U-46 celebrates African-American heritage

Elgin Area School District U-46 will partner with Gail Borden Public Library District for the 12th annual Black History Family Festival Saturday, Feb. 4.

The festival helps celebrate diversity as it works to bridge cultures by promoting literacy through the arts and education.

The 2017 theme for the festival is "Celebrating African Americans in Education."

"Black History Month offers our multicultural community, staff and students a time to learn, reflect and celebrate," said U-46 CEO Tony Sanders. "Our school principals and teachers are looking forward to spending additional time expanding our students' awareness and knowledge of our country's rich African American heritage through this month's events."

The festival will feature Chicago West Community Music Center and the presentation of "Future African American Leaders," an award earned by students who demonstrate good character, attention to academics, good citizenship, participation in extracurricular activities, and community engagement. Carl King, president of the Black History Family Festival, will present the award to the following five U-46 seniors:

• Naomi Hibbler, Larkin High School;

• Keaire Freeman, South Elgin High School;

• Alexander Asare, Elgin High School;

• Jenejha Williams, Streamwood High School;

• Vanshon Lindsey, Bartlett High School.

Vincent Gaddis, professor of history and director of the Global Studies program at Benedictine University, will serve as the event's keynote speaker with a presentation planned for 1:40 p.m. The festival runs from 1 to 5 p.m. at Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin. It is free and open to the public.

Following the festival, Naomi Hibbler, along with fellow classmate Roshiece Hall, will receive a Black Women's Association scholarship during the gala from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road in Elgin. Admission to the gala is $55 and includes dinner.

More than two dozen students, staff and parents from Harriet Gifford Elementary School and Ellis and Larsen middle schools celebrated Black History Month a few days early with a recent trip to see the movie "Hidden Figures."

Members of the District's L.E.A.D. (Living Elegantly, Audaciously and Dauntlessly) program planned the event and accompanied the group. L.E.A.D. was introduced by Ron Raglin, Assistant Superintendent of Support Programs and Alignment, and Randal Ellison, Coordinator of Student Discipline, to provide a weekly after-school program for African-American girls that promotes leadership, self-esteem, self-control, conflict resolution skills and cultural awareness. The program originally started at Ellis Middle School in 2014 and has since expanded to five U-46 schools.

The Young Women's Empowerment Program, a school intervention program through MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports), mentors girls and helps engage them in project-based learning. The group also enjoyed a trip to watch "Hidden Figures." Twenty-three students earned the trip based on a 50-percent participation rate within their MTSS process.

U-46 schools will recognize the importance of Black History Month with the following events:

• Through Friday, Feb. 10, students at Harriet Gifford Elementary School, 240 S. Clifton Ave. in Elgin, are designing classroom doors to celebrate African-Americans who have made a contribution to society. At 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, there will be an assembly from Prismatic Magic with a laser tribute celebration of African-Americans.

• Parents are invited to read with children and learn about Black History Month at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at Heritage Elementary School, 507 Arnold Ave. in Streamwood. From 8 to 9 a.m., the student exhibit will showcase African-Americans who have influenced the country.

• Kucha and Baba Tony Storytellers Assembly will be 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Highland Elementary School, 190 N. Melrose Ave., Elgin.

• Students will be "Recreating Brown vs. Board of Education" at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, at Parkwood Elementary School, 2150 Laurel Ave., Hanover Park. Throughout the month, there will be reading and coloring activities for preschoolers revolving around Martin Luther King Jr.

• A Black History Month banquet will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at Bartlett High School, 701 W. Schick Road.

• In "Break Down the Wall," students and staff will break down the wall of stereotypes and reveal positive messages from 10:25 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Larkin High School, 1475 Larkin Ave., Elgin. An interactive exhibit, "Tunnel of Oppression," will be available throughout the day on Friday, Feb. 17.