U-46 Educational Foundation

🌼💀 Big thanks to Signs By Tomorrow - Elgin, Copper Sponsor for El Trote de las Calacas! Local businesses like theirs are what make this 5K possible every year.

📅 See you October 10 in downtown Elgin, and if your business wants in on the fun, sponsorship spots are still open!

👟El Trote de las Calacas is hosted by the U-46 Educational Foundation and Gail Borden Public Library Foundation and co-sponsored by the City of Elgin, Illinois Government.

🌼💀 Thank you, International Contractors, Inc. ! 💀🌼

We're excited to recognize iCI as a Silver Sponsor of El Trote de las Calacas (The Skeleton Trot) 5K! As a partner of District U-46, iCI's continued investment in our students and community means so much to us. 🙌

This event is a joint celebration between the U-46 Educational Foundation and the Gail Borden Public Library Foundation, co-sponsored by the City of Elgin, and sponsors like iCI help make it possible.

📅 Join us October 10, 2026, in downtown Elgin for a morning of movement, culture, and community spirit!

👟 Want to sponsor? El Trote de las Calacas still has sponsorship opportunities available at every level — and every contribution directly supports U-46 students and Gail Borden Library programs. Reach out today to see how your business can join iCI in supporting this community celebration!

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Thank you, State Senator Cristina Castro!

We're so grateful to State Senator Cristina Castro (District 22) for stepping up as a Bronze Sponsor of El Trote de las Calacas (The Skeleton Trot) 5K! Your support helps us bring this run/walk to life in downtown Elgin this October.

This event is a joint celebration between the U-46 Educational Foundation and the Gail Borden Public Library District Foundation, co-sponsored by City of Elgin, and sponsors like Senator Castro make it possible for us to support students and our community together. 🙌

📅 Join us October 10, 2026, in downtown Elgin for a morning of movement, culture, and community spirit!

👟 Want to run? Want to sponsor? El Trote de las Calacas still has sponsorship opportunities available at every level, and every contribution directly supports U-46 students and Gail Borden Library programs. Reach out today to see how your business or organization can join Senator Castro in supporting this community celebration! For more information, contact Leslie Smogor at [email protected] or visit www.u-46.org/trote.

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Registration is open for the third annual El Trote de las Calacas — Skeleton Trot 5K on October 10, 2026 in Downtown Elgin! But prices go up July 1, so now is the time to sign up.
Whether you're chasing a PR or pushing a stroller, El Trote has a place for you. Run through the historic north end of Elgin along the scenic Fox River, then stay for food, entertainment, a cultural Marketplace, and our stunning Community Ofrenda celebrating Día de los Mu***os. 🌺💀
🏅 Fox River Triad runners — El Trote is Race #3 after Dublindee Kilted 5K and Elgin Valley Fox Trot! Complete all three and earn your exclusive Triad medal.
👨‍👩‍👧 Coming with a crew? We have a group discount!
👉 Register now at bit.ly/eltrote2026 before prices increase July 1!

After years of dedicated service, we're celebrating Jean Bednar as she steps down from her role as coordinator of the U-46 Educational Foundation. Jean joined us in 2023 and helped grow our community presence in ways we'll carry forward for years to come. Thank you, Jean...we're cheering you on in what's next!
And we're thrilled to welcome Leslie Smogor as our new Executive Director! We can't wait to see what the future holds.
It's an exciting time for the Foundation; some say it's our "golden age"!

🌺 Support El Trote de las Calacas and reach your community!
The third annual Skeleton Trot 5K is coming to Downtown Elgin on October 10, 2026, and we're looking for local business sponsors!
With 1,200+ runners and 1,500+ community members expected, your sponsorship puts your business in front of Elgin families — through T-shirts, social media, newsletters, signage, and more. Sponsorship levels start at just $500, and all donations are tax-deductible.
📋 See the flyer for full details.

📩 Ready to sponsor? Contact Karen Fox at [email protected] or Matthew Punnoose at [email protected].
⏰ Commit by September 1 to lock in your full benefits!

The U-46 Educational Foundation is grateful for our partnership with Consumers Credit Union and the Affinity Card Give-Back program! Thank you to U-46 Educational Foundation board member Benjamin Bernal for delivering a generous donation from CCU to the Foundation!

SENIORS - ARE YOU PLANNING ON ATTENDING ELGIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE?

The Malik M. Brown Memorial Scholarship is offered in memory of Malik M. Brown, a South Elgin High School student-athlete, who passed away unexpectedly in 2021. Available to graduating seniors at all U-46 high schools, the scholarship will be awarded to one student with plans to attend Elgin Community College in the fall of 2026. To learn more and to apply: u-46.org/our-district/educational-foundation/scholarships
The deadline is March 31.

THE ONLINE APPLICATION FOR 12 SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGH THE U-46 EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION HAS CLOSED.

"Watch this space" for information about other scholarships available to U-46 graduating seniors. One is open to seniors at all five high schools: ELGIN BREAKFAST ROTARY CLUB G. MICHAEL GREENE SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship program was established to honor the life of Gene Michael Green, who began his teaching career with U-46 in 1978. A later career change made him a successful stock broker in the Elgin area, who made a difference in the community serving as president of the Elgin Breakfast Rotary Club. Eventually, his commitment to youth and his passion for education brought him back to U-46 in 2001. He was known in the classroom for adapting lesson plans to meet a variety of learning styles, and fostering a genuine mutual respect with his students. He was a math teacher at Kenyon Woods Middle School when his life was unexpectedly cut short in July 2012.

This $1,000 scholarship given in his memory is available for eligible graduating seniors from a U-46 high school who plan to pursue a degree in teaching or math.
Learn more: u-46.org/our-district/educational-foundation/scholarships
Deadline: March 30