The mitigation standards established by the governor this week that went into effect today, November 20 do not directly impact schools with the exception of extra-curricular athletics. The district will follow all guidelines and standards established by the governor, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the IHSA. IHSA has temporarily paused all... READ MORE >
Arcola School District personnel have been asked many times if the school district plans to sell the “Purple Rider” masks that were provided to students and staff at the beginning of the school year. Illini Prairie CEO class, which includes several students from Arcola High School, is now selling masks for the four communities involved in the CEO class. These are... READ MORE >
The district has decided to move to a weekly report of positive covid cases at school. Reporting covid cased at school can be very complicated and sometimes misleading because of the nature of testing and the timing of reporting. For example, the district had someone that is normally in the school building test positive on Monday (the person did not come to... READ MORE >
As many of you know, the IHSA recently took a stance that was contrary to the protocols outlined by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regarding high school basketball. Yesterday, the IHSA informed school districts that they have scheduled a meeting with several organizations, including the Governor’s office, for Thursday, November 19. Until that... READ MORE >
Announce Filing Period for School Board Candidates Nominating petition forms for the April 6, 2021 school board election in the Arcola Community Unit School District #306 are now available. Forms may be picked up in the office of the board secretary, in the Unit Office, 351 W. Washington, Arcola, IL 61910 on any business day between 8:00 a.m. and... READ MORE >
Dear Arcola Families, I want to thank all of our families for your flexibility in transitioning to remote learning this week. We have had a few snags but overall, I feel it has gone very well. Unfortunately, we have continued to see additional positive cases this week with both students and staff. In the end, I feel we made the right decision to do a short-term... READ MORE >
On 10/27/2020 and 10/28/2020, the Regional Ed Tech Coordinator with The Learning Technology Center of Illinois, Holly Kelly, will be hosting workshops for guardians/parents on Google Classroom and Seesaw. The same workshop will be offered three different times throughout each day to allow for flexibility with parents/guardians' schedules. Through demonstration,... READ MORE >
Dear Families, We have been notified from the Douglas County Public Health Department of 5 additional positive COVID cases this morning. We have also been informed of many, many positive cases among our families and community members. This had led to a significant increase in the number of quarantined students and staff. As a result, we have made the... READ MORE >
Dear Arcola CUSD #306 Families and Staff: This notice is to inform you that the school has been notified that four individuals at Arcola High School have tested positive for COVID-19. The health and safety of the Arcola Community Unit School District and staff will remain our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concerns regarding the... READ MORE >
I want to take this time to thank all of our families and staff members for being so flexible as we navigate our way through this unprecedented school year. We welcomed back many of our students this week to in-person instruction. We will be starting the second quarter with around 14% of our students remaining on a full remote learning plan. As I am sure you... READ MORE >
Dear Parent/Guardians, As the weather begins to change and allergy season hits so many people, I wanted to send out a few reminders to everyone. Going into the second quarter, 87% of our students’ families have chosen in person learning. It is apparent that the majority of our families feel that even in this time of a pandemic, it is critical that our... READ MORE >
Second DCHD Location Means More COVID Testing Opportunities By Colleen Lehmann, DCHD Public Health Liaison (Released 10/14/20) Flyer on Testing Site A second office location for Douglas County Health Department at Tuscola Outlet Mall means now it’s easier and more convenient than ever to be tested for COVID-19. With the move to... READ MORE >
Dear Arcola CUSD #306 Families and Staff: This notice is to inform you that an individual at Arcola Elementary School and Arcola High School have tested positive for COVID-19. The health and safety of the Arcola Community Unit School District and staff will remain our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concerns regarding the continually... READ MORE >
Dear Arcola CUSD #306 Families and Staff: This notice is to inform you that an individual at Arcola High School has tested positive for COVID-19. The health and safety of the Arcola Community Unit School District and staff will remain our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concerns regarding the continually evolving coronavirus (COVID-19)... READ MORE >
Dear Arcola CUSD #306 Families and Staff: This notice is to inform you that an individual at Arcola High School has tested positive for COVID-19. The health and safety of the Arcola Community Unit School District and staff will remain our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concerns regarding the continually evolving coronavirus (COVID-19)... READ MORE >
