Unit 5 will continue enforcing its “silent and away during the day” phone policy this school year after evaluating and rejecting the use of Yondr pouches, Superintendent Dr. Kristin Weikle said. The policy, first enacted last year, limits student phone and device use during the school day. Entering...

As the September slips away, summer fades—along with sunburns, sandals and the scent of sunscreen. In its place: hoodie weather, falling leaves and the unmistakable aroma of bonfires and pumpkin spice. With fall comes a shift in more than just the weather. Our watchlists change too—ditching summer...

Community underwent critical infrastructure repairs and updates this summer as Unit 5 completed more than 140 maintenance and construction projects across the district—funded in part by a newly implemented school facility sales tax. The school received critical heating and cooling system upgrades...

The screen flickers on, and the opening notes of a timeless tune fill the room. A door swings open, and a familiar figure begins a quiet ritual: sweater zipped, sneakers laced. Whether it’s animated or filmed, the gestures are the same—deliberate, comforting. A signal that it’s time to slow...

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projected over the next five years, Unit 5 schools face mounting infrastructure needs—from roof replacements to outdated HVAC systems, according to Superintendent Dr.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

After saving two lives in separate incidents last spring, Officer Jeremy Flood, Community’s School Resource Officer, was named Normal Police Department’s “Officer of the Year” in February. Despite the honor, Flood credits his role at Community as the most rewarding part of his 20-year law...

The nursing vacancy has been filled with the hiring of Mrs. Melissa Scottberg. Although Scottberg, who started on Jan. 27, is a new hire, she’s no stranger to the school. With two daughters—a sophomore and a junior—attending Community and a role mentoring senior girls through a local church,...

The third-seeded Ironmen are set to open the postseason Oct. 22, hosting the seventh-seeded Minooka Indians at 6:30 p.m. The Iron ended their regular season 13-6-5 and 7-1-2 in conference play, good for second behind Peoria Notre Dame in the Big 12.   Minooka enters the postseason with a record...