Mrs. Karen Putt has been with the Bluford school district for the past 13 years! She is currently the junior high English/Language Arts teacher. Prior to assuming her role in the junior high, she taught third grade for 8 years. Before joining the staff at BGS, she has served in other roles in education including as a substitute teacher and aide.When asked what...
The Board of Education approved a school calendar for the 2019-2020 school year at the February meeting. The goal in approving a calendar is to allow families to plan and take into consideration which days students will be in attendance next school year. A couple of items are currently missing on the school calendar. First, we have not scheduled dates for parent...
Ms. Denise Neal serves the Bluford Unit School District #318 as a special education/classroom paraprofessional. She has worked for the district for the past five years. Prior to stepping into her current role, Ms. Denise worked as a substitute librarian, paraprofessional, and secretary for District 80. She also served as a classroom monitor for high school...
The school district recently enrolled in the Kroger Community Rewards program. The school will receive quarterly rewards from community members shopping at Kroger. In order to participate, you must have a rewards card and select Bluford USD #318 online. Information from Kroger on how to enroll is below.
To Use the Kroger Community Rewards Program:
Simply...
Bluford Grade School is beginning a student of the month program. Thank you to the BGS Booster Club for sponsoring the program. Each month, teachers will select one student per grade level to be recognized as the student of the month. For January, teachers selected the following students:Kindergarten- Beau GordonFirst Grade- Kylie PhelpsSecond Grade- Kaycie...
(Pictured: Carol Magnus, Amanda Pigg, Patricia Verdeyen, Crystal Marlow, Ashley Withrow, and Shane Gordon)The Bluford Grade School Booster Club recently donated $10,000 to Bluford Grade School. The school and Booster Club have been working together over the last several months on a project to make significant improvements to the playground. With the help of the...
As construction continues to move along, we have been informed that the completion timeline has been moved back. Certain elements have hindered progress. The anticipated completion timeline is now set for February 26. However, weather will play a significant role in remaining on this schedule as asphalt paving has yet to be completed. Another large factor to...
Mrs. Tracie Steward:Many students have called Mrs. Tracie Steward, "teacher," over the years. That is because she has called kindergarten home with the Bluford School District for the last 30 years. Prior to joining the Bluford School District, Mrs. Steward taught fifth grade for two years in Carbondale. Mrs. Steward loves seeing families continue to come...
The Illinois State Board of Education released the 2017-2018 school report card on October 31. This is the first year for new school designations under the new federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). There are four possible designations for schools in Illinois.- Exemplary- A school that has no underperforming subgroups, a graduation rate of at greater than...
Mr. Kevin Westall:Mr. Kevin Westall currently serves as the K-12 principal for Bluford Unit Schools. He has been employed by BUSD for three years. This school year marks Mr. Westall's 23rd year in education. He began his career as a special education teacher and taught for five years before transitioning to a Dean of Students/Athletic Director role. He has spent...
Mr. Jeff DunawayMr. Jeff Dunaway has served the Bluford School District for the past 12 years. During that time, he has been employed as the Director of Buildings & Grounds. Mr. Dunaway, AKA Uncle Jeff (as the pre-schoolers call him), has a vast array of skill sets which come in handy when working in school building. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes...
Ms. Lyna BensonMs. Benson has served children in the Bluford School District for the past 22 years. She currently teaches fifth grade Language Arts and Social Studies. Through the years, Ms. Benson has taught a wide range of grade levels and courses. She has experience teaching K-4 special education, 6-8 special education, behavioral disorder special education,...
Mrs. Linda Breeze has been employed by Bluford schools for the past 18 years. In her current role, she monitors and maintains the elementary computer lab. Everyday, every student in grades K-8 visit her. During this time, students have a wide range of interactive games and learning tools to choose from. Over the years, Mrs. Breeze has compiled a gallery of age...
Mr. Bobby Herzing has served the Bluford community for the past 22 years. He has been employed as the school counselor at the former Webber Township District and now the consolidated Bluford Unit #318. In addition to serving as the counselor, Mr. Herzing served as the Athletic Director for several years. Mr. Herzing really enjoys working with the staff to help...
This edition of, "Meet the Staff," is dedicated to Mrs. Barb Scheirbaum. Barb has worked with the Bluford (and former Webber) school district for the last 15 years. With the start of this school year, she moved into a full time position as a cook, so she now serves breakfast and lunch to students daily at Bluford schools. Prior to working in the kitchen for BUSD...
Mrs. Cindy BirknerMrs. Birkner began teaching at Webber Township High School in 1995. Over the last 24 school years, Mrs. Birkner has served in a variety of roles including teaching Special Education, science, gifted courses, and sponsoring numerous extra-curricular experiences for students. Mrs. Birkner also has taught science at the college level and frequently...
Ms. Lusby
Ms. Shanna Lusby started working with students at Bluford schools last school year. She currently serves as a 1:1 special education aide as well as a lunchroom and recess supervisor. Her varied roles allow her to interact with every student at BUSD #318!
Ms. Lusby favorite aspects of her roles with the district include recess duty, helping kids 1:1...
Ms. Rhonda Seibert
Ms. Seibert is in her first year with Bluford USD #318. She joined the district as a first grade teacher. Ms. Seibert joins our school district with 18 years of teaching experience across a wide range of grade levels. She has previously taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, First grade, Third grade, junior high, and high school students in an Early...
Mrs. Ann FarleyMrs. Farley serves the Bluford school community as a classroom aide and a substitute teacher. This school year marks her 24th year with the district! In addition to her duties throughout the school day, Mrs. Farley has volunteered for 20 years with various extra-curricular activities as her two daughters attended Bluford schools. Mrs. Farley loves...
Mrs. Terri HelmTerri Helm has been working with kids in the Bluford school district for 33 years. This school year marks her 34th year in education! Over those years, she has taught special education, 7th grade Language Arts and social studies, 8th grade, and has been a 4th grade teacher for the past nine years. Over that time, Mrs. Helm has served in many roles...
Substitute Teachers Needed: Most schools in the county are in need of substitute teachers. New legislation allows for individuals with at least 60 hours of college credit to be eligible for a short term substitute license. If you are interested, contact the Regional Office of Education.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!The back to school night was a huge success! Thank you to all of the parents and students who joined us! Also, a special thank you to the Booster Club for feeding the staff and providing popcorn and cookies for the guests.