Letter to the Editor
My name is LaShawnda Holland, I am the Principal of Universal Academy for the College Bound, and VP of Education for Universal Schools, a non-profit community and housing development and education management organization headquartered in the City of Philadelphia and expanding into Milwaukee to open two new charter schools in our area.
As news broke last week that one of Milwaukee’s most visible leaders in education was arrested for heinous crimes involving children, our community was shocked. It’s been a difficult time for us, and a difficult time for parents and educators across the nation, in dealing with such astonishing circumstances – he was trusted by parents and his colleagues as a pillar of the industry and the community.
We were all saddened and shaken by the news. We realized this was a wake-up call for all of us who are responsible for the care of children. UACB is opening its doors for the first time in a few weeks.
Like all schools, we are grateful to our families who have entrusted their children to us. At UACB we place the highest priority on the safety and wellbeing of our children and all the children of our community. In this spirit, we have acted expeditiously to ensure the safety of our children from anyone involved in such heinous acts.
UACB has a trained and experienced team ready to begin paving a model way of educating in our community. We look forward to working within the community to make a difference, not only in the lives of the families we are privileged to serve but in the lives of the families that surround us every day.
Last week we took a step back. Today, we’re moving forward as a team of exceptional people with exceptional skills and ideas.
Quality schools and healthy communities should be safe havens for children. This is the commitment of Universal Companies, where in Philadelphia we’ve been able to challenge and reverse the effects of urban decline over the past two decades; a commitment UC and the Universal Academy for the College Bound bring to Milwaukee.
When we work together, great things can happen. We are committed to working with our families to ensure that our scholars are prepared for college and careers. We look forward to serving you this school year.
Respectfully,
LaShawnda Holland,
Principal
Universal Academy for the College Bound
