School District U46 will honor Hispanic Heritage Month through a series of events, presentations and assemblies.
Latino community leaders will give presentations to inspire academic success through personal life lessons and stories.
Professional motivational speakers Lilyan Prado Carrillo and Carlos Ojeda Jr. will host Latino Leadership Assemblies for English Language Learners student and staff at six of the district’s middle schools and three high schools this month.
“We celebrate diversity every day in U46 but it’s critical that we take time this month to really reflect on the history, contributions and achievements of our Hispanic leaders and students,” said U46 Chief Executive Officer Tony Sanders in a news release. “The variety of activities and celebrations this month reflect our year-long commitment to preserving and lifting up the cultural and ethnic background of more than half of our students.”
Hispanics account for nearly 51 percent of the district’s student body, according to the district. More than 120 languages are spoken in students’ homes, district data shows.
Prado Carrillo is a motional speaker and a financial aid specialist. She travels around the country with a team of young men and women alongside Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch, a high-profile speaker and the highest-ranked Latina in the U.S. Army, to inspire students and parents to become leaders in their communities.
Ojeda is an entrepreneur, author and educator. He started CoolSpeak: The Youth and Engagement Company, to educate and empower children and teens through youth programs.
The presentations will address how to overcome obstacles, point out advice on battling stereotypes, empower students to succeed, and promote the belief that higher education is accessible for everyone, according to the release.
Mexican Independence Day celebrations will be held at some U46 elementary schools during the month of September and October.
The schedule of community events and other activities is sponsored by the English Language Learners department and the Bilingual Parent Advisory Council. Additionally, School Parent-Teacher Organizations will sponsor several events that feature bounce houses, ballet, folklorico dancing, food, the Elgin Police Department’s K-9 Unit and more.
ELL Latino Leadership Assembly with presenter Lilyan Prado
Sept. 26
•9 tp 10:34 a.m. at Kimball Middle School, 451 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin
•1:57 to 3:30 p.m. at Abbott Middle School, 949 Van St., Elgin
•11:24 a.m. to 12: 57 p.m. at Ellis Middle School, 225 S. Liberty St., Elgin
Sept. 27
•9 to 10:33 a.m. at Ellis Middle School, 225 S. Liberty St., Elgin
•11:25 a.m. to 12:54 p.m. at Tefft Middle School, 1100 Shirley Ave., Streamwood
•1:48 to 3:21 p.m. at Larsen Middle School, 665 Dundee Ave., Elgin
ELL Latino Leadership Assembly with presenter Carlos Ojeda Jr.
Sept. 26
•8:35 to 10:20 a.m. at Larkin High School, 1475 Larkin Ave., Elgin
•11:20 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Elgin High School, 1200 Maroon Dr., Elgin
•1:30 to 2:55 p.m. at Streamwood High School, 701 W. Schaumburg Rd., Streamwood