U-46 school news

Here is what's in the news for the week of Dec. 4-12 at Elgin Area Unit District 46 schools. For details, visit u-46.org. Seniors ages 62 and older living in the district may attend the plays and concerts for free if they pick up a platinum card from Paula in the Communications office. Call (847) 888-5000, ext. 5040, to order one.

Board meeting: On Monday, the U-46 Board of Education meets at 7 p.m. in Room 140 at the Educational Services Center, 355 E. Chicago St. in Elgin. The public is welcome to attend and provide citizen comments to the School Board at the open meetings. For information on the board, visit the "School Board & Community" link at u-46.org.

Bartlett High: On Thursday, the choir will perform at 7 p.m. in the Bartlett High School auditorium, 701 Schick Road. Guests from the area elementary and middle schools will also perform. Admission is $1 per student or senior citizen, $2 per adult, or $6 per family.

Elgin High: The Elgin High School music department will present a Holiday Constellation Concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17 in the Chester C. Alexander Auditorium at the high school, 1200 Maroon Drive. Tickets for students and senior citizens are $8; adults are $10. Advance tickets can be purchased by calling (847) 888-5100, ext. 5103. Participating groups are: the Brass Ensemble, Chamber Choir, Symphonic Band, Elgin Jazz Authority, Jazz Band, Renaissance Singers, Chamber Orchestra, and String Quartet. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Ecker Center in Elgin. For information, call Jonathan Bogue at (847) 888-5100, ext. 5138.

Larkin High: On Tuesday, Javier Diaz will direct the mixed chorus, concert choir, and chamber chorale as they present several musical selections at their holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. at Larkin High School, 1475 Larkin Ave., Elgin. These choral groups will be joined by students from Kimball Middle School, who are making a long-awaited return to the stage. On Thursday, the LHS orchestral groups take the stage. Kelly Larson will direct the concert orchestra, symphony orchestra, and the VPAA orchestra in their winter concert at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium. One of the symphony orchestra's selections will be a movement from "St. Paul's Suite," composed by Gustav Holst. Ticket prices are $2 per adult, $1 for students and seniors, and $6 per family.

South Elgin High: On Friday, the Madrigal Dinner will be held at 7 p.m. in the South Elgin High School auditorium lobby, 760 E. Main St.

Canton: On Tuesday, the chorus and orchestra will perform a holiday concert at 7 p.m. in the Canton Middle School school gym, 1100 Sunset Circle, Streamwood. On Thursday, the band will perform their Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. at Streamwood High School, 701 W. Schaumburg Road. Elementary feeder school band students will also perform. Participating schools are: Glenbrook, Hanover Countryside, Hilltop, Oakhill, and Ridge Circle.

Ellis: On Wednesday, the holiday orchestra concert will perform at 7 p.m. in the Ellis Middle School auditorium, 225 S. Liberty St., Elgin. Admission is $1 per student or senior citizen, $2 per adult, or $6 per family.

Kenyon Woods: On Thursday, a choral concert will be presented at 7 p.m. in the Kenyon Woods Middle School commons, 1515 Raymond St., South Elgin. The concert will feature a variety of traditional choral music and some winter and holiday songs. Tickets are $2 for adults, and $1 per student.

Kimball: On Tuesday, the Kimball Middle School orchestra will perform along with elementary feeder school orchestra students from Century Oaks, Creekside, Highland, Hillcrest, and Sheridan at 7 p.m. in the gym, 451 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin.

Larsen: On Tuesday, a Holiday Band Concert will be presented at 7 p.m. at Larsen Middle School, 665 Dundee Ave., Elgin. Elementary feeder school band students will also participate. The schools include: Coleman, Lincoln, McKinley, Sheridan, and Timber Trails. On Wednesday, a Holiday Choral Concert will be presented at 7 p.m. at the school. On Thursday, the intermediate orchestra students will present their Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. at the school. This will include orchestra students in grades 5-6 from the feeder schools Coleman, Lincoln, McKinley, Sheridan, and Timber Trails.

Century Oaks: On Wednesday, fourth- to sixth-graders will perform their Holiday Sing at 7 p.m. at Century Oaks Elementary School, 1235 Braeburn Drive, Elgin.

Clinton: On Tuesday, Clinton Elementary third- to sixth-graders and the choir will perform a concert at 7 p.m. at South Elgin High School, 760 E. Main St.

Fox Meadow: On Wednesday, the PTO will hold a Holiday Shop for Fox Meadow families from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Fox Meadow Elementary School, 1275 Jenna Drive, South Elgin. On Thursday, a Parent/Community Involvement Meeting will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Parents and community members are invited to meet with principal Jackie Hazen and teachers to share ideas regarding the school community.

Hawk Hollow: On Thursday and Friday, the parent/teacher group will host a Holiday Gift Shoppe during school hours in the Hawk Hollow Elementary School gym, 235 Jacaranda Drive in Bartlett. Students can do holiday shopping for their families. The gifts are immediately wrapped at the school so they are kept a secret until Christmas. Younger students have upper grade level buddies that assist them with their shopping.

Highland: On Thursday, a fall musical called "The Granny Awards" will be performed at 7 p.m. in the Highland Elementary gym, 1221 W. Highland Ave., Elgin.

Laurel Hill: On Tuesday, the Crossroads Kid's Club will meet at 2:15 p.m. in the Laurel Hill Elementary gym, 1750 Laurel Ave., Hanover Park. On Wednesday, a Winter Sing will be presented at 7 p.m. in the Bartlett High School auditorium. Third- to sixth-graders will entertain families with Beatles songs from the 1960s. On Thursday at 6 p.m., teacher Aydee Castaneda will be teaching parents of kindergarten and first-graders the reading and literacy homework strategies.

Lincoln: On Monday to Wednesday "Holiday Shop" will be open during school hours at Lincoln Elementary School in Hoffman Estates. Students will have an opportunity to purchase gifts for family members. On Tuesday, Lincoln Family Night will be held at Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Families can enjoy stories, crafts, computers and other library resources.

Nature Ridge: On Friday, fifth-graders at Nature Ridge Elementary in Bartlett will graduate from the DARE program at 9 a.m.

Parkwood: On Wednesday, Family Math Night will be held at 6 p.m. at Parkwood Elementary School in Hanover Park. Parents and students are invited to participate in fun and engaging math activities designed to promote math practice at home and to strengthen family bonds.

Prairieview: On Monday, the Prairieview Elementary Holiday Sing will be held at Bartlett High School auditorium beginning at 5:30 p.m. for grades K-1; 6:15 p.m. for second grade 2; 7 p.m. for third to fourth grade; and 7:45 p.m. for fifth and sixth grade.

Sunnydale: On Saturday, the annual Santa's Breakfast will be held from 8-11 a.m. at Sunnydale Elementary School, 716 Sunnydale Blvd., Streamwood. Students will also have the opportunity to make crafts for $1 each in Santa's workshop, and can have free photos taken with Santa.

Willard: During the week, Willard Elementary School in South Elgin will conduct a canned food drive for the South Elgin Lions Club. On Wednesday, the school will host "Lunch with your Child" in the gym, 370 W. Spring St. Parents must bring their own lunch. The Scholastic Book Fair will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day.