Dear Unit 4 Students, Families, Staff and Community,
Recent violence involving young people in our community is a painful reminder of something we cannot accept as normal.
Our children deserve better.
Every child deserves to grow up feeling safe. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, dream and build a future without violence threatening that future. And every child deserves to know there are adults and a community willing to stand beside them.
Champaign Unit 4 Schools stands firmly against violence in all forms. When violence affects our students — whether it happens inside or outside of school — it affects classmates, friends, families, educators and our entire community. We cannot separate what happens in our neighborhoods from the children who walk through our school doors each morning.
That is why our response must extend beyond any single incident.
We are committed to working with urgency alongside law enforcement, families, community organizations, faith leaders and other partners to help prevent violence and better support our young people. This means strengthening relationships, connecting students and families with resources, listening to our children, recognizing warning signs and intervening before conflicts become tragedies.
It also means surrounding young people with adults who care about them, believe in them and are willing to act when they need help.
Schools cannot do this work alone. Law enforcement cannot do it alone. Families and community organizations cannot do it alone. Protecting our children and building a safer community requires all of us working together.
In our schools, we will continue to prioritize safe and supportive environments while ensuring students have trusted adults they can turn to. We encourage families to talk with their children about violence, conflict and the importance of seeking help. If a student knows something that could put themselves or someone else at risk, we want them to tell a trusted adult. Speaking up can protect a friend, a classmate or even save a life.
We also recognize that young people affected by violence need compassion. They may experience fear, anger, grief or uncertainty even when they were not directly involved. Our schools are prepared to support students who need us.
There will be moments when circumstances involving minors or active law enforcement investigations limit what the District can publicly share. But our commitment to our children will never be limited.
We want something better for every child in Unit 4. We want them safe. We want them supported. We want them in school. We want them learning, growing and believing in the possibilities ahead of them.
Violence does not get to define the future of our children. Together, we must help them build a better one.
Sincerely,
Dr. Geovanny Ponce
Superintendent
Champaign Unit 4 Schools