🏰✨ A Royal Welcome for Our Newest Knights! Today marked a new chapter for our incoming 6th-grade Knights as they arrived at their new school this morning! 📚🎒 To make the transition to BJHS as warm and welcoming as possible, staff from their former elementary schools greeted them with familiar smiles, right at the gate! 🌟
Welcome to your new school, Knights! 🛡️
#NewBeginnings #WelcomeKnights #FirstDayMagic #WeAreD87
Welcome to your new school, Knights! 🛡️
#NewBeginnings #WelcomeKnights #FirstDayMagic #WeAreD87
🌟✨ Are You Ready for It?? Because WE ARE!
This morning, the entire D87 staff came together- charged with energy and excitement! But it didn’t stop there – we were pumped at the all-staff assembly led by none other than D87 superintendent Dr. Mouser! 🎉💥
💡🚀 It’s official: We’re all set to "Level Up" and welcome our students back for what’s guaranteed to be a blockbuster school year!
Let’s make this year unforgettable. Bring it on! 📚🌈
#D87Ready #LevelUp #BackToSchool2025 #EnergizedAndExcited #WeAreD87
This morning, the entire D87 staff came together- charged with energy and excitement! But it didn’t stop there – we were pumped at the all-staff assembly led by none other than D87 superintendent Dr. Mouser! 🎉💥
💡🚀 It’s official: We’re all set to "Level Up" and welcome our students back for what’s guaranteed to be a blockbuster school year!
Let’s make this year unforgettable. Bring it on! 📚🌈
#D87Ready #LevelUp #BackToSchool2025 #EnergizedAndExcited #WeAreD87
BCA Update!
Our students are gearing up to start classes at the BCA (Bloomington Career Academy) this coming Monday, and WOW—look at how incredible the new space has turned out! 🤩
The transformation has been amazing- here’s a glimpse into the new building where our BCA students and staff will kick off this exciting new chapter! 🌟💡
#BCAUpdate #NewBeginnings #WeAreD87
Our students are gearing up to start classes at the BCA (Bloomington Career Academy) this coming Monday, and WOW—look at how incredible the new space has turned out! 🤩
The transformation has been amazing- here’s a glimpse into the new building where our BCA students and staff will kick off this exciting new chapter! 🌟💡
#BCAUpdate #NewBeginnings #WeAreD87
✨Welcome to the BCA: Meet Kyle Rousey!
Kyle will be teaching Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation (HERO) at the Bloomington Career Academy (BCA) this year!
Throughout his life, Kyle has always idolized instructors who were able to create a connection between their students and the curriculum while showing genuine care in every aspect—and promoting a driven, hardworking mindset. He believes the best way to ensure teachers like that continue to make an impact on the younger generation is to become one of them.
This year, he’s most excited about watching his students dive into heavy equipment repair and operation—but even more so, seeing them discover something new about themselves along the way.
On top of teaching, Kyle is also a proud coach for BHS Football and Baseball (Go Raiders!). A United States Marine who enlisted right after high school, Kyle currently serves in the Marine Corps Reserves. In his free time, he enjoys building engines and spending quality time with his pets 🐾.
Welcome to your new role, Kyle! We’re thrilled to have you connecting with students and inspiring the next generation of HEROes. 💪
Kyle will be teaching Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation (HERO) at the Bloomington Career Academy (BCA) this year!
Throughout his life, Kyle has always idolized instructors who were able to create a connection between their students and the curriculum while showing genuine care in every aspect—and promoting a driven, hardworking mindset. He believes the best way to ensure teachers like that continue to make an impact on the younger generation is to become one of them.
This year, he’s most excited about watching his students dive into heavy equipment repair and operation—but even more so, seeing them discover something new about themselves along the way.
On top of teaching, Kyle is also a proud coach for BHS Football and Baseball (Go Raiders!). A United States Marine who enlisted right after high school, Kyle currently serves in the Marine Corps Reserves. In his free time, he enjoys building engines and spending quality time with his pets 🐾.
