
🎪🎉This past Friday, it was all fun & games at both Stevenson and Oakland as they hosted their annual Carnivals! 🎠✨ What a perfect way to celebrate an amazing school year with games, fun, and friends!
#SchoolCarnival #CelebrationTime #EndOfSchoolYearFun #WeAreD87
🎪🎉El viernes pasado, tanto Stevenson como Oakland celebraron sus carnavales anuales, ¡y todo fue diversión! 🎠✨ ¡Qué manera tan perfecta de celebrar un año escolar increíble con juegos, diversión y amigos!
#CarnavalEcológico #TiempoDeCelebración #DiversiónDeFinDeAñoEcológico #SomosD87

🌟 Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week in D87! 🌟🎉
This week, we roll out the red carpet for our true stars—the dedicated teachers of D87! They do more than teach; they inspire, listen, and guide our students toward bright futures. 🍎📚💡
Join us in celebrating the commitment, creativity, and care our teachers bring into every classroom. Thank you for everything you do every day!
#TeacherAppreciationWeek #D87Stars #ThankATeacher #EducationHeroes #WeAreD87
¡Celebramos la Semana de agradecimiento a los maestros en D87! 🌟🎉
Esta semana, extendemos la alfombra roja para nuestras verdaderas estrellas: ¡los dedicados maestros de D87! Hacen más que enseñar; inspiran, escuchan y guían a nuestros estudiantes hacia un futuro brillante.🍎📚💡
Únanse a nosotros para celebrar el compromiso, la creatividad y el cariño que nuestros maestros aportan a cada aula. ¡Gracias por todo lo que hacen a diario!
#semanadeagradecimientoalmaestro #estrellasD87 #graciasaunmaestro #héroesdelaeducación #SomosD87


👏🌟 BHS Key Club Shines Bright! 🌟👏
Recently, the BHS Key Club wowed the Bloomington Kiwanis with a presentation about their amazing activities and impactful fundraisers. 💬✨ These students are true champions of volunteering and incredible role models for our community! 🖤💛
Way to go, Key Club—keep up the inspiring work! 🙌
#BHSKeyClub #StudentLeaders #WeAreD87
👏🌟 ¡El Club Key de BHS brilla con luz propia! 🌟👏
Recientemente, el Club Key de BHS impresionó a los Kiwanis de Bloomington con una presentación sobre sus increíbles actividades y sus impactantes campañas de recaudación de fondos. 💬✨ ¡Estos estudiantes son verdaderos campeones del voluntariado y modelos a seguir increíbles para nuestra comunidad! 🖤💛
¡Bien hecho, Club Key! ¡Sigan con su inspirador trabajo! 🙌
#ClubKeyBHS #EstudiantesLíderes #SomosD8


🌟Shout-out to these Raider role models who earned Positive Principal Referrals for going above and beyond: They’ve not only excelled themselves but also served as role models for their peers. A roaring congratulations to:
Norah Miller (Recognized by Noah Tang & Patty Flores)
Gisela Garcia-Rico (Recognized by Brian Hitchens)
Ariana Brifford-Jones (Recognized by Lali Grathoff & Jess Garrity)
Shaylah Prince (Recognized by Lauren Butts)
Not pictured but equally celebrated is Yareli Espinoza 📸 (Recognized by Noah Tang & Patty Flores)
We're incredibly proud of your achievements, and thank you for demonstrating that Purple Pride Spirit! 🌟
#PositivePrincipalReferral #PurplePride #WeAreD87
🌟Un reconocimiento a estos Raiders, modelos a seguir, que obtuvieron recomendaciones positivas de directores por ir más allá: No solo se han superado a sí mismos, sino que también han sido modelos a seguir para sus compañeros.
Felicitaciones a:
Norah Miller (Reconocida por Noah Tang y Patty Flores)
Gisela Garcia-Rico (Reconocida por Brian Hitchens)
Ariana Brifford-Jones (Reconocida por Lali Grathoff y Jess Garrity)
Shaylah Prince (Reconocida por Lauren Butts)
No aparece en la foto, pero también es reconocida Yareli Espinoza 📸 (Reconocida por Noah Tang y Patty Flores)
¡Estamos increíblemente orgullosos de sus logros y gracias por demostrar ese espíritu de Orgullo Púrpura! 🌟
#recomendaciónpositivadedirectores #OrgulloPúrpura #SomosD87





