Paxton-Buckley-Loda CUSD 10

The Illinois Army National Guard Community Relations Event is happening today, Friday, April 17th, offering students a unique, firsthand opportunity to interact with military personnel and explore a variety of vehicles. Organized in collaboration with First Lieutenant Mr. Michael Callahan, an 8th grade social studies teacher, junior high track coach, and proud member of Bravo Company, 634th BSB.  The day kicks off at Clara Peterson Elementary School at 9:00am before moving to PBL High School and Junior High at 1:00pm. We are excited to facilitate this hands-on learning experience and look forward to a great day.

This week, April 6–10, we celebrate National Assistant Principals Week to recognize the incredible leaders who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure our schools thrive. These dedicated professionals play a vital role in our district’s success by supporting students, empowering teachers, and managing daily operations with both precision and heart. Whether they are fostering a safe learning environment or collaborating with staff to improve student outcomes, our APs lead with unwavering commitment to the families they serve. We invite the entire Paxton-Buckley-Loda community to take a moment this week to thank these essential leaders for everything they do.

Come join us April 10-12 for our Into The Woods Musical. This will be hosted in the PBL High School Gymnasium. Tickets are $8 for Adults and $5 for students. Cash only. We are excited to share the hard work of our theater students with you! As you plan your family’s visit, we want to provide a quick content "heads-up." While Act 1 is a whimsical journey through classic fairy tales, Act 2 explores more mature themes, including grief and the loss of major characters. Because of these heavier elements, parents may find the second half of the show less suitable for very young children. We encourage you to use your discretion to ensure the best experience for your family.

On May 1st, PBL High School will celebrate “Declaration Day,” where seniors are invited to wear their chosen college, career, workforce, or military apparel to showcase their next steps after high school. See the attached flier for more information. We are excited to see and support everyone’s next steps as they approach graduation and finalize postsecondary plans!

We are thrilled to share that our Junior High and High School chorus and musical students recently enjoyed a fantastic trip to see the Broadway touring production of The Music Man at the State Farm Center in Champaign, IL on Monday, March 30th. This wonderful experience was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the Choral Boosters, along with the incredible generosity of the PBL Education Foundation and Hudson’s Drug Store. Thanks to their support and a local grant, students were able to attend this professional performance for just $10, with the Booster Club covering the remaining ticket costs. It was a memorable evening of high-quality theater, and we are so grateful to our community partners for helping our students witness the magic of Broadway right here in Central Illinois!

On Saturday, April 4th, we celebrate National School Librarian Day by honoring the wonderful people who make our libraries the heart of the schools. Our librarians do so much more than just check out books; they are the friendly faces who turn story time into an adventure and help students find exactly what they need for their big projects. They create a warm, welcoming space where every student feels inspired to explore, learn, and grow. We are so lucky to have them in our schools—thank you for being such a kind and helpful part of our students' lives every single day.

Kindergarten screening is coming up! Please contact the Clara Peterson office for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Today we celebrated Paraprofessional Appreciation Day. We recognize our paraprofessional educators—also known as teacher assistants or "para-pros"—for their unwavering dedication to our students and staff. Whether they are assisting in classrooms, supporting enrichment activities, helping with assignments, or working with students who have special education needs, their role is essential to student success. Thank you for everything you do!

Judge Fitton recently visited Clara Peterson Elementary, where he read to all Second Grade and Kindergarten students. He shared the story Abe Lincoln’s Hat, engaging students with this fun and educational book about one of America’s most famous presidents. After the book, students had the opportunity to ask questions and interact with Judge Fitton, making the experience even more meaningful. It was a wonderful learning opportunity for everyone involved, and we truly appreciate Judge Fitton taking the time to visit and inspire our students!

Come join us April 10-12 for our Into The Woods Musical. This will be hosted in the PBL High School Gymnasium. Tickets are $8 for Adult and $5 for students. Cash only. We are excited to share the hard work of our theater students with you! As you plan your family’s visit, we want to provide a quick content "heads-up." While Act 1 is a whimsical journey through classic fairy tales, Act 2 explores more mature themes, including grief and the loss of major characters. Because of these heavier elements, parents may find the second half of the show less suitable for very young children. We encourage you to use your discretion to ensure the best experience for your family.

After a long winter filled with illness, it’s more important than ever to refocus on consistent school attendance. Every day in the classroom matters—students build skills, stay connected with their peers, and keep up with important learning that’s hard to replace.

As we move into the spring months, let’s work together to rebuild strong attendance habits. Families, your support makes a big difference in helping students show up ready to learn each day!

📚 Attendance Goal: Students should aim to stay under 17.5 total absences for the entire school year. Staying on track now can make a huge impact on academic success by the end of the year.

Let’s finish the year strong—every day counts!

PBL Kindergarten classes enjoyed a very special guest the first week in March! The Cat in the Hat stopped by and read to all six of our Kindergarten classes!! Our kindergarteners also had a blast with special themed dress-up days and fun reading projects all week long. It was a wonderful and exciting way to celebrate the joy and magic of reading together!

Reminder! PBL is hiring immediately for a Unit Office Payroll Specialist / Recording Secretary. This is a full-time, 12-month position based in the Unit Office.
We are looking for a dedicated and detail-oriented individual to join our district leadership team. If you are ready to make a difference behind the scenes, we want to hear from you!
Position Type: 12-Month
Apply today!
For more information and to submit your application, please visit: https://bit.ly/40e6Aay

Due to the forecasted weather for this evening, Tuesday, March 10th, the Winter Showcase has been canceled and rescheduled. The PBL Junior High and High School Bands now invite you to join us for the 2026 Winter Showcase on Thursday, March 12th, at 6:00 PM in the PBL High School Gym. This musical evening will feature a wide array of talent, including performances by the JH Blue and Gold Jazz Bands, the 6th Grade Band, the 7th & 8th Grade Band, the HS Jazz Band, and the HS Concert Band. General admission is $5, with a discounted rate of $3 for seniors and military members. We will also have concessions available for purchase, so please come out and enjoy a wonderful night of music while supporting our dedicated local student musicians.

We invite parents to provide feedback to help drive our school improvement efforts. The survey is called the 5Essentials Survey, which helps schools and districts identify areas of strength and those needing support. There is an optional parent survey that accompanies the teacher and student surveys. PBL schools will get a report from the parent survey if the school achieves a 20% response rate. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey.

The survey is located at: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/

The PBL Junior High and High School Bands invite you to the 2026 Winter Showcase on Tuesday, March 10th, at 6:00pm in the PBL High School Gym. This musical evening will feature a variety of performances by the JH Blue and Gold Jazz Bands, the 6th Grade Band, the 7th & 8th Grade Band, the HS Jazz Band, and the HS Concert Band. General admission is $5, with a discounted rate of $3 for seniors and military members. Concessions will be available for purchase, so come out and enjoy a night of talent while supporting our local student musicians.

The 8th Grade Orientation/Parent meeting will be held on Wednesday evening, March 4th at 5:30 p.m. in the PBL commons area. All current eighth grade students and their parents or guardians are invited to attend. Students and parents will receive information about courses offered at PBL, graduation requirements, extra-curricular activities and general policies. Also, there will be an open house taking place at the high school as departments and extra-curricular groups will be accessible for questions. Tours of the building will also be available. Please call the high school guidance office at 217-379-4331 ext. 2 with any questions.