NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — Back in business after COVID-19 forced them to close their doors, Normal’s Children’s Discovery Museum is putting the finishing touches on how to safely reopen.

For the past year, COVID-19 forced the Children’s Discovery Museum to close. But with things getting better, director of museum engagement Shelly Hanover said they are planning to reopen museum doors within the next month.

The Children's Discovery Museum in Uptown Normal is tentatively planning to reopen May 1, but there are a lot of moving parts for its staff to consider.

Executive Director Beth Whisman said staffing and building preparation are among the factors, but through surveys and outreach, the museum is looking to its members and the public for what to do in the coming months.

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Bloomington District 87 announcing a partnership for their kindergarten through 5th-grade summer program, which will benefit both students and Illinois State University pre-service teachers.

This partnership will allow ISU pre-service teachers to gain classroom experience, which they missed out on during the school year due to COVID-19, and give them the opportunity to work with D87 teachers.