HACES End of the Year Parent Mentor Celebration

The HACES Parent Mentor End of Year Celebration was held on May 26, 2026, recognizing the dedication and accomplishments of a remarkable cohort of 50 Parent Mentors serving seven Waukegan schools: Carman-Buckner, H.R. McCall, Glen Flora, Glenwood, Lyon Magnet, North Elementary, and Whittier Elementary. Throughout the school year, these Parent Mentors provided invaluable support in classrooms, helping students succeed while strengthening connections between schools and families.

A major highlight of the year was the completion of the Parent Mentors’ “Beyond the Classroom” projects, which addressed important needs within their school communities through advocacy, service, and collaboration.

At Whittier Elementary, under the leadership of Coordinator Adriana Ocampo, Parent Mentors launched the “Step to Safety” initiative to address traffic concerns during student arrival and dismissal. The cohort collected an impressive 436 petition signatures, surpassing their goal of 250, and met with Waukegan city officials and school leadership to advocate for improved safety measures. Their efforts resulted in the city’s commitment to implement enhancements including improved signage, flashing beacons, and increased police presence, demonstrating the power of parent advocacy and community engagement.

At Lyon Magnet, the cohort, led by Itzel Martinez, introduced the “Calming Zone” project based on the belief that every child deserves a safe space to manage emotions and receive support. After receiving specialized training from instructional coach Fabiola Grana, Parent Mentors worked alongside teachers to equip calming areas with essential materials and resources. The initiative reinforced the importance of emotional well-being as a foundation for academic success and student growth.

Glen Flora Elementary, under the leadership of Angelica Castrejon, successfully completed the renovation of the school’s Little Library, creating an inviting space that encourages literacy and a love of reading. As part of the school’s Día de los Niños celebration, Parent Mentors distributed free books to every student and spent time reading with children. To commemorate these accomplishments, the school hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Parent Mentors, school administrators, students, and members of the HACES Parent Mentor Program team.

At Carman-Buckner, Coordinator Maria Romero and her cohort focused their project on promoting healthy hygiene habits among students. Reflecting on their work, Romero shared, “We focused on teaching basic hygiene habits in a way that was age-appropriate, respectful, and engaging. We wanted students to feel comfortable and learn skills they can carry with them every day.” The group recognized that hygiene extends beyond cleanliness and is closely tied to confidence, health, and self-esteem. Through their project, Parent Mentors provided positive, caring support while helping students understand the importance of healthy daily habits.

Led by Irma Wheeler Cisneros, the North Elementary cohort launched the “Safety Stars Project,” a collaborative effort with fifth-grade students designed to improve safety throughout the school grounds. Beyond physical safety, the initiative encouraged kindness, mindfulness, and positive behavior among students. The project sought to strengthen self-esteem, prevent bullying, support mental health, and foster an environment where students feel safe and empowered to succeed academically.

At H.R. McCall, Xandavia Cook and her fellow Parent Mentors focused on recognizing and celebrating the school’s dedicated educators. Their Hawaiian-themed Teacher Appreciation Day featured festive decorations and a variety of refreshments, creating a memorable experience for faculty members. The Parent Mentors invested significant time and effort into every detail, demonstrating their gratitude and appreciation for the teachers who serve their students each day.

Several school leaders shared their appreciation for the Parent Mentors and the positive influence they have on their school communities. Principal Silva of Carman-Buckner, Principal Ruiz of Glen Flora, Principal Williams-Lenau of Glenwood, and Principal May of H.R. McCall each spoke about the meaningful contributions of the mentors and the success of the program.

The event was further enriched by the presence of Mayor Cunningham, who delivered an inspiring impromptu speech celebrating the collective efforts of the Parent Mentors and encouraging continued community engagement.

Through their classroom support and innovative Beyond the Classroom projects, the 2025–2026 Parent Mentor cohort demonstrated the extraordinary impact that engaged parents can have on strengthening school communities and creating opportunities for student success.