Richland County

Students will be dismissed early on Friday, May 6 for school improvement activities. RCHS will dismiss at 11:00 while RCES and RCMS will dismiss at 11:10. Bus students will be released a few minutes earlier to allow for better flow of traffic.

Online registration continues for the ERFAE Duck Race and Color Fun Run/Walk on May 21, 2022! You can purchase Duck Race tickets and sign up for the Color Run at the link below. Thank you for supporting the schools of Richland County! https://ercu1.revtrak.net/erfae-5k-color-run-duck-race/#/list

The ERHS Class of 1956 planted a sycamore tree when they graduated. It had to come down with the high school renovation. Thanks to Jon Carroll from Poettker Construction for making the bench from the tree. Some members of the class of 1956 were able to see the bench and tour RCHS on Sunday, May 1, 2022.

The Richland County School District will be hosting a Job Fair for support staff positions on Thursday, May 12, 2022 from 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the Richland County High School Commons Area. Stop by to find out more information about employment opportunities with the school district.

The annexation of the West Richland School District into the East Richland School District took place in the spring of 2014. In the West Richland School District, a big event was May Day (May 1st). In recognition of this day, Friday, April 29th, 2022, is designated Noble Wildcats Day in the Richland County School District. If you are a former Noble Wildcat, see if you can find some of your old Wildcat t-shirts. If you were never a Noble Wildcat, you can still participate by breaking out some gold and black to wear on this day.

This is a reminder that school will be dismissed one hour early this Thursday for Easter vacation. In addition, there will be no school on Friday, April 15 and Monday, April 18. School will resume on Tuesday, April 19. Enjoy the break!

The Richland County Elementary School Kindergarten Open House for 2022-2023 students and families will be held on Tuesday, April 26th , 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Please call or email Jennifer Weidner to schedule a time to attend at 618-395-8540 ext. 1703 or jweidner@rccu1.net.

RCCU #1 Bright Beginnings is offering FREE Developmental Screenings for ages Birth through 3 on March 30, 2022. Please contact Jennifer Weidner to schedule an appointment 618-395-8540 ext 1703.

RCCU #1 serves families from pregnancy through 3 years of age. Contact Jennifer Weidner at 618-395-8540 ext 1703 for more information.

The Richland County Elementary School is offering Pre-K and Kindergarten Screenings this spring for the 2022-2023 school year. To schedule a screening please call RCES at 618-395-8540.

Attention all students who will be in 12th grade or Seniors school year 2022-2023 The State of Illinois requires that all Seniors receive the Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4). If your student received a dose after the age of 16, they do not need another dose. The State of Illinois requires that students who are not compliant with Immunizations be excluded from school. Immunization Records for all present 11th grade RCHS students have been given to the Richland County Health Office so that your student's shot record may be reviewed with the health nurse upon making your child's appointment for this vaccine. You may want to receive other vaccines that are not a requirement but may be recommended. Please call RCHO at 392-6241 to make your child's appointment before the summer rush begins. RCHS Nurse Cheryl Wall

Effective immediately, the CDC has updated its guidance and no longer requires masks to be worn on school buses and vans. Students are welcome to continue to wear them if they so choose.

No school on Thursday, February 24th due to icy conditions. Be safe!

This is a reminder that students will be released early on Thursday, February 17 and will follow the School Improvement Day schedule. In addition, there is no school on Friday, February 18 due to parent/teacher conferences and Monday, February 21 for Presidents Day.

RCES Kindergarten Screenings for next school year, 2022-2023 are being scheduled now. To schedule an appointment or for more information , contact Kristy Harting at 618-395-8540, ext. 1106.

FREE Children's Orthopedic Clinic - March 14, 2022

In a special meeting held on Thursday, February 10, the RCCU #1 Board of Education voted to remove mandatory masking for students, staff, and visitors effective immediately.

February 6, 2022 Dear RCCU1 Staff & Families, Many of you are aware of a court ruling from Sangamon County that came out late in the day on Friday, February 4th. This court ruling issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) for students and staff members that challenged some of the state-mandated COVID-19 mitigations including the mask mandate, quarantine orders, and testing requirements. Throughout the pandemic, many people have developed strongly held beliefs for and against the orders that have been put in place. Well-meaning people have vigorously disagreed on what is the best approach to take in K-12 schools. As things stand right now, the defendants in the case from Sangamon County have filed an appeal to the Illinois Appellate Court and a ruling will be handed down by February 17th, if not sooner. This ruling will largely settle the matter for RCCU1. The question in many people’s mind right now is what does this mean for students and staff in our school district? The answer is that our school district was not part of the lawsuit, so until the Appellate Court ruling comes out RCCU1 will maintain its current plan. This includes universal masking indoors while at school and on buses and quarantine orders. The reasons for this decision are outlined below. 1) The current plan is a board adopted plan that cannot simply be changed without formal action taken by the board of education. Those districts in our area that have already changed their plan are either named in the lawsuit and subject to the TRO or their school boards have previously adopted a change to their plan 2) The Appellate Court ruling will be out by the time of the next regularly scheduled board meeting on February 17th, so any changes that need to be made to the plan can be done with full knowledge of all of the implications. 3) This topic will be on the board agenda for February 17th and the board will make a decision then. This has been an emotionally charged topic but we ask that you be patient for a little while longer as the appeals process unfolds. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as we continue to make the health and safety of our students and staff a priority. Sincerely, Chris A. Simpson Superintendent of Schools

School is canceled for Friday, February 4 due to poor weather and road conditions. Be safe!

No school on Thursday, February 3. Stay safe!