• Services We Provide

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    The Family Welcome Center serves all new students to U-46. The primary functions of the Family Welcome Center are:Laura Testing Student

    • To screen the English language proficiency of each student identified through the Home Language Survey as having a non-English background, as prescribed by the Illinois Administrative Code section 228.15-Identification of Eligible Students 
    • To determine a student’s eligibility to receive ELL services based on the prescribed screening instrument scores. If a student is eligible to receive ELL services, the Family Welcome Center will make the appropriate placement recommendation. 
    • To inform new families in the district of the instructional programs available for their child. 
    • To provide information about the registration process. 
    • To inform new families in the district of the resources available in School District U-46 and the community.  

    Parent Cafes

    In 2007, the Parent Cafe process was developed by parent leaders from Strengthening Families Illinois to design a parent-to-parent way to bring the Strengthening Families Protective Factors to families.

    Parent Cafes are physically and emotionally safe spaces where parents and caregivers can talk about the challenges and victories of raising a family. Through individual deep self-reflection and peer-to-peer learning, participants explore their strengths, learn about the Protective Factors, and create strategies from their own wisdom and experiences to help strengthen their families. 

    Cafes are structured discussions that use the principles of adult learning and family support. They are highly sustainable with training reinforcement, institutional support, and a commitment to an approach that engages and affirms parents as leaders. Participants leave Parent Cafes feeling inspired, energized, and excited to put into practice what they've learned.

    School District U46 has brought Parent Cafes to our families as a way of strengthening the relationships within families between parents and their children, strengthening the relationship between School District U46 and its families, and strengthening relationships within our Hispanic community. Our goal is for parents to develop the tools to become more involved in their children’s education and to become better advocates for their children’s needs.  Parent Cafes complement the Community Engagement of our U-46 Strategic Plan by supporting and empowering schools to be welcoming centers for our families.