
Mrs. Ralston's fifth grade science students worked through the scientific method to test different brands of bubble gum to see which made the biggest bubble. Hypotheses were made, data was collected, and bubbles were popped! Students had a great time completing this experiment.











Come out tonight to celebrate our 8th grade softball players before their game against Neoga! The recognition of the players will begin at 4:20. Go Raiders!


The Cumberland Middle School softball 8th grade night will be on Friday, August 22, before the game against Neoga. The girls and their parents will be announced at 4:20 PM.

Students in Mrs. Kingery's 8th grade reading classes are reading a novel called Left Out by Tim Green. The main character in the novel has hearing and speech impairments. Students played Go Fish following ALS rules, where they had to communicate through nonverbal methods!





Mr. Bloemer's 8th grade science students were given a puzzle that presented a situation with limited facts. The students had to use investigation, clues, and logic to figure out who owned the fish in the scenario!






Game Updates for 8/18:
The middle school boys' baseball game has been canceled.
The girls' softball game will still be at the regularly scheduled time of 4:30.

The middle school students celebrated the first week of school with popsicles and time to hang out with their friends this afternoon! We are off to a great start!






Ballgame updates for today, 8/15: The middle school girls softball game has been canceled. The boys baseball game has been moved back to a 6:30 PM start.

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
High School - 0099QPF
Elementary School - 0096WBF
Midd School - 0096WSF


Help us welcome Mrs. Emmalyn Mulheron to Cumberland!
Mrs. Mulheron will be teaching 6th grade science and social studies at Cumberland Middle School. This will be her third year teaching. She previously taught high school Agriculture. She is looking forward to getting to know all of her students and helping them learn and grow.
Mrs. Mulheron is married to Travis Mulheron. She is from Neoga but currently lives in Effingham. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading, playing with her golden retriever, Copper, and spending time outdoors.
Mrs. Mulheron will be teaching 6th grade science and social studies at Cumberland Middle School. This will be her third year teaching. She previously taught high school Agriculture. She is looking forward to getting to know all of her students and helping them learn and grow.
Mrs. Mulheron is married to Travis Mulheron. She is from Neoga but currently lives in Effingham. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading, playing with her golden retriever, Copper, and spending time outdoors.


Help us welcome Mr. Don Kimura to Cumberland!
Mr. Kimura will teach special education at Cumberland Middle School this year. He has previously taught in Toledo, Ohio, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Effingham. He is eager to work with the students and staff to achieve academic success and personal development.
Mr. Kimura lives in Charleston. He loves watching live college sports, traveling, and watching his kids in their activities.
Mr. Kimura will teach special education at Cumberland Middle School this year. He has previously taught in Toledo, Ohio, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Effingham. He is eager to work with the students and staff to achieve academic success and personal development.
Mr. Kimura lives in Charleston. He loves watching live college sports, traveling, and watching his kids in their activities.


Help us welcome Mrs. Mandy Houchin to Cumberland!
Mrs. Houchin will be teaching 6th-8th grade Social Studies at Cumberland Middle School. She previously taught for 24 years at the Olney school district. She is really excited to join the Cumberland team and to meet her new students.
Mrs. Houchin has been married to Darrell Houchin for twenty years. They have two wonderful children, Carly and Kyler. Mrs. Houchin loves to spend time with family and friends and traveling.
Mrs. Houchin will be teaching 6th-8th grade Social Studies at Cumberland Middle School. She previously taught for 24 years at the Olney school district. She is really excited to join the Cumberland team and to meet her new students.
Mrs. Houchin has been married to Darrell Houchin for twenty years. They have two wonderful children, Carly and Kyler. Mrs. Houchin loves to spend time with family and friends and traveling.


