U-46 to host Parent Leadership info session Aug. 30

Elgin Area School District U-46 is recruiting parents interested in joining one of its two-year leadership training programs that begins in October.

The district's African American and Hispanic Parent Leadership Institutes have helped develop engaged parent leaders who have gone on to serve on the U-46 Board of Education and Elgin City Council as well local and state advisory councils.

"Joining the African American Parent Leadership Institute was one of the best decisions that I've ever made," said AAPLI member Farrah Stephen. "I'm only starting my second year of the program but have already joined the U-46 Instructional Council which offers me insight and a voice at the table as new curriculum is being reviewed and considered for adoption."

The district has hosted several informational sessions and a final session will be offered at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, in Room 240 at the U-46 Educational Services Center, 355 E. Chicago St., Elgin.

More than 100 parents, including Board of Education member Veronica Noland and recently-elected Elgin City Council member Corey Dixon, have graduated from AAPLI and HPLI since 2010 when former U-46 Superintendent Dr. José Torres established the program.

This year, another 20 parents, including Farrah Stephen, will move into their second year of the program. The success of AAPLI/HPLI has caught the attention of state and national organizations, such as the Illinois State Board of Education and the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents.

"This is essentially a civics program; it helps develop leaders who can go on to represent our diverse community, whether they are serving on a school committee or the board of education," said Karla Jiménez, U-46 coordinator of Family and Community Engagement. "Our graduates learn how to contribute in a meaningful way to our community and they often put those lessons to work even before they graduate from the program."

Parent members attend 16 Saturday morning sessions over the course of two school years, must attend district meetings, and complete a family engagement project to complete the program.

For more information, call Jiménez at (847) 888-5000, ext. 4211.