Welcome to your new role, Kyle! We’re thrilled to have you connecting with students and inspiring the next generation of HEROes. 💪
🌟Get ready to see what this school year has in store for your student!
Class schedules for BHS and BJHS, and teacher assignments for all D87 elementary schools, will be available in Skyward starting today, Monday, August 11th, at 4 PM!
We're excited to kick off another amazing school year- we can't wait to see all our students back in class! 🏫✨
#BackToSchool #ClassSchedules #TeacherAssignments #WeAreD87
Class schedules for BHS and BJHS, and teacher assignments for all D87 elementary schools, will be available in Skyward starting today, Monday, August 11th, at 4 PM!
We're excited to kick off another amazing school year- we can't wait to see all our students back in class! 🏫✨
#BackToSchool #ClassSchedules #TeacherAssignments #WeAreD87
🎒✏️ Countdown Alert: The first day of school is almost here! Are you ready for it? With the new school year just around the corner, it's time to get those health requirements checked off your list!
🍎🩺Make sure your student is ready for the first day of school by completing and submitting all necessary health documents to the school nurse. Here’s a quick breakdown:
✔Physicals are required for incoming preschoolers, kindergarteners, 6th graders, and 9th graders.
✔Immunizations are needed for students entering preschool, kindergarten, 6th grade, and 12th grade.
To see a list of immunizations needed, visit: https://bit.ly/4f1g5QQ
First day of School Dates:
🍎Sarah E. Raymond School of Early Education: Friday, August 15 (Parent/student orientation)
🍎D87 Elementary Schools: Friday, August 15 (Kindergarten classes are by appointment)
🍎BJHS: Friday, August 15, for 6th graders only; ALL students on Monday, August 18th
🍎BHS: Friday, August 15, for 9th graders & students new to BHS only; ALL students on Monday, August 18th
#BackToSchool2025 #WeAreD87
🌟🍽️ The D87 onboarding continues with the New Teacher Luncheon! We are so lucky to have all these awesome new faces joining our fantastic D87 team! 🤩
Welcome aboard, everyone! Here's to a great school year full of new experiences and successes! 💜💛💜💛
#WelcomeNewTeachers #WeAreD87
📚🎉 The countdown to the new school year is on, and D87 is gearing up! This week, we hosted onboarding sessions for new employees.
Our new paraprofessionals even had an awesome opportunity to learn and connect during a Q&A session with our incredible veteran PA panel: Michelle Johnson, Olga Rider, Daynna Hebsenstreit, Lori Kiley, and Annie Mattingly. 🙌
Here’s to building a strong team for a fantastic year ahead! 💪💜💛
#NewSchoolYear #ParaprofessionalsRock #WeAreD87
Our new paraprofessionals even had an awesome opportunity to learn and connect during a Q&A session with our incredible veteran PA panel: Michelle Johnson, Olga Rider, Daynna Hebsenstreit, Lori Kiley, and Annie Mattingly. 🙌
Here’s to building a strong team for a fantastic year ahead! 💪💜💛
#NewSchoolYear #ParaprofessionalsRock #WeAreD87
🍎Today was the first day for new teachers throughout D87, allowing them time to get acquainted with their new work homes! 🏫
🦉 Over at Oakland, new teachers Andrew Tobin, Chelsea Bunton, and Meghan Malecki are getting comfy in their new Owl Nest!
Here's to a fantastic school year ahead! 🎉
#NewTeachers #Back2School #BackToSchool2025 #WeAreD87
🦉 Over at Oakland, new teachers Andrew Tobin, Chelsea Bunton, and Meghan Malecki are getting comfy in their new Owl Nest!
Here's to a fantastic school year ahead! 🎉
#NewTeachers #Back2School #BackToSchool2025 #WeAreD87
📚 Meet Madison Tubbs!
Madison is joining the Bloomington Career Academy (BCA) team as the Foundations of Teaching Instructor! Last year, she taught 7th-grade ELA in the Quad Cities while completing her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction—and coached sophomore volleyball 🏐.
