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School District U-46 to Demonstrate Appreciation for Veterans with Special Events

Nov. 9, 2021 

Students and staff in School District U-46 will support and honor our local veterans and troops with special ceremonies, concerts, displays, and collections during the month of November. 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 itself, 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, November 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 non-perishable 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:

School

Address

Date/Time

Description

Centennial Elementary

234 E. Stearns Road, Bartlett   

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., Streamwood

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., South Elgin

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, Bartlett

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, Streamwood

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, Bartlett

Friday, Nov. 12

Zoom visits with local veterans in classrooms

Hawk Hollow Elementary

235 Jacaranda Drive, Bartlett

Friday, Nov. 12

Zoom visits with local veterans in classrooms

Larkin High School

1475 Larkin Ave., Elgin

Various dates - events run 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.