Honoring Our Heroes at Farmington Central School District #265
Our entire district came together for our Veterans Day assembly, creating a meaningful opportunity for every student and staff member to express our gratitude to the men and women who have served our country.
The ceremony was proudly led by our high school students, who guided the whole district through the Pledge of Allegiance and conducted a moving Presentation of the Missing Man Table. Both our high school choir and band also performed, filling the room with patriotic music to honor our guests.
A very special thank you goes to our guest speaker, Major Kevin Spears, for taking the time to speak to everyone present and share his message with our school community.
We were honored to welcome all local veterans to attend the assembly and join us for a special breakfast afterward. It was truly an important day for our students and district to come together in respect and appreciation for those who have served.
Thank you, veterans, for your service and sacrifice!
Our entire district came together for our Veterans Day assembly, creating a meaningful opportunity for every student and staff member to express our gratitude to the men and women who have served our country.
The ceremony was proudly led by our high school students, who guided the whole district through the Pledge of Allegiance and conducted a moving Presentation of the Missing Man Table. Both our high school choir and band also performed, filling the room with patriotic music to honor our guests.
A very special thank you goes to our guest speaker, Major Kevin Spears, for taking the time to speak to everyone present and share his message with our school community.
We were honored to welcome all local veterans to attend the assembly and join us for a special breakfast afterward. It was truly an important day for our students and district to come together in respect and appreciation for those who have served.
Thank you, veterans, for your service and sacrifice!
Just a reminder, all current 10th Grade students will be attending Spoon River College's 10th Grade Career Expo this Friday, November 13th. If your student uses an emergency epipen or inhaler, please be sure to send it with them that day, just in case. This is an annual event that our students love, so we're expecting it to be an engaging and enlightening morning full of hands-on activities!
The students did a fantastic job in Mrs. Shane's biology class learning about the powerhouse of the cell and creating their own models to demonstrate understanding. Thanks for sharing your projects with us.
They may be dressed as villains today, but our staff always knows how to mix a little mischief with great teaching. We love that they can bring this much energy to the hallways and show our students that you can work hard and still have fun! Take a look through the photos and tell us who nailed their costume!
Building writing stamina and engagement can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, but this week our students completely crushed it using a program called We Will Write!
Instead of just looking at a standard text prompt, students participated in a Halloween edition with sound challenges. The room was completely silent except for the immersive audio prompts playing on Mrs. Elam's Smartboard...think footsteps echoing down a dark street, a train pulling into a bustling station, or a sudden thunderstorm. Every student heard the exact same sound effect and had the same suspenseful story prompt, but the stories they imagined and typed out were completely unique! Thank you for bringing this fun activity to the classroom, Mrs. Elam!
Instead of just looking at a standard text prompt, students participated in a Halloween edition with sound challenges. The room was completely silent except for the immersive audio prompts playing on Mrs. Elam's Smartboard...think footsteps echoing down a dark street, a train pulling into a bustling station, or a sudden thunderstorm. Every student heard the exact same sound effect and had the same suspenseful story prompt, but the stories they imagined and typed out were completely unique! Thank you for bringing this fun activity to the classroom, Mrs. Elam!
As we inch closer to course registration season, many students are looking into their dual credit options. If you're new to dual credit, please check out our Dual Credit Parent Guide. Students interested in taking dual credit courses are highly encouraged to schedule a meeting with Ms. White and will need to fill out an application for enrollment, which can be found in the counseling office. The application, parent guide, and list of course offerings have been sent to current sophomores and juniors. Please email Ms. White (awhite@dist265.com) if you have any questions.
Don't forget, tonight is the first of two FAFSA completion nights for our seniors. Attendance is optional, but completing the FAFSA during your senior year is now an Illinois graduation requirement. If you'd like help filling out your senior's FAFSA, please plan to attend one of these nights and bring a laptop (your student's chromebook is fine), your own computer (if possible), a cell phone, and your student's social security number. Representatives from ISAC and Spoon River College will be here to assist families.
Mr. Whitcomb took a group of our teachers-to-be to Western Illinois University's Future Teacher Day last week! They're going to make GREAT educators!
Today Mr. Plattenberger's Farmer Time in the Education Pathway provided a fun opportunity for our Life Skills classroom with pumpkin decorating. This inclusivity and collaboration is exactly what it is all about. A special thanks to Mrs. Jordan, our high school social worker, who continuously looks for ways to bring our school community together through collaboration.
Miss Dawson and the FFA group have been making unforgettable memories at the National FFA Convention & Expo since Wednesday. The multi-day trip has been packed with hands-on agricultural learning and unique educational tours.
Pictured are some of the adventures from their first couple of stops, starting with a tour of Hunter's Honey Farm for an immersive look at agribusiness. The chapter explored the world of pollinators, examined bee hives, and learned how honey products go from the hive to store shelves.
Next, the group headed to the Exotic Feline Rescue Center for their second tour, where students got a close-up look at wildlife conservation. They observed lions, tigers, and bears, while learning about the care and rescue of these massive animals.
It has been wonderful watching these students represent their community while diving into the diversity of American agriculture over the last few days. More updates are on the way as Miss Dawson and the group continue navigating the general sessions and expo workshops. 💙💛
Pictured are some of the adventures from their first couple of stops, starting with a tour of Hunter's Honey Farm for an immersive look at agribusiness. The chapter explored the world of pollinators, examined bee hives, and learned how honey products go from the hive to store shelves.
Next, the group headed to the Exotic Feline Rescue Center for their second tour, where students got a close-up look at wildlife conservation. They observed lions, tigers, and bears, while learning about the care and rescue of these massive animals.