Madison is excited to join the D87, especially since her husband, Isaiah Tubbs, is the new assistant principal at BHS (Welcome Isaiah!)! She’s looking forward to building connections with her students and helping them explore their passion for teaching, as well as creating relationships within the community to guide them toward success in the education field.
When she’s not in the classroom, Madison enjoys reading, playing pickleball, taking walks with her labradoodle Dexter 🐾, and spending time with family and friends. Fun fact: Madison is pictured with hubby Isaiah; they were married this past June!
Welcome to the D87 family, Madison—we’re excited to have you (and Isaiah) shaping the next generation! 💜
#WelcomeToD87 #WeAreD87
Madison is joining the Bloomington Career Academy (BCA) team as the Foundations of Teaching Instructor! Last year, she taught 7th-grade ELA in the Quad Cities while completing her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction—and coached sophomore volleyball 🏐.
Madison is excited to join the D87, especially since her husband, Isaiah Tubbs, is the new assistant principal at BHS (Welcome Isaiah!)! She’s looking forward to building connections with her students and helping them explore their passion for teaching, as well as creating relationships within the community to guide them toward success in the education field.
When she’s not in the classroom, Madison enjoys reading, playing pickleball, taking walks with her labradoodle Dexter 🐾, and spending time with family and friends. Fun fact: Madison is pictured with hubby Isaiah; they were married this past June!
Welcome to the D87 family, Madison—we’re excited to have you (and Isaiah) shaping the next generation! 💜
#WelcomeToD87 #WeAreD87
🚨 Is your student registered for the 2025-26 school year? Make sure your student is registered by TOMORROW, August 6th to complete enrollment.
Let’s get ready for an amazing school year together—we can’t wait to welcome our students! ✏️📚
#BackToSchool #D87Ready #RegisterToday #WeAreD87
Let’s get ready for an amazing school year together—we can’t wait to welcome our students! ✏️📚
#BackToSchool #D87Ready #RegisterToday #WeAreD87
🦈 Welcome to Sheridan’s Shark Tank: Meet Brady Thompson!
Brady is joining Sheridan Elementary this year as a new 4th-grade Shark Expert (teacher) 🦈. Last year, he was finishing his administration license requirements and managing a pool—while sneaking in some studying when pool-goers didn’t need anything!
Brady comes from a family of teachers—his mom, Diana, inspired him to pursue this fulfilling career. Despite starting in nursing, he realized his heart was in the classroom after working with elementary students and has never looked back.
Brady has fond memories of visiting Bloomington while his brother and cousin attended ISU, and he’s excited to now live and teach in the community!
This year, he’s looking forward to teaching all subjects, diving into Sheridan Shark way of life, and embracing the big changes that come with starting something new. Outside of work, Brady loves cooking, baking, hitting the gym, and cheering on his favorite team—the Las Vegas Raiders 🏈 (through all the highs and lows).
Welcome to the District 87 family, Brady! Let’s make it a sharktastic year! 🦈💙
#WelcomeToD87 #WeAreD87
Brady is joining Sheridan Elementary this year as a new 4th-grade Shark Expert (teacher) 🦈. Last year, he was finishing his administration license requirements and managing a pool—while sneaking in some studying when pool-goers didn’t need anything!
Brady comes from a family of teachers—his mom, Diana, inspired him to pursue this fulfilling career. Despite starting in nursing, he realized his heart was in the classroom after working with elementary students and has never looked back.
Brady has fond memories of visiting Bloomington while his brother and cousin attended ISU, and he’s excited to now live and teach in the community!
This year, he’s looking forward to teaching all subjects, diving into Sheridan Shark way of life, and embracing the big changes that come with starting something new. Outside of work, Brady loves cooking, baking, hitting the gym, and cheering on his favorite team—the Las Vegas Raiders 🏈 (through all the highs and lows).
Welcome to the District 87 family, Brady! Let’s make it a sharktastic year! 🦈💙
#WelcomeToD87 #WeAreD87
🍎 This morning, D87 admins, directors, and superintendents came together for the Regional Office of Education (ROE#17) Administrator's Back to School Breakfast to kick off the start of a new school year!
