Black History Month Spotlight: Kenneth O. Stratton
-Stratton Academy of the Arts is named after this dedicated educator and community leader
-He was a teacher and administrator at Champaign Unit 4 Schools
-He was the first black Council Member for the City of Champaign and Board Member on the Champaign School Board
-He served as president of the Champaign Education Association
-He was a charter member of the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club and the Champaign County Urban League
-An active member of the civil rights movement, he was a member of the Black Coalition for Equal Opportunity Employment and helped organize for an integrated Champaign school system, Champaign housing, and the hiring practices in downtown Champaign stores
-He was on the Board of Directors of the United Way and the Frances Nelson Health Center
In observance of Presidents' Day, Unit 4 schools and administrative buildings will be closed Monday, February 20.
Please see the flyers in this post for EL PAC's meeting on high school readiness.
Monday, February 13 is National African American Parent Involvement Day. All day our schools will be celebrating with various events. Be sure to check back at the link below for more information and event updates.
https://www.champaignschools.org/article/997579
It's National School Counseling Week and we are grateful for our school counselors!
Black History Month Spotlight: Vernon L. Barkstall
-Barkstall Elementary School is named after the late community leader
-He was the Director of the Urban League of Champaign County for 28 years
-He was a long-time member of the NAACP (Champaign)
-He faced racism such as separate pools and playgrounds as a young child
-His father once told him, “...don't fear anyone, and don't let anyone misuse you because of the color of your skin–or theirs…”
-He was involved in reforming local hiring practices, banking practices as well as the Community Reinvestment Act
Champaign Unit 4 Schools celebrates Black History Month.
Central Alum Jonathan Butler-Duplessis will be making his Broadway debut this week as Aaron Burr in Hamilton! Just another example of how CCHS Alums go on to do great things!
HS Scholastic Bowl Team Earns 2nd Place Honors
Kudos to Centennial’s Scholastic Bowl Team for bringing home the 2nd Place trophy from the Mattoon Frosh/Soph Scholastic Bowl Tournament. Individually, Alyssa McCleary and Sophia Stuart were 1st and 2nd in scoring!
Photo (L-R): Kiara Garcia-Reyes, Sophia Stuart, Alyssa McCleary
School is in open today (January 25th). No transportation for rural routes or CECC.
Give Kids a Smile Day! Our friends at Parkland College will be hosting a free dental clinic for children ages 1-17. Please see the flyers in this post for further details.
Attention future Freshmen!! You are cordially invited to Future Freshman Night. Please see the invitation in this post, Thursday January 19, 6:00-8:00 pm. Future Central/Centennial High School students go to their respective schools.
"We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education." The Purpose of Education, Jan 1, 1947 in the Maroon Tiger at Morehouse College.
Our very own Principal Christian Mahone was featured on WCIA's ciLiving. “Be the change you want to see…” South Side Principal is doing just that. See the full story and interview in the link below:
https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/be-the-change-you-want-to-see-south-side-principal-is-doing-just-that/
In preparation for the launch of the district's new website, we will be experiencing a temporary scheduled downtime of the districts and each school's web pages later today.
Upcoming Winter Break School Closings. Students Return 1/5/2022
Attendance is one of the most powerful predictors of academic success. We need every Unit 4 student at school, every day for the entire school day. This is vital to prepare our students to be college or career ready.
Wishing all of our students, staff, families, and community members a happy Thanksgiving. All school and administrative buildings will be closed Nov. 23-25.
UPDATE: The internet and phone services has been restored at Jefferson Middle School.
@chs.maroons Principal Mr. Joe Williams and @iamacharger Principal Dr. Scott Savage were guests at the Champaign County Community Coalition meeting. @walkasone1