The Arcola School Board voted last night to transition the school day to a 2:00 pm dismissal for all students in Grades K-12 beginning on Monday, October 19, unless circumstances arise that would force a change in that schedule. Students that are electing to come back from remote learning to in person learning will transition back to school on Tuesday, October... READ MORE >
Dear Arcola CUSD #306 Families and Staff: This notice is to inform you that an individual at Arcola Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19. The health and safety of the Arcola Community Unit School District and staff will remain our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concerns regarding the continually evolving coronavirus... READ MORE >
Arcola School District staff members have been collecting and reviewing data on the first five weeks of school in order to determine the next step in transition for the district. Staff members have been reviewing survey data from parents, teachers and students; health-related information, and other information in order to better make an informed decision on the... READ MORE >
Dear Arcola CUSD #306 Families and Staff: This notice is to inform you that an individual at Arcola Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19. The health and safety of the Arcola Community Unit School District and staff will remain our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concerns regarding the continually evolving coronavirus... READ MORE >
Dear Arcola CUSD #306 Families and Staff: This notice is to inform you that an individual at Arcola Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19. The health and safety of the Arcola Community Unit School District and staff will remain our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concerns regarding the continually evolving coronavirus... READ MORE >
The US Department of Agriculture just announced that they extended a waiver that will positively impact all of our school families in Arcola. Starting now and lasting until December 31, 2020, ALL children in the school district are eligible to receive FREE breakfast and lunch daily from school. No student will be charged a fee for lunch or for breakfast. As... READ MORE >
Dear Students/Families, I want to thank everyone for being patient with the school as we continue to plan for the start of the new school year on Monday, August 24. I wanted to send out information one more time to clarify a few things regarding remote learning. Selecting Remote Learning We have set this Friday, August 21 at 9:00 am as the last day... READ MORE >
Dear Families/Students, (REVISED 8-20-2020) You have selected to start the school year on a full remote learning plan. Although we are offering a blended plan of in-person and remote learning, we respect each family’s right to make the decision that is best for their family. As a result, we are committed to making the full remote experience the best possible... READ MORE >
Arcola School District Announces Three More Changes to Plan The planning process for the start of school continues to evolve as guidance changes and the pandemic evolves. The Arcola School District recently released a change offering parents a remote learning option. Based on the current situation, there are three more important changes we are making to the... READ MORE >
The Arcola School District’s Return to School Plan is being adjusted to now offer a full remote learning option for families. Families that want their child(ren) to be on a full remote learning plan must click on the link below and fill out the questionnaire by this Friday, August 7 at 3:00 pm. If you select a full remote learning option, students will be... READ MORE >
Arcola School District Reopening Plan 2020-2021 School Year For a PDF version of the plan, please click on this link: Return to School Plan Section 1 - School Calendar, Schedule, In-Person-Blended-Remote Learning The first planned day for student attendance (except preschool and kindergarten) will be on Thursday, August 20. Preschool and kindergarten... READ MORE >
Dear Parents/Guardians, I want to first thank those of you that took the time to complete the survey regarding returning to school for the 2020-2021 school year. The district staff members have been and will continue to use those results as we plan for the start of school. I presented a tentative big picture plan to the school board this week at the... READ MORE >
2020 Arcola Drive Through Prom July 18th This event is for students only in order to comply with the IL Department of Public Health Safety Guidelines. Please take any family pictures before or after your drive through at the school. Arcola juniors and seniors and their dates: Dress up - formal prom attire is not required unless you choose to do so. Starting... READ MORE >
I hope this message finds you and your family safe and well. We finally received guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education regarding expectations-requirements for schools in preparation for the 2020-21 school year. This is a very comprehensive document that will go a long way in providing guidance about what the 2020-21 school year will look like in terms... READ MORE >
