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Urbana Sixth Grade Center

We Rise with Pride

About SGC

Four people stand in front of an orange banner, holding certificates.

Welcome to the Urbana Sixth Grade Center

Urbana SGC is the newest academic institution in the Urbana School District 116 family. As a middle-level school, we provide the first introduction to secondary education, helping students transition from elementary education to secondary. The foundation of our instructional and social-emotional approach to teaching and learning is grounded in the district’s mission “to create a supportive community to equip and nurture all learners to achieve success.” 

At SGC, we will support students in reaching their highest potential by facilitating opportunities for them to cultivate self-management and social awareness skills while also instilling in them the confidence to challenge themselves while pursuing academic excellence. 

As a staff, we are committed to providing equitable, inclusive, and engaging learning opportunities for ALL students. Through rigorous, high-quality instructional techniques, high-yield AVID learning strategies,  inquiry, and collaboration, we will inspire students as they progress toward mastery. 

At this pivotal stage of development in our students’s lives, it is essential to understand how to self-advocate and push themselves while building the necessary skills to succeed. SGC staff will support students in this process by building strong relationships with them leveraging the relationships to provide comprehensive support and intervention services. Our curriculum is relevant and culturally responsive so students can relate to the learning and engage in instruction. Our staff utilizes differentiated instructional practices to support learners at all levels ensuring they have equitable opportunities to achieve. 

Through assessment and evaluation, we allow for continuous growth and achievement. We believe in a supportive school culture and are intentional in the promotion of personal health and well-being as well as life-long learning and growth. We will foster an environment where all will thrive.

SGC Policies

To promote student safety and maintain an efficient learning environment, the Urbana Sixth Grade Center is implementing a Backpack/Handbag Policy, Water Bottle Policy and Cell Phone Policy.

This is one more layer of safety we’re adding to help protect our students and staff. By keeping items visible and standardizing what is carried, we can maintain a more secure and distraction-free environment.

  • To promote safety and maintain an efficient learning environment, the SGC is implementing a clear backpack policy.

    Students are allowed to carry backpacks to and from school. Backpacks are not permitted in the classrooms and must be stored in their assigned locker until dismissal.

    • Each student will receive one district-issued clear backpack at no cost
    • Students/Families may provide their own clear backpack if they prefer, but it must meet the requirements
    • Backpacks must be clear and easily reveal the contents inside

    Students may use privacy pouches for personal items. Privacy pouches should not exceed 6″x9″ in size and should fit inside the main backpack. To ensure safety, the pouches may be searched during security screenings. 

    Instruments will be stored in instrument lockers in the elective hallway. Students who enter with instruments will be instructed to put their instruments in those lockers when they arrive. 

    Athletic bags will be allowed as appropriate for the season. Students will place those in lockers until needed. 

  • To support safety, students will only be allowed to carry plastic, transparent water bottles. 

    Water bottles must:

    • Be transparent
    • Not exceed 24 ounces 
    • Have a secure, leak-proof lid

    Not permitted:

    • Metal or glass bottles (No Owalas, Stanleys, etc.)

    Water bottle refill stations are available throughout the building. Bottles that do not meet these requirements will not be permitted.

  • Urbana Sixth Grade Center is a phone-free space where learning and engagement are prioritized.

    While we believe cell phones are a great utility and have their use, we have found learning and social conduct significantly improve when students are fully engaged with their teachers and peers in the learning process. Consequently, cell phones, Smart watches, and Airpods are NOT to be used during the school day or in the school building.

    To support this policy, SGC will use Yondr pouches. Every SGC student will be provided with and assigned an individual Yondr pouch that they will take home and bring to school daily.

    • Yondr pouches are considered school property; consequently, all students are responsible for maintaining the pouch, using it as directed, and keeping it in good working condition throughout the year.
    • Failure to follow expectations will result in disciplinary action and can require restitution to replace a Yondr pouch that is damaged, lost, and unable to be used.