It has been wonderful watching these students represent their community while diving into the diversity of American agriculture over the last few days. More updates are on the way as Miss Dawson and the group continue navigating the general sessions and expo workshops. 💙💛
Ms. Anderson 's students in her Culinary and Foods class were busy this week making pies for the 62nd Annual Trivoli Volunteer Firemen's Chili Supper. Stop by the Trivoli Fire Station between 3 and 7 tomorrow to have a try!
Site visits and industry partnerships are a vital part of the school's continued efforts to provide meaningful career exploration and build a workforce-ready student body. Mr. Terrell and Mr. Whitcomb recently led a group of students from the Algebra 2 Advanced Manufacturing and Welding classes on an immersive tour of the Komatsu manufacturing facilities in Peoria.
During the visit, students observed real-world production environments and explored high-demand career pathways critical to today's economy. The experience highlighted technical careers in welding, mechanics, electrical work, and engineering, demonstrating how classroom concepts translate directly to successful industry careers.
Thank you to Mr. Terrell, Mr. Whitcomb, and the team at Komatsu Peoria for investing in the next generation of skilled professionals.
During the visit, students observed real-world production environments and explored high-demand career pathways critical to today's economy. The experience highlighted technical careers in welding, mechanics, electrical work, and engineering, demonstrating how classroom concepts translate directly to successful industry careers.
Thank you to Mr. Terrell, Mr. Whitcomb, and the team at Komatsu Peoria for investing in the next generation of skilled professionals.
One of our goals this year is to provide meaningful opportunities for our students to hear directly from community experts within their fields. We were absolutely thrilled to welcome back Courtney Marit, a former Farmington graduate, to speak to our students about her incredible experiences in the Cosmetology industry!
Thank you, Courtney, for giving back to your alma mater and inspiring the next generation of professionals. Your insights, passion, and advice mean the world to our students!
Thank you, Courtney, for giving back to your alma mater and inspiring the next generation of professionals. Your insights, passion, and advice mean the world to our students!
Mrs. Mosley and the Spanish Club finished out Hispanic Heritage Month last week by hosting an event for our youngest learners. The elementary students were invited to the event "Coco con Cocoa" to watch the movie and have a snack. Special thanks to our secretaries, custodians, and teachers to help make this event a success.
Today, Staff Sergeant Sam Everhart visited Mr. Whitcomb’s and Mr. Terrell's classes to speak with students about the Army National Guard and the opportunities available to them, including the Helmets to Hardhats program. He also brought a Humvee for students to see up close and learn more about.
It was a great opportunity for our students to explore potential career paths and learn about the benefits the National Guard has to offer.
It was a great opportunity for our students to explore potential career paths and learn about the benefits the National Guard has to offer.
Celebrating diversity, culture, and community at Farmington Central High School! 🌎✨
Ms. Mosley and the Spanish Club are keeping the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations going strong this week by hosting an incredible event Tuesday evening for our students and community with Hispanic Heritage Night.
We want to give a massive shoutout and thank you to the amazing Bradley University organizations who joined us: Alpha Psi Lambda, Sigma Lambda Beta, and Lambda Theta Alpha. Your volunteerism and support made a truly impactful difference, and we appreciate you so much!
It was an unforgettable evening packed with inspiring guest speakers, fun games, delicious food, and endless opportunities to practice the language and appreciate the rich diversity of Hispanic cultures.
Ms. Mosley and the Spanish Club are keeping the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations going strong this week by hosting an incredible event Tuesday evening for our students and community with Hispanic Heritage Night.
We want to give a massive shoutout and thank you to the amazing Bradley University organizations who joined us: Alpha Psi Lambda, Sigma Lambda Beta, and Lambda Theta Alpha. Your volunteerism and support made a truly impactful difference, and we appreciate you so much!
It was an unforgettable evening packed with inspiring guest speakers, fun games, delicious food, and endless opportunities to practice the language and appreciate the rich diversity of Hispanic cultures.
Yesterday we welcomed a 2018 Alumni and the Project Manager for River City Construction, Cade Lansford, to speak to some of our students during Farmer Time about his career and education path and journey throughout the trades.
There has been a date change for the 10th Grade Career Expo hosted by Spoon River College. This event will now be held on November 13th rather than November 6th, as previously communicated.
As a reminder, all sophomores will be attending this event. Students will leave FCHS at 8:15 and return just before lunch. This event is hands on and VERY fun! Last year's sophomores got to try their hand at various career simulations and activities including flower arranging, welding, court reporting, physical therapy, medical imaging, and patient care. This year is expected to be just as awesome, but if you'd like to opt your student out of this event, please contact the high school office. We can't wait to see everyone there!
As a reminder, all sophomores will be attending this event. Students will leave FCHS at 8:15 and return just before lunch. This event is hands on and VERY fun! Last year's sophomores got to try their hand at various career simulations and activities including flower arranging, welding, court reporting, physical therapy, medical imaging, and patient care. This year is expected to be just as awesome, but if you'd like to opt your student out of this event, please contact the high school office. We can't wait to see everyone there!
This afternoon some of our Freshmen students were accompanied by Mr. Vallas, Mr. Terrell, and Mr. Southwood on a Trades Apprenticeship Trip.
On Tuesday, Oct 6th, FCHS will begin screening freshmen and sophomore students during farmer time using MARO, an online mental health screener that alerts our school counselor to students who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, or suicidality. The purpose of this screener is not to diagnose or treat any condition, but to alert our school's counselor to any students who may need more support. A communication for opting your student out of this screener was sent to all guardian emails back in August, but we can still receive parent opt-outs up until the student logs in to take the screener. Please visit the QR code here if you'd like to opt your student out of this screener.