🌟🎙️ Spotlight on Excellence at the Autism Conference! 📘💼
This past week, D87's very own speech therapist Annie McWilliams and Lisa Ellis, occupational therapy assistant, shone bright at the Autism Conference sponsored by ISU. 🍁 Their session was captivating, drawing in a full house with standing room only! 💬👥
A huge thank you to Annie and Lisa for sharing their expertise and passion with the community- their dedication truly makes a difference!
#AutismConference #WeAreD87
🌟🎙️ ¡Excelencia destacada en la Conferencia de Autismo! 📘💼
La semana pasada, Annie McWilliams, logopeda del D87, y Lisa Ellis, asistente de terapia ocupacional, brillaron en la Conferencia de Autismo patrocinada por ISU. 🍁 Su sesión fue cautivadora y atrajo a un público que no dejaba de estar de pie. 💬👥
Muchísimas gracias a Annie y Lisa por compartir su experiencia y pasión con la comunidad. ¡Su dedicación realmente marca la diferencia!
#ConferenciaDeAutismo #SomosD87


🛡️🌟This past week was a big one for all current D87 5th-graders as they embarked on an exciting journey to explore their future school- BJHS! They got their first taste of what life as a Knight will be like, from understanding grading systems to exploring classes and extracurriculars, and even meeting some of their future teachers! 📚🏸
Adding to the fun, they engaged in an escape room activity, sharpening their team-building skills! 🧩🤝
And there's more! All current 8th-graders walked across campus to BHS to learn about life as a Raider! 🌞🏰 We are excited for all our future Knights and Raiders, and these opportunities to learn about their future schools, helping make that transition just a bit easier!
#FutureKnights #FutureRaiders #BJHSOrientation #BJHSBound #WeAreD87
🛡️🌟La semana pasada todos los alumnos de 5º grado del D87 tuvieron una gran experiencia, ya que se embarcaron en un emocionante viaje para explorar su futura escuela: ¡Bloomington Junior High School! Tuvieron su primera experiencia de cómo será la vida como Caballeros, desde comprender los sistemas de calificación hasta explorar las clases y actividades extracurriculares, ¡e incluso conocer a algunos de sus futuros profesores! 📚🏸
Para aumentar la diversión, participaron en una sala de escape, ¡perfeccionando sus habilidades de trabajo en equipo! 🧩🤝
¡Y aún hay más! Todos los alumnos de 8.º grado caminaron por el campus hasta BHS para aprender sobre la vida como Raiders. 🌞🏰 ¡Estamos emocionados por todos nuestros futuros Knights y Raiders, y por estas oportunidades de aprender sobre sus futuras escuelas, lo que facilitará la transición!
#futuroscaballeros #orientaciónBJHS #rumboaBJHS #SomosD87


📅✨We’re excited to once again host the UKNIGHTED Program this summer—a chance for incoming sixth-grade students to:
✅ Explore the building.
✅ Practice their daily schedule.
✅ Meet teachers, staff, and new friends.
✅ Participate in fun activities!
📅 Dates: July 29, 30, OR 31
🕗 Time: 8:00 AM – 2:45 PM
📍 Location: Bloomington Junior High School
🌟 Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to get ready for middle school!
👉 RSVP Deadline: June 30
Students must be registered and have completed their required vaccinations before attending (Registration opens July 1st).
#Uknighted2025 #WeAreD87
📅✨Nos entusiasma presentar nuevamente el Programa “UKNIGHTED” para este verano 2025, una oportunidad para que los estudiantes de sexto grado ingresen a:
✅ Explorar el edificio.
✅ Practicar su horario diario.
✅ Conocer a maestros, personal y nuevos amigos.
✅ ¡Participar en actividades divertidas!
📅 Fechas: Martes 29, Miércoles 30 o Jueves 31 de julio.
🕗 Hora: 8:00 a. m. a 2:45 p. m.
📍 Lugar: Escuela Bloomington Junior High (BJHS)
🌟 ¡No te pierdas esta increíble oportunidad de prepararte para la secundaria!
👉 Fecha límite para confirmar asistencia: 30 de junio.
Los estudiantes deben estar registrados y haber completado sus vacunas requeridas antes de asistir (la inscripción para el nuevo año escolar 2025-2026 abre el 1 de julio).
#Uknighted2025 #SomosD87

