Join us in welcoming Kindergartners for the 2026-27 school year!
Please fill out this short survey about your incoming Kindergartener.
https://forms.gle/JirF4m3PzSdEsjij9
Please fill out this short survey about your incoming Kindergartener.
https://forms.gle/JirF4m3PzSdEsjij9
In a recent interview, our Superintendent, Dr. Adam Ehrman, was provided the opportunity to share a perspective that supports our Culture of Success and ultimately driving B53 forward to our Goal of 2033: Doing less to achieve more. Instead of chasing a dozen different initiatives, we are focusing on what truly moves the needle for our students; high-quality instruction and meaningful relationships. As Dr. Ehrman says, when everything is a priority, nothing is.
Watch this clip to hear more about our district’s mission to stay focused, stay "upstream," and keep our students at the center of every decision. 🏫✨
👇 Watch here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_W9aedDDB8&t=1s
Watch this clip to hear more about our district’s mission to stay focused, stay "upstream," and keep our students at the center of every decision. 🏫✨
👇 Watch here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_W9aedDDB8&t=1s
Dear District Families,
We are aware of a current delay in phone calls reaching district families.
Our notification system provider, Apptegy, is aware of this issue and is actively working with phone providers to resolve it.
We appreciate your patience and will update you as soon as the issue is resolved.
Thank you.
We are aware of a current delay in phone calls reaching district families.
Our notification system provider, Apptegy, is aware of this issue and is actively working with phone providers to resolve it.
We appreciate your patience and will update you as soon as the issue is resolved.
Thank you.
Dear Bourbonnais Elementary School Families,
Due to dangerous weather expected on January 23, 2026, we have made the decision to close schools to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Information regarding school activities and events will be communicated by our athletic director and/or coaches at a later time.
Please stay safe and warm.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Sincerely,
Dr. Adam Ehrman, Superintendent
Due to dangerous weather expected on January 23, 2026, we have made the decision to close schools to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Information regarding school activities and events will be communicated by our athletic director and/or coaches at a later time.
Please stay safe and warm.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Sincerely,
Dr. Adam Ehrman, Superintendent
Good morning. Due to driver shortages, a couple routes are needing to be combined this morning and may be running a little bit behind. Bus 17 will be combined with bus 7 for Liberty. Bus 8 will be combined with bus 7 for upper grade. Thank you for your patience.
"Thank you to the local nonprofit, Let's Ketchup, for their donation of non-perishable food, clothing, and hygiene items for students in need. Our social workers are happy to help and support students and families with these donations! Thank you!!"
Dear BESD #53 Families and Community,
I am proud to share that Liberty Intermediate School was recognized today at a statewide press conference hosted at Glen Oaks Elementary School in Hickory Hills. The event, coordinated by the State of Illinois, honored schools across the state that completed the federal review process for National Blue Ribbon eligibility and demonstrated exceptional academic performance and system alignment.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Education unexpectedly paused the formal announcement of 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools. In response, Illinois educational leaders stepped forward to ensure that schools which had already met the rigorous national criteria would still be acknowledged. Principal Bret Pignatiello and I attended on behalf of Bourbonnais Elementary School District #53 to represent our community and celebrate Liberty’s achievement.
This recognition is one of the highest distinctions a school can earn. It reflects not only Liberty’s excellence, but also the collective effort of an entire district that has worked with purpose and precision toward our shared mission of ensuring every student is proficient by 8th grade by 2033. From classroom instruction to system design, every layer of our organization has contributed to building the kind of environment where excellence is both expected and achieved.
I also want to acknowledge the importance of strong relationships throughout this process. In the days following the federal decision, I was in contact with our state legislators, the Illinois State Board of Education, and education partners to ensure that Liberty and other schools meeting the federal criteria would still be recognized. Those collaborative efforts helped bring this moment to fruition, allowing our community to celebrate what truly matters…our students’ success and the educators who make it possible.
This recognition reinforces what our families and staff already know: BESD #53 is a place where high expectations, hard work, and belief in every child create remarkable outcomes. Liberty Intermediate’s honor belongs to all of us, and it stands as another milestone in our collective journey toward 2033.
With pride and gratitude,
Dr. Adam Ehrman
Superintendent, Bourbonnais Elementary School District #53
I am proud to share that Liberty Intermediate School was recognized today at a statewide press conference hosted at Glen Oaks Elementary School in Hickory Hills. The event, coordinated by the State of Illinois, honored schools across the state that completed the federal review process for National Blue Ribbon eligibility and demonstrated exceptional academic performance and system alignment.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Education unexpectedly paused the formal announcement of 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools. In response, Illinois educational leaders stepped forward to ensure that schools which had already met the rigorous national criteria would still be acknowledged. Principal Bret Pignatiello and I attended on behalf of Bourbonnais Elementary School District #53 to represent our community and celebrate Liberty’s achievement.
