U-46 school news
Bartlett High
• On Friday, Bartlett High School will host its "Dad & Daughter Dance" from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at Villa Olivia Country Club, off Route 20 in Bartlett. Tickets cost $30 per person, and include a four-course meal and dancing.
• On Saturday at 2 p.m., the BHS Band will march in the St. Patrick's Day parade in St. Charles.
Elgin High
• On Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., Elgin High School will present the musical "Crazy for You" at 7 p.m. in the auditorium, 1200 Maroon Drive, Elgin. Tickets are reserved seating and can be charged by phone by calling Sally at (847) 888-5100, ext. 5103. Admission costs $6 per student and $8 per adult.
• On Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., come join the fun and celebration as the Elgin High School PTO presents its 35th annual Collectibles, Crafts and Flea Market at the high school, 1200 Maroon Drive, Elgin. The EHS Orchestra, under the direction of Tom Weyland, will be featured this year playing from noon to 1 p.m. Approximately 160 dealers and individuals will be selling items such as country collectibles, Depression glassware, Elgin memorabilia, vintage linens, records and books, handyman tools and gadgets, Pokemon items, wood crafts, hand-loomed rugs, sports cards and memorabilia, dried and silk floral designs, clothing and much more. Food concessions and bake sale items are available throughout the day. PTO volunteers and EHS freshman, sophomore and junior class councils work at the popular event. The cost of early admission is $5 and will begin at 8 a.m. General admission at 9 a.m. costs $2 at the door, $1 for students and senior citizens. Parking is free.
Larkin High
• On Tuesday, the choral students will present a concert under the direction of Damon Carlson. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Larkin High School auditorium, 1475 Larkin Ave., Elgin. Tickets cost $1 per student or senior citizen, $2 per adult and $5 per family.
• On Thursday, orchestra students from local schools will combine their talents to present a concert in the auditorium at 7:30 p.m. The Larkin Concert Orchestra and Symphony Orchestras will perform under the direction of Kelly Larson. Students from Abbott and Kimball middle schools will join the high school musicians at this event. Tickets cost $2 per adult, $1 for students and senior citizens and $5 per family.
South Elgin High
• The SEHS Winter Sports Awards Program will be held at 7 p.m. today in the South Elgin High School main gym, 760 E. Main St.
• On Friday, the SEHS booster bash, "Games Galore" will take place at 8 p.m. at Villa Olivia Country Club, off Route 20 in Bartlett. Tickets for this adult-only event cost $25. Jeans, sweatshirts and sneakers are the dress code for the evening. Call Pat Collins at (847) 741-8054 for further information.
Streamwood High
• The winter athletic banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m. today in the Streamwood High School commons area, 701 W. Schaumburg Road.
• On Tuesday, a performance by jazz band members using unconventional instruments (garbage can lids, etc.) to create a different sound, will present "Sabre Stomp" at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.
Canton
• On Wednesday, the Canton Middle School Band will present a concert at 7 p.m. at Streamwood High School auditorium, 701 W. Schaumburg Road. The feeder schools -- Glenbrook, Hanover Countryside, Hilltop, Oakhill, and Ridge Circle elementary -- also will participate.
Fox Meadow
• On Tuesday, kindergarten to second-grade students at Fox Meadow Elementary School in South Elgin will present a Spring Sing at 7 p.m. at South Elgin High School, 760 E. Main St.
Harriet Gifford
• Before the ISAT tests begin today, the school will provide the fourth annual breakfast at 8:30 a.m. in the Harriet Gifford Elementary School gym, 240 S. Clifton Ave., Elgin. The principal has invited district and community dignitaries to attend. Many food donations are being provided by area businesses. The following businesses are participating: America's Best House of Pancakes -- two pancakes and syrup, two sausages per student (300 students); Elgin Fresh Market -- four cases of fruit; Big Apple Bagel -- bagels and cream cheese; Scholastic -- one book per ISAT student; and Starbucks -- cookies.
Laurel Hill
• On Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., Laurel Hill Elementary School's Battle of the Books team will compete at the Bartlett Public Library against other Elgin Area School District U-46 schools.
In other news
• Elgin High School senior Abraham Lopez has been honored for his exemplary volunteer services with a President's Volunteer Service Award. The award was presented by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. Lopez helped bring Pay It Forward tours to Elgin High School, which most recently involved three busloads of students on a weekend-long community service tour to three cities in three states. The teens held a special event for nursing home patients, helped make building improvements in a low-income neighborhood, and assisted tornado clean-up efforts in Tennessee. Lopez has been involved in Pay It Forward tours since March 2006. "I try to set an example for other Hispanic students," Lopez said. In addition to the community service events, the tours also include bonding activities and leadership building activities for the teens "One of the biggest things of these tours is to break down the stereotypes of cliques in school. Everyone who has experienced a tour comes back with so much of a positive attitude and enthusiasm for volunteering."
• The Grand Victoria Foundation, supporter and partner of U-46 since 1996, has given a grant to U-46 to support after-school programs at Huff, Channing, Sheridan, and Garfield elementary schools. For the past five years, the schools benefited from a state 21st Century Community Learner Center grant to support after-school activities. Grand Victoria Foundation staff has worked with the four schools to help determine the most crucial needs that can be supported by the district, schools, and foundation. They also consider academic achievement and sustainability over time.