Help us welcome Mrs. Lisa Harris to Cumberland!
Mrs. Harris will be teaching special education at Cumberland Middle School. This is her 19th year teaching. She has taught kindergarten through 12th grade over the years, with the last five at Stewardson-Strasburg.
Mrs. Harris is looking forward to making meaningful connections with the students and helping them be successful! She is excited to be closer to family and to see her nieces and nephew throughout the day.
Mrs. Harris is a Cumberland graduate. She is married to Derrick Harris, and they have two children, Logan and Ava. They also have three dogs, Captain, Apollo, and Olive. She enjoys cooking, listening to music, and learning new things that help her to be a more effective teacher.
Mrs. Harris will be teaching special education at Cumberland Middle School. This is her 19th year teaching. She has taught kindergarten through 12th grade over the years, with the last five at Stewardson-Strasburg.
Mrs. Harris is looking forward to making meaningful connections with the students and helping them be successful! She is excited to be closer to family and to see her nieces and nephew throughout the day.
Mrs. Harris is a Cumberland graduate. She is married to Derrick Harris, and they have two children, Logan and Ava. They also have three dogs, Captain, Apollo, and Olive. She enjoys cooking, listening to music, and learning new things that help her to be a more effective teacher.


Help us welcome Ms. Lexie Niebrugge to Cumberland!
Ms. Niebrugge will be teaching 7th grade math and social studies, and she will coach the middle school girls' basketball team. She is a recent graduate of Eastern Illinois University. She looks forward to getting to know her students and coaching her team.
Ms. Niebrugge is from Sigel. She enjoys hanging out with family and friends.
Ms. Niebrugge will be teaching 7th grade math and social studies, and she will coach the middle school girls' basketball team. She is a recent graduate of Eastern Illinois University. She looks forward to getting to know her students and coaching her team.
Ms. Niebrugge is from Sigel. She enjoys hanging out with family and friends.


Reminder: 5th Grade Orientation will be held at the middle school on August 11 from 6-7 PM. Parents/Guardians and their 5th grader will receive important information from the teachers and will have the opportunity to ask questions about middle school. Students do not need to bring anything to orientation. To ensure a comfortable experience, we encourage arranging care for any children other than your 5th grader, as classroom space will be limited. Contact the middle school office with any questions.


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!
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!


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
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

5th Grade Orientation will be held at the middle school on August 11 from 6-7 PM. Parents/Guardians and their 5th grader will receive important information from the teachers and will have the opportunity to ask questions about middle school. Students do not need to bring anything to orientation. To ensure a comfortable experience, we encourage arranging care for any children other than your 5th grader, as classroom space will be limited. Contact the middle school office with any questions.


Summer is the perfect time to take care of any medical requirements, so your child is all set and ready for a smooth start on the first day of school! The requirements for each grade are listed below.
Kindergarten: Physical, immunizations up-to-date, dental exam, and vision exam
2nd Grade: Dental exam
6th Grade: Physical, immunizations up-to-date, and dental exam
9th Grade: Physical, immunizations up-to-date, and dental exam
12th Grade: Immunizations up-to-date.
Athletes in grades 5-12: Sports physical. A school physical does count for this. *5th grade may participate in cross country only.
For more information, please visit the Registration page on the district's website.
Kindergarten: Physical, immunizations up-to-date, dental exam, and vision exam
2nd Grade: Dental exam
6th Grade: Physical, immunizations up-to-date, and dental exam
9th Grade: Physical, immunizations up-to-date, and dental exam
12th Grade: Immunizations up-to-date.
Athletes in grades 5-12: Sports physical. A school physical does count for this. *5th grade may participate in cross country only.
For more information, please visit the Registration page on the district's website.

Any incoming 7th or 8th grade girls interested in playing volleyball are welcome to attend open gyms on the dates and times listed below. Contact Nicole Clapp for more information.
July 13: 6-7:30 PM
July 14: 9-11 AM
July 20: 6-7:30 PM
July 21: 9-11 AM
July 27: 6-7:30 PM
July 28: 9-11 AM
July 13: 6-7:30 PM
July 14: 9-11 AM
July 20: 6-7:30 PM
July 21: 9-11 AM
July 27: 6-7:30 PM
July 28: 9-11 AM