Education Matters: Changes coming to O’Fallon school, plus metro-east honor rolls

Welcome back to another edition of “Education Matters.”

Here, we run through all things school news – from recaps of major stories to student achievements and events.

Let’s get started.

O’Fallon school to serve more grade levels

First, let’s talk about Central School District 104 new grade-level distribution. The O’Fallon district has two schools: Dawn Elser Elementary and Joseph Arthur Middle School.

Starting next school year, Joseph Arthur Middle School will serve third graders in addition to grades fourth through eighth. The district has released information about the move Tuesday, including why it found it necessary. Below are some key points:

• There will be separate “wings” for the youngest JAMS students and the older JAMs students. Students in grades 3-5 will be in one wing, while students in grades 6-8 will be in the other. The oldest and youngest students won’t be in the hallways at the same time thanks to staggered bell times. There will be blocked schedules.
• All students who take the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) state testing will be at JAMs. “Having all testing grades in one building supports consistent test preparation and smoother IAR testing,” a Facebook post from the district reads. “It allows teachers to collaborate, align instruction and provide targeted support, while students benefit from familiar routines, a focused environment and the confidence that comes from being prepared.”
• Space-wise, the move makes sense, because there is limited space at the elementary school, the post says. The district believes the move will lead to smoother arrival and dismissal at both schools.

Belonging Begins with Belleville

You’ve probably seen T-shirts across the community with the tagline “Belonging Begins with Belleville,” referring to an ongoing initiative of Belleville School District 118. The Illinois Principals Association highlighted what it looks like to build a culture of belonging within the district with a video, specifically at Abraham Lincoln Elementary with principal Monet Webster, who is also the district’s director of belonging and engagement.

“We are intentional every day of creating a sense of belonging,” Webster said in the video. “We understand that at its foundation, belonging takes care of so much. It’s making sure you’re fed, it’s making sure you’re safe, you’re connected, you’re learning, all of these things.”

Visit the Illinois Principals Association’s YouTube page, @IllinoisPrincipalsAssociation, or website, ilprincipals.org, to view the full video.

Honor Roll

• Congrats to kindergartner Ava Titley and third-grader Samuel Abayomi for being named the December Students of the Month at Union Elementary, which is part of District 118.
• Belleville East High School also named its January students of the month: freshman Noah Smith, sophomore Kollin Gettis, junior Quinn Cooperstein and senior Elijah Lopina.
• State Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) presented Whiteside’s seventh grade math team with certificates from the Illinois State Senate to Ava Houston, Anna Byrne, Camden McErlain and Noah Peterson. The team is led by Coach Alexa Braswell.
• East St. Louis’ Dunbar Elementary first grade teacher Chantel Crawford was presented with the Charles E. Fleming Foundation Caring Teacher Award at the 2025 Inaugural Holiday Joy and Jazz Brunch. “(Crawford) consistently goes above and beyond for her scholars and her school. She always puts the needs of her students first, demonstrating compassion, commitment and excellence every day,” a Facebook post announcing the honor reads.
• Pontiac William Holliday School District English Language Learner teacher Anna Stephens for being the district’s January Employee of the Month.
• Local high schools are announcing their first semester honor roll students. So far, we’ve seen Collinsville High School and O’Fallon Township High School post theirs to their respective websites. Granite City’s Coolidge Junior High School also released the names of their honor roll students.
• Congrats to Collinsville Middle School’s seventh and eighth grade positive office referral recipients Nadia Walker, Selina Rojero, Jo’Ziah Williams, Khoel Clanton, Chloe Woodberry, Evan Reilly, Jerky Lopez, Maxwell Cotton, Cheyenne Clark, Brianna Besserman and Juliet Herrera.
• Granite City High School Scholastic Bowl Team can be proud of their performance at the Illinois High School Scholastic Bowl Coaches Association Turnabout Tournament earlier this month. The varsity team – which consists of Lauren Willaredt, Myla Layne, Trevor Rippee and Andrew Willaredt almost came in first, narrowly losing the tie-breaker match to Mater Dei. Rippee and Layne secured spots on the All-Tournament Team.
• Two Central School District 104 students received a December Superintendent Shout Out for leadership. Way to go, eighth grader Kayden Coley and second grader Jesus Garcia!
• Also in Central 104, Dawn Elser Elementary School Interventionist Nancy Baim was honored with a staff spotlight. Baim first started her tenure in District 104 in 1999 as a teacher, first for 2nd grade and next for 3rd, and then moved into being an intervention teacher. “She loves teaching children and watching them learn,” a Facebook post reads. “Teaching the children of her former second graders warms her heart.”

Mark your Calendars

• Wolf Branch, you have a pajama-themed Skate City celebration from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21. Help reach the goal of 200 skaters!
• All Signal Hill students are invited to attend its Snacks N’ Splatters painting event on Friday, Jan. 23. Students can bring their projects home to show off. The event runs from 6-7:30 p.m. in the junior high , but you do not need to stay the whole time or arrive at 6 p.m. Just make sure you’re there before 7 p.m. if you want to paint. RSVPs are found on the district’s website under the “virtual backpack section.” Enter through the junior high doors.
• Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation has opened its 2026 scholarship applications, and they must be received by the Hugh J. White/Lewis Lynch St. Louis Chapter by Monday, Jan. 26. For more information and the application, visit the “Chapter News” section of the local chapter’s website, tuskegeeairmenstl.com.
•  East St. Louis Senior High School National Honor Society is hosting a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28 in the small gym.
• It’s time for East St. Louis School District 189’s spelling bee. The afternoon starts at 4:30 p.m. with an opening ceremony and round one begins at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29 in the high school auditorium.
• Read to Got Your Six Therapy Dogs at the Six Mile Regional Library District 2145 Johnson Road in Granite City. The dogs will be hanging out from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29. If you can’t make it, don’t worry – they’ll be back at the same time on Feb. 26. 

Education in the news

• Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services froze federal child care and other social services funds for Illinois and four other states, citing fraud concerns. In Illinois, this money is crucial to the child care subsidy program that helps families pay for child care. Later that week, Illinois and the other four impacted states filed a federal lawsuit, and a judge issued a temporary restraining order on Friday that prevents the freeze for a limited period of time as the case moves through the court system. Janice Moenster is Brightpoint’s director of programs and operations for the southern region of the state, and her organization helps administer the subsidy funds. She said it’s her understanding that Illinois’ funds are now flowing, but she has not received official guidance about the subsidies for next month. Visit our website to learn more about the impacts delayed or eradicated funding could have on the metro-east.
• We’ve been writing a lot about federal education funding disruptions. For a glimpse of what this looks like nationwide, check out EducationWeek’s recent article on how this played out in 2025.
• The new year means new laws. Capitol News Illinois broke down new Illinois education laws, from immigration protections to college AI use.