What happens when teachers speak up—and a community listens? Something powerful begins. The Adopt-A-School program was born from the CU Schools Foundation’s 2024 Strategic Planning process, deeply shaped by the voices of Unit 4 and District 116 educators who shared their needs, hopes, and challenges through surveys and listening sessions. What we heard loud [...]
Each year, the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation (CUSF), honors a remarkable educator who exemplifies the very best of what it means to teach, lead, and serve. This year, that honor goes to Emily Walsh, Mathematics Instructional Coach at Champaign Central High School, as the recipient of the 2025 Mann-Hankel Teaching Excellence Award. The Mann-Hankel [...]
Congratulations to the 2025 Promising Educators Scholarship Recipients! from Champaign Unit 4 Schools and Urbana School District #116 We are proud to recognize three outstanding students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to pursuing a career in education. Each has shown the passion, leadership, and heart it takes to inspire the next generation. [...]
Imagine being eight years old, walking into a classroom where you don’t understand the words on the board, the instructions from your teacher, or the jokes your classmates are sharing. You want to learn, to belong, to connect—but everything feels unfamiliar and overwhelming. Now imagine someone handing you a small device that suddenly makes [...]
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Spring Fling 2025: A Celebration of Our Local Educators (picture gallery below) On Tuesday, April 30, the CU Schools Foundation hosted its 5th annual annual Spring Fling— celebrating the incredible teachers of Champaign Unit 4 and Urbana District 116. Held at Riggs Beer Company on High Cross Road in Urbana, this Teacher Appreciation event [...]
CUSF announces its 2025 Super Star Award for Unit 4 and District 116 support staff and paraprofessionals. Our schools would simply not run as effectively or efficiently without the many supporting talents and expertise of these essential staff members. From multilingual teaching aides, student support advocates, office managers, food service assistants, hall monitors, [...]
Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation (CUSF) will honor ten teachers in 2025 with the Shining Star Awards. Selected Unit 4 and District 116 teachers are nominated by their peers and exhibit exemplary service, extra effort, enthusiastic attitude, and innovative ideas that noticeably benefit their students. Unit 4 Schools are represented by Mandee Crow – [...]
In a thriving community, strong schools are the foundation of success. Religious and service organizations are uniquely positioned to make a lasting impact by partnering with local elementary schools in Champaign Unit 4 or Urbana School District 116. Our Adopt-A-School initiative creates opportunities for your member to have meaningful engagement with a specific partner [...]