🙌 We’re energized and ready to make this year the best one yet for our students, staff, and community- here's to a fantastic school year ahead!💜💛
#BackToSchool #WeAreD87
🙌 We’re energized and ready to make this year the best one yet for our students, staff, and community- here's to a fantastic school year ahead!💜💛
#BackToSchool #WeAreD87
📚 Our New Employee Summer Series Continues: Meet Chelsea Bunton!
Chelsea is joining Oakland as a 3rd-grade teacher! After spending the last year with her daughter and two years working in a local library, District 87 felt like the perfect place for Chelsea to get back into teaching.
This year, Chelsea is excited to find her teaching groove again while balancing home life as a mom to a toddler.
When she’s not teaching, Chelsea loves reading (books are her LIFE!) and spending time outdoors. Her favorite pastime is relaxing outside with a great book while her daughter plays with their sweet puppy, Atlas.
Welcome to Oakland, Chelsea! 🦉💚📖
#WelcomeToD87 #WeAreD87
Chelsea is joining Oakland as a 3rd-grade teacher! After spending the last year with her daughter and two years working in a local library, District 87 felt like the perfect place for Chelsea to get back into teaching.
This year, Chelsea is excited to find her teaching groove again while balancing home life as a mom to a toddler.
When she’s not teaching, Chelsea loves reading (books are her LIFE!) and spending time outdoors. Her favorite pastime is relaxing outside with a great book while her daughter plays with their sweet puppy, Atlas.
Welcome to Oakland, Chelsea! 🦉💚📖
#WelcomeToD87 #WeAreD87
🎶 Calling all incoming 5th graders! 🎶
There is still time to join D87’s 5th Grade Music Ensembles! Choose from band, orchestra, or choir and kick off your musical journey this year!
📅 Meets every morning before school at BJHS
ℹ️ Learn more & sign up at: http://bit.ly/478lTWY
Don’t wait—sign up now and be part of the music magic! 🎵
#D87Music #WeAreD87
There is still time to join D87’s 5th Grade Music Ensembles! Choose from band, orchestra, or choir and kick off your musical journey this year!
📅 Meets every morning before school at BJHS
ℹ️ Learn more & sign up at: http://bit.ly/478lTWY
Don’t wait—sign up now and be part of the music magic! 🎵
#D87Music #WeAreD87
🐾🎟️ Swing by Miller Park Zoo today! We'll be right outside the entrance from 9:30 AM to noon, helping with registration. 🕤
🌟 Added bonus: Register with us today and score tickets to enter the Zoo! Don’t miss out on a fun day with the animals. See you there!
#MillerParkZoo #ZooFun #RegisterToday #WeAreD87
🌟 Added bonus: Register with us today and score tickets to enter the Zoo! Don’t miss out on a fun day with the animals. See you there!
#MillerParkZoo #ZooFun #RegisterToday #WeAreD87
🏰📚 Check out our soon-to-be 6th graders getting a sneak peek into life at BJHS with the UKnighted Program! 🛡️✨
These future Knights got a taste of their new adventure- meeting lots of soon-to-be classmates and teachers, learning their way around the building, and having a blast doing fun team-building activities with new friends (including a fun minute-to-win-it cookie challenge)! It's just the beginning of their journey, but we're already so proud to see these Knights starting strong- here's to new adventures and friendships at BJHS!
#FutureKnights #UKnightedProgram #WeAreD87
These future Knights got a taste of their new adventure- meeting lots of soon-to-be classmates and teachers, learning their way around the building, and having a blast doing fun team-building activities with new friends (including a fun minute-to-win-it cookie challenge)! It's just the beginning of their journey, but we're already so proud to see these Knights starting strong- here's to new adventures and friendships at BJHS!
#FutureKnights #UKnightedProgram #WeAreD87
🔢 Next up in our D87 New Employee Summer Series: Meet Mike Wallace!
