In Case You Missed It: First Day Information!

Posted Date: 08/15/26 (07:31 PM)

View Original Post

SGC Family Newsletter

2026-27 SY

August 15, 2026

New Message from Principal Carr:

Greetings, SGC Tiger Students and Families!

We are excited to partner with you for this school year. We do not believe it is by accident that you and your students are part of the SGC Family.

Together, we will help shape the future!

To our students: Welcome to SGC! You are entering a brand-new chapter, and we want you to know something from the very beginning—you belong here. You are capable of amazing things, and we believe in you. You do not have to have everything figured out today. Be curious. Ask questions. Make new friends. Try something that feels a little challenging. And most importantly, be yourself.

This year, we will live out our Tiger PRIDE every day:

P — comPassion: We care for one another.

R — Resilience: We keep going when things get difficult.

I — Integrity: We do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

D — Determination: We give our best effort and refuse to give up.

E — Excellence: We strive to become the very best version of ourselves.

To our families: Thank you for trusting us with your children. We know that the transition to sixth grade is a big step—not only for students, but for families as well. Please know that our team is committed to creating a school where every student feels known, valued, challenged, and supported.

Let's make this first day—and this entire year—one to remember!

Welcome to SGC, Tigers. Your story starts today.

Mrs. Carr & the SGC Tiger Staff

Registration & Physical/Immunizations:

Registration:

If you are the parent of a returning student and you have not submitted your proof of residency or students' physical form complete with immunizations (T-Dap & Meningococcal), your student cannot start school on Monday, August 17th.

Registration will be closed on Monday, August 17th to accommodate first day needs. Registration reopens on Tuesday, August 18th. Once a student is registered, families must wait 24-hours after registration before their student is able to start to allow teachers to prepare to receive your student. This means that students registered on Tuesday, August 18th will have a start date of Thursday, August 19th provided all documentation is turned in at the time of registration.

Families new to the district will need to submit all registration documentation including proof of identification, proof of residency, student's birth certificate, and current physical with updated immunizations noted above.

For questions, please call the school at 217-384-3670 to speak with our Registrar, Joanne Jones, or a member of the admin team. Thank you!

In Case You Missed It: First Day of School!

First Day Reminders:

The first day of school is Monday, August 17th. The first bell rings at 8:55 am. The Sixth Grade Center doors open at 8:30 am. Students who want breakfast will head straight to the cafeteria. Students who choose not to eat breakfast will wait in the gym according to their team assignment.

Please Note: If your student has not been fully registered or has not turned in their physical and immunizations, they will not be able to attend on the first day of school.

Drop-off & Pick-up Map of the front of the Sixth Grade Center for families to reference.

Parent Drop-off/Pick-Up: See the image above and details below.

For families who will drop off/pick up their students, you must enter Anderson street from Pennsylvania Ave (the Florida to Anderson intersection will be closed).
Please turn left into the circle drive from Anderson Street. Please pull forward as directed. Remain in your car.
Your student will exit the vehicle on the right side of your vehicle (curbside).
Please exit the circle drive turning right back onto Anderson Street headed to Pennsylvania Ave.
Students will enter the building through door #1 at the designated time.
Please be patient when dropping off/picking up your student(s). We prioritize safety for all.

Bikers, Walkers, Bus Riders

Bike Riders/Walkers:

Bike riders will park and lock their bikes at the bike racks at door #1. They will enter through door #1 with car riders and walkers at the designated time.
Walkers will walk up to and enter through door #1.

MTD Bus Riders:

MTD bus riders will arrive and exit in the cutout on Florida Ave and will walk up the sidewalk to door #3. They will enter through door #3 at the designated time.

First Student (Yellow) Bus Riders:

First Student bus riders will arrive and exit in the back of the building via door #6. They will enter through door #6 at the designated time.

All students will exit the building at dismissal through the same doors they entered.

Attendance:

Every Student, Every Day

As we prepare for the 26-27 school year, please remember that your student's presence at school is essential to their growth and achievement. Regular attendance means your student is present for explicit instruction and is able to partner with his/her/their teachers to ensure they maximize their potential and meet learning goals.

Partner with us and make sure your student is present on a daily basis. Help us meet our goal of 95% daily attendance rate. Let's go SGC!

Introducing our SEAA:

SGC's Student Engagement Attendance Advocate

Here's a message from Mrs. Maria Ybarra:

Dear Parents/ Guardians

Welcome to the Sixth Grade Center family. My name is Maria Ybarra, I am excited to introduce myself as our school’s Student Engagement & Attendance Advocate.

In my role, I work closely with student, families, teachers, and school staff to support students in having a successful and positive school experience. A big part of my role is helping students build strong attendance habits, stay engaged in their learning, and overcome any challenges that may make it difficult for them to attend school regularly.

We commit to Every Student, Every Day, Every Opportunity, and Every Classroom. I am here to encourage our students, celebrate their progress, and help connect families with resources and support when needed.

