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Whatever you are interested in, we've got it covered.

Inkspot

Illinois replaced the SAT with the ACT for high school juniors, ending an eight-year contract with the College Board—state officials cited cost as the deciding factor.
Photo Illustration: Mr. Brad Bovenkerk

Illinois switches from SAT to ACT, raising questions about the future of standardized testing

In context: What the shift says about the future of standardized testing
Andrew Naour, Staff Writer
Apr 21, 2025

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...

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Cell phone ban in schools? Community responds to proposed legislation [video]

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has proposed legislation to ban cell phones in schools. Community students and staff weigh in on the controversial proposal and its impact on learning and school culture.
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1% school sales tax approved, brings $18M in repairs to Community

1% school sales tax approved, brings $18M in repairs to Community

Higher-than-average voter turnout pushes April 1 referendum across the finish line

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...

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Proposed 1% sales tax would fund Unit 5 repairs, relieve property taxes

Proposed 1% sales tax would fund Unit 5 repairs, relieve property taxes

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repairs projected over the next five years, Unit 5 schools face mounting infrastructure needs—from roof replacements to outdated HVAC systems, according to Superintendent Dr.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,...

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Local companies’ donations enable Unit 5 students to view eclipse

Local companies’ donations enable Unit 5 students to view eclipse

Brody Roberts, Staff Writer
Apr 16, 2024

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...

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Following Holi traditions, attendees of the April 2023 celebration arrived dressed in white attire. The participants left smeared in the vibrant hues of  colored powder.

Holi Moli celebration shifts location to Normal’s Uptown Circle, gains new support

Charles (Charlie) Faulkner, Staff Writer
Apr 11, 2024

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....

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Stock Photo // Envato Elements

Chamber choir to be featured on Channel 25 WEEK’s ‘Sounds of the Season’

Chamber choir performance to be featured on NBC, ABC broadcasts Dec. 24, 25
Malachi McCool, Staff Reporter
Dec 15, 2023

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...

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While Raksha Bandhan traditionally honors literal sisters and brothers, event participators tied rakhi around each other's wrists as a more symbolic gesture of brotherhood and unity.

Raksha Bandhan celebration ties community together

Abby Ruebush, Editor-in-Chief
Sep 4, 2023

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’...

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Unit 5's text selection policy identifies the criteria on which the district's libraries adopt books for circulation. The policy seeks to provided students with texts that: support and enrich students’ personal interests and learning; meet high standards in literary, artistic, and aesthetic quality; are appropriate for the age, emotional development, ability level, learning styles, and social, emotional, and intellectual development of the students for whom the materials are selected; incorporate accurate and authentic factual content from authoritative sources; earn favorable reviews in standard reviewing sources; exhibit a high degree of potential user appeal and interest; and represent differing viewpoints on controversial issues. provide a global perspective and promote diversity by including materials by authors and illustrators of all cultures.

Illinois outlaws book bans, adds ‘another layer of protection’ to Unit 5 policy

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...

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Now through August 31st, teens between the ages of 14-19 can work out for free at Planet Fitness.

Free Planet Fitness membership available for teens, scholarship opportunities

Marielsie Iglesias, Senior Staff Reporter
May 18, 2023

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,...

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Sophia Feeney helped lead the Iron girls basketball team to a State Farm Holiday Classic Title this season. 
Now, she is being recognized as Holiday Classic Scholarship award winner for her on- and off-the-court excellence.

Iron basketball’s Sophia Feeney wins Holiday Classic Scholarship

Brayden Blackwell and Libby Price
May 12, 2023

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...

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Avani Rai, Kellie Chen, Abby Ruebush and Dylan Wehmeyer pose on stage at the IHSA State Journalism competition. The four were joined by Marielsie Iglesias in the annual State Final at Heartland Community College.

Journalism program brings home IHSA State medalists, earns IJEA recognition

Anna Dunne, Senior Staff Reporter
May 12, 2023

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,...

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35 potential employers attended the College and Career Center's career fair on May 3, highlighting some of the employment opportunities available to students post-high school.

College and Career Center’s career fair showcases over 30 employment paths

BJ Dumas and Zachary Knox-Doyle
May 11, 2023

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...

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The district will go forward with the implementation of the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program at both high schools, a program that offers low-cost nutritious, balanced meals at both high schools. 
The program offers the district a funding source through the government.

Unit 5 School Board reverses majority of budget cuts for 2023-24

BJ Dumas and Zachary Knox-Doyle
May 1, 2023

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...

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Several Community seniors were eligible to vote for the first time in April's election, helping pass  the Unit 5 tax referendum.

Community seniors turn out in support of Unit 5 tax referendum

Libby Price and Brayden Blackwell
May 1, 2023

The Unit 5 tax referendum drew several Community seniors to the polls on April 4, the second time the issue was on the ballot. More than 53% of voters rejected the referendum in November’s midterm elections when the majority of the Class of 2023 was ineligible to vote. In April, the referendum...

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