Bloomington Public Schools District 87

🏐🌸Last night BJHS celebrated their 8th grade volleyball team and honoured the memory of their team manager, Armoni Bennett, whose life was taken too soon. The team, joined by their families, presented flowers to Armoni's father, who attended the event. The gym was a sea of pink, Armoni's favorite color, in a tribute to his vibrant life. Rather than observing a moment of silence, a moment of unity was observed — encouraging everyone to greet or hug someone nearby, embodying Armoni's spirit of friendship and connection with everyone he met. Sayings like " LLA (Live Like Armoni)," "Armoni Strong," and "Forever 13" were shared, while "Fly High Armoni" served as a reminder of his enduring spirit. The night was about more than volleyball; it was about unity, respect, and the lasting impact of Armoni. In his honor, the 8th grade girls claimed victory. This one was for you, Armoni. 🌟🌸 #BJHSVolleyball #WeAreD87

👑✨ Royal Invitation: The BHS Drama Club proudly presents the Royal Princess Tea Party! If you know of a little princess or prince who would love this fun and magical event, be sure to mark your calendars for April 26th & 27th! Get your tickets at https://bloom.booktix.com/dept/main/e/TEA25 before they sell out to ensure your spot at the most enchanting event of the year. Don't miss out on this fairy-tale experience - it's going to be legendary! 👑✨ #BHSRoyalTeaParty #BHSdramaclub #PrincessParty #EnchantedAfternoon #WeAreD87 👑✨ Invitación real: El club de teatro de la escuela BHS presenta con orgullo la ¡Fiesta del té de la princesa real! Si conoces a una princesa o príncipe al que le encantaría este divertido y mágico evento, ¡asegúrate de marcar tu calendario para los días 26 y 27 de abril! Compra tus entradas en el siguiente enlace: https://bloom.booktix.com/dept/main/e/TEA25 antes de que se agoten para asegurar tu lugar en el evento más encantador del año. No te pierdas esta experiencia de cuento de hadas: ¡será legendaria! 👑✨ #FiestadeltérealBHS #clubdeteatroBHS #Fiestadelaprincesa #tardeencantada #SomosD87

🎶🎻The Pratt Music Foundation is now OPEN for piano & string scholarship applications for students in grades 2-12! 🌟 Selected scholars will receive full tuition for a year, including summer lessons, free sheet music, and possibly even a low-cost instrument loan. 🎷🎻 🔗 Apply here by May 1st for a chance to win a full-year scholarship: Apply Now! Don't miss out on transforming your musical passion into skill. 🎹🎵 #MusicScholarships #PrattFoundation #WeAreD87

🚑🩺 Next week marks the launch of the Junior Health Science Academy (JHSA) at BJHS, presented by the Black Nurses of Central Illinois! We're excited to see our students embark on this journey into the world of healthcare. 🏥💡 Last semester, JHSA participants gained invaluable nursing and emergency medical skills that ignited their passions for careers in nursing and other medical fields. We're eager to see what this new group will achieve! Stay tuned for updates and highlights from this inspiring program. The future looks bright for these budding healthcare professionals! 🌟📚 #BJHS #JHSA #FutureNurses #MedicalSkills #HealthScienceAcademy #WeAreD87

🍽️🏆Last night BHS hosted a special recognition dinner for the 2025 Illinois State Scholars! This prestigious honor comes from their exceptional performance on nationally normed tests and class ranks at the end of their junior year, placing them in the top 10% of students statewide. 🌟 Congratulations to each scholar for your outstanding achievements! The BHS and D87 family is incredibly proud and we can't wait to see the great things you'll accomplish in the future. Keep shining, scholars! 🎓✨ #BHSExcellence #IllinoisStateScholars #FutureLeaders #WeAreD87 🍽️🏆Anoche, la escuela BHS organizó una cena de reconocimiento especial para los estudiantes del estado de Illinois de 2025. Este prestigioso honor se debe a su desempeño excepcional en las pruebas estandarizadas a nivel nacional y en los rangos de clase al final de su tercer año, lo que los ubica en el 10 % superior de los estudiantes a nivel estatal.🌟 ¡Felicitaciones a cada estudiante por sus destacados logros! La familia de BHS y D87 está increíblemente orgullosa y estamos ansiosos por ver las grandes cosas que lograrán en el futuro. ¡Sigan brillando, estudiantes! 🎓✨ #excelenciaBHS #becariosdelestadodeIllinois #futuroslíderes #SomosD87

Find out how the proposed 1-cent sales tax this April can improve our schools and benefit McLean County students. Watch now for important details! https://youtu.be/hsQLgQpF9Zk?si=TXQlWoBtJ2bkizBB #DidYouKnow #1CentTax #LearnMore #WeAreD87

