District 47 Celebrates 20 Years of Dual Language at Multicultural Night

Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 proudly celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Dual Language Program with a Multicultural Night on Tuesday, May 7, at North Elementary School. The event brought together families, staff, and community members in a celebration of language, culture, and the growth of the program over the past two decades.

Guests enjoyed a wide array of activities and entertainment, including the bilingual band Go Creative, bookmark and button making, a Kona Ice truck, and a taco truck. Every student in attendance received a free book available in a variety of languages. Classrooms were transformed into multicultural reading rooms where staff and parents read stories aloud in Ukrainian, Polish, Chinese, Spanish, and more—reflecting the diverse backgrounds of District 47’s students and families.

Launched in 2004 with just two classrooms—one at North Elementary and one at Coventry Elementary—the Dual Language Program has since grown to serve over 1,000 students across five schools: North, Coventry, and Canterbury Elementary Schools, as well as Hannah Beardsley and Lundahl Middle Schools. The program now spans kindergarten through 8th grade, offering instruction in both English and Spanish with a focus on academic achievement, biliteracy, and cultural awareness.

“This celebration is not only a reflection of the incredible growth of our Dual Language Program over the past two decades, but also of the families, students, and staff who make it so meaningful,” said Rebecca Morton, Director of Multilingual Programs since the 2021–22 school year.

It was a wonderful evening of families and staff coming together to celebrate what makes us unique and the sense of belonging we share.