Cumberland High School

Mrs. Gibson's BIO 2 students learned more about fermentation with a food trial! The favorite? Pineapple/peach kombucha and kimchi!

Mrs. Gibson's Biology 1 students spent time this week investigating yeast food preferences!

Mrs. Gibson's Biology 2 students went on a hunt this week, searching for fungi!

Mrs. Becker's dual credit Interpersonal Communications students had the opportunity to learn directly from Lake Land College's librarian today! Andy Cougill taught the students how to navigate and research using the college’s database. This will be a valuable skill for their academic journey! 📚

📣🏴‍☠️CHS Cheer is hosting their annual Mini Cheer Camp for pre-K through 5th grade on September 17- 18 after school until 5 PM. The performance will be on Friday, September 19, during the varsity football game. Forms and payment are due back in the grade school office by Friday, August 29, to guarantee a t-shirt and bow. If you have any questions, please contact the high school cheer coach, Krista Buie, at coachkristapiratecheer@gmail.com📣🏴‍☠️

It's time to reserve your copy of the 2025-26 high school yearbook! This year, we will be using a new company, Walsworth Yearbook. You can purchase your yearbook for $35 until October 5 at https://yearbookforever.com/school-store/wSbKHBGsn1vvCg6TaF864P26. Contact Wendy Peters at wpeters@cusd77.com for more information.

Mrs. Steber's Earth Science and Biology classes began the year with an activity that allowed the students to get to know each other. They had to work together to stack cups, but they weren't allowed to touch them directly. They learned some new collaboration and communication skills, as well as how to persevere through frustration.

If you ordered a 2024-2025 High School Yearbook, they are now available for pickup in the high school office. If you didn't get a chance to order, there is a limited number available for purchase. Contact Wendy Peters at Wpeters@cusd77.org for details.

Picture Day is scheduled for Tuesday, August 19! Students will bring home picture packets this week. Order before Picture Day to receive free shipping to the school. Ordering online is easy. Visit https://inter-state.com. This event's Order Code is:
High School - 0099QPF
Elementary School - 0096WBF
Midd School - 0096WSF

Our newest students at CHS learned what a typical day will be like when they start school next week at today's Pirate Training. They were also introduced to some of the clubs that the high school offers. It was a great day for the future Pirates!

Help us welcome Mrs. Beth Reynolds to Cumberland!

Mrs. Reynolds will teach Spanish at Cumberland High School this year. She has taught at a handful of schools in central Illinois, including the last seven at Casey High School.

Mrs. Reynolds’ husband is a retired police officer and chief for the city of Salem. Her oldest son works in Decatur, and her twins just graduated from Effingham High School. They will head to college this fall.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, gardening, reading, traveling, and listening to podcasts.

Reminder - Tomorrow, August 7, is Pirate Training at CHS for new students and incoming freshmen! The event will run from 10 AM - 1:30 PM! We hope to see you there!

Help us welcome Mr. Jon Matthews to Cumberland!

Mr. Matthews will be a special education teacher at Cumberland High School. Previously, Mr. Matthews taught special education and dual credit social studies classes.

Mr. Matthews’ wife also works in education as a paraprofessional. They live in Casey along with their three strange cats.

Mr. Matthews is looking forward to getting to know the school and community. In his spare time, he likes fishing, watching baseball, and watching the Packers.

Band camp is in full swing this week, and our students are working hard learning this year's show. We can't wait for you to see what they are putting together!

You're invited to Open House on Wednesday, August 13, from 6-8 PM at all three schools. Come out to meet your teachers, set up your locker, and check out your classrooms!

Cumberland Elementary School will be hosting some fun events to kick off the school year!
✂️ FREE Haircuts for students
🍔 Delicious Food Trucks
🎶 Music & Balloons
🎀 Hair Ribbons made by the Cheerleaders
👕 Cumberland Apparel for Sale

We hope to see you there!

Students interested in playing high school volleyball whose parents were unable to attend the parent meeting on July 23 may pick up a schedule in the high school office. Practice starts August 11.

Cumberland High School is hiring a Head Baseball Coach and an Assistant Baseball Coach for the Spring 2026 season. If you’re passionate about the game and enjoy working with student-athletes, contact Daniel Huffman at dhuffman@cusd77.org.

Cumberland Backpack Ministry is offering product bags throughout the school year to be taken home every Thursday. This program is offered, without charge, to any student at Cumberland Elementary, Cumberland Middle School, and Cumberland High School. Fill out the form below for your child(ren) to be enrolled in the program.

If you have any questions, please contact Jill Thornton at (217)821-1064 or Sarah Holsapple-Miller at (217)549-2215.

https://forms.gle/LPAkTMrwHsg16A3d7

Health Occupations IN-PERSON Orientation is right around the corner! Students participating may find their orientation information in the flyer below.