A Chili Fun Fest will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 14th at the Interstate Center. Admission is $10 and children under 10 enter for free. There will be great food, live music, a magician, a storyteller, children's games, prizes and crafts. All proceeds from this event will help with expenses related to Rachel's kidney transplant surgery and continuing care. Rachel is an 8th grade student at Bloomington Junior High School.
2005 Proposed Tax Levy presented
At the October 27th meeting of the Board of Education, David Wood, Chief Financial and Legal Officer, presented the proposed 2005 Tax Levy.
Assumptions include:
• EAV growth of 6% with an actual growth of 2.5% due to statutory changes to Homestead Act exemptions.
• Considering the assumption of a 2.5% increase, the tax rate would be $4.467 per $100 EAV.
• All taxes will remain at their 2003 level except the Transportation Fund - which will be reduced - and the Tort, SS, Medicare and IMRF - which will increase.
• Wood proposed raising the Tort fund by 3¢. The Tort fund covers expenses resulting in lawsuits/legal fees, liability insurance a portion of maintenance staff salaries. The Tort fund could also be used to pay salaries for nurses and counselors.
Board of Education petitions available
To all residents of the Bloomington School District 87: Please be advised petitions for the Nomination of Candidates to fill four (4) vacancies on the Bloomington Board of Education will be available on October 27, 2004 in the office of the Board Secretary, Educational Services Center, 300 E. Monroe Street, Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois. Nomination papers must be filed in the Board Secretary's office no sooner than January 18, 2005 and no later than January 25 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., except on January 25, the office will remain open until 5:00 p.m. (Candidates must be a resident of the District for at least one year, must be at least 18 years of age and be a registered voter.)
United Way Campaign donations rolling in
As of noon today, the total amount raised for the United Way of McLean County by our students and staff is $13,522. This amount does not include totals from about half of our schools, as their campaigns are not yet finalized. So far, the largest staff contributions have come from Irving ($1,993), BHS ($1,987), Oakland School ($1,983) and Sheridan School ($1,705). The largest student contributions have come from Washington School ($1,o92) and Stevenson School ($932) - with two of our traditionally big givers (Bent and Irving) yet to report. A more complete recap will be included in the November 15 newsletter. A big thank you to our Campaign Coordinators and to all of you for your generosity
Check out Irving's new website!
Click HERE to see the new Irving School website.
American Indian Heritage Month
Tuesday, November 2
• Election Day.
Friday, November 5
• 3rd Annual Conference on Bias, Bigotry, Hate and Terrorism in America. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Radisson.
Saturday, November 6
• BHS Band-aides Annual Craft Show. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at BHS. Free parking and free admission.
Wednesday, November 10
• Board of Education meeting. 6:30 p.m. ESC.
Thursday, November 11
• Veteran's Day. No School.
Sunday, November 14
• Chili Fun Fest benefit for Rachel Lovell. 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at the Interstate Center.
Sunday, November 14 thru 20th
• American Education Week.
Monday, November 15 thru 18th
• Community Readers will visit Irving School to read to students.
Looking ahead...
Tuesday, November 16
• Stevenson School's Family Reading Night. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 17
• Education Support Professionals Day
Thursday, November 18
• Oakland School's Family Reading Night. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Irving School's Family Reading Night. 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Friday, November 19
• Irving School's Career Day. Three volunteers will visit each class to share information about their careers and talents.
Monday, November 22
• Oakland School's Spirit Night. Stop by the McDonald's on Oakland Ave. for dinner and a portion of your bill will be donated to the school. 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Have a story or event to list? Click HERE !
Oakland School is the only current District 87 elementary school not named after either a famous American or a former District 87 staff/Board member.
But, if the 24 Bloomington residents who signed a petition in 1949 would have gotten their wish, who would the school be named after?
a) Miss Mattie Bishop, former Secretary of the Board who served for over forty years and retired in 1948.
b) the late U.S. President, Franklin D. Roosevelt
c) J.K. Stapleton, who served as Superintendent of Schools from 1901 to 1920.
d) Howard Saar, legendary BHS Athletic Director, coach and physical education teacher.
3 correct answers.
Our three winners received a packet of microwave popcorn and a bag of M&M's - perfect for those cold, rainy nights.
The correct answer, along with a historical background on this topic can be found HERE.
Washington School staff raised $1,273 for the United Way this year - a 230% increase over last year!
Student success!
• Washington School students raised $1,092.31 for the United Way this year - a 170% increase over last year!
• Two weekends ago, senior Megan Rozboril and junior Mackenzie Clemens placed 7th at the Tennis State Finals and freshman Ashley Verplank and senior Andy Kubiak each won the Regional title in Cross Country. The BHS boys Soccer team won the Regional Championship by beating Normal West. The BHS football team ended their regular season with a 8-1 record to share the conference title. The football team's regular season record over the past five years is 44-1. Go you Raiders!
• Several Bloomington Area Vocational Center students attended the SkillsUSA Fall Leadership Development Conference in Bolingbrook this past weekend. Carl Torbeck (BHS) placed 1st in Quiz Bowl and Reena Tandon (BHS) placed 1st in Job Interview!
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