🚀🐯Last week the Challenger Space Center welcomed Stevenson 5th-graders to explore this world and beyond in a special space mission! From STEM activities to mission control and finally outer space- the Tigers had an out-of-this-world experience, all the while using their STEM skills to successfully complete the mission!🛰️💫 #StevensonTigers #ChallengerSpaceCenter #STEMEducation #WeAreD87 🚀🐯El Centro Espacial “Challenger” dio la bienvenida a los estudiantes de 5.º grado de la escuela Stevenson para explorar este mundo y más allá en una misión especial. Desde actividades “STEM” en ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas; hasta control de misión y, finalmente el espacio exterior: los Tigers vivieron una experiencia fuera de este mundo ¡mientras usaban sus habilidades STEM para completar con éxito la misión! 🛰️💫 #TigresStevenson #centroespacialChallenger #educacionSTEM #SomosD87

🚨🏊‍♂️ Statebound Alert! 🌊🎉 Big shoutout to BHS's very own Elijah Metz who smashed his Personal Record at the sectional meet, earning himself a spot at the State Finals this Friday! 🏅💪 Dive into success, Elijah! And ... Elijah’s dive coach, Donna Jenkins, has been named Dive Coach of the Year! 🏆👏 Wishing Elijah and Coach Jenkins all the best as they make waves at State! 🌟🍀 #BHSpride #Statebound #DivingExcellence #CoachOfTheYear #GoElijah #WeAreD87

🏆 🍎This week, the Illinois State Board of Education released the 2025 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awardees and we’re thrilled to share that several D87 educators have made the list! A huge round of applause to: Brie Hoepner from Sarah Raymond for the Award of Special Recognition 🌟 Jessica Lozano from Stevenson for the Award of Meritorious Service 🏅 Joy Searby from Irving for the Award of Excellence 🏆 Michelle Stalter from Sarah Raymond for the Award of Excellence 🏆 Noah Tang from BHS for the Award of Excellence 🏆 Congratulations to all- we are incredibly proud of your well-deserved recognition from the Illinois State Board of Education! #ExcellenceInEducation #TeacherAwards #IllinoisStateBoardOfEducation #ThoseWhoExcel #WeAreD87 🏆 🍎Esta semana, la Junta de Educación del Estado de Illinois publicó los ganadores del premio “Los sobresalientes y el maestro del año 2025”; y estamos encantados de compartir que varios educadores del Distrito 87 han llegado a la lista. Un gran aplauso para: Brie Hoepner de Sarah Raymond por el premio de reconocimiento especial 🌟 Jessica Lozano de Stevenson por el premio al servicio meritorio 🏅 Joy Searby de Irving por el premio a la excelencia 🏆 Michelle Stalter de Sarah Raymond por el premio a la excelencia 🏆 Noah Tang de BHS por el premio a la excelencia 🏆 Felicitaciones a todos: ¡estamos increíblemente orgullosos de su merecido reconocimiento por parte de la Junta de Educación del Estado de Illinois! #excelenciaeneducacion #premiosamaestros #ConsejodeEducacióndeIllinois #aquellosquesobresalen #SomosD8

📚✨ Celebrating the 2nd Annual D9 Day in D87! 🌟💼 Today was all about community and learning! The Divine 9 fraternities and sororities made a memorable impact during the 2nd Annual D9 Day! Volunteers read to students at Washington School and spoke about their organizations and the history of the divine 9. At BJHS, staff who are part of a Divine 9 fraternity or sorority talked with students during lunch, sharing insights about their experiences, and even put on a spontaneous step show! BHS students weren't left out of the Divine 9 experience; volunteers hosted tables, engaging in meaningful conversations about the organizations, college life, and the importance of higher education. A huge thanks to our Divine 9 volunteers and staff for giving back and making a difference! #D9inD87 #Divine9 #BlackHistoryMonth #WeAreD87

🚀🌌 Katie Miglin, 8th-grade LBS1 teacher at BJHS, and her program assistant, Stacey Evans, launched an out-of-this-world educational experience for their students! To spark student excitement about writing using the CER method (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning), they transformed the classroom into a space station, complete with personalized lanyards for each student. It's not just about teaching- it's about creating a universe of possibilities for their students! 🛸💫 #EducationalInnovation #ScienceEducation #CreativeTeaching #BJHSKnights #WeAreD87

🌟🏒The young men from Irving's ELEVATE program recently got a front-row seat to the Bloomington Bison's practice! ELEVATE is about respect, determination, and growth, and watching the Bison was a perfect real-life lesson in perseverance and teamwork. Big thanks to the Bloomington Bison for the inspiration to these Mustangs!🌟🏒 #IrvingElevate #BloomingtonBison #Teamwork #WeAreD87

👏 Hats off to Stevenson's 4th graders! They gave fantastic performances in their Black History Reader's Theater, showcasing the lives of Barack Obama, Simone Biles, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and Jackie Robinson. It was a journey through history and they did an amazing job- well done, 4th-grade Tigers!👏 #BlackHistoryMonth #ReadersTheater #StevensonTigers #WeAreD87

