Many people remember fondly the sound of a real school bell rung by hand. That familiar tone signified many things: the start of the school day, the need to return to class after lunch or recess or the end of the school day.

Most schools today have a tone that is generated by a computer. In Somonauk School District 432, that old, familiar sound will make a comeback.

Thanks to generous donations from Somonauk Education Boosters, Somonauk High School Alumni Association and Somonauk Education Foundation, the old school bell from Somonauk Grade School on Depot Street has been discovered and restored. It now will be rung to celebrate successes in the district such as a retirement, start of a new school year, a victory in a co-curricular activity or something else.