
As part of a team bonding activity, the BRHS Volleyball team made their own Puff Paint T-Shirts. Besides having fun, the team has been working hard this summer and is putting on a scrimmage on 8/21 from 5:30PM to 7:00PM to showcase the team. There will also be raffle baskets organized by Coach Dulle. Come on out to celebrate the start of a new season and cheer on our girls!
If you can't make it to the scrimmage, the first home game is next week on 8/25 starting at 5:30PM versus Iroquois West.
If you can't make it to the scrimmage, the first home game is next week on 8/25 starting at 5:30PM versus Iroquois West.







Pre-K to 8th grade 24-25 yearbooks have been sent home with students.
We have a small amount of extra yearbooks for $30.
To claim an extra yearbook please email mhardesty@blueridge18.org.
#br_u_knighted
We have a small amount of extra yearbooks for $30.
To claim an extra yearbook please email mhardesty@blueridge18.org.
#br_u_knighted


📢 They’re here! The 2025 Blue Ridge High School Yearbooks have arrived! 🎉
Seniors from the Class of 2025 can stop by the high school office during regular hours to pick up their yearbook. We can’t wait for you to see all the memories from last year! 💙
We also have a limited number of extra copies available for $50 each — first come, first served!
Seniors from the Class of 2025 can stop by the high school office during regular hours to pick up their yearbook. We can’t wait for you to see all the memories from last year! 💙
We also have a limited number of extra copies available for $50 each — first come, first served!


Our Senior students in front of Schneider Elementary. Class of 2026, this is your year to shine, make it count, and have a blast. Soak it all in, support your friends, and enjoy every single moment. We're rooting for all of you to have the best senior year EVER!
#br_u_knighted
#br_u_knighted


As we start the new school year, our next student created art piece was hung in the BRHS Senior Hallway. Congratulations to class of 2025 senior, Rachel Light. Also, a huge thank you to the BRHS Boosters for funding this purchase award.


Welcome back, Blue Ridge students, families, and staff! Tomorrow marks the start of another year full of learning, growth, and new opportunities. Let’s embrace each day with curiosity, kindness, and school spirit. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead! 💙

All hands on deck today! Teacher Institute for all district staff started in Mansfield this morning. We have various levels of experience, but we are all lifelong learners. Ready for our best year yet!
#br_u_knighted




We were thrilled to welcome families and students into the building for First Knight at the Mansfield campus. We'd love to see your pictures! Drop them in the comments below. 💙🩶🤍
#br_u_knighted

Blue Ridge Families,
Progress on the secure entry project is coming along! The Unit Office and High School entrances will be ready to go on the first day of school. The Schneider and BRIJHS entries will be installed soon. Here is some important information on how the new entry process will work.
New Secure Entry "How To" Video - https://shorturl.at/dvEhP
Additionally, to simplify the entry process you can download the Raptor Safe App. This allows you to set up your profile, verify your identity, and enjoy fast, hassle-free sign-ins.
Use this link to download the app and get pre-authorized - https://shorturl.at/rhCK5
We understand this may be inconvenient for some, but our top priority is to create a safe learning environment for our students, staff, and stakeholders. Thank you for your patience during this transition!
Progress on the secure entry project is coming along! The Unit Office and High School entrances will be ready to go on the first day of school. The Schneider and BRIJHS entries will be installed soon. Here is some important information on how the new entry process will work.
New Secure Entry "How To" Video - https://shorturl.at/dvEhP
Additionally, to simplify the entry process you can download the Raptor Safe App. This allows you to set up your profile, verify your identity, and enjoy fast, hassle-free sign-ins.
Use this link to download the app and get pre-authorized - https://shorturl.at/rhCK5
We understand this may be inconvenient for some, but our top priority is to create a safe learning environment for our students, staff, and stakeholders. Thank you for your patience during this transition!

Good Morning BRHS Families!
The Fall Sport Season is right around the corner. In order to make sure practices start smoothly, please ensure your athlete is registered on our 8to18 platform. To do so, please go to https://blueridge.8to18.com . Also, please ensure that they have an updated sports physical on file. These can be turned in to the HS Office or submitted on 8to18. Specific instructions can be found on the attached images! #br_u_knighted!



The future of Blue Ridge baseball! ⚾️ Our JH team has been prepping for their season to begin on the first day of school at Heyworth. Mark your calendar for the first home game in Mansfield on 8/19 and cheer on the Knights!
#br_u_knighted


School's not in session yet but our JH athletics are underway. The Blue Ridge Lady Knights came to play tonight beating GCMS 10–3 at their season opener!
Ella Y, Clara W, Lexi P, and Roslyn F lit up the second inning with clutch hits and skilled base running. Then in the sixth, the Knights exploded for five more runs—highlighted by Madi T’s three-RBI double that cleared the bases.
Clara W was solid on the mound, striking out five and going the distance for the win. At the plate, Madi led with 3 RBIs, while Braelyn W and Phia M each added two hits to the Knights’ 10-hit attack.
Next up: The Knights face off against the Metcalf Wildcats tomorrow at home. Let’s keep the momentum rolling!
#br_u_knighted




