Dear Charlottesville City Schools families,

I’m reaching out this afternoon to reaffirm our division’s commitment to be a welcoming place for all students. At Charlottesville City Schools:

• We provide all children residing in the City of Charlottesville a free public K–12 education regardless of immigration status, according to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe. 
• We do not inquire about or record any information about a student’s immigration status.
• We are legally bound by federal law to protect student data.
• We support students and families with access to counselors and connections to community organizations like IRC, Sin Barreras, and Legal Aid. 
• We encourage families to keep their school informed about any concerns they have or difficulties at home that impact their student. 

Our division is also prepared for the possibility of immigration-related enforcement at our schools. Every staff member has been given role-specific guidance to ensure that the rights of students and staff are upheld. Our safety and security team manages ongoing protocol development and internal planning to ensure that we have a coordinated response should a concern escalate. 

If your student has questions about what to do if they see someone unfamiliar at school, let them know to inform a staff member.

At the end of the day, Charlottesville City Schools is here to give every student a great education in an environment that is safe and welcoming for all. Thank you for continuing to partner with us to do just that.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gurley