🦋🐛 Stevenson’s annual Butterfly Parade was a smashing success! From chrysalis to butterflies, our Tigers proudly paraded through the school in their costumes, singing joyful butterfly songs 🐾🦋, and wrapped it up with a special performance and parade for their loved ones. As always, it was a beautiful celebration of growth and transformation!🦋🎶
#ButterflyParade #StevensonTigers #2ndGradeMagic #WeAreD87

🎶🎨 An Artful Evening at Sheridan School: Sharks Go West! 🤠🦈
Last night, Sheridan School was alive with the vibrant spirit of the Arts! 🌟
Under the guidance of music teacher Mrs. Crews, with the assistance of student teacher Miss Fedorchak, our talented Sharks delivered an unforgettable western-themed music program - "Sharks Go West"- featuring 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. 🦈🎵🤠
Families were also treated to an exhibition of the year's artwork. Kudos to Mrs. Baker for showcasing the incredible creativity the Sharks have expressed through their art! 🖌️🖼️
Bravo to all involved for bringing the Sheridan Arts to life in such a spectacular way! 👏💫
#SheridanSharks #ArtsNight #SharksGoWest #WeAreD87

🍎🦸♂️ Celebrating School Lunch Hero Day - May 2nd! 🦸♀️🥪
Today we celebrate our awesome nutrition staff- they fuel learning and growth day after day! 🌟 In every tray they prepare, there's a sprinkle of care and a heap of dedication. Our School Lunch Heroes make sure our students are nourished and ready to tackle each new challenge.
So, here's a big THANK YOU to all the wonderful men and women behind our school meals. 🙏💕
#SchoolLunchHeroDay #NutritionHeroes #SchoolMealsMatter #WeAreD87
🍎🦸♂️ ¡Celebrando el Día del Héroe del Almuerzo Escolar - 2 de mayo! 🦸♀️🥪
¡Hoy celebramos a nuestro increíble personal de nutrición: ellos impulsan el aprendizaje y el crecimiento día tras día! 🌟 En cada bandeja que preparan, hay una pizca de cariño y mucha dedicación. Nuestros Héroes del Almuerzo Escolar se aseguran de que nuestros estudiantes estén bien alimentados y listos para afrontar cada nuevo reto.
Así que, ¡muchísimas GRACIAS a todos los maravillosos hombres y mujeres que están detrás de nuestros almuerzos escolares! 🙏💕
#díadelhéroedelalmuerzoescolar #héroesdelanutrición #lascomidasescolaresimportan #SomosD87


Congratulations to four D87 educators who were honored by the Bloomington Rotary - Illinois for making a significant impact within their buildings!! They were awarded a certificate of recognition, a gift card and a stipend to use in their classroom. This year's Rotary Club honorees are:
Dr. Kara Lycke from BHS, nominated by Principal Tim Moore
Amanda Alsot from BJHS, nominated by Principal Messina Lambert
Pam Barlow from Irving, nominated by Principal Connie Morgan
Ryann Querio from Stevenson, nominated by Principal Lynn Shook
Thank you for your outstanding service and hard work, passion, and the difference you make every day!
#MakingADifference #HonoredTeachers #BloomingtonRotary #WeAreD87