🎉 Exciting leadership announcements for D87 as we welcome new administrators to Oakland and Sheridan for the 2025/26 school year!🍎📘 Oakland's New Principal: Leslie Blockman brings her passion and expertise as D87’s current Coordinator of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) & Engagement. Her listening skills and positive communication approach with students, families, and staff position her to excel as the new principal of Oakland! Oakland's New Assitant Principal: The Owls will also have Katie Thomas stepping into the new role of assistant principal at Oakland. Currently, an Instructional Coach with the Regional Office of Education, we are excited to welcome Katie to our D87 family! Sheridan's New Assistant Principal: Ali Armstrong, currently the social worker at Sheridan, will be transitioning to the new assistant principal position at Sheridan. Her commitment to student well-being and success is amazing, and we can't wait to see her in this new role! 🌟 Congratulations to Leslie, Katie, and Ali on their new positions! #NewBeginnings #EducationalLeadership #Congratulations #WeAreD87 🎉 ¡Anuncios emocionantes de liderazgo para el Distrito 87 mientras damos la bienvenida a nuevos administradores en las escuelas primarias Oakland y Sheridan! 🍎📘 Nueva directora de Oakland: Leslie Blockman aporta su pasión y experiencia como actual coordinadora de aprendizaje socioemocional “SEL” y compromiso para D87 en su nuevo rol como directora. Nueva subdirectora de Oakland: Katie Thomas asumirá el nuevo rol de subdirectora de los Búhos. Actualmente, es entrenadora Instruccional en la Oficina Regional de Educación. ¡Estamos emocionados de darle la bienvenida a Katie a nuestra familia D87! Nueva subdirectora de Sheridan: Ali Armstrong, actualmente trabajadora social en Sheridan, pasará al nuevo puesto de subdirectora en Sheridan. Su compromiso con el bienestar y el éxito de los estudiantes es asombroso, ¡y estamos ansiosos por verla en este nuevo rol! 🌟 ¡Felicitaciones a Leslie, Katie y Ali por sus nuevos puestos! #nuevoscomienzos #liderazgoeducativo #felicitaciones #SomosD87

🚫🏫🇺🇸 No School Reminder! 🇺🇸🏫🚫 Just a friendly reminder to all our D87 families: There will be NO SCHOOL tomorrow, Monday, February 17th, in observance of President's Day. #PresidentsDay #SchoolHoliday #NoSchoolReminder #WeAreD87

Just a reminder that it's D87 day at the Bloomington Bison game. More info in the flyer

Have you heard? 🌟 On April 1, voters in McLean County will decide on a 1% County Schools Facility Tax, also known as a One-Cent Tax. This small increase will fund significant improvements in school security, health services, and educational facilities. Learn more at www.april1cent.info! #1CentTax #SafeSchools #WeAreD87 ¿Has escuchado? 🌟 El 1 de abril de 2025, los votantes del condado de McLean decidirán sobre un impuesto del 1% para las instalaciones escolares del condado, también conocido como el impuesto de un centavo. Este pequeño aumento financiará mejoras significativas en la seguridad escolar, los servicios de salud y las instalaciones educativas. Obtén más información en la página web: www.april1cent.info #impuestodeuncentavo #escuelasseguras #SomosD87

🎉🖥️ Celebrate 25 Years of Innovation at the SIT Conference! 🚀🎉 We’re excited to invite you to the 25th annual Students Involved in Technology (SIT) Conference! Dive into the world where technology meets creativity, led by students, for students. 🌐✨ 📅 Mark Your Calendar! Date: April 26th FREE for District 87 students & children of District 87 staff $15 for students outside District 87 $15 for Presenter Sponsor (adult) ✨ What’s Included? Lunch, a T-shirt, and an unforgettable experience! Empower your tech skills, meet like-minded peers, and celebrate 25 years of innovation! 👉 Register Now: sitconference.org #SITConference2025 #TechConference #StudentLed #Innovation #SITAnniversary #WeAreD87

🌨️🎺 Band Concert Rescheduled! 🎼🌨️ Due to snowy conditions this past Wednesday, the BHS band concert has been rescheduled! 🗓️ Mark Your Calendars: Date: Tuesday, February 18 Time: 6 PM Location: BHS Auditorium Don't miss out on the chance to enjoy the amazing performances our band has prepared! 🎶 #BHSBand #ConcertRescheduled #WeAreD87

🏒🎉 Get ready for an exciting night on the ice! This Sunday, the Bloomington Bison are playing a special D87 game, and we're all invited to show our spirit and support! 🦬🥅 For a special halftime event, Dr. LaFrance from Oakland will take on the puck challenge—all for a good cause! 🌟💫 Kids 12 and under eat FREE and special discounted tickets can be purchased at https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/District87216 Let's fill the stands and cheer on the Bison along with Dr. LaFrance. Don't forget to deck out in your best spirit wear! 🧢🧣🎽 #BloomingtonBison #HockeyNight #SpiritWear #PuckChallenge #FamilyFunNight #WeAreD87