2020 Arcola CUSD #306 School Registration Process The Arcola CUSD #306 online school registration process for the 2020-2021 school year will open on July 13, 2020. Online registration will require an active account in Teacher Ease. Active accounts will require the same login that is used to check student grades. If an account has not been set up, please email... READ MORE >
With approval by the Arcola School District and the Douglas County Health Department, Arcola High School athletes will begin voluntary workouts on Thursday, June 11. These workouts may only include strength and conditioning. No sport specific training is allowed as of this point. In order to maintain the highest level of safety possible, Arcola High School will... READ MORE >
The Arcola School Board approved waiving all student fees for the 2020-2021 school year with the exception of the technology device insurance fee that is offered by the district annually for families (of students in Grades 7-12) that want protection against potential device damage.Two years ago the school board significantly reduced the registration fees and... READ MORE >
Dear Arcola School District Families, I first want to thank all of our students and families for the amazing partnership during Remote Learning. While it has certainly not been an ideal situation, we have been able to keep most of our students engaged in some aspect of learning during the fourth quarter. We know that this has put additional strain on our... READ MORE >
Dear Families, I hope everyone is doing well during this complicated time. I can’t thank you enough for supporting your children with remote learning. I know it has put additional hardships on all of you at home but we have been able to keep our students connected to school during this time. It may not be obvious now but this will pay great dividends in future... READ MORE >
As most of you have probably heard by now, 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, I assure you our entire staff remains committed to learning and engaging with all students through remote... READ MORE >
The Arcola School Board approved the school calendar for 2020-2021. The calendar starts a little later than normal due to construction. School improvement days are NOT on this calendar. They will be decided upon and communicated before the end of this school year.To access the calendar click on the link below2020-2021 School Calendar READ MORE >
Dear Parents and Community Members, If you have not done so already, we would like to encourage you to complete your 2020 Census online at www.my2020census.gov or by phone at 1-844-330-2020. You must have your Census ID, which was mailed to each household by the U.S. Census Bureau. If you prefer to complete a paper Census, they will be mailed out by mid-April to... READ MORE >
Arcola School District Remote Learning Plan Executive Order on Remote Learning In accordance with Executive Order 2020-15 Issued by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker on March 27, 2020, the Arcola School District, in collaboration with the Arcola Education Association, developed a “Remote Learning Plan”. This Remote Learning Plan must address the following five... READ MORE >
The following is a quick update to the Arcola School Community on the transition to Remote Instructional Days: _______________________________________________________________________ Calendar - The following will be the calendar for the next couple of weeks: Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1 - these two days will be Remote Instructional Planning... READ MORE >
Schools finally received some guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education this evening regarding how the days will be counted beginning on Tuesday, March 31 through April 7. "For any school or district that does not implement an e-learning program under Section 10-20.56 of the Code, the school or district must adopt a Remote Learning Day Plan approved by... READ MORE >
Mark your calendar; set your alarms! Our district staff will be participating in a PARADE OF CARS to greet students from afar because 1) we miss you; 2) we want to show our unity as a district and community. Our fire and police departments will even escort us! Look for us this FRIDAY, MARCH 27th starting at 10:00 AM! Wave from your windows or step out on the... READ MORE >
NOTICE TO OCCUPANTS ASBESTOS ABATEMENT PROJECT TO: Teachers, Students, and Staff FROM: Dr. Tom Mulligan, Superintendent DATE: March 23, 2020 NES, Inc. has been given permission to perform asbestos removal activities in the Arcola Elementary, beginning on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. All areas... READ MORE >
Consolidated Communications is coming through for our students during these challenging times. Please see the flyer attached for their offer of 2 free months of Internet for students that currently do not have access to Internet at their home. https://5il.co/dwk1 READ MORE >
This is a reminder that the Arcola School District will be providing daily meal service for students during the mandated school closure. Meals will be provided daily each day of the week (not weekends) from Tuesday, March 17 through Monday, March 30. We STRONGLY recommended you sign up for this service by completing this form https://forms.gle/eivDpGc33B5RE55z5. ... READ MORE >