🌟🎓 Bent Superstars Shine at ISU! 🎓🌟
Mrs. Bucio's 5th-grade class had an incredible day at ISU! After lunch at Watterson, students presented their research projects (in Spanish!) to U-High AP Spanish and Spanish 3 classes—helping everyone polish their language skills. 💬✨
Throughout the semester, Mrs. Bucio's Superstars worked one-on-one with ISU student teachers, who designed lessons and assessments to help them dive deep into their topics. Their hard work paid off as they impressed ISU professors, future teachers, and peers with their amazing presentations! 👏
What an unforgettable collaboration—so proud of our Bent Superstars! 💪⭐
#BentSuperstars #ISUCollaboration #WeAreD87
¡Las Superestrellas Bent brillan en “Illinois State University” (ISU)!
¡La clase de 5º grado de la Señora Bucio tuvo un día increíble en ISU! Después del almuerzo en Watterson, los estudiantes presentaron sus proyectos de investigación (¡en español!) en las clases de Español AP y Español 3 de U-High, lo que ayudó a todos a perfeccionar sus habilidades lingüísticas.
A lo largo del semestre, las Superestrellas de 5º grado trabajaron individualmente con los maestros en prácticas de ISU, quienes diseñaron lecciones y evaluaciones para ayudarlos a profundizar en sus temas. Su arduo trabajo rindió frutos, ya que impresionaron a profesores, futuros maestros y compañeros de ISU con sus increíbles presentaciones.
¡Qué colaboración tan inolvidable! ¡Estamos muy orgullosos de nuestras Superestrellas Bent!
#superestrellasBent #colaboracionISU #SomosD87











👟🎉The Oakland Girls on the Run team just crushed their first practice 5K after weeks of training and building up their skills—way to go, girls! 🙌💪 The energy they bring to every step is inspiring, and we can’t wait to cheer them on in Springfield on May 17th! 🏅
Sending all the support and 💖 to ALL our amazing D87 students who will be participating in Girls on the Run—you’ve got this! 🏃♀️
#GirlsOnTheRun #WeAreD87
👟🎉El equipo de Oakland Girls on the Run arrasó en su primera carrera de práctica de 5K tras semanas de entrenamiento y perfeccionamiento. ¡Bien hecho, chicas! 🙌💪 La energía que transmiten a cada paso es inspiradora, ¡y estamos deseando animarlas en Springfield el 17 de mayo! 🏅
Les enviamos todo el apoyo y 💖 a TODAS nuestras increíbles estudiantes del D87 que participarán en Girls on the Run. ¡Lo tienen todo! 🏃♀️
#GirlsOnTheRun #WeAreD87

✨🎨Ms. Hoepner's classes at Sarah Raymond have outdone themselves this year at the 2nd Annual Art Show. The Rookies worked hard all year, creating incredible art inspired by legends like Claude Monet, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, and Alma Thomas. 🌟 .
🙌 Huge applause for our young artists and their amazing creativity! 🎉
#CelebratingCreativity #FutureArtists #WeAreD87








📣🏗️ Hands-On Learning in Action!
Construction trade students from the Bloomington Career Academy (formerly the BACC) got the chance to put their skills to work! 🔨✨ After touring the building that will house the BCA next year (the Willie G. and Gloria Brown Education Center) - they put their training into practice by hanging drywall on-site! 🏗️
👏 Huge shoutout to these talented students for embracing such valuable hands-on experience and being able to say that they had a part in the construction of the building! 🌟
#BloomingtonCareerAcademy #FutureBuilders #SkillsInAction #WeAreD87
¡Aprendizaje práctico en acción!
Los estudiantes de la Academia de Carreras de Bloomington (anteriormente BACC por sus siglas en inglés) tuvieron la oportunidad de poner en práctica sus habilidades. 🔨✨ Tras visitar el edificio que albergará la Academia el próximo año (el Centro Educativo Willie G. y Gloria Brown), ¡pusieron en práctica su formación instalando paneles de yeso en la obra! 🏗️
👏 ¡Un enorme agradecimiento a estos talentosos estudiantes por adoptar una experiencia práctica tan valiosa y poder decir que participaron en la construcción del edificio!🌟
#AcademiadeCarrerasdeBloomington #futurosconstructores #habilidadesenacción #SomosD87

