U-46 celebrates Black History Month with special programs

While Elgin Area School District U-46 aims to celebrate Black history throughout the school year, the schools and district have been recognizing contributions of Black Americans throughout the month of February.

The district’s Department of Equity & Innovation is hosting two special events open to students, staff, and community members.

“Healing and Belonging Through Verse” is a virtual workshop during which participants will explore the works of writer Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, especially poems from her books “The Peace Chronicles” and “Love from the Vortex” that focus on themes of love, belonging, and the need for healing.

The workshop will also include space for participants to engage in writing exercises and share their own work. That event is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m., and registration is encouraged via www.u-46.org.

“Voices of Distinction: Owning the Glory in Our Stories” is an in-person event designed to spotlight African American staff who are making a difference in the everyday lives of U-46 students. It will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20, in the auditorium at Larkin High School, 1475 Larkin Ave. in Elgin.

Teachers and school leaders across the district have also created special activities and events while acknowledging that Black history lessons and celebrations cannot be limited to the month of February.

Some of the events are listed below.

• Harriet Gifford Elementary: A Mini-Reader’s Theater: Morning announcements all month feature a student reading a paragraph in the first person about an important African American figure in history and then placing their photo on the Black History Wall;

• Horizon Elementary: Morning announcements all month featuring quotes related to Black History Month, read by I Am LEAD students;

• Otter Creek Elementary: Morning announcements all month will feature students sharing accomplishments about African American men and women they have researched;

• Kenyon Woods Middle School: Displays, morning announcements and a food drive centered around Black History Month all month;

• Tefft Middle School: Daily student messages and door decorations centered around Black History Month all month;

• Bartlett High School: Facts related to Black History Month read during the morning announcements all month;

• Elgin High School: Frederick Douglass exhibit in the library all month;

• Ridge Circle Elementary: Open mic in which students share details about and quotes from influential African Americans they have researched on Fridays in February;

• Heritage Elementary: Soul of Heritage — Black History Event and Black Expo on Thursday, Feb. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m.;

• I Am LEAD Mentor Group: Celebration of Black Beauty: Paint & Create on Saturday, Feb. 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.;

• Virtual event: A Night of Poetry with Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz on Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 6 to 7 p.m. on Zoom;

• Larkin High School: Voice of Distinction: Owning The Glory in Our Stories — A panel presentation featuring U-46 staff on Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.;

• Streamwood High School: Staff vs. students basketball game, a fundraiser to benefit the Black Student Union Family Reunion and support local Black businesses on Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m.;

• Channing Elementary School: Black History Celebration and Literacy Night on Thursday, Feb. 22, from 6 to 7 p.m.;

• Virtual event: Panel with representatives from several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) on Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.;

• Parkwood Elementary School: Gallery walk focused on African Americans on Thursday, Feb. 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.;

• Ridge Circle Elementary: Gallery walk featuring student-decorated doors honoring influential African Americans on Thursday, Feb. 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Elgin’s “Project 2-3-1” will be shown in the gym;

• Virtual event: African American Advisory Council meeting with special guest Dr. Bettina Love on Thursday, Feb. 29, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.;

• Larkin High School: “The Catapult of the Collective: Our Legacy, Our Vision, and Our Path” on Thursday, Feb. 29, from 7 to 8 p.m.