This recognition is one of the highest distinctions a school can earn. It reflects not only Liberty’s excellence, but also the collective effort of an entire district that has worked with purpose and precision toward our shared mission of ensuring every student is proficient by 8th grade by 2033. From classroom instruction to system design, every layer of our organization has contributed to building the kind of environment where excellence is both expected and achieved.
I also want to acknowledge the importance of strong relationships throughout this process. In the days following the federal decision, I was in contact with our state legislators, the Illinois State Board of Education, and education partners to ensure that Liberty and other schools meeting the federal criteria would still be recognized. Those collaborative efforts helped bring this moment to fruition, allowing our community to celebrate what truly matters…our students’ success and the educators who make it possible.
This recognition reinforces what our families and staff already know: BESD #53 is a place where high expectations, hard work, and belief in every child create remarkable outcomes. Liberty Intermediate’s honor belongs to all of us, and it stands as another milestone in our collective journey toward 2033.
With pride and gratitude,
Dr. Adam Ehrman
Superintendent, Bourbonnais Elementary School District #53
Woohoo! We did it again! This is our third year winning 1st place in the Nonprofit category at the Perry Farm Scarecrow Festival.
Thank you to everyone who came out to support and vote for our district.
B53 We Shine Brighter Together
Thank you to everyone who came out to support and vote for our district.
B53 We Shine Brighter Together
Due to the BBCHS Homecoming Parade, bus routes 8 & 9 will be running 15 minutes behind schedule. We apologise for the late notice.
CORRECTION: Friday, AUGUST 29th
FRIDAY, SEPT. 29: A message from the Transportation Dept.: Due to illness, there a number of drivers absent today and some routes will need to be adjusted. Please advise students that they may be riding a different bus number and their bus may be delayed approx. 10 minutes. We apologize for the inconvenience and anticipate being back to normal staffing by Tuesday.
WELCOME BACK, Tiger students & staff.
We're excited for the new year as
We Shine Brighter Together!
We're excited for the new year as
We Shine Brighter Together!
Now hiring Maintenance Technicians. Share with family and friends.
https://www.applitrack.com/besd53/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Maintenance%2fCustodial
https://www.applitrack.com/besd53/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Maintenance%2fCustodial
Now hiring Maintenance Technicians. Share with friends and family.
https://www.applitrack.com/besd53/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Maintenance%2fCustodial
https://www.applitrack.com/besd53/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Maintenance%2fCustodial
Parent and Guardians-
We will hold our in-person residency verification event at Liberty Intermediate School on August 7, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (New Families or those who still need to register are also welcome to attend during these hours.)
Families will be required to bring documentation from both Category One and Category Two to verify residency. For further information on the documents that will be accepted, please see the attached flyers.
If you are unable to attend the August residency date, you must call to schedule an appointment with either your child’s building secretary or the District Registrar. These appointments must take place between August 7 and August 15.
Please note:
👉 If residency is not verified by August 15, your student will not have access to their class schedule.
Parents, as a reminder, 2025-2026 school fees increase $10 tomorrow (July 1st). Today is the last day to pay the discounted rate before the fees increase.
Reminder: The District will be closed in observance of Juneteenth tomorrow, June 19, 2025.
This includes the Seamless Summer Breakfast and Lunch Program, Summer School, and ESY.
Bourbonnais Elementary School District #53 is participating in the Free Summer Meals Program again this year. This is available for all children 18 and under in Kankakee County.
Details:
Location - LeVasseur Elementary
Dates - June 9th - August 15th, 2025
Breakfast - 9:00 am - 9:30 am
Lunch - 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
BUGC Eighth grade promotion is tonight, Wednesday, May 28th, 2025, at 7:00 P.M. Eighth grade students should plan to arrive no later than 6:45 P.M. tonight. The ceremony is at Centennial Chapel on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University. Doors will open at 6:15 P.M. You may visit Olivet’s website to view their map. www.olivet.edu
Here is the live stream link. https://ep.stretchlive.com/olivetadmin/info
Should you have any questions, please call 815.929.5200
Graduation isn’t just the end of a chapter, it’s the beginning of a story filled with endless possibilities! Congratulations to all graduates👩🎓👨🎓
