp on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the RTHS Small Gym (200 South Sheldon). The cost is $25 per student, which includes a camp T-shirt. Participants will also have the exciting opportunity to perform at halftime of the JV basketball game on February 13. Registration and payment must be completed by Friday, January 23 to ensure T-shirt orders and correct sizing. Payment should be made at the Rantoul Township High School main office. T-shirts are available in youth and adult sizes (S–XL). For more information, please contact Rantoul Township High School. We hope to see your child there!

Friday, Jan 30 2026

Black History Month Celebration – Vendors Wanted!

Rantoul City Schools is seeking local Black-owned businesses to participate as vendors in our Annual District-Wide Black History Month Celebration. Vendors will have the opportunity to sell their goods and promote their services while helping support a healthy local economy. Local vendors will be given priority. Date: FRIDAY, February 27, 2026 Time: 6:00–8:00 p.m. Location: J.W. Eater Junior High School Vendor Setup: 5:00 p.m. Interested vendors should scan the QR code or register using the link below to learn more about vendor categories, details, and deadlines: https://form.jotform.com/260254014306040

Tuesday, Jan 27 2026

Black History Month Event-Save the Date!

Save the Date! Rantoul City Schools will host a district-wide Black History Month Celebration on Friday, February 27 at the JW Eater Annex/Main Gym. We look forward to celebrating history and culture together as a community. More details will be shared soon.

Tuesday, Jan 27 2026

RCS NEWS for Families 1.16.2026

RCS NEWS for Families January 16, 2026 Calendar Monday, January 19: Holiday, No School. Monday, February 9: NAAPID Events at each school during the day. (National African American Parent Involvement Day) Monday, February 9: No K-5 After School Activities. Friday, February 13: Teacher Institute, No School. Monday, February 16: Holiday, No School. Thursday, February 19: Regular School Board Meeting. Monday, February 23: No K-5 After School Activities. Friday, February 27: District-wide African American Heritage Celebration. 6:00 at JW Eater. Board of Education Meeting Highlights At last night’s Board of Education meeting, members approved routine business items, discussed instructional programming and staffing, and received updates on upcoming district events and financial planning. As part of the consent agenda, the Board approved routine operational items, including personnel actions, financial reports and expenditures, and meeting minutes. These items are reviewed in advance and approved together to allow the Board to focus on instructional and strategic topics. The superintendent shared updates on African American History Month (AAHM) planning. A district-wide evening celebration is scheduled for Friday, February 27, at JW Eater Junior High School, and all schools will host activities during the school day on February 9 in recognition of National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID). Planning includes collaboration with staff from each school and members of the Rantoul Family Advocacy Coalition, with more details to come. The Board also received an update on the budget planning process. The administration is reviewing enrollment, staffing, and programs to identify potential cost-saving measures that minimize negative impacts on teaching and learning. Some staffing reductions may occur through resignations, while others may require a formal reduction in force process. When possible, staff will be reassigned to open positions for which they are qualified. All actions will follow applicable laws and collective bargaining agreements. Administrative recommendations for cost reductions will be presented at next month’s meeting. The Board discussed kindergarten programming and heard directly from school-based staff from Northview Elementary and Pleasant Acres Elementary, who shared classroom and school-level perspectives to inform the discussion. The superintendent also addressed administrative hiring. Revised job descriptions for the PreK Program Administrator and Food Services Director positions were approved in anticipation of upcoming retirements, and both positions will be posted. The Eastlawn Principal position has also been posted and is currently filled by Interim Principal Mrs. Ramey. The Board of Education will continue its work with a focus on strong instructional programs, fiscal responsibility, and open communication with staff, families, and the community. The next regular Board meeting is Thursday, February 19. Stay Connected with ParentSquare ParentSquare is our district’s primary tool for communicating important information with families. We encourage all parents and guardians to activate and regularly check their ParentSquare account to stay informed about school news, events, and classroom updates. ParentSquare is especially critical during school closures, weather-related delays, or other emergencies, as it allows the district and schools to share timely updates through email, text messages, phone calls, and app notifications—all in one place. Families can access ParentSquare by: Downloading the ParentSquare app (available for iOS and Android), or Visiting www.parentsquare.com  and signing in with the email or phone number on file with the school. If you are having trouble accessing ParentSquare or need to update your phone number or email, please contact your student's office or email dwidener@rcs137.org. Kids in Business: Frosty Festive Expo Sharing... Come out and support our community’s youngest entrepreneurs at the Kids in Business Frosty Festive Expo on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 1:00–4:00 p.m. This event, rescheduled from December, will take place at The Train Station in Downtown Rantoul. Families can enjoy browsing a variety of kid-run businesses featuring original artwork, handmade jewelry, tasty treats, service-oriented businesses, and more. It’s a great opportunity to shop local, encourage creativity, and celebrate student entrepreneurship in a fun, festive atmosphere. We hope to see you there supporting the “new bosses on the block”! Eaglettes Dance Camp – Grades K–8 Sharing... Rantoul Township High School’s Eaglettes invite students in grades K–8 to participate in a fun and energetic Dance Camp on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the RTHS Small Gym (200 South Sheldon). The cost is $25 per student, which includes a camp T-shirt. Participants will also have the exciting opportunity to perform at halftime of the JV basketball game on February 13. Registration and payment must be completed by Friday, January 23 to ensure T-shirt orders and correct sizing. Payment should be made at the Rantoul Township High School main office. T-shirts are available in youth and adult sizes (S–XL). For more information, please contact Rantoul Township High School. We hope to see your child there! Dress Warmly for Winter Recess As colder weather settles in, we want to remind families that students will go outside for recess whenever the “feels like” temperature is 20 degrees or higher. Fresh air and movement are important for students’ health, focus, and well-being—even in winter. To help ensure students stay warm and comfortable, please make sure they come to school with appropriate cold-weather gear each day, including: Winter coat Hat and gloves Scarf or neck warmer Boots and warm socks (especially when snow is on the ground) If your family is in need of winter clothing support, please reach out to your school office—we’re here to help. Thank you for helping us keep students safe, warm, and ready to enjoy their time outdoors this winter! Attendance Focus for January–Every Day Counts As we head into the second half of the year, we want to remind our families of something we say often at RCS: Every day counts. Strong attendance is one of the most important factors in a child’s academic success. Districtwide, we typically see higher absences in the weeks right after winter break compared to the weeks leading up to it. A smooth return helps students get back into routines quickly and stay on track as learning picks up speed. How Families Can Help After the Break Re-establish routines early. A few days before school resumes, start returning to regular bedtimes and wake-up times. Plan for winter weather. Set out warm clothes the night before and build in extra time for travel on cold mornings. Schedule appointments wisely. When possible, place medical or dental visits after school hours to avoid missed learning time. Stay in communication. If your child is struggling with the transition back, reach out—our staff is here to help. Keep your student home if they are sick. This is ok! Thank you for partnering with us. When students are here consistently, they learn more, feel more connected, and grow more each day. Let’s work together to make the January our best month of the year.

