Last night, the Illinois State Board of Education hosted the Those Who Excel Awards Banquet, recognizing educators who make an outstanding impact in schools and communities across Illinois. 🌟
We’re proud to celebrate District 87’s amazing winners:
🎉 Stephanie Willette (Kindergarten at Irving) – Award of Meritorious Service
🎉 Myriah Monical (LBS1 at Irving) – Award of Meritorious Service
🎉 Sarah Lewis (5th Grade at Sheridan) – Award of Meritorious Service
🎉 Erin Knuth (5th Grade at Irving) – Award of Special Recognition
🎉 Kristen Foley (District 87 Elementary Literacy Coach) – Award of Excellence
This special event was attended by Stephanie Willette, Myriah Monical, Erin Knuth, Kristen Foley, and principals Connie Morgan (Irving) and Lynn Shook (Stevenson). While Sarah Lewis couldn’t attend in person, she was honored during the ceremony for her contributions.
Congratulations to all for their incredible leadership, impact, and service. You make D87 proud every day! 💜
#ThoseWhoExcel #TeacherExcellence #CelebratingEducators #WeAreD87
⛳️🏌️♂️ Once a Raider, Always a Raider!
Our very own 2005 BHS grad Brandon Holtz and his family recently returned from the Masters Tournament, and we were lucky enough to get a glimpse of their priceless memories from the event! 📸❤️
A huge thank you to the Holtz family for sharing these special moments with us. Best of luck to Brandon at the US Open this June, the D87 community will be cheering you on every step of the way! 🎉⭐️
#OnceARaiderAlwaysARaider #BHSFamily #GoodLuckBrandon #GolfGreatness #WeAreD87
❤️💪 Raiders Give Back!
Today, BHS hosted its 3rd and final blood drive of the year in partnership with the American Red Cross. 🩸
Both students and staff stepped up to make an impact by donating blood. 🩹✨ Thank you to all the Raiders who participated for making a difference in our community and beyond!💜💛💜💛
#RaidersGiveBack #BHSBloodDrive #AmericanRedCross #WeAreD87
🎶🎤🎻 Intercity Music Festival Success! Last Saturday, BJHS proudly hosted the Intercity Music Festival, bringing together around 240 talented students from area schools! 🎺🎷
These young musicians showcased their skills in band, choir, and orchestra, creating a day filled with incredible performances and collaboration. 👏
Kudos to all the participants, directors, and volunteers for making the festival a memorable event, and especially to our talented BJHS musicians! 🎵💙
#IntercityMusicFestival #StudentMusicians #WeAreD87
Last night marked the final session of Sheridan Shark swimming lessons for Sheridan students in collaboration with the YMCA! 🏊♀️🏊♂️
Students in grades K–5 had the amazing opportunity to attend swim lessons, where they:
✔️ Received all their swim gear (swimsuits, towels, goggles 🩱🩳👓)
✔️ Spent time in the pool learning valuable swimming skills
✔️ Enjoyed snack and playtime afterward 🥪🎉
Whether it was the fall or winter 6-week session, this program gave students an exciting way to learn and grow in the water.
A huge thank you to our Shark Experts 🦈 and the YMCA staff for their dedication in making this possible! 💙
#SheridanSharks #ThankYouYMCA #WeAreD87
📣 Just a reminder—our D87 future kindergartner open houses are right around the corner!
D87 is hosting Kindergarten Open Houses on April 28th from 4–6 PM at each of our elementary schools! 🎒✨
This is a wonderful opportunity for incoming kindergartners and their families to:
✅ Visit their future school
✅ Meet teachers and staff
✅ Gather information about kindergarten
✅ Ask questions and learn what to expect
For additional details, head over to our website:
🔗https://www.district87.org/o/bps/page/kindergarten-open-house
Please share this with anyone who will have an incoming kindergartner for the 2026–27 school year! 🧡
#KindergartenOpenHouse #FutureKindergartners #ClassOf2039 #WeAreD87
From caring for the eggs to seeing new life up close, this hands-on activity brought learning to life in the most amazing way. 🌟 Rookies🐶 + Chicks 🐣 = a whole lot of learning and fun!
#HatchingExcitement #SpringLearning #Rookies&Chicks #WeAreD87
💬Share a comment to show your appreciation or a special shoutout to an assistant principal who has made a difference in your or your student's life! 🎉👏
#NationalAssistantPrincipalsWeek #ThankYouAPs #D87Strong #LeadershipInAction #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork 🌟
🌼📚Mark your calendars! Blooming with Books: A Family Literacy Night is around the corner!
Join us for an evening full of stories, creativity, and fun! Bring the whole family to celebrate student literacy through hands-on activities!
🗓 Tuesday, May 5, 2026
⏰ 3:00–4:30 PM
📍 BJHS
✨ What to expect:
• Scholastic Book Fair (BOGO!)
