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Alignment Collaborative for Education - ACE

Education

Alignment Launches Freshman Experience at Larkin High School

In February 2021, Alignment began the pilot for our Freshman Experience with two classes at Larkin High School. The eight-week program is designed to help students develop the social and emotional skills needed for success in high school, their future careers, and everyday life. Each week focuses on a different topic including: Respect, Identity, and Inclusion; Teaming; Listening and Conflict Resolution; Valuing Diversity; Using Voice to Advocate for Self, Equity, and Social Justice; and Leadership and Career Skills.

Barbara Lynn Murray, a member of our Governing Board and esteemed HR professional, developed the modules, and with the support of ACE members and community volunteers, has taught five segments thus far. Even in the Zoom classrooms, we can see the content of this program has resonated with the participants and school staff. We have enjoyed being alongside the students while they learn more about who they are and how others perceive them and look forward to completing the remaining modules when in person teaching resumes in April.

Alignment Hosts University Admission Workshops for U-46 Students

Alignment College Panels

Throughout the pandemic it has been more important than ever to continue offering the students of U-46 the opportunity to learn about educational and career paths available to them. We are proud to say that Alignment has been able to provide the students with four university panels and two step-by-step admissions workshops hosted by Elgin Community College.

The participating universities were chosen based on attendance rates for U-46 students over the past five years. The panels included representation from Aurora University, DePaul University, Illinois State University, Judson University, Loyola University, Northern Illinois University, Purdue University, Southern Illinois University, University of Illinois, University of Illinois Chicago, University of Iowa, and University of Missouri.

We are so grateful to all our panelists and the participating high schools. We were able to reach over 1,000 students and enjoyed listening to the thoughtful questions and conversations they had with the representatives. In addition to the college panels, the ECC workshops were able to shed light on the complicated and important topics of admissions and financial aid.

Each panel was recorded and made available to students at all high schools. We look forward to providing U-46 students with more opportunities in the near future.

Municipalities Join Alignment in Recognizing Teachers, Staff and Administrators

Alignmet-Teacher appreciation poster

Please join us for a message of community-wide support as proclamations are read recognizing and encouraging U-46 teachers, staff and administrators:

Village of South Elgin
Monday, November 16th, 7:00 pm
Access Zoom meeting link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86276240284?pwd=YmJicmtWZ1piaisxUlBEWTEvSmxVUT09
Meeting ID: 862 7624 0284
Passcode: 558843

City of Elgin
Wednesday, November 18th, 7:00 pm
Access via the City’s website at https://www.cityofelgin.org/141/Video-Center

Village of Bartlett
Tuesday, November 17th, 7:00 pm
Access Zoom meeting link:
https://zoom.us/j/93990573068

Village of Hanover Park
Thursday, November 19th, 7:00 pm
Access meeting at:
http://www.facebook.com/VillageofHanoverPark

Village of Streamwood
Thursday, November 19th, 7:00 pm
Access meeting agenda at:
http://www.streamwood.org

Alignment Launches Engineering and Architecture Career Panel

Alignment successfully delivered its first career panel for the Fall Semester hosted by Bartlett High School featuring engineering and architecture careers.  Our panelists for the event included Elgin Sweeper, HLR Engineering, Judson University and Purdue University.

We greatly appreciated the collaboration with the BHS STEM Academy and Administration to recruit 160 students to participate in the panel.  The students made us all proud by preparing very specific career questions about the fields of mechanical engineering, civil engineering and architecture.  The combination of industry professionals along with senior level students proved very effective in addressing the students questions about future career opportunities.

Alignment will host an additional 14 panels representing 16 industry clusters hosted by the various high schools and the Dream Academy.  Recordings of each panel at the host high school will then be shared with all the high schools.

Child Care Options, Training on E-learning and Return to School Information for Parents

Child Care and Remote Learning Support for Older Children

As children return to school many community agencies are now offering child care for older students with the ability to support remote learning. Child care providers are preparing to help students with synchronous and asynchronous learning during the school day using Canvas, the U-46 online learning platform. Information for individual providers and links to their program information are listed below.

U-46 Complete Return to School Information

School District U-46 has created a website page for parents and students which is a comprehensive source of information regarding the return to school:  https://www.u-46.org/backtoschool

Child Care Options

For help finding child care for younger children, visit the Elgin Partnership for Early Learning website: elginpartnership.org.

Download a pdf of Childcare Options for Children Ages 5 and Older with E-learning Opportunities here.

Training on Canvas and Chromebooks for E-Learning

School District U-46 is offering webinar training on e-learning technology. Attendance is limited to the first 500 registered.

Chromebook 101 – Click here to register

7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26 | 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27
Learn about the basic functions of a Chromebook, some of the various tools and how a Chromebook differs from a traditional laptop.

Getting Started with Canvas – Click here to register

7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2 | 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 3
What is Canvas? This webinar will provide an introductory hands-on experience in setting up and navigating Canvas.

Engaging Students in Distance Learning – Click here to register

7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9 | 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10
U-46 staff will share some principles to guide student learning in the digital setting at home and review some of the education technology tools available in the District.

Promoting Self-Care for Parents & Caregivers – Click here to register

7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16 | 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17
In collaboration with the Family Service Association of Greater Elgin, U-46 lead social worker will explore ways to promote resilience and well-being in families so parents and caregivers remain strong and positive as we start planning to return to school.

Summer Reading in the Parks Expands in 2020

Early Education Summer Reading program

Expansion plans began early in January to expand the Summer Reading in the Parks program for Summer 2020. Generous sponsors included Elgin Township, Hoffer Foundation, Kiwanis and School District U-46.

By March with the impact of COVID-19, Alignment’s Early Education A-Team and the Elgin Partnership for Early Learning knew the program must be delivered differently to practice safe distancing. The program was quickly converted to a Summer Reading Grab and Go at Cornerstone and launched for the first time at Buena Vista and Channing parks in Elgin and Kiddie Corner Park in Streamwood.

Partnering with School District U-46, parents could drive by and receive food supplies along with an early education weekly curriculum. The program began in June and will conclude in early August serving over 250 children each week.