This year, Bourbonnais Upper Grade Center turns 50!
During the 1970s, Bourbonnais experienced tremendous population growth. From 1961 until 1975, Alan Shepard School served all of the district's 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. As enrollment continued to climb, it became clear that a new school was needed. On November 1, 1974, ground was broken for what would become the Bourbonnais Upper Grade Center, and BUGC officially opened its doors in the fall of 1976.
Mr. Outsen was approached in January of 2025 by a former BUGC teacher, Earl Kelly. He wanted to work with him to help create a get together for his former colleagues who were here during the opening days. On Tuesday, August 18, we welcomed many of the original BUGC teachers back to the building for an informal reunion. Many of them began their careers here in 1976 after moving from Alan Shepard, where they had previously taught together. They spent decades serving the students of Bourbonnais, built lifelong friendships, and continue to gather regularly even in retirement.
They were able reconnect, reminisce, and walk the halls of the building they helped establish. They had the opportunity to visit former classrooms, see how BUGC has evolved over the past 50 years, and relive some wonderful memories.
During the 1970s, Bourbonnais experienced tremendous population growth. From 1961 until 1975, Alan Shepard School served all of the district's 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. As enrollment continued to climb, it became clear that a new school was needed. On November 1, 1974, ground was broken for what would become the Bourbonnais Upper Grade Center, and BUGC officially opened its doors in the fall of 1976.
Mr. Outsen was approached in January of 2025 by a former BUGC teacher, Earl Kelly. He wanted to work with him to help create a get together for his former colleagues who were here during the opening days. On Tuesday, August 18, we welcomed many of the original BUGC teachers back to the building for an informal reunion. Many of them began their careers here in 1976 after moving from Alan Shepard, where they had previously taught together. They spent decades serving the students of Bourbonnais, built lifelong friendships, and continue to gather regularly even in retirement.
They were able reconnect, reminisce, and walk the halls of the building they helped establish. They had the opportunity to visit former classrooms, see how BUGC has evolved over the past 50 years, and relive some wonderful memories.
SAVE THE DATE!
BUGC Picture Day is September 10.
Clubs available at BUGC.
Support the Bourbonnais PTA! Samples are available in the office.
Girls Basketball Tryout Information
Tiger Toolkit - Parent Power Up (Downloading the Skyward App)
Parents, Check in here to find tools that can help you to best support your student. This video will give you a good start by helping you to download the Skyward App.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWJUISSL0FM
Parents, Check in here to find tools that can help you to best support your student. This video will give you a good start by helping you to download the Skyward App.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWJUISSL0FM
August and September Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Check out our BUGC 50th Anniversary Shirts available for purchase!
Reminder Parents and Guardians!
Registration and Residency must be completed by tomorrow, August 14th, 2026. If you do not complete both steps, access to your student's schedule will not be available and they can not start school until completing both steps.
If you are not able to complete these steps by August 14th, appointments will be available again starting August 24th with your student's school.
For further information on requirements please check our website: https://www.besd53.org/page/besd53-registration
Registration and Residency must be completed by tomorrow, August 14th, 2026. If you do not complete both steps, access to your student's schedule will not be available and they can not start school until completing both steps.
If you are not able to complete these steps by August 14th, appointments will be available again starting August 24th with your student's school.
For further information on requirements please check our website: https://www.besd53.org/page/besd53-registration
Don't forget Open House for BUGC!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Bourbonnais Upper Grade Open House.
Monday, August 17, 2026
Bourbonnais Upper Grade Open House.
Monday, August 17, 2026
Have a used promotion gown? Help another family by donating it back to the school! Drop-offs are welcome at the main front office during normal school hours. Thank you for your generosity!
BUGC Sport Tryout Information
Softball, Baseball & Cross Country.
Softball, Baseball & Cross Country.
BUGC Menu for June 1-4, 2026.
Good Afternoon 8th Grade Families!
Please see the attached letter in regards to tonight's Promotion Ceremony. Also attached is the Promotion program. Physical copies of the program will be available near the doors going into Centennial Chapel. We ask that students arrive no later that 6:45 PM. The ceremony will start at 7PM sharp.
The Promotion Ceremony will be live streamed. The link for that can be found at:
https://ep.stretchlive.com/olivetadmin/player/event/782279/video
We look forward to celebrating this special evening with you. Please call our office at 815.929.5200 with any questions.
Thank you for all that you do!
Please see the attached letter in regards to tonight's Promotion Ceremony. Also attached is the Promotion program. Physical copies of the program will be available near the doors going into Centennial Chapel. We ask that students arrive no later that 6:45 PM. The ceremony will start at 7PM sharp.
The Promotion Ceremony will be live streamed. The link for that can be found at:
https://ep.stretchlive.com/olivetadmin/player/event/782279/video
We look forward to celebrating this special evening with you. Please call our office at 815.929.5200 with any questions.
Thank you for all that you do!
Members of the BUGC Student Life Group bedazzle Mr. Chorak’s head for the End of Year Celebration
State bound! 🏃♂️👟✨
Huge congratulations to these incredible track and field athletes who absolutely crushed it this past Saturday to officially qualify for the State Champions!
We are so proud of their hard work, dedication, and grit. They will be heading to East Peoria this coming Friday and Saturday, May 22nd & 23rd, to compete against the best in the state!
Let’s go, Tigers! Bring Brody home the gold! 🏆🐅
Huge congratulations to these incredible track and field athletes who absolutely crushed it this past Saturday to officially qualify for the State Champions!
We are so proud of their hard work, dedication, and grit. They will be heading to East Peoria this coming Friday and Saturday, May 22nd & 23rd, to compete against the best in the state!
Let’s go, Tigers! Bring Brody home the gold! 🏆🐅
BUGC Menu for May 25-29, 2026