👨🎓🎓Hey BHS graduates! Is your BHS graduation cap and gown collecting dust in the closet? It’s time to give them a new life and a chance to shine once again! 🌟
Consider donating your cap and gown to support the class of 2025 graduates. Your contribution can make a world of difference for families in need of extra assistance during this milestone moment. 🌈
Let's help every grad look their best as they stride across the stage with pride. Donate today and let your cap and gown take part in another unforgettable journey! 👩🎓🎉👨🎓
Drop-off details: BHS caps and gowns can be dropped off at Bloomington High School or the Educational Office at 300 E. Monroe St.
#BHSGradsGiveBack #CapAndGownDonation #Classof2025 #WalkTheStageAgain #WeAreD87
¡Hola, graduados de BHS! ¿Sus togas y birretes de graduación de BHS están acumulando polvo en el armario? ¡Es hora de darles una nueva vida y la oportunidad de brillar una vez más! 🌟
Consideren donar su toga y birrete para apoyar a la nueva generación de graduados de la clase 2025. Su contribución puede marcar una gran diferencia para las familias que necesitan apoyo adicional en este momento tan importante. 🌈
Ayudemos a cada graduado a lucir lo mejor posible al caminar por el escenario con orgullo. ¡Donen hoy y dejen que su toga y birrete formen parte de otra experiencia inolvidable! 👩🎓🎉👨🎓
Información sobre la entrega: Las togas y birretes de BHS se pueden entregar en la Preparatoria Bloomington o en la Oficina de Educación D87 (ESC por sus siglas en inglés) ubicada en 300 E. Monroe St., Bloomington.
#losgraduadosdeBHSaportan #donaciondebirreteytoga #clasede2025 #volveralescenario #SomosD87


🥚📦 Egg-citing Engineering at Irving!
This past Friday was a smashing (or should we say, non-smashing) success at Irving Elementary! Third graders took on the annual "Egg Drop" challenge. 🌟
Each class broke into small teams to engineer creative contraptions to protect an egg from an 8-foot plunge.🏗️🥚 Any egg that survived the initial drop was taken to new heights by Mr. Brooks, who dropped them from the roof! 🏫🥚
Kudos to all the students for their hard work and innovative thinking!
#EggDropChallenge #STEMeducation #FutureEngineers #WeAreD87





💻✨ Celebrating 25 Years of Tech Leadership! ✨💻
This Saturday, D87 proudly hosted its 25th Students Involved with Technology (SIT) Conference—a one-of-a-kind event for students, by students! 🌟
Our amazing student presenters led engaging sessions to share their knowledge and skills with their peers. From coding to creative tech projects, it was a day full of collaboration, innovation, and learning! 🎮💡 And let’s not forget the excitement of earning SIT bucks for awesome prizes! 🎁🎉
Here's to empowering the next generation of tech leaders! 🚀
#SITConference2025 #FutureInnovators #STEM #WeAreD87

🍎🌟Hats off to BHS Teacher Lauren Butts! 🎉 Lauren has been honored with the prestigious Catalyst Award by The Arc of Illinois!
Pictured with Josie Peck, BHS '24, a former student who has seen firsthand the positive waves Lauren has created within BHS and the community. 📸 The Catalyst Award is a symbol of recognition for teacher leaders who not only demonstrate an evidence-based, caring commitment to their students but also leave a lasting positive impact on both the school and the wider community. 👩🏫💡
Let's all give a round of applause to Lauren for embodying excellence and for her passionate commitment to shaping a brighter future for all her students! 👏
#BHSExcellence #CatalystAward #TeacherImpact #WeAreD87




🩺💼 We're sending out a massive shoutout to OSF St. Joseph Medical Center for teaming up with D87 for our second-ever health clinic, held at BJHS this week! 🌟 Thanks to this partnership, over 150 students completed their physical and immunization requirements for entering 6th and 9th grades.
Here's to making health and education a top priority together!🎉📚
#PartnersInHealth #StudentWellness #WeAreD87