Do you want to support teachers and students in our community but aren’t sure you’re ready to make a long-term Adopt-A-School commitment? We’ve created a new way for you to get involved — flexible, simple, and impactful.

<CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT LIST>

Introducing the On-Call Teacher Allies list.

Here’s how it works:

  • A few times a month, you’ll receive a short email with specific, current requests from local teachers.

  • If one speaks to you – and you’re able to help – you simply reply to the email.

  • We’ll connect you directly with the teacher or school to get the need fulfilled.

That’s it! No obligation. No pressure. Just opportunities to help when and how you can.

Real Impact, Real Stories

This year alone, On-Call Teacher Allies have already stepped up in big ways:

  • Shoes & Work Gloves for Fowler Farm: Students from the RESTORE program needed durable shoes and gloves for pond restoration projects. Within a week, several community members donated the right sizes of old sneakers and boots after reading about the request on social media, delivered them to CUSF, and got them into students’ hands — ready for muddy, meaningful work outdoors.

  • Math Manipulatives for Franklin Middle School: A teacher who relied on donated casino cards and dice suddenly lost her source. The Sinai Temple community saw the request, took a collection, and purchased the items on Amazon. Within a week, the students were back to hands-on math learning.

  • Boom Lift for Student Art Restorations: Cody and Sunbelt Rentals (Branch #304 on Mattis Ave. in Champaign) heard about a need for a mechanical boom lift to restore beautiful student art installations at Stratton Elementary School and Franklin STEAM Academy. They donated the use of their lift, ensuring the restorations could be completed safely and on time.

Other requests are just as simple (possible examples):

  • a pack of size 5 khaki shorts for a student
  • replenishing a classroom snack closet
  • finding a guest speaker with a specific expertise
  • lending a hard-to-find item for an object lesson

Why It Matters

Sometimes, what makes the biggest difference for a student or teacher is something small, timely, and specific. The On-Call Teacher Allies list makes it easy for the community to meet these needs quickly — together.

Want to Join?

Becoming an On-Call Teacher Ally is easy. Just send an email to etarr@cuschoolsfoundation.org and ask to be added to the list. You’ll start receiving requests and can choose to respond whenever you’re able.

No long-term commitment. No obligation. Just a chance to say yes when it works for you – and make a difference for our Unit 4 and USD 116 teachers and students.