Elgin Area School District U-46 schools host Veterans Day appreciation events this week
In November, students and staff in Elgin Area School District U-46 are honoring local veterans and troops with special ceremonies, concerts, displays, and collections.
In addition, dozens of local veterans will join classrooms virtually to speak to students about their service and their lives in the Veterans Voices program being held in partnership with the Gail Borden Public Library.
Traditionally, veterans visit classrooms in U-46 to speak to students and they often bring reminders of their military service, such as uniforms, medals, or letters.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, those visits will be virtual this month. Veterans who may want to participate in future events are encouraged to visit gailborden.info/veterans to learn more and submit a volunteer application.
On Veterans Day Nov. 11, student musicians from Larkin High School will participate in the City of Elgin's annual Veterans Day ceremony, held in conjunction with American Legion Post 57.
It will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, in the Heritage Ballroom at the Edward Schock Centre of Elgin, located at 100 Symphony Way in Elgin.
The ceremony, which is open to the public, will feature a welcome from Mayor Dave Kaptain, several musical selections played by Larkin students, and representation from local veterans organizations.
In addition, all schools in U-46 are holding collections for items to be placed in care packages for veterans and active duty military via two organizations, Operation LOVE and Air Lift.
There is a long list of suggested items, including nonperishable snacks, puzzles, books, craft supplies, toiletries, and more. The collection drive, taking place through Nov. 29, is a cooperative effort with four of the unions that represent U-46 employees - DUEA, ESSO, DUSA, and DUTU.
Details on Veterans Day events in U-46 schools are as follows:
• Centennial Elementary, 234 E. Stearns Road in Bartlett, on Monday, Nov. 8 through Friday, Nov. 12
"America's White Table" (picture book) reading and Zoom visits with veterans; various times week of Nov. 8-12
• Sunnydale Elementary, 716 Sunnydale Blvd. in Streamwood, on Monday, Nov. 8 through Friday, Nov. 12
Reading "Twenty-One Steps" book and a video for grades 3-6; various times during the week of Nov. 8-12
• South Elgin High School, 760 E. Main St., on Monday, Nov. 8 through Thursday, Nov. 11
Zoom visits with local veterans in classrooms Nov. 8-11; presentation of staff veterans running on school's digital screens on Nov. 11; Band students and the Beacon Academy of Media & Digital Arts will share a musical tribute to veterans available starting Nov. 11 on the Beacon YouTube channel.
• Bartlett High School, 701 Schick Road, on Thursday, Nov. 11
In all English and ELL classes, students will watch a TEDTalk from author and Army veteran Wes Moore on how to speak to veterans about their stories and experiences.
• Streamwood High School, 701 W. Schaumburg Road, on Thursday, Nov. 11
Veterans Day panel at 8:35 a.m. Students who took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test can attend in-person. All others via Zoom. Panel is made up of a Navy recruiter and local veterans.
Sycamore Trails Elementary, 1025 Sycamore Lane in Bartlett, on Friday, Nov. 12
Zoom visits with local veterans in classrooms
• Hawk Hollow Elementary, 235 Jacaranda Drive in Bartlett, on Friday, Nov. 12
Zoom visits with local veterans in classrooms
• Larkin High School, 1475 Larkin Ave. in Elgin, with events running through Nov. 24.
Larkin music students perform in a wind ensemble program for local veterans at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at The Centre of Elgin. Program is open to the public; Veterans Day board featuring staff and former students who have served will be displayed through Nov. 11; U.S. history classes making thank-you and holiday cards for veterans.