Unit 5 brought staff from every school to Normal West on Sept. 26 for the district’s first all-level institute day, the “Excellence in Education Summit.” The day featured 38 sessions presented by Unit 5 teachers, administrators and students across two periods, 8:45–9:45 a.m. and 10:15–11:15...

When Illinois high school juniors sit for their required state assessment this year, the test will look different. Beginning with the 2024–25 school year, Illinois will replace the SAT with the ACT as the state-mandated assessment for high school juniors. The shift follows the expiration of the state’s...

A 1% school facilities sales tax will take effect in McLean County on July 1, after voters approved the April 1 ballot measure 17,415 to 15,427—earning just over 53% support, according to election results. Voter turnout reached 28% across Bloomington and McLean County—an eight-point jump from typical...

With over $52 million in facility repairs projected over the next five years, Unit 5 schools face mounting infrastructure needs—from roof replacements to outdated HVAC systems, according to Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle. Normal Community alone accounts for nearly $18 million of those needs,...

A nearly $10,000 donation from Rivian and Halo Solar funded Unit 5’s purchase of solar glasses, allowing the district’s students to view the near-total solar eclipse on April 8 safely. After 2017’s eclipse left the district “scrambling” to provide students with solar glasses and get permission...

After hosting last year’s inaugural Holi Moli celebration in downtown Bloomington, this year’s event will be held in Normal’s Uptown Circle on Saturday, April 13.  2023’s Holi celebration, sponsored by Community’s South Asian Performing Arts organization, drew several hundred attendees....

A special chamber choir performance will be broadcast as part of  Channel 25 WEEK’s “Sounds of the Season” holiday segment on Dec. 24 and 25.  Community, one of several area high schools invited to appear on the special, recorded their performance in Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria on...

Ekal Helping Hands, the youth service branch of Bloomington’s Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation chapter, is focused on making a difference in the community. It brought that mission to Community in observation of Raksha Bandhan–a Hindu festival of brotherhood–on Aug. 30. Organized by Helping Hands’...

Illinois became the first state in the nation to prohibit book bans on June 12 when Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 2789 into law.  Illinois public libraries that restrict or ban materials based on “partisan or doctrinal” disapproval will lose their eligibility for state funding...

Students can now register for Planet Fitness’ High School Summer Pass, a free summer membership for teens, valid through Aug. 31.   The fitness center is offering the memberships as a “solution for teenagers to stay active during the summer when school is out,” it said in a press release. Teens,...

Sophia Feeney was announced as a 2023 Holiday Classic Scholarship award recipient on May 4. The scholarship, which recognizes seniors who participated in the 2022 State Farm Holiday Classic basketball tournament, awards Feeney $1,500 towards her college tuition next year.  The tournament, Feeney...

Three students medaled at the IHSA Journalism State tournament on April 21 at Heartland Community College. The three individual top-six finishers matches the journalism program’s best State performance. At the competition, high schoolers showcase various real-world journalistic skills — writing,...

The College and Career Center hosted over 30 potential employers during May 3’s half-day. The event, organized by CCC counselor Mrs. Karrin Hawkins, showcased a variety of career paths available to students. Representatives from 35 organizations–local businesses, trades, military branches and...

The McLean County Unit 5 School Board unanimously reversed the majority of cuts set to take effect in the 2023-24 school year at a special board meeting April 11.  The district will continue implementing several budget measures approved at the Jan. 31 board meeting, including limiting the number...