I look forward to getting to know you and your student throughout the school year. Please know that I am here as a resource and a partner. If you have any questions, concerns, or there is something affecting your child’s attendance or engagement, I encourage you to reach out. Together, we can make a difference and help your student make the most of their 6th grade experience.

I am excited for the year and look forward to working with you and your family.

Warmly,

Maria Ybarra

Student Engagement & Attendance Advocate

Urbana Sixth Grade Center

mybarra@uss116.org

(217) 384-3670

SGC Bell Schedule:

Regular bell schedule as spelled out in the details noted on the right side of this image.

Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday Schedule

Students at SGC will transition 8 times daily using the schedule below. Passing periods are 3 minutes.

1st Period - 8:55-9:44
2nd Period - 9:47-10:35
3rd Period - 10:38-11:26
4th Period - 11:29-12:09 (Lunch A)
5th Period - 12:12-12:52 (Lunch B)
6th Period - 12:55-1:35 (Lunch C)
7th Period - 1:38-2:03 (Advisory)
8th Period - 2:06-2:54
9th Period - 2:57-3:45

Wednesday bell schedule with updated times. Details are outlined on the right side of this image.

Wednesday Schedule

Wednesdays our early dismissal days at SGC. Students end their day at 2:51.

1st Period - 8:55-9:36
2nd Period - 9:39-10:20
3rd Period - 10:23-11:04
4th Period - 11:07-11:43 (Lunch A)
5th Period - 11:46-12:22 (Lunch B)
6th Period - 12:25-1:01 (Lunch C)
7th Period - 1:04-1:25 (Advisory)
8th Period - 1:28-2:08
9th Period - 2:11-2:51

Key First Day Reminders:

SGC Policies:

Backpacks: Backpacks at the Sixth Grade Center are optional this year. However, if a student uses a backpack, it must be clear.

Athletes: athletic bags do not need to be clear but must be stored in SGC locker rooms (locks provided).

Cell Phones: Cell phone policy is that cell phones are not allowed to be used during the school day.

All students will receive their assigned Yondr pouch on the first day of school.
Cell phones, smart watches, and iPods/earbuds must be stored in the Yondr pouch (no exceptions).
Students who violate the cell phone policy will be subject to disciplinary action.

Water Bottles: Only plastic & transparent water bottles are allowed at the Sixth Grade Center.

Stanley Cups, Owalas, Tumblers, Yetis, and the like are not allowed.

Wireless Headphones: Beats and the like (Bose, Sony, JBL, Skullcandy, etc.) wireless headphones are not allowed. Please do not send your student to school with them. Students who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.

Wired basic headphones are allowed.
Each teacher has a classroom set of headphones that can be used by students.

Ski masks: Ski masks, balaclavas, and the like are not allowed to be worn in the building.

These items can be born as protective wear when walking/arriving to school but must be removed before entering the building and stored in students' lockers.

Hoodies/Hats:

Hoodies are allowed but must not cover the face and ears. They must contain graphics/images/wording that is appropriate for school.
Hats are allowed to be worn but must contain graphics/images/wording that are appropriate for school.

(For information on other dress code policies, please see the Family & Student Handbook.)

Upcoming Family Engagement Events:

Back to school flier. It shows that the event is scheduled from 6:00-7:00 pm on Wednesday, August 19th, 2026.

SGC Open House

The Sixth Grade Center will host our Open House event on Wednesday, August 19th from 6:00-7:00 pm.

Please arrive at 6:00 for an introduction to the admin team and Student Support Services Team (SST) members. Get a warm greeting and details for the night from Principal Carr and Assistant Principal Delgado.

Event flow is as follows:

6:00-6:15 - Greeting and welcome from SGC Admin Team & SST Team
6:20-7:00 - visit with Team Teachers, Elective Teachers, and tour the community and family resource hallway to visit with First Student, MTD, Girl Scouts, DREAAM, and more.

For all AVID Families, there will be a 30-minute meeting in the multipurpose room (cafeteria) immediately following from 7:00-7:30 pm.

Family & Student Handbook

Family & Student Handbook (ESP)

Contact Information:

If you have any questions or concerns about the information provided, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links:

217-384-3670
jojones@usd116.org (Joanne Jones, Lead Secretary/Registrar)
emarquez@usd116.org (Edit Marquez, Attendance Secretary)
icarr@usd116.org (Imani Carr, Principal)
jdelgado@usd116.org (Jeanette Delgado, Assistant Principal)
https://sgc.usd116.org/

[Sunday, Aug 16 at 1:17 PM]
Greetings SGC Families!

Please see the updated post from yesterday.

One key change: Students will exit on the right when being dropped off and/or picked up for school as opposed to the left.

One update: Please see the introduction of our SEAA (Student Engagement Attendance Advocate), Mrs. Maria Ybarra.

See you tomorrow!