Isolation. Stress. Anxiety. Depression.  All side-effects of a global pandemic. Teens across the country face unforeseen challenges as they navigate school, jobs, and relationships during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In March of 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak shut down schools nationwide,...

NCHS students return to in-person learning, starting with 9th graders on Monday, Oct. 19, and 10-12th graders on Oct. 26. Unit 5 will be staggering the students’ return over the two weeks to “adjust processes, as needed, with fewer students in the buildings,” Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle...

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 to the positive test, multiple Unit 5 Cabinet members -- including Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle...

Unit 5 released the Return to School plan for the 2020-2021 school year Monday afternoon which will be voted on during the July 22 School Board meeting at Normal West.  An email sent to Unit 5 families included the Return to School plan and video explaining the available schooling options to ensure...

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 IHSA has made efforts to keep the slim possibility of a spring season alive, Governor J.B. Pritzker’s...

Governor J.B. Pritzker suspended in-person learning in Illinois schools for the remainder of the school year during his daily coronavirus press briefing Friday afternoon. The suspension of in-class learning comes as a result of the 27,575 reported cases of coronavirus in Illinois and 1,072 total deaths...

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 continue to support the possibility of our member schools completing both regular and postseason...

Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker issued a statewide stay-at-home order on Friday, March 20, which will begin at 5:00 pm on Saturday, March 21 and will remain in effect until the end of the day on Tuesday, April 7. Pritzker also announced that all Illinois schools will now remain closed until April...

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the College Board has announced a revamp of Advanced Placement (AP) testing. Keeping in line with recommendations for social distancing, there will be no in-person AP testing for the 2019-20 school year. Instead, students will have the opportunity to test online. Tests will...

The McLean County Health Department confirmed McLean County’s first case of coronavirus on Thursday, March 19. The man in his 70s with “no history of travel or exposure” is currently being treated for the virus at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Bloomington, according to WGLT.  While preventative...

On Thursday, March 19, McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight reported the county's first case of COVID-19. The man, in his 70s, is in good condition and being treated in isolation at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal. Before this report, the impact of Coronavirus could...

A number of local businesses have partnered to create “FeedBlonoKids”, distributing free lunches in an effort to feed local students that are out of school after COVID-19 cancellations. Gill Street Eatz, Healthy In A Hurry and Central Image Car Wraps make up the three primary sponsors, along with...

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has ordered all schools throughout the state closed from Tuesday, March 17 until Monday, March 30 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Due to the unprecedented nature of this situation, Unit 5 has released important information for students and families, which is...

The following is a transcript of recorded statements at the Unit 5 Board of Education Regular Meeting on Wednesday, March 11 at Kingsley Junior High, where Dr. Mark Daniel, Superintendent; Dayna Brown, Director of Communications and Community Relations; and Michelle Lamboley, Executive Director of Special...

Computer Science (CS) Honor Society members presented their projects -- highlighting the impact and importance of computer science and its related fields, while also showcasing members' creativity and community involvement -- during lunch hours on March 5. “The computer science showcase is our yearly...