NORMAL – One might say the students who addressed Normal-based Unit 5 School Board members at the governing body’s regularly-scheduled meeting March 10 had fun and games on their minds. Specifically, fun they get out of games they play being part of e-sports competition. E-sports are video games which have become an organized function and serious business for high school students.

When the public comments section of the Board meeting began, Board members heard from two students who are E-sports enthusiasts and a parent who explained the educational value he believes are tied to them. E-sports is a form of sport competition using video games. They can often be organized, multiplayer video game competitions, particularly between professional players, individually or as teams, according to a definition given by the website yellowbrick.co.

Normal Community West junior Luke Sherman informed Board members the team he belongs to, part of a game league call the Rocket League, won the State Championship, allowing them to advance to national competition, where the team placed 2nd. Such advances have earned players in the league scholarships, he explained. Those earning the scholarships are Quinn Gifford and Karen Ellis. Gifford has earned scholarships from Illinois Wesleyan University and St. Ambrose University. Sherman said Ellis was offered full tuition to Lincoln Land Community College.

Sherman said the group he belongs to is struggling to find funding to enter tournaments, hindering their ability to compete.

Normal West senior Tyler Van Draska added to the subject saying the team needs funding to compete. He said what funding they have – around $500 – “isn’t enough for the competitions we have been entering.”

Normal West Parent Ralph Whitsitt told Board members that after he did some research, he discovered a total of 175 colleges and universities have varsity E-sports teams. He characterized E-sports as “the next big thing,” re-emphasizing the information concerning scholarships offered for those who participate in such an activity. “Just because it doesn’t fit into a nice neat little box doesn’t mean it doesn’t have value,” Whitsitt added.

When he researched it, Whitsitt, a teacher himself, explained, he discovered it gave students “a sense of building community, a sense of offering something” to students. In seeking financial aid for this, he added, “I just at it as an opportunity to be at the forefront of something new.” He added it may be new, but explained Illinois High School Association is looking into adding it to its activities list.

Hearing Concerning Bonds Sale Held: The meeting began with a public hearing required by law concerning the district’s desire to sell School Fire Prevention and Safety Bonds in an amount not to exceed $5,150,000. Board President Amy Roser explained the bonds were being sold to provide funds to the district to use for various health/safety projects including an HVAC update at Chiddix Junior High School. No members of the public, either spoken or in writing, came forward or were presented at the hearing. A formal vote by Board members on the matter will take place at a Board meeting next month.

6th-12th Graders Headed Back To Class Four Days Per Week: In her comments to the session, District Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle explained sixth-12th grade students would be returning to the classroom beginning Monday, March 29 for four days a week, with Wednesdays serving as a solely remote day for students. Keeping Wednesday remote, Dr. Weikle said, allows teachers to connect with remote learners and answer any questions those students might have concerning assignments.

Beginning March 29, Dr. Weikle said, Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade students will be at school. That day, also, sixth-12th graders will not be in class so that teachers can use that time as a planning period, Dr. Weikle explained. On March 30, 6th graders will be attending daily at their junior high schools. On Tuesday, 7th-12th graders students with last names beginning L-Z will be in attendance following their hybrid schedule. On Thursday, that week, 7th-12th graders students with last names beginning A-K will be in attendance following their hybrid schedule. Schools will be closed Friday, April 2, Dr. Weikle said, observing a school board-based holiday established by the State.

Dr. Weikle said surveys went out to parents on the subject of sending students back into classrooms. She said the decision to have students back in class was made based on “a variety of factors but were not limited to “feedback from our families and staff, surveys the district put out earlier, union leadership, discussions with the McLean County Health Department, conversations with other districts, as well as looking at our own community metrics.”

Acknowledging district teachers have been teaching students both in a class and students who are fully remote, Dr. Weikle said teachers doing that are demonstrating “a unique talent that our whole staff has stepped up and done all year.

A survey Unit 5 sent out to all District families resulted in receiving 2,800 responses, with around 1,300 coming back with the first four hours after the survey was posted, Dr. Weikle said. “We had a great response,” she said. “I’m really appreciative of all the families who took the time to give us their feedback, as well as staff who completed surveys.

She added registration has begun for families who have students who will be attending in Unit 5 during the 2021-22 school year. On the Unit 5 webpage, there are pages for parents needing to register students, whether for kindergarten, current returning students, or for students brand new to the district. She added no fees are due at this time. Parents will be able to pay fees after July 1, she added.

“It’s really important families complete the registration process in March,” Dr. Weikle said, adding, “That helps us identify how many staff members we need at various grade levels.” She said with a teacher shortage in progress in the country, Unit 5 “wants to be in the forefront and not competing with other districts.”

Dr. Weikle also encouraged parents to complete a survey called the “5 Essentials” survey, created and overseen by Urban Education Institute at University of Chicago. Dr. Weikle explained, “This survey is a way for parents, teachers, and students across Illinois to send feedback not only to the district but also to the State regard your feelings school environment.”

The district recommends if parents taking part in the survey have students in more than one school, a survey should be completed per school. Names of participants and responses to the survey are kept confidential, she added. A link to the survey is on Unit 5’s website and surveys are due by Friday, April 2.

Board Approves Contract Extension With First Student Bus Co.: Board members unanimously approved a one-year extension with Cincinnati, Ohio-based First Student Bus Co. Without the extension, the district’s contract with the busing provider was set to expire June 30. The contract is now set to expire June 30, 2022. First Student’s first contract with the district was approved by Board members in 2012.

Next Board Meeting Set For April 14 At Normal Community West High School: District schools will observe Spring Break the week of March 22-26. The Board’s next meeting will be held Wednesday, April 14 at Normal Community West High School, beginning at 6:30p.m.

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