Unit 5 plans for graduation ceremony in August

Posted on May 14, 2020
Normal West
Unit 5 will also have an online celebration this month to honor the Normal West and Normal Community class of 2020. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Neil Doyle

NORMAL – The unconventional school year is quickly coming to a close, but what are the graduation plans for Unit 5?

“Our principals led this, but we surveyed our students and parents, and the families strongly favored a face-to-face ceremony,” said Superintendent Dr. Mark Daniel. “We have reserved Grossinger Motors Arena for Aug. 1, and that is still a fingers crossed type of a thing depending on the health and safety protocols at that time.”

According to a Facebook post, the district will also have an online celebration sometime this month.

As for the fall, Daniel said Unit 5 is preparing for three scenarios – normal in-person classes, some type of a hybrid format, or a return to e-learning.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…