QUESTIONS: With approximately 1,400 students in our building, it is not unusual for us to receive several telephone calls on a daily basis for requests to deliver messages. We try to do this as efficiently as possible, but sometimes it can become an overwhelming task. We are asking for help from parents in these areas. First, in order to decrease classroom interruptions, please limit requests for message deliveries to emergencies only. Please give reminders at home regarding being picked up after school or appointment times. When you call the Junior High, it will be more efficient if you contact the appropriate office for your specific needs (see below). If you get the automated attendant when you call the Junior High (217-222-3073), you can immediately press the desired office extensions.
MAIN OFFICE
Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. / Phone: 217-222-3073, press 4
Brenda Fleer, Principal
Andy Hoskins, Asst. Principal for School Management
CALL THE MAIN OFFICE
- to leave an emergency message for your child
- if you need information regarding book fees and insurance claims
SCHOOL RELATED DELIVERIES: If it is necessary for you to bring in items such as class projects, forgotten lunch money, musical instruments, or gym clothes, please take these items to the Main Office. Please remember that any non-student entering the building must sign in and be prepared to show a photo ID.
ATTENDANCE OFFICE
Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. / Phone: 217-228-7130 or 217-222-3073, press 1
Rick Owsley, Asst. Principal for Student Services
Deans: Tom Lepper, Brandi Many, and Julie Marshall
CALL THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE:
- for information or inquiries about student absences, discipline, and bus information.
- for information regarding sports.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND REPORT OF ABSENCE: Regular attendance is an important part of success in school. When your child is absent, please call the Attendance Office before 9:00 a.m. If we have not received a phone call from you by 9:00 a.m., we will contact you.
REQUESTS TO LEAVE BUILDING: Requests to leave the building, while school is in session, should be cleared through the Attendance Office and require a note or phone call from the parent of the student making the request. Students are to use the 14th Street entrance at all times during the school day and must be cleared to leave by Security personnel.
BUS PASSES: Students may not ride the bus home with another student without a written request from the parent of the visiting student and permission from the Attendance Office. A bus pass will be issued if the request is approved.
TELEPHONE USAGE: After school, a telephone is available in the main lobby. During school, a pass is required to use the telephone in the Attendance Office. This phone is for emergencies only.
GUIDANCE OFFICE
Counselors’ Hours: 7:25 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Office is open 7:00 a.m.– 3:30 p.m./ Phone: 217-222-4334 or 217-222-3073, press 2
Amber Whicker, Asst. Principal for Curriculum & Instruction
Counselors: Greta Heck, Jackie Martin & Ashley Wilson
CALL THE COUNSELORS OFFICE:
- for information about grades, homework, and to talk to a counselor.
- Students are encouraged to see their counselor for assistance with personal or school problems. Students need to have a pass from their classroom teacher to go to the Counselors’ Office.
NURSE’S OFFICE
Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. / Phone: 217-228-7132 or 217-222-3073, press 3
CALL THE NURSE’S OFFICE REGARDING:
- medication to be taken at school
- gym class excuses
- physicals
- immunization records
STAFF VOICE MAIL
Phone: 217-222-3073 and press 9
TYPICAL SCHOOL DAY
ARRIVAL / DISMISSAL TIMES: The school day begins at 7:45 a.m. Students should not plan to be at the Junior High before 7:25 a.m. from 7:25 until 7:45, students may enter the building at the four entrances (2 on Jersy and 2 on Maine). Bus riders will enter the main entrance on 14th. After 7:45, students must enter through Security at the 14th Street entrance. The Jersey and Maine Street doors are not for entry during the school day. The only exception to this policy will be special program students entering at the Jersey Street doors. Please note that, except for the 14th Street entrance, all doors will be locked from the outside during the school day.
School is dismissed at 2:41 p.m., and most of the buses will have vacated our premises by approximately 2:48 p.m. Bus riders are to report to their bus lines. Unless they are in a conference with a staff member or participating in a supervised activity, students are to leave the building and proceed home as soon as school is out.
Before school, most bus traffic will be on 14th Street, between 7:15 and 7:30. Please watch for stopped and unloading school buses during the busy drop off period. 14th street will be blocked to traffic during this morning time. It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus with an extended, red stop-arm. Students may be dropped off in the new parking lot by the board office (enter and exit on Jersey by the Athletic Field), or on Jersey (south side) or Maine Street (North side). The Morrison Parking Lot is off-limits to parent drop-off-pickup. Please be aware that students should always cross streets at the corner, in designated cross walks.
After school, in order to ensure that cars do not pass buses while they are loading, barricades will be in place from approximately 2:30 to 2:50 p.m. on 14th Street from Maine to Jersey, and on Jersey from 14th Street to 12th Street. Parents will need to wait until approximately 2:50 p.m. to use these streets. If you wish to pick up your child immediately after school (2:41 p.m.), please park along Jersey St. in front of the Athletic field (between 14th and 16th Streets) or on the south side of Maine Street and have your child meet you there.