Estimadas Familias: Quiero agradecerles a todos por ser pacientes con la escuela a medida que evoluciona la situación relacionada con el coronavirus. Estaba en una conferencia telefónica estatal con la Junta de Educación del Estado de Illinois con respecto al cierre forzado de la escuela. Una aclaración que recibimos es que debido al cierre forzoso, todos los días... READ MORE >
Dear Families: I want to thank all of you for being patient with the school as the situation related to the coronavirus evolves. I was just on a statewide conference call with the Illinois State Board of Education regarding the forced school closure. One clarification we received is that because of the forced closure, all the school days we miss during that... READ MORE >
Queridas Familias,El distrito escolar de Arcola tiene la intención de proporcionar comidas diarias de desayuno y el almuerzo para los estudiantes que necesitan ese servicio durante el cierre de la escuela por mandato (17 de marzo hasta el 30 de marzo) durante los días de la semana. Si desea tomar ventaja de este servicio, por favor complete el formulario de Google... READ MORE >
Dear Families,The Arcola School District is planning to provide daily meals of breakfast and lunch for students that need that service during the mandated school closure (March 17 through March 30) during the week days. If you would like to take advantage of that service, please complete the Google form below. We will follow-up with more details on Monday. ... READ MORE >
Dear Families: The Arcola School District continues to closely monitor the situation involving the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and is working in coordination with county and state health authorities. At this time, no decision has been made regarding school closure. But, we are planning in advance for that possibility. We would also encourage you to plan in... READ MORE >
I wanted to send a quick update about the upcoming building project at the elementary school. As most of you have probably heard, the school district will begin construction in late March that will continue through the beginning of next school year. In the end, we will have a new elementary school office, some additional smaller classrooms, new student bathrooms... READ MORE >
The Arcola School Board is taking an innovative approach to financing the upcoming elementary construction project. The total, estimated project cost is $2,700,000. This includes construction contracts, architect and construction management fees, and all miscellaneous items. The Board recently approved purchasing their own debt certificates from the district’s... READ MORE >
Superintendent Tom Mulligan recently presented a feasibility study to the Arcola School Board on whether or not to offer soccer in the Arcola School District. This report includes the information in the following areas: student interest; information from similar sized schools that operate both football and soccer currently; logistics (field, travel, schedule,... READ MORE >
The Arcola School District Board of Education recently approved contracts for completing the elementary school building addition and renovation project. The project is scheduled to begin on April 1, 2020 and be completed by August 28, 2020. The following are components that will be included in this project: Construction of a new front elementary... READ MORE >
Arcola School District Continues Investing in their Vision for Learning It seems like just yesterday that the amazing community of Arcola came together to raise $750,000 for the school district to move to a 1:1 Digital Learning Platform. The first year of use was the 2014-2015 school year. The district then upgraded the student technology in the 2018-2019... READ MORE >
If you have ever been in the Arcola High School media center, you were probably very impressed with the design and feel of the space. The contractors and school staff that planned the space in 2001 did an awesome job of creating a look that would stand the test of time and a feel that really supports student learning. Believe it or not, we are coming up on almost... READ MORE >
What is Project Lead the Way The district began offering Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Engineering classes for junior high and high school students during the 2019-2020 school year. Project Lead the Way is an organization that offers stem curriculum in computer science, engineering and biomedical science. They believe in providing students with real world applied... READ MORE >
For the third year in a row, the Arcola School District received a perfect 4.0 score on the annual Financial Profile Score. This score is used across the state of Illinois to provide a financial picture for each school district. A perfect score of 4.0 is a great achievement and shows the district is in strong financial health. To access the district... READ MORE >
Update on 10/5/2019 Since I wrote my last article in the paper about the proposed elementary school construction project, the Arcola School District School Board, Administration and Staff have continued to refine the different aspects of the proposed construction project. Because of these on-going meetings, there have been a few changes to the original... READ MORE >