Mike is joining the BJHS family as the new 8th-grade math teacher! He comes to D87 from Don D. Shute Elementary School in East Peoria. After spending the last eight years in administration, Mike decided to return to the classroom—a place he missed—and is excited to be closer to home and teaching in the district where he lives and where his daughter attends school.
This year, Mike can’t wait to meet his students and help them build the skills they need to prepare for high school.
When he’s not teaching, Mike enjoys building things, fishing, and spending time with his wife, Megan, and their two children, Sloane and Bowen. The Wallace family also includes their two dogs, Staley and Gio🐶.
Welcome to the Knight family and D87, Mike! 🛡✨
#WelcomeToD87 #WeAreD87
Mike is joining the BJHS family as the new 8th-grade math teacher! He comes to D87 from Don D. Shute Elementary School in East Peoria. After spending the last eight years in administration, Mike decided to return to the classroom—a place he missed—and is excited to be closer to home and teaching in the district where he lives and where his daughter attends school.
This year, Mike can’t wait to meet his students and help them build the skills they need to prepare for high school.
When he’s not teaching, Mike enjoys building things, fishing, and spending time with his wife, Megan, and their two children, Sloane and Bowen. The Wallace family also includes their two dogs, Staley and Gio🐶.
Welcome to the Knight family and D87, Mike! 🛡✨
#WelcomeToD87 #WeAreD87
📣 District Office Closed Tomorrow – But We’re Still Here to Help!
Please note: The District 87 Board Office will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, July 29.
Need help with school registration? ✏️ We’ve got you covered!
✅ Today (Monday, July 28)
📍 Arbor Apartments Bookmobile Stop (off Prospect, near the main office)
🕞 3:30–4:30 PM
✅ Thursday, July 31
📍 Miller Park Zoo
🕘 9:30 AM–12:00 PM
Stop by either location for in-person registration help—we’re happy to assist! 💜💛
#BackToSchool #RegistrationHelp #WeAreD87
Please note: The District 87 Board Office will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, July 29.
Need help with school registration? ✏️ We’ve got you covered!
✅ Today (Monday, July 28)
📍 Arbor Apartments Bookmobile Stop (off Prospect, near the main office)
🕞 3:30–4:30 PM
✅ Thursday, July 31
📍 Miller Park Zoo
🕘 9:30 AM–12:00 PM
Stop by either location for in-person registration help—we’re happy to assist! 💜💛
#BackToSchool #RegistrationHelp #WeAreD87
🔬 Next up in our D87 New Employee Summer Series: Meet Karissa Turnquist!
Karissa is joining BJHS as the new 7th-grade science and ELL teacher! A recent graduate of Illinois State University, Karissa spent last year student teaching on the 7H team with Marsha Veninga. She loved working with the incredible BJHS students and staff and is beyond excited to officially join the Knight family 🛡!
Teaching has always been Karissa’s passion—it’s felt like her calling since she was young. Her amazing experience student teaching at BJHS confirmed this was the right path for her! This year, she’s looking forward to making her classroom a safe space and positive learning environment for all students.
In her free time, Karissa enjoys cooking, reading, and hanging out with her two cats, Jasper and Pumba😻.
Welcome to the D87 family, Karissa! 🌟
#WelcomeToD87 #WeAreD87
Karissa is joining BJHS as the new 7th-grade science and ELL teacher! A recent graduate of Illinois State University, Karissa spent last year student teaching on the 7H team with Marsha Veninga. She loved working with the incredible BJHS students and staff and is beyond excited to officially join the Knight family 🛡!
Teaching has always been Karissa’s passion—it’s felt like her calling since she was young. Her amazing experience student teaching at BJHS confirmed this was the right path for her! This year, she’s looking forward to making her classroom a safe space and positive learning environment for all students.
In her free time, Karissa enjoys cooking, reading, and hanging out with her two cats, Jasper and Pumba😻.
Welcome to the D87 family, Karissa! 🌟
#WelcomeToD87 #WeAreD87