Friday, Jan 16 2026

RCS NEWS for Families 12-14-2025

RCS NEWS for Families December 14, 2025 Calendar December 18--Regular School Board Meeting. December 19--Institute Day. No Students. December 20-January 4--Winter Break January 5--Institute Day. No Students. January 6--School Resumes. Dress Warmly for Winter Recess As colder weather settles in, we want to remind families that students will go outside for recess whenever the “feels like” temperature is 20 degrees or higher. Fresh air and movement are important for students’ health, focus, and well-being—even in winter. To help ensure students stay warm and comfortable, please make sure they come to school with appropriate cold-weather gear each day, including: Winter coat Hat and gloves Scarf or neck warmer Boots and warm socks (especially when snow is on the ground) If your family is in need of winter clothing support, please reach out to your school office—we’re here to help. Thank you for helping us keep students safe, warm, and ready to enjoy their time outdoors this winter! Attendance Focus for January–Every Day Counts As we head into the second half of the year, we want to remind our families of something we say often at RCS: Every day counts. Strong attendance is one of the most important factors in a child’s academic success. Districtwide, we typically see higher absences in the weeks right after winter break compared to the weeks leading up to it. A smooth return helps students get back into routines quickly and stay on track as learning picks up speed. How Families Can Help After the Break Re-establish routines early. A few days before school resumes, start returning to regular bedtimes and wake-up times. Plan for winter weather. Set out warm clothes the night before and build in extra time for travel on cold mornings. Schedule appointments wisely. When possible, place medical or dental visits after school hours to avoid missed learning time. Stay in communication. If your child is struggling with the transition back, reach out—our staff is here to help. Thank you for partnering with us. When students are here consistently, they learn more, feel more connected, and grow more each day. Let’s work together to make the January our best month of the year. Broadmeadow gets Visit from U of I Students in the Elementary Math Education class at the U of I visited Broadmeadow Elementary this week to help teach math skills through learning games. Our Broadmeadow students enjoyed getting to know the future teachers and learning from them.

Sunday, Dec 14 2025