• Meet local authors
• Student storytelling
• Bookmark & book cover design station
• Free book giveaways
• Photo booth fun
• Local literacy resources for families
📲 Register now at: https://bit.ly/48wdGM7
Let’s grow a love of reading together 🌷💛 #BloomingWithBooks #FamilyLiteracy #WeAreD87
Last night was the artist reception for the D87 5th-Grade Art Show at the Bloomington Public Library! 📚 Our amazingly talented elementary art teachers welcomed students and their families to:
🎨 Browse the 5th-grade artwork
🍪 Enjoy some snacks
🖌️ Complete a fun art project with their loved ones
A huge THANK YOU to our wonderful D87 art teachers and everyone who came out to support these young artists! ❤️
If you haven’t stopped by the Bloomington Public Library yet, be sure to check out these amazing pieces of art on display before April 24th! 🎉
#D87ArtShow #YoungArtists #ArtInBloomington #CreativityInAction #WeAreD87
Mrs. Heinonen’s first-grade class at Oakland had an AMAZING time celebrating National Schwa Day yesterday! 🥳
What’s a schwa? It’s the most common sound in the English language—a relaxed /uh/ or /ih/ sound found in words like amazing, lemon, banana, and pencil. 📝✨
To celebrate, the class:
👑 Made crowns
📖 Read The Not-So-Lazy Schwa
🧩 Completed a schwa word sort
✍️ Built a list of schwa words
👗 Designed “tunics” with schwa words to shine in a schwa fashion show
And the best part, they did all this in their pajamas (another schwa word)! 🛌🤣
Who says phonics can’t be FUN?! 🥰🎈
#NationalSchwaDay #PhonicsFun #WeAreD87
Brandon is ready to hit it out of the park (or rather, onto the green 🏌️) and make us proud. Check out these throwback photos from his time at BHS—once a Raider, always a Raider! 💜💛💜💛
The entire District 87 community is rooting for you—hole-in-one vibes your way, Brandon! 💪
#BHSToTheMasters #OnceARaiderAlwaysARaider #GoBrandon #WeAreD87
Attention family and friends of BHS seniors—don’t miss your chance to honor your graduate in the yearbook! The deadline to submit senior ads is April 10th. 🗓️
Have questions? Email Kaitlyn Baez at baezk@district87.org for assistance! 💜💛
#BHSSeniors #ClassOf2026 #YearbookMemories #CelebrateYourGrad #WeAreD87
Hands-on activities like this help build problem-solving skills, teamwork, and critical thinking- these Sharks are swimming their way to success! 🌟🐟
#MeasureItUp #BuildingBrightFutures #WeAreD8
The countdown is over. Let’s face the IAR with confidence. Good luck to all our test-takers out there!
👏Remember to stay calm, focused, and most importantly, to always #ShowWhatYouKnow!
#ReadySetAchieve #CrushTheTest #ShowWhatYouKnow #WeAreD87
Wishing a happy Easter to everyone in our D87 community who celebrates! May your day be filled with happiness, colorful eggs, and sweet treats! 🥚🍫🌷
Enjoy this special time with family and friends!
#HappyEaster #WeAreD87
Do you know a child who will be 5 years old by September 1st? If so, we have exciting news for you! 👶📚 D87 is hosting Kindergarten Open Houses on April 28th from 4pm to 6pm at each of our elementary schools! This is a fantastic opportunity for incoming kindergartners and their families to visit their future school, meet teachers, gather information about kindergarten, and ask questions. 🏫💼
🌈For additional details, head over to our website: https://www.district87.org/o/bps/page/kindergarten-open-house
Please share this with anyone who will have an incoming kindergartner for the 2026/27 school year! 🎈🎉
#D87Kindergarten #FutureScholars #KindergartenOpenHouse #WeAreD87
🎨 Engage in play, quizzes, and art to keep your brain sharp this weekend before the IAR tests. It's time for some fun ways to learn!
🏆 Remember, the real challenge is not the test itself but showing what you’ve learned. Keep it light, stress-free, and let’s #CrushTheTest together!
#ShowWhatYouKnow #ReadySetAchieve #CrushTheTest #WeAreD87
😂 Funny moment: Corny from the Cornbelters hilariously joining a family yoga session with the Yoga Lab! 🧘♂️🌽
A HUGE thank you to our D87 Family Facilitators for organizing this amazing event, to the BHS student helpers, and to all of our incredible sponsors for making it possible:
🎄 The Gingerbread House
🎲 Red Raccoon Games
🌮 Ancho & Agave
🎥 Marcus Theater
🏛️ McLean History Museum
👨👩👧👦 BN Parents
🎮 The Game Store
🧘♀️ Yoga Lab
🤝 Western Avenue Community Center
Thank you to everyone who came out and made the night so special. We’re grateful for such a supportive community! 💜
#FamilyGameNight #D87Proud #CommunityConnections #FamilyFun
