Fox Valley briefs

U46 announces new principal, information director:Elgin Area School District U-46 officials announced Wednesday that Jeff Smith has been selected to replace Lorraine Cruz as principal of Canton Middle School in Streamwood, beginning next fall. Smith currently serves as assistant principal at Kenyon Woods Middle School, a position he has held since 2004. Craig Williams was named the district's director of information services, effective immediately. He comes to U-46 from Naperville District 203.Zoo fundraiser concert:A concert fundraiser for the Lords Park Zoo will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, April 30, at Gasthaus Zur Linde, 15 N. Grove St., Elgin. The bands Vehicle and My Lazy Elephant will be performing live music. The event will raise money through a $5 suggested donation for entry and Friends of the Lords Park Zoo will also run a 50/50 raffle and prize giveaway on-site using items donated by local Elgin businesses. "All monies will go to the bison pen fund to replace the fencing in 2010, this will alow us to get a new young male bison for the herd, donated by the elders of the Ojibwa tribes in Southern Illinois," said Laurie Faith Gibson-Aiello of Friends of the Lords Park Zoo.Maplewood hosts open house:Maplewood School in Cary is hosting an open house to celebrate its more than 60 years of history. The school is closing at the end of this school year because of declining enrollment and budgetary concerns. The event will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, at the school. The open house features food, prizes and Maplewood memorabilia. Call (847) 639-2152.