Rod Paige resigns as Education Secretary
Rod Paige's resignation as Education Secretary was announced Monday, along with three other Bush Cabinet members, including Secretary of State, Colin Powell. According to MSN.com, possible successors include Margaret Spellings, President Bush's domestic policy adviser.

BHS grad named 2005 Principal of the Year for the State of Tennessee
On October 20th, Philip Kiper (BHS '74) was recognized by the Tennessee Department of Education and Commissioner of Education, Lana Seivers, as the 2005 Principal of the Year. Kiper is currently serving as principal of Bledsoe Co. Middle School in Pikeville, TN. Kiper credits District 87 for his success...I would like to thank all of my teachers from Bloomington school system. I feel that I received a quality education from dedicated and caring professionals. My early school days at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in south Bloomington were wonderful. In high school, I was helped and encouraged to pursue a career in education by several teachers. Two of them, Carl Lauer (ret. English) and V.L. Fairfield (ret. Am. History), greatly impacted my decision to become a teacher. Click HERE to read the news release in its entirety.

Our students, staff raise $21,600 for the United Way of McLean County!
We showed just how much Character Counts in District 87, as our students and staff unselfishly donated $21,600 to the United Way of McLean County. Your monetary contributions will be used to help improve the quality of life for hundreds of McLean County residents.

Despite having fewer employees and fewer students from last year, each one of our schools saw an increase in donations. This year's United Way Campaign has proven to be the most successful campaign in District 87 history!

Update: As of date, our top staff givers are BHS and Oakland and our top student campaigns are Bent and Irving Schools.

BHS staff...$2,037 (up $550 from last year)
BJHS staff...$996 (up $250 from last year)
ESC staff...$2,294
Irving staff...$2,013 (up $300 from last year)
Oakland staff...$2,008 (up $900 from last year)
Raymond staff...$927 (from 23 staff members)
Sheridan staff...$1,705 (up $300 from last year)
Stevenson staff...$1,060 (up $250 from last year)
Washington staff...$1,273 (up $890 from last year)

Bent School students...$1,201 (up $400 from last year)
BHS students...$1,050 (up $30 from last year)
BJHS students...$236 (up $150 from last year)
Irving students...$1,179 (up $90 from last year)
Oakland students...$491
Raymond students...$219 (from 130 students)
Sheridan students...$400 (up $60 from last year)
Stevenson students...$1,039 (up $100 from last year)
Washington students...$1,092 (up $690 from last year)

Research shows student achievement based on 14 variables
The Educational Testing Service identifies 14 variables associated with student achievement and the gaps in achievement among subgroups. Download the 42-page .pdf HERE.

Buy Denny's Doughnuts, donate to BHS
Denny's Doughnuts is giving the BHS Drama Club and Speech Team a portion of the profits for doughnuts and cookies during the month of November. A flyer must accompany your order. Download HERE.

Have a story or event to list? Click HERE !

a) Sheridan School (formerly known as the "Number 6 School.")

b) Bent School (formerly known as the "Number 5 School" and later, the "Hawthorne School.")

c) Irving School (formerly known as the "Number 3 School.")

d) Edwards School (formerly known as the "Number 2 School.")

Those who answered correctly won a box of Barnum's Animal Crackers and a pouch of Gold Rocks Nugget Bubble Gum.

The correct answer can be found HERE.