ECASD offers staff, support for Chippewa Falls schools during homicide investigation

UAE CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) – The Eau Claire Area School District said Tuesday it is supporting the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District with staff and other resources as law enforcement investigates a homicide involving a student in Chippewa Falls.

In a letter to families, Mike Johnson, ECASD Superintendent, said administration at ECASD reached out to the CFAUSD to offer support once the death of Iliana Peters, a 10-year-old who attended Parkview Elementary in Chippewa Falls, was reported by police Monday .

In addition to offering support to the CFAUSD, Johnson wrote that the district is also offering support to families in Eau Claire given the proximity to Chippewa Falls, including counseling and support staff. Johnson said that Eau Claire Police Department school resource officers are there to help students and families. Johnson also provided safety information that is shared to students in schools, such as internet and social media safety and how to utilize the Speak Up, Speak Out program.

Peters was found dead Monday morning near the Duncan Creek Trail in Chippewa Falls, and police said they are considering it a homicide investigation. A Chippewa Falls church held a vigil for Peters Monday night. Meanwhile, Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District administrators are recommending that parents pick up and drop off their students at their schools while the homicide investigation continues. Anyone with information about the homicide can call the Chippewa Falls Police Department tip line at 1-800-263-5906.

Dear Eau Claire Area School District Families:

By now, you may have heard about the tragic incident that claimed the life of a Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District (CFAUSD) student. We have reached out to the district to offer our support through staffing and other resources.

The CFAUSD will be collaborating closely with law enforcement to determine what or how much to share with the community. They are also requesting that parents/families be the ones to engage in discussion with their children about this event to the greatest extent possible.

We know that some of our students may be affected due to our proximity to Chippewa Falls and would like to include for you some of the talking points the CFAUSD has shared with their staff and families:

Please know that all ECASD staff and the Eau Claire Police Department are here to support our students and families. For additional assistance in helping your child(ren) deal with grief, you may access Resources for a document shared by the CFAUSD to its families.

When tragedies like this occur, we know that our families are having conversations about safety with their children. We would like to share some of the safety information your child has learned at school.

Beginning with our elementary students, our Student Services staff and classroom teachers focus on safety in three places: home, school, community. Our Eau Claire Police Department school resource officers facilitate lessons about internet and social media safety beginning in late elementary and continuing through secondary. The ECASD partners with Speak Up, Speak Out Wisconsin and encourages all students to utilize this comprehensive one-stop resource to turn to with concerns. Learn more at https://speakup.widoj.gov/.

As always, please reach out to me or our staff with concerns and questions. Our students, families, staff, and community need to support each other during this difficult time.