🦈💦 And that's a wrap!

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
about 6 hours ago, District 87
sheridan swim
sheridan swim
sheridan swim
sheridan swim
sheridan swim
sheridan swim
sheridan swim
sheridan swim
sheridan swim
sheridan swim

📣 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

about 10 hours ago, District 87
kindergarten
🌸🐣 Spring is in the Air at Sarah Raymond! Mrs. Hoepner’s class had an unforgettable experience, meeting the chicks after the eggs they cared for hatched! 🐥💛

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
1 day ago, District 87
Chicks at Sarah Raymond
Chicks at Sarah Raymond
Chicks at Sarah Raymond
Chicks at Sarah Raymond
Chicks at Sarah Raymond
Chicks at Sarah Raymond
Chicks at Sarah Raymond
Chicks at Sarah Raymond
Chicks at Sarah Raymond
Chicks at Sarah Raymond
📚✨ Happy National Assistant Principals Week! All this week (and every day!) we’re celebrating our amazing D87 assistant principals who work to support our students, staff, and families. 💪❤️ Whether they are solving problems, building relationships, or cheering us on, their leadership and dedication make our schools stronger every single day!

💬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 🌟
5 days ago, District 87
asst principals

🌼📚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

5 days ago, District 87
flyer graphic
flyer spanish
🎨✨ Art in Action: D87 5th-Grade Art Show! ✨🎨

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
6 days ago, District 87
D87 art fair
D87 art fair
D87 art fair
D87 art fair
D87 art fair
D87 art fair
D87 art fair
D87 art fair
D87 art fair
D87 art fair
🎉📚 Schwa Fun in First Grade! 📚🎉

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
7 days ago, District 87
Sha wla fun in first grade!
Sha wla fun in first grade!
Sha wla fun in first grade!
⛳🏌️‍♂️A huge shoutout to Brandon Holtz, a proud Class of 2005 BHS graduate, who will be competing at The Masters this weekend and then stepping up to compete at the U.S. Open later this year- chasing that little white ball on the golf course! 🎉🎓

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
7 days ago, District 87
Photos of Brandon Holtz from BHS
Photos of Brandon Holtz from BHS
Photos of Brandon Holtz present
Photos of Brandon Holtz from BHS
Photos of Brandon Holtz from BHS
Photos of Brandon Holtz from BHS
Photos of Brandon Holtz from BHS
Photos of Brandon Holtz from BHS
Photos of Brandon Holtz from BHS
Photos of Brandon Holtz from BHS
📣 Last Call for Senior Ads! 🎓
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
8 days ago, District 87
senior ads deadline graphic
🎶✨ Back by Popular Demand! ✨🎶 Dr. Thomas’ stepping sessions in Sheridan’s 4th-grade classrooms were such a hit last month that she was invited to teach another lesson—this time to all 4th-grade Sharks together! 🦈👟 The mood and beats were electrifying, and the Sharks crushed it! 💥👏 Thank you, Dr. Thomas, for bringing such positive vibes and rhythm to our 4th-grade Sharks! 🕺💙 #SteppingWithSharks #ElectrifyingEnergy #WeAreD87
8 days ago, District 87
Stepping with Dr. Thomas at Sheridan
Stepping with Dr. Thomas at Sheridan
Stepping with Dr. Thomas at Sheridan
Stepping with Dr. Thomas at Sheridan
Stepping with Dr. Thomas at Sheridan
Stepping with Dr. Thomas at Sheridan
🦈📏Mrs. Mizell's first-grade Sharks at Sheridan "dove" into fun and learning as they measured objects around the classroom to see if they’d fit through the classroom door! 🚪🤔
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
8 days ago, District 87
Measuring objects in Mrs. Mizell's room
Measuring objects in Mrs. Mizell's room
Measuring objects in Mrs. Mizell's room
Measuring objects in Mrs. Mizell's room
Measuring objects in Mrs. Mizell's room
Measuring objects in Mrs. Mizell's room
Measuring objects in Mrs. Mizell's room
IAR Testing Window is now OPEN! 🚀

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
9 days ago, District 87
IAR testing graphic
🐰🌸Happy Easter to our D87 family & friends! 🌸🐰
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
9 days ago, District 87
Easter graphic
🌟✏️ Attention Future D87 Kindergartners! ✏️🌟
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
10 days ago, District 87
Kindergarten open house graphic
Saturday Challenge! 🎲

🎨 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
11 days ago, District 87
IAR testing graphic
🎲🎉 Last night was all about connection with family and friends ❤️ and taking a break from electronic devices at D87’s Family Game Night! Families enjoyed quality time together through games, play, and lots of fun! Every family even went home with a new game to keep the fun going! 🏠🎁

😂 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
11 days ago, District 87
Family Game Night
Family Game Night
Family Game Night
Family Game Night
Family Game Night
Family Game Night
Family Game Night
Family Game Night
Family Game Night
🎨📚 D87 5th Grade Art Show at Bloomington Public Library opens today!
Come out and celebrate the artistic talent of D87's 5th graders in the children's department at the BPL! Whether you browse the exhibit or attend the artist reception, don't miss the chance to support and admire the creativity of our young artists in D87!
🗓️ Exhibit: April 3rd- April 24th
👩‍🎨 Artist Reception: Tuesday, April 7th from 5 to 7 PM
#D87ArtShow2026 #5thGradeArtists #BloomingtonLibrary #WeAreD87
11 days ago, District 87
5th grade art show flyer
Fun Fact Friday! 🎉
We’re just 3 days away from the start of the IAR testing window!
Did you know that staying positive and confident is one of the best ways to succeed on test day? 🌟

💭 Remember, you’ve got this, and we can’t wait to see you show what you know!

What’s one thing you’re doing to prepare this weekend? Let’s hear it in the comments! 👏

#ShowWhatYouKnow #ReadySetAchieve #CrushTheTest #WeAreD87
12 days ago, District 87
IAR testing graphic
👷‍♂️🔨 👷‍♀️Spotlight on the Construction Trades Program at the Bloomington Career Academy!
Are you ready to build your future? 🏗️ At the BCA, students in the construction trades program, led by teachers Mr. Frantz and Mr. Nowark, gain hands-on experience in every aspect of the construction industry. From learning the foundations of plumbing and electrical work to interior design and so much more, students are equipped with practical skills that set them up for success! 🚪💡

📍 Not only do students learn in the classroom, but they also get to visit local businesses to explore real-world applications and gain even more hands-on experience! First-year students have the opportunity to get OSHA 10 certified and OSHA 30 certified for 2nd-year students!

🎾 Fun fact: BCA construction students even helped build the shed at the BHS tennis courts! What an awesome way to see their hard work make a real impact in the community. 💪🏽🏘️

With so many valuable skills learned in this program, these students are prepared to tackle any challenge that comes their way! 🌟

#BuildYourFuture #BCAPride #ConstructionTrades #HandsOnLearning #SkillsForSuccess
12 days ago, District 87
Construction Trades Photos
Construction Trades Photos
Construction Trades Photos
Construction Trades Photos
Construction Trades Photos
Construction Trades Photos
Construction Trades Photos
Construction Trades Photos
Construction Trades Photos
Construction Trades Photos
Best Tip Thursday! 🌟
The IAR testing window is only 4 days away! Let’s calm those pre-test jitters.

🧘‍♀️ Relax & Unwind! Taking time to relax is important for staying focused and confident. Deep breaths can make all the difference!

What’s your go-to relaxation technique before a big day? Share your tips below! 💬

#ShowWhatYouKnow #ReadySetAchieve #CrushTheTest #WeAreD87
13 days ago, District 87
IAR testing graphic