Mrs. Taylor's Sensory Shop

Michelle Taylor, special education teacher at Centennial Elementary School, knew her kindergarten through second-grade students would benefit from a play-based heavy motor station in her classroom.  Heavy motor breaks can help her students, many identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder, with self-regulation, so this fall, Taylor approached the U-46 Educational Foundation about a grant to fund a “grocery store” in her class, complete with a grocery cart and weighted play food.  The store had its grand opening this spring.

Taylor told us the store has created multiple learning opportunities, “with matching objects to pictures, moving heavy objects, crossing the midline, following a list, and also following three to four-step directions.”  Mrs. Taylor creates shopping lists for the students to check off.   Students locate the items and move the weighted items into their cart.   They then unload the items in the checkout area and receive a receipt.  

Carol Hall, Occupational Therapist at Centennial, said, “the weighted objects not only support the central nervous system but also provide upper extremity strengthening including trunk and shoulder stability and facilitation of distal control which are all foundational components to support a student.”

However, the students just think it’s fun!  Mrs. Taylor and her colleagues have noticed the Sensory Shop is a preferred activity in the classroom, and students are asking to take heavy motor sensory breaks throughout the day.    

When you donate to the U-46 Educational Foundation, you make projects like Mrs.Taylor’s store possible.  Thank you for supporting our students and our teachers’ innovative ideas!

Before the pandemic began, we made this video with Superintendent Sanders. Enjoy! In addition to Superintendent Sanders, you may notice some of your favorite U-46 students or teachers making cameo appearances.

Are you a member of KCT Credit Union? Call KCT today (847) 741-3344 to switch your existing KCT credit or debit card to a U-46 card, and a percentage of all of your purchases will benefit our students and schools through the U-46 Educational Foundation!  There are no fees to make the switch.

Thank You to our Superintendent's Scholarship Sponsors!

KCT Credit Union was the top sponsor this year of our Superintendent’s Scholarship.  We are always grateful for their ongoing support of our students, especially the Superintendent’s Scholarship recipients.  Thank you KCT!

Silver Sponsors of the Superintendent’s Scholarship include:

This scholarship opportunity would not be possible without the support of our corporate friends and our wonderful U-46 community.  Thank you to all who donated.  

More Thanks - 

We would also like to thank Staples, in South Elgin for donating 143 three-ring binder and 3 composition notebooks to U-46 students!  Thank you Staples!  

Thank you also to Mrs. Karen Merchant, a former Bartlett High School parent, for her recent donation of a car to Bartlett High School’s automotive program. 

Calling All U-46 High School Alumni 

Alumni  - you are one of our most valuable resources!!   Your stories provide our current students with a sense of pride, belonging, and a clear pathway to success.  But we will admit, we haven’t always done the best job of staying in touch and connecting with you.   Starting now, we would like to change that!

On each U-46 high school web page, you will find a new set of pages just for alumni.  There is the Events page to share upcoming alumni events, such as reunions.   The Reconnect page to collect contact information and updates on alumni.  Please use this page to share your updates and good news. Whether you recently graduated from college, got engaged, got a promotion, wrote a book, opened a business, or retired, we want to hear about it!   With your permission, your update will be shared on the  Alumni Updates page.  Check this page to find out what your old high school classmates are up to. And the Give page is there for alumni who want to give back to their schools.  Give little bits of history in the form of school memorabilia, organize a scholarship with other members of your graduating class, or make a donation earmarked for your school or current students.  

Please check out the new alumni pages! 

Bartlett Alumni - Elgin Alumni - Larkin Alumni - South Elgin Alumni - Streamwood Alumni

Lisa Mercado Memorial Scholarship For Bilingual Students 

In 2020, Lisa Mercado, a U-46 teacher, lost her two-year-long battle with breast cancer.  Mrs. Mercado was a Bilingual Elementary Educator for 30 years in School District U-46, teaching at Hillcrest, Highland, Creekside, O'Neal, and Lords Park elementary schools. During that time, she inspired and encouraged countless bilingual students.  Lisa Mercado called bilingualism her greatest gift and most valuable talent.  Her ability to connect to people in two languages meant she was able to "talk to twice as many people, read twice as many books, dance to twice as much music, and live twice as much life." 

She was survived by her husband, Mariano Mercado, a fellow bilingual U-46 teacher, and her sons, Alex (Larkin High School, Class of 2019) and Danny (Larkin High School, Class of 2021).   Alex is currently studying teacher education at Lisa's alma mater, Marquette University. 

In her memory, Lisa's friends and family recently established the Lisa Mercado Memorial Scholarship For Bilingual Students.  This scholarship will benefit a college-bound U-46 senior who has earned the Illinois Seal of Biliteracy.   The first award will be presented in 2022.

Find out more about the Lisa Mercado Memorial Scholarship For Bilingual Students.

Create a legacy of giving!

Join the U-46 Educational Foundation's Legacy Society by including the Foundation in your estate planning.  Follow this link to find out more!