CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign schools are making sure kids are prepared for class. The Champaign Unit 4 School District held its annual giveaway, handing out school supplies for families all over the area.
“Our children love school,” said James Harden, Executive Director of Family Community Engagement. “Now, that’s not a popular thing to say, but our students love school. It’s where their friends are.”
But for parents, it can mean the shopping list gets longer. The pencils, bags and the rest of the list of school supplies can get pretty high in cost.
“Those of us who have children, we know that sometimes the expense of going back to school [gets pricey, with] different fees and making sure your students have everything they need from clothing to tennis shoes,” Harden said.
“When he was younger, I remember thinking, ‘School supplies are so expensive,’ and it does add up now, post-pandemic, with inflation the way it is. I can’t even imagine,” said Michelle Gonzales, Executive Director of CU Schools Foundation.
That’s why Unit 4 holds the yearly giveaway. At the Marketplace Mall, students and parents can fill their bags with supplies. Last year’s giveaway served more than 2,000 families.
“This is the third time we will have done it, and it has grown exponentially each time,” Harden said. “It would not surprise me to see close to 3,000 families today.”
This year, the district has adopted the theme, “The Power of We,” to recognize the community around these schools.
“We know that it’s not just about us. If we are going to educate every student every day without any exception and make things wonderful, it’s going to take an entire village,” Harden said.
Faculty said it’s a great way for kids to get to know some of their teachers and other school staff before jumping in on the first day of class.
“It just takes off a level of anxiety from the students. It lets them see who the administrators are. It’s the first face they see when they walk up to school,” Abby Emroski, Assistant Principal at Booker T. Washington, said. “So, if a kid knows you, it makes them feel more comfortable coming to school and they know that they’re going to be feeling safe and ready to learn.”
The first day of school for Champaign will be Monday, Aug. 12 for kindergarten through sixth grades and freshmen. Grades seven through 12 start on Tuesday.
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