Making our mark in any medium... the official student news of Normal Community High School

Inkspot

Making our mark in any medium... the official student news of Normal Community High School

Inkspot

Making our mark in any medium... the official student news of Normal Community High School

Inkspot

This April’s ballot includes two issues with potential large-scale impact on Unit 5 students: the election of members to the Unit 5 School Board and a vote on the Unit 5 tax referendum.

Voter registration drive promotes local political participation

Avani Rai, Editor-in-Chief Mar 24, 2023

Community held its second voter registration drive of the school year March 3. The event, organized by Ms. LaTishia Baker, registered 13 students in-person and several others virtually ahead of April 4's...

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The Unit 5 Board of Education approved $1.8-2.2 million in cuts at a special board meeting on Jan. 31. The cuts, the district said, may be reversed with the approval of the tax referendum on the April 4 ballot.

Board of Education approves cuts in face of $12 million deficit

Inkspot Staff, Inkspot Staff Feb 10, 2023

Facing a $12 million deficit, the Unit 5 Board of Education unanimously approved a series of budget cuts for the 2023-2024 school year at a special board meeting on January 31. The cuts may be reversed...

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The Midterm elections are often overlooked, yet their impact and importance cannot be overstated.

Why the Midterms matter; Turning point in politics

Avani Rai, Editor-in-Chief Oct 18, 2022

America’s Midterm elections are the younger sibling of U.S. politics -- forgotten, neglected, underappreciated, and overlooked.   The Midterms exist without any highly publicized conventions, clickbait-worthy...

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School mask mandate lifted after new CDC guidelines

School mask mandate lifted after new CDC guidelines

Victoria Wilson, Senior Staff Reporter Mar 7, 2022

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention no longer recommend universal indoor mask-wearing in K-12 schools and early education settings in low or medium COVID-19 Community Level areas, announcing...

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Governor Pritzker’s high school mental health legislation goes into effect in January - Community students and staff share their thoughts and reactions.

Students, staff react to new mental health law

Abby Ruebush, Editor-in-Chief Nov 16, 2021

Illinois students may take five excused “mental health days” under a law effective in January, prompting conflicting reactions at Community. In August, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill...

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With its student made ornaments and decorations, the Technology department expects its tree to stand out at the Festival of Trees --  We have wooded trees... We made a whole bunch of homemade gifts that were going to fill  two crates [with]. Theres well over 250 items that are on the tree, Mr. Don Whitman said.

Technology department collaborates on community service project

Over 300 students from 17 classes worked to design, construct decorations for a Christmas tree to be auctioned off at the Baby Fold's Festival of Trees
Anna Dunne, Drew Farmer, and Isabella Fader Nov 16, 2021

The Technology department collaborated on a one-of-a-kind holiday display for auction at the Baby Fold's 28th annual Festival of Trees. Supported by a $5000 grant, over 300 Technology students designed...

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Bringing disc golf to Community has been a passion of Mr. Marcus Manns for years. Construction of the Flying Iron Disc Golf Course will make that dream a reality.

Community gives disc golf a ‘shot’; Permanent course to be installed on school’s west side

Jonah Kramer, Sports Editor Nov 2, 2021

Cancelations. Postponements. Rescheduling.  Disc golf was one of only a few activities immune to COVID-19 restrictions. The sport experienced a 33% increase in games played from 2019 to 2020, according...

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From Cavaliers to Cougars: Kingsley changes mascot

From Cavaliers to Cougars: Kingsley changes mascot

Jonah Kramer, Sports Editor Aug 26, 2021

Kingsley Junior High School students were greeted with a new mascot to start the 2021 school year -- the Cougar -- after announcing the decision to replace the Cavalier mascot in May. The change was motivated...

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Volunteers fill boxes of food at Midwest Food Bank in Normal. Increased unemployment caused by COVID-19 meant that the packing and distribution of food was essential.

Midwest Food Bank responds to increased need

Jonah Kramer, Sports Editor Jan 8, 2021

Rising unemployment rates and a record-breaking hurricane season increased food insecurity nationally in 2020, with more people relying on food pantry donations than in recent years.  Midwest Food...

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The Fiesta Ranchera location on College Ave. is one of the Fiesta locations run by the Canchola family.

Local business restrictions impact NCHS students

With Illinois reverting to Phase 3 of the ‘Restore Illinois Resurgence Mitigation Plan’ on Friday, Nov. 20 for the unforeseeable future, small businesses face another round of mitigation requirements. The...

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The graphic encouraged people to support the fight against SBG by attending the Unit 5 Board meeting.

NCHS students, staff speak out against standards-based grading

Jonah Kramer, Sports Editor Dec 11, 2020

“As a teacher it feels like I’m drowning and instead of throwing me a life preserver the district is throwing me lead weights,” Mr. Patrick Lawler, a social studies teacher at NCHS, said at the Unit...

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Unit 5 returns to remote learning

Unit 5 returns to remote learning

Eli Schneider, Senior Staff Reporter Nov 15, 2020

Unit 5 Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle announced Friday, Nov. 13, that the district would return to remote learning effective Wednesday, Nov. 18. Students will not be in attendance Wednesday to allow...

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The Unit 5 District Office was closed Monday, August 31 for a deep cleaning before reopening on Tuesday.

Unit 5 Executive Cabinet member tests positive for COVID-19; District officials quarantined

Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle and members of her Executive Cabinet working remotely through Sept. 10
Charlotte Calmes, Editor-in-Chief Sep 1, 2020

A member of the Unit 5 Superintendent's Executive Cabinet tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, August 29, according to Director of Communications and Community Relations Dayna Brown. In response...

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Four-year Lady Iron soccer player Courtney Dage (20)  plays during the 2018-2019 campaign.

IHSA cancels spring tournaments

Mantra Dave and Olivia Plangger Apr 21, 2020

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors announced its decision Tuesday, April 21 to “cancel all IHSA spring state tournaments” in a statement released at noon. Though the...

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IHSA remains hopeful for return of spring sports seasons

IHSA remains hopeful for return of spring sports seasons

Olivia Plangger and Mantra Dave Apr 6, 2020

In response to Governor JB Pritzker extending the ‘shelter in place’ order until April 30, the IHSA has announced that they are hopeful a shortened spring sports season will remain possible.  “We...

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