Arcola seniors MJ Alanis and Alec Downs had the opportunity to meet Mr. Andrew Libman today at the Libman Company office. MJ and Alec were the winners of the Libman Company annual scholarship for 2019. The Libman Comnany has agreed to provide two, $1,000 scholarships for ten years. Thanks again for supporting the school and community of Arcola! READ MORE >
The Arcola School Board recently approved the school calendar for the 2019-2020 school year. Please use the legend at the bottom right of the document for clarity of abbreviations. Click on the link for the calendar 2019-2020 School Calendar READ MORE >
Scott's Law – If It's Flashing Move Over Driver Education Instructors, So far in 2019, 14 Illinois State Troopers have been hit by motorists while stopped on the side of the road, compared to eight incidents in calendar year 2018. The Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois State Police are working together to ensure all teen drivers,... READ MORE >
Coming soon “From Dope to Hope “speaker Tim Ryan will be at Arcola on April 16th at the Nancy Stiff Gymnasium. We are excited to have Tim Ryan speak for our Douglas County students, staff, and community about his experience with drug addiction. He not only overcame it but is now working to help others. Tim’s mission has been to help one addict at a time transform... READ MORE >
Federal law requires the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to administer certain assessments to all students who attend public schools in the state. According to federal law: Students must take an achievement exam in reading/language arts and mathematics each year from third through eighth grade. In Illinois, students take the will take a... READ MORE >
The Arcola Fire Protection District recently donated over $500 to the special service department of the Arcola School District. The money will be used by the department to provide supplies, food and other resources to students and families in need in the district. It is amazing to have this kind of support from the community. The district wants to give a huge... READ MORE >
Erin Hemingway, a 1st grade teacher in Arcola, successfully completing the renewal process for her National Board Certification. Congratulations to Erin for this amazing accomplishment! National Board Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based assessment of a teacher's pedagogical skills and content knowledge. While state licensing systems set... READ MORE >
The district is very excited to be offering Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Engineering classes for the 2019-2020 school year. Project Lead the Way is an organization that offers stem curriculum in computer science, engineering and biomedical science. They believe in providing students with real world applied learning experiences. In addition to providing the... READ MORE >
Tax Levy Time It is the time of the year when taxing bodies approve and then file their annual tax levy. The school district, as you probably know, is the largest of the taxing bodies in Arcola. The Arcola Board of Education will be considering the tax levy for approval at its December meeting. This will be the 2018 Tax Levy for taxes to be extended in July... READ MORE >
Two events last school year caused great concern for Arcola School District personnel. First, the district’s fire alarm system began to falter during the 3rd quarter of the school year. The district actually had three separate (and old) fire alarm systems (the 1917 high school, the elementary school, and the 2003 high school addition) that had been pieced... READ MORE >
The Arcola School Board recently approved a $37,000 project for Quality Network Solutions (QNS) to install 20 new and replace 55 current access points throughout the district. Late last year, the board had approved the purchase of all new technology devices for the students in Grades K-12 for the 2018-2019 school year. The students in grades K-6 upgraded from an... READ MORE >
For the second year in a row, the Arcola School District received a perfect 4.0 score on the annual Financial Profile Score. This score is used across the state of Illinois to provide a financial picture for each school district. A perfect score of 4.0 is a great achievement and shows the district is in strong financial health. To access the district... READ MORE >
Click on the video below to see an video that highlights the amazing things going on at Arcola School District! READ MORE >
The preschool playground received a significant face-lift this summer at Arcola Elementary. The district added several pieces of playground equipment that included a school bus, ladybug, grasshopper, and a gas station. All of the pieces were specifically chosen because they aligned to the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards. In addition, the old... READ MORE >
Getting Feedback from Arcola Graduates For several years, the Arcola School District has worked with a company called LifeTrack Services Inc. who conduct an exit survey with the graduating seniors. In addition to this survey, LifeTrack also conducts a follow-up survey one year after graduation and then five years after graduation. The key for the follow-up... READ MORE >
Dear Students and Parents/Guardians: As many of you know, the district has purchased new technology devices for students in Grades 7-12 for the upcoming school year. This represents a significant investment into our students’ future. But with this investment, there also needs to be a great deal of responsibility. Each student in Grades 7-12 will receive a... READ MORE >