    Distribution/Assignment of Yondr Pouch 

    At the beginning of the school year, students will be assigned a Yondr pouch based on their team designation. Once the pouch is assigned and distributed, the student accepts responsibility for the Yondr pouch until it is successfully returned at the end of the school year.

    Maintenance of Yondr Pouch

    • Students will be given their assigned Yondr pouch at the beginning of the school year.
    • Students will keep from writing/drawing on their Yondr pouch.
    • Students will only use the Yondr pouch as directed in the image below.
    • Students will use only the Yondr pouch assigned to them.
    • Students will keep the Yondr pouch closed when traveling to and from school to keep the pouch working as expected and to maintain the life of the pouch (cell phones do not need to be secured in the pouch when traveling to and from school).

    Daily Use of the Yondr Pouch

    Arrival:

    • Students will arrive at school with their individually assigned Yondr pouch in the closed position. 
    • Students will walk to their designated doors to enter the building.
    • Students will use the unlocking bases to open their pouches.
    • Students will turn their cell phones off and, in the presence of SGC staff, place their cell phones, Smart watches, and Airpods (and other brands of the same devices) into the pouch.
    • Students will lock their pouches in front of the staff
    • Students will keep their phones and other technology with them throughout the day (secured in Yondr pouches)
    • Students who arrive late to school will proceed to the kiosk or main office to follow the above steps.
    • Students who do not have their Yondr pouch upon arrival will be required to place their cell phone in the front office for guardian pick up. 

    Dismissal:

    • At the end of the day, students will be dismissed from their 8th period class and will proceed to the designated door where unlocking devices will be placed.
    • Students will use the unlocking bases to unlock their pouches and remove their phones, Smart watches, and Airpods.
    • Students will close their pouches in the lock position and take them home. 
    • Students needing to leave before the end of the day will check out at the main office and will unlock their pouches from there.

School Improvement Goals

Attendance

SGC will increase the daily rate of consistent student from 69% in 25-26 SY to 79% in the 26-27 sy.

Culture & Climate

SGC will reduce exclusionary practices by building positive and productive relationships with students.

Reading

We will increase student reading proficiency and growth by implementing high-yield strategies to support student growth and achievement.

Math

We will increase overall student proficiency and growth in math computation skills by implementing high-yield strategies to support student growth.

Family Engagement

Our School’s Family Engagement Policy requires us to collaborate with families on an ongoing basis to engage the community, accelerate student learning, build character, respect cultural diversity, and foster a collective effort to create an equitable community for all. There are many opportunities for families to be involved.

Family Academic Support and Engagement (FASE) events are district‑required, interactive quarterly workshops held in Urbana School District to strengthen student achievement by actively involving families in the learning process. These events bring students and families together to learn about academic standards, curriculum, and School Improvement Plan goals, while engaging in hands‑on learning activities they can continue at home.

Rather than functioning as traditional “sit‑and‑get” sessions, FASE events prioritize meaningful engagement, collaboration, and practical strategies. They equip families with tools and materials that support learning beyond the classroom, reinforcing the district’s commitment to consistent, district‑wide family engagement as a key driver of student success.

Opportunities for familes to be involved and learn about the Urbana Sixth Grade Center:

  • Parent-Teacher-Student Association/PTSA
  • Back to School Night
  • Community Round Table Meetings

September: Curriculum Night

This is an opportunity to meet your student's teachers, learn more about what they will learn this year and explore ways to support your student’s success.

November: Family Reading Night

Family Reading Night is an annual statewide event encouraging families to spend quality time reading together. When families read together, you create a positive at-home learning environment that fosters language arts skills and a rich love for literacy and reading.

February: Social Emotional Learning Night

Learn more about our SEL curriculum, 7 Mindsets, through engaging activities that build real-life skills for emotional well-being and foster community connection.

March: Math and Science Night

Explore math and science concepts through interactive, hands-on activities that promote curiosity & problem-solving.