U-46 schools mark holiday season with activities, charity events

Gingerbread houses, breakfast with Santa, singalongs, concerts, a winter wonderland, food drive and lending a helping hand to local community organizations.

That's how Elgin Area School District U-46 students and employees are celebrating the holiday season with activities and charitable efforts planned throughout this month.

On Friday, Washington Elementary parents had lunch with their children, visited with Santa and stopped at a book fair at the Elgin school.

Upcoming events include:

• Breakfast with Santa, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Lords Park Elementary, 323 Waverly Drive, Elgin, and a multicultural night, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18.

• Holiday toy drive for Hanover Township all month long at Prairieview Elementary, 285 Mayflower Lane, Bartlett, and a holiday sing at the Bartlett High School Auditorium, 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16.

• Posada (Mexican Christmas celebration), 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at Ronald D. O'Neal Elementary, 510 Franklin Blvd., Elgin.

• Spring Trail Elementary winter concert, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Bartlett High School.

• Holiday shop, Monday through Thursday, Dec. 16-19, during school hours at Timber Trails Elementary, 1675 McDonough Road, Hoffman Estates.

• Giving Tree presents for local families in need through Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Wayne Elementary, 5N443 School St., Wayne, and collection of items and packaging of holiday meals for families in need throughout the month.

• Winter jazz concert, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at Larkin High School, 1475 Larkin Ave., Elgin.

• Winter orchestra concert, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at South Elgin High School, 760 E. Main St., South Elgin.

• Holiday concert, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Streamwood High School, 701 W. Schaumburg Road, Streamwood.