The state released the English version of the Free & Reduced applications. The application can be found in the link below. Once the application is filled out you can drop it by the High School office, which is generally open from 8:30 - 2:30 Monday - Thursday, or mail it to the school to the attention of Diane Good.Arcola CUSD #306Attn: Diane Good351 W.... READ MORE >
It seems like just yesterday that the amazing community of Arcola came together to raise $750,000 for the school district to move to a 1:1 Digital Learning Platform. But believe it or not, those devices were purchased almost five years ago and have been used by students for four school years beginning in the 2014-2015 school year. Since that implementation,... READ MORE >
2018 Arcola CUSD #306 School Registration Process The Arcola CUSD #306 online school registration process for the 2018-2019 school year will open on June 18, 2018. To have the ability to register online you must have an account set up in our Teacher Ease system. This would be the same login you use to check your child's grades. If you do not have a login set up... READ MORE >
The Arcola School Board recently approved some changes to the student fee schedule for the 2018-2019 school year. The Board approved an increase of $0.10 in lunch and breakfast prices for next school year. The increase would be from $1.95 to $2.05 for elementary and $2.20 to $2.30 for JH/HS. The increase for breakfast will be from $1.35 to $1.45. This change... READ MORE >
Arcola Alumni Gail Chaney Kalinich and her husband Kevin recently donated an original pastel painting of Arcola High School created by world class artist and Arcola Alumni Nancy King Mertz. Both Gail and Nancy are part of the AHS Distinguished Alumni Group. Nancy had created Arcola’s Past and Future to commemorate the first century of learning in the Arcola High... READ MORE >
The Chamber of Commerce, with support from a newly established Arcola Museum Board, will be opening a museum in downtown Arcola late spring/early summer. The Museum will have a large focus on Raggedy Ann and Andy but it will also have a lot of displays about the history of Arcola. The district recently held a contest with the junior high-high school students on... READ MORE >
Arcola School District to Engage in Powerful Professional Development The Arcola School District was recently notified by the Director of the National Board Resource Center located at Illinois State University that they were one of twenty-five school districts in Illinois chosen to participate in a research-based model of support to improve teacher... READ MORE >
The Douglas County CEO Board of Directors will be hosting the Douglas County Trade Show on Wednesday, April 25 from 5 – 7 pm at Yoder’s in Arthur. At this event, the first class of high school seniors that were part of the Douglas County CEO class this year will be displaying and presenting on the businesses they have developed as part of this course. Arcola will... READ MORE >
Staff and students from Arcola CUSD #306 participated in the 2018 Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics. READ MORE >
Megan Parsons from The Libman Company presented Dr. Mulligan with the 3rd of 8 Quarterly Checks of $17,500. The Libman Company is financially supporting (with $140,000) dual credit opportunities for students; a renovation of the high school media center; and a renovation of the agriculture shop at Arcola High School. This photo was taken at the new office of the... READ MORE >
The Arcola Fire Protection District recently donated $1,250 to the special service department of the Arcola School District. The money will be used by the department to provide supplies, food and other resources to students and families in need in the district. It is amazing to have this kind of support from the community. The district wants to give a huge shout... READ MORE >
Fifteen students from Arcola High School were able to earn College Credit hours from Eastern Illinois University during the first semester! The courses were co-taught by an Eastern Illinois University Instructor and an Arcola High School Teacher. The two courses offered in the fall semester were English Literature and Speech. There will three courses taught... READ MORE >
It is hard to believe that the district is in the 4th year of having a 1:1 Digital Learning Environment. In October of 2014, each student in the Arcola School District received an iPad device to use to enhance learning in the classroom and improve ways to communicate with teachers and other students. Since then, students have grown in their use and knowledge of... READ MORE >
The Arcola School District recently received a perfect 4.0 score on the annual Financial Profile Score. This score is used across the state of Illinois to provide a financial picture for each school district. A perfect score of 4.0 is a great achievement and shows the district is in strong financial health. To access the district financial profile score,... READ MORE >
100 Years of Arcola High SchoolThe AHS Journalism class is working on a documentary celebrating 100 years of the current AHS building. If you went to AHS, please take a few minutes to share some of your memories with us! Follow the link to answer a few questions. After you hit "submit" wait to read our message before closing... READ MORE >