U-46 to host resource fair for parents of special needs kids

The Elgin Area School District U-46 Citizens' Advisory Council and special education department are hosting a free Special Needs Parents Resource Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at South Elgin High School, 760 E. Main St., South Elgin.

Families can learn about services and programs offered by local, regional, and state agencies for the special needs community. More than 40 service agencies will participate and meet with parents.

Youth advocates from the National Association of Down syndrome will present an inspirational program on student self-advocacy at 9:30 a.m. The event is open to anyone interested in special needs services.

For detailed exhibitor information, a schedule of events, or to register, visit u46cac.org or call the special education department at (847) 888-5000, ext. 5065.

Judson health fair:

Judson University in Elgin will host a community Health and Vitality Fair from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 12, in the foyer and Room 101 of the Lindner Fitness Center, 1151 N. State St., Elgin.

Health and wellness vendors will be on hand to answer questions and distribute materials. There also will be a presentation on health and vitality through wellness from 11 a.m. to noon. The event is free and open to the public.

The fair is part of Elgin's area-wide March Into Health month, an annual program to promote physical activity.

"Engaging the Judson community through March into Health, and specifically the Health and Vitality Fair, we hope to increase awareness of wellness at Judson University," said Cathy Headley, Judson's exercise and sport sciences professor, who coordinates the university's partnership with Activate Elgin.

Headley also teaches the health nutrition and community health classes that are hosting the Health and Vitality Fair.

For more information about the fair, email Headley at cheadley@judsonu.edu. For details about Elgin's March Into Health month activities, visit activateelgin.org.

Go bald for childhood cancer:

Students and staff members of Huntley High School will host two events Friday, March 13, to cap their fundraising efforts for St. Baldrick's during February and March.

There will be an afternoon all-school assembly to celebrate the school's top fundraisers, followed by a community event in the East Gym, where several school and local dignitaries will shave off their hair.

The public is invited to the community event from 4 to 9 p.m. It also will feature music, food, and live entertainment.

Huntley Community Radio personality and District 158 school board member Bill Geheren will emcee the event and give up his hair and beard for the cause. Huntley High School Principal Scott Rowe and teachers Lana Johnson, Casey Popenfoose, Tom Kempf and Jack Towne also will shave their heads.

Full more information on events, fundraisers, and T-shirts, visit district158.org/huntley-goes-bald or email Samantha Schaefer at sschaefer@district158.org.