If you’ve ever planted a garden, you know something important:
No single person “makes” it grow.
Someone tills the soil.
Someone plants the seeds.
Someone waters.
Someone pulls weeds.
Someone builds the fence.
Someone simply shows up consistently and tends what’s already there.
And before long — what was once bare ground begins to bloom.
That’s what is happening across Champaign and Urbana public schools right now.
New Seeds Planted: Adopt-A-School Partnerships
We are thrilled to celebrate new partnerships forming through our Adopt-A-School program:
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Urbana Rotary & King Elementary (Urbana)
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Altrusa International of Champaign/Urbana & Urbana Early Childhood School AND Champaign Early Childhood Center – YES, THEY ADOPTED TWO SCHOOLS!
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Champaign West Rotary & Dr. Howard Elementary (Champaign)
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Faith United Methodist Church & Bottenfield Elementary (Champaign)
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Land of Lincoln Legal Aid with CU Undivided & Booker T. Washington STEAM Academy (Champaign)
Each of these partnerships represents more than a logo on a flyer or a check written once a year. They represent people choosing to show up consistently — building relationships that will grow deeper roots over time.
Strong Roots: Ongoing Partnerships
We are equally grateful for partnerships that continue to nurture and sustain school communities year after year:
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Meadowbrook Church & Kenwood Elementary (Champaign)
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Copper Creek Church & Bottenfield Elementary (Champaign)
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Webber & Thies Lawyers & Central High School Social Studies Department
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Stone Creek Church & Dr. Preston Williams Elementary (Urbana)
And a special shout-out to our Adopt-A-Teacher partnership:
Matt Kelley of A&R Mechanical & Nathan Westerman, Career and Technical Education Teacher at Urbana High School.
This is what tending a garden looks like.
Not flashy. Not complicated.
Just steady, intentional investment in the people doing the daily work.
The On-Call Teacher Allies: Watering What’s Needed Right Now
If Adopt-A-School is planting long-term partnerships, the On-Call Teacher Allies Wishlist is like watering what needs attention this week.
The Wishlist is a live document, constantly updated with real-time needs from teachers across our community. It includes everything from:
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One time volunteer requests
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Specialized classroom supplies for a specific project
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Field trip assistance
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Guest speakers for classrooms
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Transportation needs for students and families
Right now, 54 community members receive regular updates so they can step in when they are able.
And look what has already bloomed just since school started this fall:
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Used middle-grade books for the 6th Grade Center’s new library
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A Costco haul of treats for the Edison FLS snack cart
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Used power tools for the Urbana High School Theatre Department
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Sponsoring an Adult Education student’s annual bus pass so they can attend school without interruption
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Guest judges for a Central High School entrepreneurship class
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Boots and work shoes for middle grade students at the RISE Center farm program
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A campus clean-up day at Champaign Centennial High School after the wind scattered debris
None of these contributions required a massive campaign.
They required someone saying:
“I can help with that.” or even “I can gather a group of friends to help with that.”
Can You See the Ripple Effect
When a teacher receives supplies, encouragement, or support, they feel seen.
When teachers feel supported, they have more capacity to pour into students.
When students feel supported, they show up differently… more confident, more equipped, more hopeful.
And when students thrive, our entire community rises.
It’s a ripple effect that starts small but travels far.
Many Hands. Shared Harvest.
Public education is not a spectator sport.
It thrives when businesses, churches, civic groups, nonprofits, and individuals step into the garden together.
You don’t have to do everything.
You don’t have to fund an entire program.
You don’t even have to know exactly where to start.
You simply choose one small place to tend.
Because here’s the truth:
When we all water one small corner, the whole garden grows.
And when our schools grow stronger, we all rise together.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your contribution would matter, please know that it does.
We welcome you to find your role in the “garden” that supports our schools. Email info@cuschoolsfoundation.org if you want to learn more about getting involved, and being a part of the ripple effect in our community.
