Bloom Community School

Our Seedlings and Pods are continuing their project theme on food and where it comes from by studying local farms! Each group chose a different farm close to Bloomington/Normal and have put the finishing touches on their projects! Stay tuned for their presentations!!

Our littlest learners took part in a Bloom tradition for the first time this school year- going to the library!

Library days look a little different at Bloom than most schools. Without a library on campus, our staff had to get creative when incorporating this crucial literacy experience. And they came up with a tradition that is a student favorite! On library days, our students walk to the city bus stop close to campus, then ride the city bus to the public library!

Not only is this such a fun experience for the kids- there are so many functional life skills woven into the trip. Our students are learning how to safely walk on the sidewalks, what the signs and lights mean, watching for cars and their surroundings, and that's just the trip there! Once at the library, our students learn how to choose their own books for school work and leisure. Each student has a library card and they are guided through the process of checking out their own materials with an emphasis on gaining confidence and independence.

These library trips are about so much more than choosing books. Our students are learning independence in real time and building the skills to be functional members of their communities beyond Bloom!

Our Sprouts class (3rd-5th grade) putting the "community" in Bloom Community School! The sidewalk by the door to their classroom gets muddy and then the dirt tracks into their classroom. With some teamwork and elbow grease, the Sprouts pitched in to help solve a problem that affects everyone. Some lessons are bigger than the classroom!

Some of our youngest learners did some fishing on a nature walk and caught a baby bass! This core childhood memory is brought to you by

Our Seedlings (Pre K) and Pods (K-2) classes have chosen their first project theme of the year- Food and Where it Comes From! Thankfully, they didn't need to venture too far from Bloom to start their studies! Our beautiful campus in Normandy Village is also home to the Town of Normal's Refuge Food Forest. We are grateful for this space in our community and being able to take the lessons outside the classroom!

Last week, our Blossoms class (6th-8th grade) has continued their tradition of volunteering at St. Vincent dePaul food pantry! Some students worked inside assembling "protein kits", while others worked outdoors to harvest produce!

At Bloom, community isn't just part of our name, it is a core value of our curriculum. Stay tuned for more on how volunteering can positively impact children!

This week we said goodbye to our Taiwanese student teachers 🥲
Every year, Bloom hosts future educators from Taiwan for a unique student teaching experience, not only for the student teachers, but also for our students.

During their time here, these future teachers learn from the wonderful educators at Bloom and see our progressive approach to education first hand. They also share their knowledge through teaching lessons about Taiwanese culture, heritage, and customs. These short few weeks they spend with our students are full of learning, laughter, and making memories!

Miss Jessie, Miss Audrey, Miss Doreen, Miss Justine, Miss Linda, and Miss Annie- Thank you for all the joy you brought during your time with us! We hope that the things you've learned at Bloom help you build a solid foundation for your career in education, and life. Safe travels home and best wishes for whatever your futures hold! Taiwan is about to gain six wonderful educators!

"Never let formal education get in the way of your learning" -Mark Twain