When you enter BRIJHS this year, please be sure to stop and admire the new student-created art on the glass on your way to the Intermediate side of the building.
Mrs. Schneman, our K-8 Art Instructor, tells about the piece below:
Part of the power of art is connecting images, themes, and messages to larger groups rather than individuals. Last year, I saw an opportunity to fulfill the Illinois Visual Arts State Standard for Junior High: Make art collaboratively to reflect on and reinforce positive aspects of group identity.
With a generous gift from the Mansfield United Methodist Church, our Junior High art class was able to begin a mural that would serve as a declaration of who we want to be known as at BRIJHS.
It began with a survey asking all BRIJHS students just that: What do BRIJHS want to be known for? The survey responses came back with some variations but one word earned the highest votes over the others: brave.
So our classes brainstormed how we could incorporate an image that depicted bravery. Deciding that bravery was often coupled with resistance to an adversary, real or symbolic, tangible or intangible, we began with sketches of Knights facing overwhelming challenges. Some were on horseback, some sailed in shining armor into the face of a tempest, and using our sketches to generate AI prompts, we found ways to add atmosphere and depth to our images. However, for our purposes we needed to find an image that was dominant in linear design. Finding a classic image of a knight slaying a dragon, we adapted it by adding in the descriptive words that gained the highest responses from the students including "creative" and "determination". Using 10" x 10" wooden canvases, our 7th and 8th grade classes prepped, gridded, and painted the image of a heroic knight displaying bravery over the dragon in a vibrant mural that can be seen from the hallway of BRIJHS. It's a highly collaborative, energetic, and brilliantly colored image to remind us everyday of who we say we are. To find out what words the students also voted on, you'll have to be sure to check out the mural for yourself.
#br_u_knighted
Mrs. Schneman, our K-8 Art Instructor, tells about the piece below:
Part of the power of art is connecting images, themes, and messages to larger groups rather than individuals. Last year, I saw an opportunity to fulfill the Illinois Visual Arts State Standard for Junior High: Make art collaboratively to reflect on and reinforce positive aspects of group identity.
With a generous gift from the Mansfield United Methodist Church, our Junior High art class was able to begin a mural that would serve as a declaration of who we want to be known as at BRIJHS.
It began with a survey asking all BRIJHS students just that: What do BRIJHS want to be known for? The survey responses came back with some variations but one word earned the highest votes over the others: brave.
So our classes brainstormed how we could incorporate an image that depicted bravery. Deciding that bravery was often coupled with resistance to an adversary, real or symbolic, tangible or intangible, we began with sketches of Knights facing overwhelming challenges. Some were on horseback, some sailed in shining armor into the face of a tempest, and using our sketches to generate AI prompts, we found ways to add atmosphere and depth to our images. However, for our purposes we needed to find an image that was dominant in linear design. Finding a classic image of a knight slaying a dragon, we adapted it by adding in the descriptive words that gained the highest responses from the students including "creative" and "determination". Using 10" x 10" wooden canvases, our 7th and 8th grade classes prepped, gridded, and painted the image of a heroic knight displaying bravery over the dragon in a vibrant mural that can be seen from the hallway of BRIJHS. It's a highly collaborative, energetic, and brilliantly colored image to remind us everyday of who we say we are. To find out what words the students also voted on, you'll have to be sure to check out the mural for yourself.
#br_u_knighted


We’re excited to welcome our newest staff members to the Blue Ridge family! 🏫✨
This incredible group of educators, administrators, and support staff bring energy, passion, and a shared commitment to student success. We’re grateful to have each of you join us as we inspire, support, and grow together this school year. #inductionday #br_u_knighted 💙📚🍎


Just a quick reminder that the deadline is approaching for new nominees for this year's Wall of Fame addition. See this link for details. https://aptg.co/Ym3pS5

Happy August to all of our Blue Ridge families! Your principals have some back-to-school information to share with you. Please take a look at the letter from the building where your student attends.
It's a great time to be a Knight!
Click this link for the Schneider Welcome Back Letter - https://aptg.co/ChXvbM
Click this link for the BRIJHS Welcome Back Letter - https://aptg.co/0Kps-G
Click this link for the BRHS Welcome Back Letter - https://aptg.co/mySjBm
It's a great time to be a Knight!
Click this link for the Schneider Welcome Back Letter - https://aptg.co/ChXvbM
Click this link for the BRIJHS Welcome Back Letter - https://aptg.co/0Kps-G
Click this link for the BRHS Welcome Back Letter - https://aptg.co/mySjBm

Spots are filling fast for Pre-K at Schneider but we have screening spots still open today! If you know of or have any children who are three or four years old on or before September 1, 2025, they are eligible for a free preschool screening with this amazing group of educators. Call 309–928–2611 to schedule an appointment.


Good Afternoon, Blue Ridge Families!
Here is July's Superintendent Newsletter - https://5il.co/3marf. Inside you'll find important upcoming dates, the 2025-2026 Blue Ridge District Calendar, Kindergarten Jumpstart details, secure entry information for all three buildings including a "how to" video, and more.
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!
Here is July's Superintendent Newsletter - https://5il.co/3marf. Inside you'll find important upcoming dates, the 2025-2026 Blue Ridge District Calendar, Kindergarten Jumpstart details, secure entry information for all three buildings including a "how to" video, and more.
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

Blue Ridge School District #18 will conduct free preschool screenings on July 24 and July 25 at
Schneider Elementary School, 309 N John St, Farmer City, Illinois. The developmental screening is
for children who are 3 or 4 years old at the time of the screening. Children who turn 5 on or before
September 1, 2025 are not eligible for the screening. Please allow up to 2 hours for the screening. We ask
you not to bring other children with you since you will be asked to join us during your child’s appointment.
Parents will be asked to complete an information packet and return it to the school a week before the
appointment. Please call Mary at the Schneider Office (309) 928-2611 to schedule an appointment or ask any
questions. Thank you!

The BRHS volleyball team definitely put in some work last week! On Thursday, we hosted Deland-Weldon for a scrimmage and pizza party... then wrapped up a great camp with our 4th-8th graders that night.

