The PBL Junior High School's 8th Grade Recognition event is today on Thursday, May 22nd, at 9:00 AM in the school gymnasium. Doors open at 8:15 AM for all parents, family, and guests; please enter through the north end of the school. We'll honor each 8th grader with a certificate, acknowledging their journey through junior high. Immediately following the ceremony, join us in the Commons for a reception with cupcakes and water, perfect for photos and farewells. All 8th graders also have free admission to the Hudz Family Fun Zone today from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM! Students can then go home or stay for games and Dilly Bars, sponsored by the Student Council. Please note: Friday, May 23rd, is not a required school day for 8th graders, but teachers will be available for one-on-one help with assignments.
8th grade students in Mrs. Harrison and Miss Soto's ELA classes were awarded certificates to represent the four modules they studied throughout the school year.
The Crossover: Improving ELA skills from beginning to the end of the year
All Quiet on the Western Front: Setting examples through work and dedication
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Passion and enthusiasm for writing and literature
Claudette Colvin: Strong leadership through thoughtful perspective
Join us in celebrating the retirements of two long-standing and truly amazing members of our school family: Kara Harrison and Kristin Oyer!
Kara has been a pillar of our 7th Grade Math department for years, shaping countless minds with her dedication. Kristin, our invaluable High School Guidance Counselor, also served as a dedicated teacher, guiding so many students toward their futures. Beyond their crucial roles in academics and counseling, both Kara and Kristen extended their commitment by serving as dedicated volleyball coaches, inspiring countless athletes on and off the court.
Though Kristin isn't in these photos, their combined dedication to our students for so many years is truly remarkable. Their impact will be felt for generations. We wish them all the best in their next chapter and congratulate them on their well-deserved retirements!
Student council took a field trip to Elevate! We had a great time jumping and even had a few real games of dodgeball going!
Our celebration continues...PBL JH, despite the weather, had a great time this morning celebrating our track and field state qualifiers. Good luck to the team & coaches at the state meet this Friday and Saturday in East Peoria at Eastside Centre.
The PBL JH 8th Grade Recognition is set for this Thursday, May 22nd, at 9:00 AM in the PBL Junior High School Gym.
Following the event, we'll host a small reception in the Commons Area. This is a chance for 8th grade students, parents/families, and staff to enjoy cupcakes and water, take pictures, and share final goodbyes. After the reception, 8th grade students are welcome to go home with their parents or stay for the remainder of the school day. The fun doesn't stop there! On Thursday, Hudz Family Fun Zone in downtown Paxton will be open exclusively for our 8th grade students from 10:30 AM until 2:30 PM, with free admission.
On Friday, May 16th, students from the Junior High Life Skills class celebrated the end of the year with a trip to Hudz Zone. Students used money earned from the JH school store that they helped facilitate weekly during the school year. Students and staff had a great time playing arcade games, skeeball, basketball, air hockey and winning prizes from the claw machines. Check out the link for pictures from the fun time had by all: https://photos.app.goo.gl/VrZStejGZ15kw8mk8.
On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, PBL and GCMS 8th grade students had the opportunity to dive into the world of trades, getting their hands dirty and learning about the many exciting career paths available in the trades industry.
From carpentry to welding, electrical work to plumbing, and more, students explored real-world skills, worked alongside professionals, and discovered the endless possibilities a career in the trades can offer!
A huge thank you to all the instructors and tradespeople who made this event possible – your passion and expertise are inspiring the next generation of skilled workers.
Please see the folder with pictures from this inspiring day: https://photos.app.goo.gl/okQuExiqy2rnbXT7A
We are looking to add to our team for the 2025-2026 school year with some positions available immediately.
https://www.pblunit10.com/o/pbl-cusd-10/page/careers-at-pbl
Don't miss the PBL Junior High School Spring Band & Chorus Concert tonight, Tuesday, May 13th, at 6:00 PM in the Gymnasium! The evening will showcase the talents of the 6th Grade Choir, 7th/8th Grade Choir, 5th Grade Band, 6th Grade Band, and the 7th/8th Grade Band. A small reception for parents, families, and students will take place in the North Foyer at the concert's conclusion. Mrs. Breen, the Band Director, and Mrs. Howard, the Chorus Director, are excited for their students to perform and deeply appreciate the ongoing support of parents for their programs this year.
Congratulations to the PBL Junior High School Students of the Week for the week of May 5th - May 9th. Great job, Panthers!
🥎🏃⚾ Fall sport sign ups are underway!
This week at PBL Junior High School we are celebrating our teachers who are truly SUPERHEROES without capes! Throughout the week teachers are completing Superhero sized challenges with each other and their students, being showered with gifts from the community, and getting shoutouts from their fellow staff members, parents and staff.
We celebrate these incredible educators who inspire minds, spark curiosity, and shape our future every single day. To all the teachers who go above and beyond—thank you for your patience, passion, and dedication. Your impact is immeasurable!
If you'd like to give a shoutout to one of our teachers, please use this link to fill out the form! PBL Junior High School Teacher Recognition Form: https://bit.ly/JHRec
Congratulations to the Paxton-Buckley-Loda Junior High School 7th Grade Girls and 8th Grade Boys Track and Field teams for their outstanding performance at the Twin County Conference Meet held on Monday, May 5th. Both teams secured second place finishes in the conference meet.
The junior high track program will continue its season with the Unity Invite in Tolono, IL, on Saturday, May 10th. This will be followed by the IESA Sectional competition on Friday, May 16th, hosted at Watseka High School with events beginning at 12:00 PM. We wish all our athletes the best of luck in these upcoming competitions!
Congratulations to the PBL Junior High School Students of the Week for the week of April 28tt - May 2nd. Great job, Panthers!
Our PBL Girl's Basketball team has a camp coming up. Forms are due by May 30th. Cost is $40. Check it out below!
http://bit.ly/4kaHykV
PBL Junior High honored its 8th grade track & field athletes on Thursday, May 1st, during their last home meet of the year. We recognized all our 8th grade participants that evening and sincerely thank them for their commitment! We also want to wish our athletes and coaches the very best of luck at the Twin County Conference Track Meet in Watseka today, Monday, May 5th, starting at 3:00 pm.
It's School Lunch Hero Day today, May 2nd! We want to take this opportunity to celebrate and thank our incredible school nutrition heroes for their hard work and dedication. Our kitchen staff plays a vital role in ensuring our students receive healthy and delicious meals each and every day. They are truly valued members of our school community. Let's all show them our appreciation!
What a fantastic year it has been for our Panther Pals at PBL Junior High! We celebrated all the wonderful friendships and positive connections made throughout the year with an end-of-year party held on Tuesday in Ms. Keever's room. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of Panther Pals in making our school such a welcoming and positive environment.
Kara Harrison was honored at Monday night’s IEA Friends and Advocates Banquet in Urbana. The PBLEA thanked Kara for her dedication as a teacher, coach, sponsor, and union treasurer. The photo shows Kara Harrison receiving her award from PBLEA secretary Kourtney Brownfield. Congratulations!
