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

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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While Bloomington Normal has shown economic growth, Unit 5 struggles to fill vacant positions in the food service and custodial departments and is in need of substitute teachers, teaching assistants, and bus drivers.

Community feels impact of staffing shortages

Avani Rai, Editor-in-Chief Nov 17, 2021

Staffing shortages, said Superintendent Kristin Weikle at the Oct. 17 School Board meeting, are “one of the biggest challenges [the district] is facing” this school year. Unit 5’s struggles to...

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The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified what was already a critical issue -- teen mental health. The consequences of not addressing adolescent mental health conditions extend to adulthood, according to the World Health Organization, impacting both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling adult lives.

Teen mental health: an epidemic during the pandemic

Laynee Scheck, Print Editor Mar 15, 2021

Teen mental health is an ongoing issue, one made worse by the pandemic. Beyond the regular stressors of the teenage years, an estimated 10-20% of adolescents globally, according to the World Health Organization...

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NCHS students are taking advantage of the outdoor seating option offered for social distancing.

Unit 5 implements 4-day in-person learning

Inkspot Staff, Inkspot Staff Mar 12, 2021

Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle announced in an email to Unit 5 families that four-day in-person instruction for 6-12th graders will begin on Monday, April 5. The email, sent Monday, March 8, lays...

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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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File photo: The 2020 winter wrestling season is currently rescheduled to begin during the IHSA summer season.

IHSA pauses winter sports: Wrestling moves to summer season

Lily Wells and Keyshawn Byers Dec 11, 2020

Before IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson’s Nov. 19 announcement that “all high school sports and activities will cease by November 20 for … a short-term pause” low risk winter sports were...

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While students may not have access to counselors in-person, they are available through digital appointments to help seniors navigate the college application process.

Counselors offer college planning advice during pandemic

Kennedy Coe, Staff Writer Dec 3, 2020

With stay-at-home orders and social distancing mandates, college-bound seniors planning their futures in an uncertain world are finding the process difficult to manage.  “The pandemic has upended...

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Nearly 1/4 NCHS students and staff surveyed said they will be gathering with people outside of their household for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving amidst a pandemic; ISU public health expert weighs in

Jonah Kramer, Sports Editor Nov 25, 2020

Dr. Jackie Lanier would love to see her five siblings on November 26. However, there will be no holiday get together this Thanksgiving. “It’s going to look really different, and it should unfortunately,”...

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Unit 5 will return to remote learning for all students on Wednesday, Nov. 18. Students and staff share their thoughts on the experience.

NCHS faculty, students on remote learning

Nayonika Banerjee, Senior Staff Reporter Nov 17, 2020
With the transition back to remote learning effective Wednesday, Nov. 18, NCHS students and faculty weigh in on how successful remote learning has been thus far. For Social Studies teacher Mr. Kevin Shackley, remote learning hasn’t been easy. The fifth-year teacher compared teaching remotely to juggling, adding, “I don’t know how to juggle.”  Orchestra teacher Ms. Melissa Siebenthal shared Shackley’s struggles with teaching remotely. It has “been really, really hard, especially given the nature of orchestra,” Siebenthal said, who conducts on Zoom as muted students play along.  While “every day is a technical difficulty” for Siebenthal. She recognizes that “we’re really in unchartered territory, we’re just kind of pioneers, and it’s groundbreaking, actually, because people have never done this before.”
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Actors of the NCHS play, Ghosts in the Machine by Eric Coble posed for the screen capture during their Zoom rehearsal.

‘The Show Must Go On’

Drama programs collaborate to host virtual theatre festival
Olivia Plangger, Co-Editor-in-Chief Nov 16, 2020

When faced with the inability to perform on stage this year, the Bloomington-Normal high school theatre programs proved "the show must go on," according to NCHS theatre director Mrs. Kevin Vernon as...

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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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Survey reports that the Covid-19 pandemic is having an impact on teen mental health.

COVID-19 affects teen mental health

Laynee Scheck, Print Editor Nov 9, 2020

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...

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Seniors’ ab-‘normal’ fall athletic seasons

Seniors’ ab-‘normal’ fall athletic seasons

Olivia Plangger, Co-Editor-in-Chief Nov 4, 2020
With last year’s cancelation of the IHSA spring sports season, the 20-21 athletic seasons were uncertain. For athletes like Ironmen pitcher Andrew Briggs, this season was one they had been looking forward to for years. “Growing up,” Briggs said, “I dreamed about being able to suit up my senior year for the Ironmen.” That dream was one that at times looked like it might not come true, or at least not in the way he once imagined. 
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With the NHLs longest season in history ending with the Tampa Bay Lightning winning the Stanley Cup, here is a look at some of the stars of the improbable post-season.

NHL Abnormal Accolades

5 key players throughout challenging playoffs
Eli Schneider, Senior Staff Reporter Nov 2, 2020

The longest season in NHL history ended with the Tampa Bay Lightning hoisting the Stanley Cup on September 28, after defeating the Dallas Stars 2-0. After COVID-19 forced the NHL to suspend the 2019-2020...

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NCHS returns to in-person learning with new protocols, procedures

NCHS returns to in-person learning with new protocols, procedures

Inkspot Staff, Inkspot Staff Oct 19, 2020

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...

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